《本草经》肇炎皇，医之祖也。伊芳尹用《本经》为《汤液》，仲景广《汤液》为方法，后之陶，唐、李、
陈，本草虽多，不能及也。日久黑白未免无混，得经意者惟东恒、丹溪，会经要者惟古庵、节斋。是以总法
象于前，分五品于后，其先辈歌括多有修改之者，非好劳也，不敢少违经旨耳。《指南》云∶不读本草，焉知
药性？专泥药性，决不识病；假饶识病，未必得法。能穷《素问》，病受何气，便知用药，当择何味。
天有阴阳彰六气，
风寒暑湿燥火，三阴三阳上奉之。
温凉寒热四时行；
春夏温热者，天之阳也；秋冬凉寒者，天之阴也。阳则升，阴则降。
地有阴阳化五味，
金木水火土，生长化收藏下应之。
酸苦辛甘咸淡成。
辛甘淡者，地之阳也；酸苦咸者，地之阴也。阳则浮，阴则沉。酸生于东方，木应春气，温入肝；苦生
于南方，火应夏气，热入心；甘生于中央，土应四季，气兼温凉寒热，味兼辛咸酸苦，其本气平，其本味甘，
入脾胃；辛生于西方，金应秋气，燥入肺；咸生于北方，水应冬气，寒入肾；淡为五味之本，故本草不言淡。
然有生必有化，木味化甘，火味化辛，土味化咸，
金味化酸，水味化苦，其应脏腑则相同也。经曰∶天食人以五气，地食人以五味。五气入鼻，藏于心肺，
五味入口，藏于肠胃。
辛散酸收淡渗泄，咸软苦泻甘缓平；
药本五味，入五脏而为补泻。辛散，谓散其表里拂郁也；酸收谓收其耗散之气也；淡渗，谓渗其内湿利
小便也；咸软，谓软其大便燥结之大热也；苦泻，谓泻其上升之火也；甘缓，谓缓其大热大寒也。
酸苦涌泄阴为味，辛甘发散气阳轻。
又，咸味涌泄为阴，淡味渗泄为阳。有一药两味者、或三味者，或一气者、或两气者，轻清重浊之分，
气味浓薄之异。
轻清成象亲乎上，
味薄，茶之类。清阳出上窍，本乎天者亲上也。
亲下重浊阴成形。
味浓，大黄之类。浊阴出下窍，本乎地者亲下也。阳化气，阴成形，万物皆然。
清之清者发腠理，阳中阳味浓之至∶
附子气浓，阳中阳也，故发热。
清之浊者实四肢，阳中之阴薄气使。
茯苓淡，为在天之阳也。阳当上行，何为利水而泄下？经云∶气之薄者，乃阳中之阴，所以茯苓利水
而下行，然而泄下，亦不离乎阳之体，故入手太阳。
浊之浊者走五脏，阴中之阴乃浓味；
大黄味浓，阴中阴也，故泄下。
浊之清者归六腑，阴中之阳薄味尔。
麻黄苦，为在地之阴也。阴当下行，何为发汗而升上？经云∶味之薄者，乃阴中之阳，所以麻黄发汗而
上升。然而升上，亦不利乎阴之体，故入手太阴。
六淫外感如何治？风以辛凉热咸寒，火淫同热。
湿苦热兮寒甘热，苦温燥胜佐辛酸。
风制法肝春木，酸生之道也。失常则病，风淫于内，治以辛凉，佐以甘辛，以甘缓之，以辛散之。热制
法心夏火，苦长之道也。失常则病，热淫于内，治以咸寒，佐以甘苦，以酸收之，以苦发之。湿制法脾土甘，
中方化成之道也。失常则病，湿淫于内，治以苦热，佐以咸热，以苦燥之，以淡泄之。燥制法肺秋金，辛收
之道也。失常则病，燥淫于内，治以苦温，佐以甘辛，以辛润之，以苦下之。寒制法肾冬水，咸藏之道也。失
常则病，寒淫于内，治以甘热，佐以苦辛，以辛散之，以苦坚之。盖五味酸苦甘辛咸，为五脏之本也。四时
五行化生，各顺其道，违则病生。古圣设法以制变，如风淫于内，乃肝木失常，火随而炽，治以辛凉，是为
辛金克其木，凉水沃其火。余皆仿此。但《内经》既曰风淫于内，又曰风淫所胜。盖自在泉而言，则曰淫于内；
