黄连苦寒 手少阴经撤心肺间热，浓肠胃止下利。
陷胸汤泄胸中实热；
泻心汤导心下虚热；
人参汤通寒格；
白头翁汤坚下利；
乌梅丸安蛔；
黄连汤降阳。
凡十一方同用。
黄柏苦寒 入手少阴经，泄隐伏火，主五脏肠胃热结。
柏皮汤散热；
白头翁汤坚利。
知母苦寒 主燥闷烦心，泻心火清肺。
白虎汤清消肺气；
升麻汤除热凉心。
茵陈蒿苦寒 通关节，解肌热，除黄胆，利小便。故仲景治瘀血发黄，小便不利。
连轺即连翘根，味苦寒 故赤小豆汤，除热而退黄。
生梓白皮苦寒 主目病，去三虫。仲景治黄，故赤小豆汤降热而散虚。
阿胶甘平微温 续气入手太阴经，补血行厥阴路。主阴气不足，泄利无休。
炙甘草汤润经益心血，
猪苓汤滑窍利小便；
故阿胶汤阴血不足以补之。
鸡子黄甘温 除烦热火疟。
阿胶汤补阴血；
苦酒汤缓咽痛。
桔梗辛苦微温有小毒 手太阴经分之药，行胸中至高之分，止咽痛除寒热，
利咽膈定喘促。桔梗汤散寒，佐甘草除热，甘桔相合，以调寒热咽痛。
苦酒即醋，味酸温 助诸药行经。
苦酒汤敛咽疮；
猪胆汁汤润便硬。
胶饴甘温 补虚止渴，健脾胃补中，故建中汤用以温中散寒而健脾。
甘草甘平 安和药石解诸药毒，调和脏腑神养脾胃。治五劳七伤，通九窍百
脉，发散方解表，厥逆方温里，承气汤调胃，白虎汤清肺，柴胡汤缓中，泻心汤
导热。中满相反不用，内外上下中无所不至。
凡四十九方同用。
大枣甘温 安中缓脾润经，益胃补养不足，调和百药。
桂枝汤发表；
附子汤除湿；
十枣汤益土胜水；
小青龙滋荣和卫；
柴胡汤调寒热；
建中汤缓脾胃；
复脉汤补不足；
吴茱萸汤止呕逆，治客噫能补胃弱。
凡二十九方同用。
芍药味苦酸 专入太阴经，除湿益津液，缓中通五脏，止腹痛，利膀胱，赤者泻，白者补。
越婢汤益津液；
甘草汤益阴血；
建中汤收正气；
小青龙主气逆；
黄芩汤固胃；
麻仁丸敛津液；
大柴胡挟阴；
真武汤除湿。
下后胸满，当去；传经腹满宜加。
凡二十一方同用。
黄连，味苦性寒，归入手少阴心经，能清除心与肺之间的热邪，浓稠肠胃以止住腹泻。
陷胸汤用于泄除胸中的实热；
泻心汤用于引导心下（胃脘部）的虚热；
人参汤用于通治寒邪格拒之证；
白头翁汤用于固涩止利；
乌梅丸用于安蛔止痛；
黄连汤用于降逆平阳。
以上十一首方剂均含有黄连。
黄柏，味苦性寒，归入手少阴心经，能泄除潜伏之火，主治五脏及肠胃的热结。
柏皮汤用于散热；
白头翁汤用于固涩止利。
知母，味苦性寒，主治燥热烦闷、心烦，能泻心火、清肺热。
白虎汤用于清消肺气之热；
升麻汤用于除热凉心。
茵陈蒿，味苦性寒，能通利关节，解除肌表之热，消除黄疸，通利小便。因此张仲景治疗瘀血导致的发黄且小便不利时，常使用此药。
连轺即连翘的根，味苦性寒，因此赤小豆汤能除热退黄。
生梓白皮，味苦性寒，主治眼病，去除体内寄生虫。张仲景治疗黄疸时使用，故赤小豆汤能降热并消散虚热。
阿胶，味甘性平微温，接续气机，归入手太阴肺经，补血并通行厥阴肝经。主治阴气不足导致的腹泻不止。
炙甘草汤能润养经脉、补益心血；
猪苓汤能滑利窍道、通利小便；
因此阿胶汤用于补充阴血不足。
鸡子黄，味甘性温，能除烦热、治疗热疟疾。
阿胶汤用于补益阴血；
苦酒汤能缓解咽喉疼痛。
桔梗，味辛苦性微温，有小毒，是归入手太阴肺经的药物，运行于胸中至高之处，能止咽痛、除寒热，
利咽膈、定喘促。桔梗汤能散寒，佐以甘草以除热，甘桔相合，用以调和寒热所致的咽痛。
苦酒即醋，味酸性温，能辅助诸药行经。
苦酒汤能收敛咽部疮疡；
猪胆汁汤能润燥通便。
胶饴（麦芽糖），味甘性温，能补虚止渴，健脾胃、补中气，因此建中汤用它来温中散寒并健脾。
甘草，味甘性平，能安定和缓药性、解诸药之毒，调和脏腑、神养脾胃。治疗五劳七伤，通利九窍百脉，在发散方中用于解表，在厥逆方中用于温里，在承气汤中用于调胃，在白虎汤中用于清肺，在柴胡汤中用于缓中，在泻心汤中用于导热。若出现中满胀满则相反不宜使用，其作用内外上下、无所不至。
以上四十九首方剂均含有甘草。
大枣，味甘性温，能安中、缓脾、润经，益胃补养不足，调和各种药物。
桂枝汤用于发表；
附子汤用于除湿；
十枣汤用于益土胜水；
小青龙汤用于滋荣和卫；
柴胡汤用于调和寒热；
建中汤用于缓和脾胃；
复脉汤用于补益不足；
吴茱萸汤用于止呕逆，治疗客噫并能补胃弱。
以上二十九首方剂均含有大枣。
芍药，味苦酸，专入太阴脾经，能除湿、益津液，缓急通利五脏，止腹痛，利膀胱，赤芍偏于泻实，白芍偏于补虚。
越婢汤用于益津液；
甘草汤用于益阴血；
建中汤用于收摄正气；
小青龙汤主治气逆；
黄芩汤用于固护胃气；
麻仁丸用于敛聚津液；
大柴胡汤用于处理挟阴之证；
真武汤用于除湿。
攻下之后出现胸满者，应当去掉芍药；传经导致腹满者，适宜加入芍药。
以上二十一首方剂均含有芍药。
Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), bitter and cold, enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. It clears heat between the Heart and Lung, thickens the intestines and stomach to stop diarrhea.
Xianxiong Tang (Chest-Expelling Decoction) drains excess heat in the chest;
Xiexin Tang (Heart-Draining Decoction) guides away deficient heat below the heart (epigastrium);
Renshen Tang (Ginseng Decoction) treats cold rejection syndrome;
Baitouweng Tang (Pulsatilla Decoction) secures against diarrhea;
Wumei Wan (Mume Pill) calms roundworms;
Huanglian Tang (Coptis Decoction) descends Yang.
Eleven formulas use these together.
Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), bitter and cold, enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. It drains latent fire and primarily treats heat accumulation in the five Zang organs and intestines/stomach.
Bapi Tang (Phellodendron Bark Decoction) dissipates heat;
Baitouweng Tang (Pulsatilla Decoction) secures against diarrhea.
Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), bitter and cold, primarily treats dryness, oppression, and vexation, drains Heart Fire, and clears Lung heat.
Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) clears and dissipates Lung Qi heat;
Shengma Tang (Cimicifugae Decoction) removes heat and cools the Heart.
Yinchenhao (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba), bitter and cold, unites joints, resolves muscle heat, eliminates jaundice, and promotes urination. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing used it for treating yellowing due to blood stasis with difficult urination.
Lianyao (Forsythiae Radix, i.e., root of Forsythia), bitter and cold, therefore Chixiaodou Tang (Red Bean Decoction) removes heat and resolves jaundice.
Shengzi Bapi (Catalpae Cortex), bitter and cold, primarily treats eye diseases and expels three types of parasites. Zhang Zhongjing treated jaundice with it, so Chixiaodou Tang (Red Bean Decoction) descends heat and disperses deficiency heat.
Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla), sweet, neutral, slightly warm, replenishes Qi, enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, nourishes Blood, and circulates through the Jueyin Liver pathway. It primarily treats insufficient Yin Qi causing unremitting diarrhea.
Zhigancao Tang (Honey-Pounded Licorice Decoction) moistens meridians and benefits Heart Blood;
Zhuling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) lubricates orifices and promotes urination;
Therefore, Ejiao Tang (Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction) is used to supplement insufficient Yin and Blood.
Jizihuang (Gallic Ovi Caprinique Ovum), sweet and warm, removes vexation and heat, treats malaria with heat.
Ejiao Tang (Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction) supplements Yin and Blood;
Kuju Tang (Vinegar Decoction) alleviates sore throat.
Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), acrid and bitter, slightly warm, slightly toxic. It is a herb entering the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, circulating in the highest part of the chest, stopping sore throat, removing chills and fever,
benefiting the pharynx and diaphragm, and stabilizing panting. Jiegeng Tang (Platycodon Decoction) disperses cold; assisted by Gancao (Licorice) to remove heat. The combination of Gancao and Jiegeng harmonizes cold and heat-related sore throats.
Kuju (Vinegar), sour and warm, assists other herbs in circulating through meridians.
Kuju Tang (Vinegar Decoction) astringes throat ulcers;
Zhuyedan Tang (Pig Bile Decoction) moistens hard stools.
Jiaoyi (Malt Sugar), sweet and warm, tonifies deficiency, stops thirst, strengthens Spleen and Stomach, and tonifies the Middle. Therefore, Jianzhong Tang (Middle-Building Decoction) uses it to warm the middle, dispel cold, and strengthen the Spleen.
Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), sweet and neutral, pacifies and harmonizes medicinal properties, resolves toxicity of various drugs, harmonizes Zang-Fu organs, spiritually nourishes Spleen and Stomach. It treats five labors and seven injuries, opens nine orifices and hundred vessels. In dispersing formulas, it releases the exterior; in JueNi (Cold Reversal) formulas, it warms the interior; in Chengqi Tang (Assist Qi Decoction), it regulates the Stomach; in Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), it clears the Lung; in Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction), it moderates the middle; in Xiexin Tang (Heart-Draining Decoction), it conducts heat. It is contraindicated in fullness in the middle; its effects reach inside, outside, above, and below without exception.
Forty-nine formulas use these together.
Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), sweet and warm, pacifies the middle, moderates the Spleen, moistens meridians, benefits the Stomach, supplements insufficiency, and harmonizes hundred drugs.
Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) releases the exterior;
Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction) dispels dampness;
Shizao Tang (Ten Jujubes Decoction) benefits Earth to overcome Water;
Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) nourishes Ying and harmonizes Wei;
Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction) harmonizes cold and heat;
Jianzhong Tang (Middle-Building Decoction) moderates Spleen and Stomach;
Maishen Tang (Pulse-Recovering Decoction) supplements insufficiency;
Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction) stops vomiting and regurgitation, treats external belching, and can tonify weak Stomach.
Twenty-nine formulas use these together.
Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), bitter and sour, specifically enters the Taiyin Spleen Meridian. It dispels dampness, benefits Jin-Ye (Body Fluids), moderates urgency, unites the five Zang organs, stops abdominal pain, benefits the Bladder. Red Shaoyao (Chi Shao) purges excess; White Shaoyao (Bai Shao) tonifies deficiency.
Yuespi Tang (Disguised Beast Decoction) benefits Jin-Ye;
Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction) benefits Yin and Blood;
Jianzhong Tang (Middle-Building Decoction) gathers righteous Qi;
Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) primarily treats rebellious Qi;
Huangqin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction) consolidates the Stomach;
Maren Wan (Hemp Seed Pill) collects Jin-Ye;
Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) handles Shaoyin involvement;
Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) dispels dampness.
After purgation, if there is chest fullness, it should be removed; if transmission of disease causes abdominal fullness, it should be added.
Twenty-one formulas use these together.