Within this formula, Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) is the sovereign medicinal. It is sweet, bland, and seeping, while its nature is cold. It outthrusts the bladder, disinhibits water, and seeps dampness. The minister medicinals are Fu Ling (Poria) and Zhu Ling (Polyporus) which also blandly seep. They help strengthen the disinhibition of water. Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) is then added to these in order to fortify and supplement the spleen qi and move and transform water dampness. Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) is the assistant medicine which is a single medicinal with two uses. First, externally, it resolves the tai yang on the exterior. Secondly, it aids the bladder qi internally. When these five medicinals are combined together, water is moved and qi is transformed, the exterior is relieved and the spleen in fortified. This formula comes from Zhang Zhong-jings late Han dynasty Shan Han Lun (Treatise on Damage [Due to] Cold).*

Zhu Ling, Ze Xie, Fu Ling, Guì Zhī, Bai Zhu, Grain Alcohol