自司天而言，则曰所胜。六淫皆然，其治则一也。或客胜主，则泻客补主；或主胜客，则泻主补客。随其缓
急以治之。
内伤苦欲分虚实，
肝苦急，急食甘以缓之，甘草；肝欲散，急食辛以散之，川芎；以辛补之，细辛；以酸泻之，白芍。心苦
缓，急食酸以收之，五味子；心欲软，急食咸以软之，芒硝；以咸补之，泽泻；以甘泻之，参、 、甘草。
脾苦湿，急食苦以燥之，白术；脾欲缓，急食甘以缓之，甘草；以甘补之，人参；以苦泻之，黄连。肺苦气
上逆，急食苦以泻之，黄芩；肺欲收，急食酸以收之，白芍；以酸补之，五味子；以辛泻之，桑白皮。肾苦燥，
急食辛以润之，知母、黄柏；注云∶开腠理，致津液，通气也。肾欲坚，急食苦以坚之，知母；以苦补之，黄
柏，以咸泻之，泽泻。五脏虚实补泻，肝虚以陈皮、生姜之类补之。经曰∶虚则补其母。水能生木，肾乃肝之
母；肾，水也。若补其肾，熟地黄是也。如无他证，惟不足，肾气丸主之。实则白芍泻之，如无他证，泻青丸
主之。实则泻其子，心乃肝之子，以甘草泻心汤。虚以炒盐补之，虚则补其母，木能生火，肝乃心之母。肝，
木也；心，火也。以生姜补之，如无他证，朱砂安神丸是也。实则甘草泻之，如无他
证，重则单黄连汤，轻则导赤散。脾虚以甘草、大枣之类补之，实则以枳实泻之，如无他证，虚则以益黄散，
实则泻黄散。心乃脾之母，以炒盐补心。肺乃脾之子，以桑白皮泻肺。肺虚以五味子补之，实则桑白皮泻之，
如无他证，实则用泻白散，虚则用阿胶散。虚则以甘草补脾土，补其母也；实则以泽泻泻肾水，泻其子也。
肾虚以熟地、黄柏补之，泻以泽泻之咸。肾有补无泻，肾气丸主之。肺乃肾之母，金生水故也，以五味子
补肺而已。
升降浮沉法一般。
肝主春，于时自子至卯，为阴中之阳，风药应之，如防风、羌活、升麻、葛根之类，自地而升天，味
之薄者是也。味辛补酸泻，气温补凉泻。心主夏，于时自卯至午，为阳中之阳，热药应之，如附子、乌头、姜、
桂、红豆之类。正秉火之气味，火之浓浮散下，气之浓者是也。味咸补甘泻，气热补寒泻。肺主秋，于时自
午至酉，为阳中之阴，燥药应之，如茯苓、猪苓、泽泻、木通之类。自天收而降地，气之薄者是也。味酸补
辛泻，气凉补温泻。冬主肾，于时自酉至子，为阴中之阴，寒药应之，如大黄、芩、连、黄柏、防己之类。正
秉水之气味，水之浓化浮沉，味之浓者是也。味苦补咸泄，气寒补热泻。脾主长夏生化，味甘补苦泻，气寒热
温凉，各从其宜，详后分类注。经曰∶补泻在味，随时换气。凡言补，补以辛甘温热之剂，皆助春夏之升浮，
在人身乃肝心也；凡言泻，泻以酸苦寒凉及淡渗之剂，皆助秋冬之降沉，在人身乃肺肾也。从时，春温宜凉，
夏热宜寒，秋凉宜温，冬寒宜热；昼则从升，夜则从降；晴则从热，阴则从寒。然病与时逆，夏反用热，冬反
用寒，如发表不远热，攻里不远寒，以其不住于中也。又如伤寒，虽夏月可用辛热；伤酒及素有热，虽寒月可
用苦寒，然皆暂用也。以人病言之，病在上则宜升，病在下则宜降，病在外则宜浮，病在内则宜沉，病寒则
治以热，病热则治以寒，变化至不一也。故升降浮沉则顺之，所谓无伤岁气，勿伐天和也；寒热温凉则逆之，
所谓调其气，使之平也，岂可执一而论哉！
身腰下病梢能降，身半上病根宜损；
凡药根在土中者，中半以上气脉上行，以生苗者为根。中半以下气脉下行，以入土者为梢。病在中焦用身，
上焦用根，下焦用梢。经云∶根升梢降。
横行手膊惟辛散，
五味酸止而收敛，咸止而软坚，苦直行而泄，黄柏、大黄之类是也；辛横行而散，桂枝之类是也；甘
上行而发，甘草之类是也。
分经报使又何难？
诗曰∶小肠膀胱属太阳，蒿本、羌活是本乡；三焦胆与肝胞络，少阳厥阴柴胡强。大肠阳明并足胃，葛
根、白芷、升麻当；太阴肺脉中焦起，白芷、升麻、葱白乡。脾经少与肺部异，升麻兼之白芷详；少阴心经
独活主，肾经独活加桂良。通经用此药为使，岂能有病到膏肓？然此皆外感杂证引药，若内伤虚损，须于前五
脏虚实补泻药内求之。
君臣和合无反畏 上品药一百二十
种为君，主养命以应天，无毒，多服久服轻身延年。中品药一百二十种为臣，主养性以
应人，无毒或有毒，遏病补虚，斟酌其宜。下品药一百二十种为佐使，主治病以应地，多毒，除寒热，破积聚，
不可久服。《神农本经》三百六十五种，法周天三百六十五度，后陶隐居又加三百六十五种，合七百二十种，
此以无毒有毒论君臣也。若制方之法，主治病邪者为君，辅君分治者为臣，应臣向导者为佐使。假如治风以
防风为君，治上热以黄芩为君，中热以黄连为君，治湿以防己为君，治寒以附子为君。兼见何证，以证佐分
治。或体薄不敢纯用苦寒，则以辛热为向导而监制之。大概养命养性之药，一君二臣三佐使。治病之药，
一君二臣九佐使。务要君臣配合，如父子兄弟和气，主疗同而气味似旧方，小反小畏亦不甚拘，若大反大畏竟
有同剂者，必追
重去积，仍有监制，乃不杀人，非初学可妄也。用药凡例∶凡解利伤风，以防风为君，甘草、白术为佐，风宜
辛散也。凡解利伤寒，以甘草为君，防风、白术为佐，寒宜甘发也。凡眼暴发赤肿，以防风、黄芩泻火为君，
黄连、芍药和血为佐，兼以各经药用之；凡眼久病昏暗，以熟地、当归为君，防风、羌活为臣，甘草、菊花之
类为佐。凡痢疾腹痛，以芍药、甘草为君，当归、白术为佐。见血先后，以三焦分邪热，水泻以茯苓、白术为
君，芍药、甘草为佐。凡诸风，以防风为君，随治病为佐。凡嗽以五味子为君，有痰者半夏为佐，有喘者阿胶
为佐，有热无热者黄芩为佐，但分两多少不同耳。凡小便不利，以黄柏、知母为君，茯苓、泽泻为佐。凡下焦
有湿，以草龙胆、防己为君，甘草、黄柏为佐。凡痔漏，以苍术、防风为君，甘草、芍药为佐。凡诸疮，以黄
连、当归为君，甘草、黄芩为佐。凡疟疾，以柴胡为君，随所发时属经分用引经药佐之。相反药只十八味，逐
一从头说与君∶人参芍药与沙参，细辛玄参及紫参，苦参丹参并前药，一见藜芦便杀人；白芨白蔹并半夏，栝
蒌贝母五般真，莫见乌头与乌喙，逢之一反疾如神；大戟芫花并海藻，甘遂以上反甘草。若还吐蛊与翻肠，
寻常用之都不好；蜜蜡莫与葱相睹，石决明休见云母；藜芦莫使酒来侵，人若犯之都是苦。又，硫黄原是火之
精，朴硝一见便相争；水银莫与砒相见，野狼毒最怕密陀僧。巴豆性烈最为上，偏与牵牛不顺情，丁香莫与郁金
见，牙硝难合京三棱。川乌、草乌不顺犀，人参又忌五灵脂；官桂善能调冷气，若逢石脂便相欺。大凡修合看
顺逆，炮 炙爆莫相同。
七方十剂有机关；
七方∶大方君一臣二佐九，凡病有兼证者用之；或病在肝肾之下而远者，分两多而频服之，亦大方也。小
方君一臣二，病无兼证者用之；或病在心肺之上而近者，分两少而频服之，亦小方也。缓方有五∶有甘以缓
之之缓方，如糖蜜、大枣、甘草，取其甜能变隔也；有丸以缓之之缓方，气行迟也；有无毒治本之缓方，功自缓
也；有品性群众之缓方，或表里药同剂，或升降药同剂，更相拘制，各逞其能，而不得肆其毒也；有补上治上
之缓方，心肺病不厌频而少是也。急方有五∶有急病攻之急方，如中风牙关紧急，用续命是也；有药性急烈
之急方，如溲便闭塞，借用备急丸是也；有汤散荡涤之急方，下因易散故也；有药性有毒治标之急方，汗吐下
剂是也；有补下治下之急方，肝肾之病，不厌频而多是也。奇方有二∶有单方之奇方，用一物是也；有数合
阳数之奇方，一三五七九，皆阳数也，故奇方宜下不宜汗。凡入阳之分亦谓之奇。偶方有二∶有古之复方之
偶方，二四六八十，皆阴数也，故偶方宜汗不宜下。凡入阴之分亦谓之偶。复方有二∶有二方三方之复方，如
调胃承气汤加连翘、黄芩、山栀、薄荷为凉膈散。如防风、荆芥、石膏、滑石、桔梗、川芎、麻黄、当归、
芍药、白术为防风通圣散；有分两均齐之复方，胃风汤是也。十剂∶宣剂可以去壅，姜、橘之属，郁而不散者用
之；通剂可以去滞，通草、防己之属，留而不行者用之；补剂可以去弱，人参、羊肉之属，气弱血弱者用之；
泄剂可以去闭，葶苈、大黄之属，闭而有余者用之；轻剂可以去实，麻黄、葛根之属，气实腠理闭密者用之；重
剂可以去怯，磁石、铁粉之属，气浮神志不定者用之；滑剂可以去着，冬葵、榆皮之属。气着经涩二便涩者用
之；涩剂可以去脱，牡蛎、龙骨之属，气脱遗溺遗粪遗精亡血者用之；燥剂可以去湿，桑白皮、赤小豆之属，
分上中下表里用之；湿剂可以去枯，紫石英、白石英之属，气枯血枯者用之；又寒剂可以去热，硝、黄之属；
热剂可以去寒，桂、附之属是也。
汤散丸丹斟等分，
药有宜膏煎者，宜水者，酒渍者，宜丸宜散者，亦有一物兼宜者。但古人以口咬细，令如麻豆大为粗末，
《神农本草经》起源于炎帝时代，是医学的源头。伊尹根据《本经》编写了《汤液经法》，张仲景又在此基础上扩充《汤液》制定了具体的治疗方法。后来的陶弘景、唐代和宋代的李珣、陈藏器等人，虽然本草著作繁多，但都无法超越前人的成就。随着时间推移，是非黑白难免混淆，真正领悟经典精髓的只有王冰（号东恒）和朱震亨（号丹溪），能够掌握经典要义的则是古庵和节斋。因此，我在前面总括药物的法象，在后面将药物分为上、中、下三品。前辈们的歌诀多有修改，并非为了劳碌，而是不敢稍微违背经典的旨意。《指南》说：不读本草，怎么知道药性？只拘泥于药性，一定不认识疾病；即使认识了疾病，也不一定懂得治法。如果能穷尽《素问》的道理，就知道病受何种邪气，从而知道用药应当选择什么味道。
天有阴阳，彰显六气（风、寒、暑、湿、燥、火），这是三阴三阳所奉承的天道。
温凉寒热四时运行；
春夏温热，属于天的阳气；秋冬凉寒，属于天的阴气。阳气主升，阴气主降。
地有阴阳，化生五味（酸、苦、甘、辛、咸），这是金木水火土生长化收藏所应合的地道。
酸苦辛甘咸淡由此形成。
辛、甘、淡属于地的阳气；酸、苦、咸属于地的阴气。阳气主浮，阴气主沉。酸味生于东方，对应木气和春气，温和入肝；苦味生于南方，对应火气和夏气，热入心；甘味生于中央，对应土气和四季之气，其气兼有温凉寒热，其味兼有辛咸酸苦，其本气平，其本味甘，入脾胃；辛味生于西方，对应金气和秋气，燥入肺；咸味生于北方，对应水气和冬气，寒入肾；淡为五味的根本，所以本草中不单独列淡味。
然而有生必有化，木味化为甘，火味化为辛，土味化为咸，金味化为酸，水味化为苦，它们对应的脏腑功能则相同。经典说：天以五气食人，地以五味食人。五气从鼻吸入，藏于心肺；五味从口摄入，藏于肠胃。
辛能发散，酸能收敛，淡能渗泄；咸能软坚，苦能泻下，甘能缓急平和；
药物本来具有五味，进入五脏起到补或泻的作用。辛散，是指发散表里的拂郁之气；酸收，是指收敛耗散之气；淡渗，是指渗利体内湿气并通利小便；咸软，是指软化大便燥结的大热之症；苦泻，是指泻下上升的火邪；甘缓，是指缓和剧烈的大热或大寒。
酸苦涌吐泄下属阴为味，辛甘发散属气为阳轻。
另外，咸味涌吐泄下属于阴，淡味渗泄属于阳。有的药物兼具两味或三味，或具有一气或两气，这就有了轻清与重浊的区别，气味浓薄的差异。
轻清者成象亲近上部，
味薄，如茶之类。清阳出于上窍，本乎天的性质亲近上部。
亲下者重浊阴成形。
味浓，如大黄之类。浊阴出于下窍，本乎地的性质亲近下部。阳化气，阴成形，万物都是如此。
清中之清者发腠理，这是阳中阳味最浓的：
附子气浓，属于阳中之阳，所以能发热。
清中之浊者实四肢，这是阳中之阴由薄气所致。
茯苓味淡，属于在天之阳。阳气应当上行，为什么能利水而下行？经典说：气薄的，是阳中之阴，所以茯苓能利水而下行，然而它泄下，也不离乎阳的本体，所以归入手太阳经。
浊中之浊者走五脏，这是阴中之阴由浓味所致；
大黄味浓，属于阴中之阴，所以能泄下。
浊中之清者归六腑，这是阴中之阳由薄味所致。
麻黄味苦，属于在地之阴。阴气应当下行，为什么能发汗而上升？经典说：味薄的，是阴中之阳，所以麻黄能发汗而上升。然而它上升，也不利于阴的本体，所以归入手太阴经。
六淫外感如何治疗？风邪用辛凉，热邪用咸寒，火邪同热邪治法。
湿邪用苦热，寒邪用甘热，苦温燥湿胜佐以辛酸。
风邪制法对应肝和春木，是酸生的道理。失常则生病，风邪淫乱于内，用辛凉治疗，佐以甘辛，用甘味缓和它，用辛味发散它。热邪制法对应心和夏火，是苦长的道理。失常则生病，热邪淫乱于内，用咸寒治疗，佐以甘苦，用酸味收敛它，用苦味发散它。湿邪制法对应脾和土，是甘味中方化成之道。失常则生病，湿邪淫乱于内，用苦热治疗，佐以咸热，用苦味燥湿，用淡味渗泄。燥邪制法对应肺和秋金，是辛收的道理。失常则生病，燥邪淫乱于内，用苦温治疗，佐以甘辛，用辛味润燥，用苦味通便。寒邪制法对应肾和冬水，是咸藏的道理。失常则生病，寒邪淫乱于内，用甘热治疗，佐以苦辛，用辛味发散，用苦味坚阴。大概五味酸苦甘辛咸，是五脏的根本。四时五行化生，各自顺应其道，违背则生病。古代圣人设立治法以制约变化，如风邪淫乱于内，是肝木失常，火随之炽盛，用辛凉治疗，这是用辛金克制木，凉水浇灭火。其余都仿照此理。只是《内经》既说“风淫于内”，又说“风淫所胜”。从在泉之气来说，叫“淫于内”；从司天之气来说，叫“所胜”。六淫都是这样，治则是一样的。或者是客邪胜主气，就泻客邪补主气；或者是主气胜客邪，就泻主气补客邪。随其缓急来治疗。
内伤苦欲分虚实，
肝苦急，急忙食用甘味来缓和它，如甘草；肝欲散，急忙食用辛味来发散它，如川芎；用辛味补肝，如细辛；用酸味泻肝，如白芍。心苦缓，急忙食用酸味来收敛它，如五味子；心欲软，急忙食用咸味来软坚它，如芒硝；用咸味补心，如泽泻；用甘味泻心，如人参、甘草。脾苦湿，急忙食用苦味来燥湿它，如白术；脾欲缓，急忙食用甘味来缓和它，如甘草；用甘味补脾，如人参；用苦味泻脾，如黄连。肺苦气上逆，急忙食用苦味来泻下它，如黄芩；肺欲收，急忙食用酸味来收敛它，如白芍；用酸味补肺，如五味子；用辛味泻肺，如桑白皮。肾苦燥，急忙食用辛味来润燥它，如知母、黄柏；注解说：开通腠理，津液流通，通气机。肾欲坚，急忙食用苦味来坚阴它，如知母；用苦味补肾，如黄柏，用咸味泻肾，如泽泻。五脏虚实补泻，肝虚用陈皮、生姜之类补之。经典说：虚则补其母。水能生木，肾乃肝之母；肾，属水。如果补其肾，熟地黄就是。如果没有其他证候，仅仅是不足，用肾气丸主治。实证用白芍泻之，如果没有其他证候，用泻青丸主治。实则泻其子，心乃肝之子，用甘草泻心汤。心虚用炒盐补之，虚则补其母，木能生火，肝乃心之母。肝，属木；心，属火。用生姜补之，如果没有其他证候，用朱砂安神丸。实证用甘草泻之，如果没有其他证候，重的单用黄连汤，轻的用导赤散。脾虚用甘草、大枣之类补之，实证用枳实泻之，如果没有其他证候，虚证用益黄散，实证用泻黄散。心乃脾之母，用炒盐补心。肺乃脾之子，用桑白皮泻肺。肺虚用五味子补之，实证用桑白皮泻之，如果没有其他证候，实证用泻白散，虚证用阿胶散。肺虚用甘草补脾土，是补其母；实证用泽泻泻肾水，是泻其子。肾虚用熟地、黄柏补之，泻药用泽泻之咸。肾有补无泻，用肾气丸主治。肺乃肾之母，金生水的原因，只用五味子补肺罢了。
升降浮沉的法则是通用的。
肝主春，在时辰上自子时至卯时，属于阴中之阳，风药应之，如防风、羌活、升麻、葛根之类，从地升天，是味薄的药物。味辛补肝，味酸泻肝；气温补肝，气凉泻肝。心主夏，在时辰上自卯时至午时，属于阳中之阳，热药应之，如附子、乌头、姜、桂、红豆之类。正秉火的气味，火之浓浮散下，气之浓者是也。味咸补心，味甘泻心；气热补心，气寒泻心。肺主秋，在时辰上自午时至酉时，属于阳中之阴，燥药应之，如茯苓、猪苓、泽泻、木通之类。从天收而降地，是气薄的药物。味酸补肺，味辛泻肺；气凉补肺，气温泻肺。冬主肾，在时辰上自酉时至子时，属于阴中之阴，寒药应之，如大黄、黄芩、黄连、黄柏、防己之类。正秉水的气味，水之浓化浮沉，味之浓者是也。味苦补肾，味咸泻肾；气寒补肾，气热泻肾。脾主长夏生化，味甘补脾，味苦泻脾，气有寒热温凉，各从其宜，详见后分类注。经典说：补泻在于味，随时令换用气。凡是说补，是用辛甘温热的药剂，都是助长春夏的升浮，在人身对应肝心；凡是说泻，是用酸苦寒凉及淡渗的药剂，都是助长秋冬的降沉，在人身对应肺肾。顺从时令，春温宜凉，夏热宜寒，秋凉宜温，冬寒宜热；白天顺从升，夜晚顺从降；晴天顺从热，阴天顺从寒。然而病与时令相逆，夏天反而用热药，冬天反而用寒药，如发表不远热，攻里不远寒，因为它们不停留于中焦。又如伤寒，虽然夏天可用辛热药；伤酒及素有热，虽然冬天可用苦寒药，但这都是暂时使用。从人体病情来说，病在上则宜升，病在下则宜降，病在外则宜浮，病在内则宜沉，病寒则治以热，病热则治以寒，变化非常多。所以升降浮沉要顺从其势，所谓不伤害岁气，不破坏天和；寒热温凉要逆其病势，所谓调和其气，使之平衡，怎么能固执一端而论呢！
身腰以下病梢能降，身半以上病根宜损；
凡药根在土中的，中半以上气脉上行，以生出苗的部分为根。中半以下气脉下行，以入土的部分为梢。病在中焦用身，上焦用根，下焦用梢。经典说：根升梢降。
横行手膊惟辛散，
五味中，酸止而收敛，咸止而软坚，苦直行而泄，如黄柏、大黄之类；辛横行而散，如桂枝之类；甘上行而发，如甘草之类。
分经报使又何难？
诗说：小肠膀胱属太阳，蒿本、羌活是本乡；三焦胆与肝胞络，少阳厥阴柴胡强。大肠阳明并足胃，葛根、白芷、升麻当；太阴肺脉中焦起，白芷、升麻、葱白乡。脾经少与肺部异，升麻兼之白芷详；少阴心经独活主，肾经独活加桂良。通经用此药为使，岂能有病到膏肓？然而这些多是外感杂证的引经药，如果是内伤虚损，须在前述五脏虚实补泻药中寻找。
君臣和合无反畏 上品药一百二十种为君，主养命以应天，无毒，多服久服轻身延年。中品药一百二十种为臣，主养性以应人，无毒或有毒，遏病补虚，斟酌其宜。下品药一百二十种为佐使，主治病以应地，多毒，除寒热，破积聚，不可久服。《神农本草经》三百六十五种，法周天三百六十五度，后来陶弘景又加三百六十五种，合七百二十种，这是以无毒有毒论君臣。如果制定方剂的方法，主治病邪的为君，辅君分治的为臣，应臣向导的为佐使。假如治风以防风为君，治上热以黄芩为君，中热以黄连为君，治湿以防己为君，治寒以附子为君。兼见何证，以证佐分治。或者体质薄弱不敢纯用苦寒，则以辛热为向导而监制它。大概养命养性的药，一君二臣三佐使。治病的药，一君二臣九佐使。务要君臣配合，如父子兄弟和气，主疗同而气味似旧方，小反小畏也不甚拘泥，若大反大畏竟有同剂的，必定追悔。去除积滞，仍有监制，才不杀人，不是初学者可以妄用的。用药凡例：凡解利伤风，以防风为君，甘草、白术为佐，风宜辛散。凡解利伤寒，以甘草为君，防风、白术为佐，寒宜甘发。凡眼暴发赤肿，以防风、黄芩泻火为君，黄连、芍药和血为佐，兼以各经药用之；凡眼久病昏暗，以熟地、当归为君，防风、羌活为臣，甘草、菊花之类为佐。凡痢疾腹痛，以芍药、甘草为君，当归、白术为佐。见血先后，以三焦分邪热，水泻以茯苓、白术为君，芍药、甘草为佐。凡诸风，以防风为君，随治病为佐。凡嗽以五味子为君，有痰者半夏为佐，有喘者阿胶为佐，有热无热者黄芩为佐，但分两多少不同耳。凡小便不利，以黄柏、知母为君，茯苓、泽泻为佐。凡下焦有湿，以草龙胆、防己为君，甘草、黄柏为佐。凡痔漏，以苍术、防风为君，甘草、芍药为佐。凡诸疮，以黄连、当归为君，甘草、黄芩为佐。凡疟疾，以柴胡为君，随所发时属经分用引经药佐之。相反药只十八味，逐一从头说与君：人参芍药与沙参，细辛玄参及紫参，苦参丹参并前药，一见藜芦便杀人；白芨白蔹并半夏，栝楼贝母五般真，莫见乌头与乌喙，逢之一反疾如神；大戟芫花并海藻，甘遂以上反甘草。若还吐蛊与翻肠，寻常用之都不好；蜜蜡莫与葱相睹，石决明休见云母；藜芦莫使酒来侵，人若犯之都是苦。又，硫黄原是火之精，朴硝一见便相争；水银莫与砒相见，野狼毒最怕密陀僧。巴豆性烈最为上，偏与牵牛不顺情，丁香莫与郁金见，牙硝难合京三棱。川乌、草乌不顺犀，人参又忌五灵脂；官桂善能调冷气，若逢石脂便相欺。大凡修合看顺逆，炮炙爆莫相同。
七方十剂有机关；
七方：大方君一臣二佐九，凡病有兼证者用之；或病在肝肾之下而远者，分两多而频服之，亦大方也。小方君一臣二，病无兼证者用之；或病在心肺之上而近者，分两少而频服之，亦小方也。缓方有五：有甘以缓之的缓方，如糖蜜、大枣、甘草，取其甜能变隔也；有丸以缓之的缓方，气行迟也；有无毒治本的缓方，功自缓也；有品性群众之缓方，或表里药同剂，或升降药同剂，更相拘制，各逞其能，而不得肆其毒也；有补上治上的缓方，心肺病不厌频而少是也。急方有五：有急病攻之急方，如中风牙关紧急，用续命是也；有药性急烈之急方，如溲便闭塞，借用备急丸是也；有汤散荡涤之急方，下因易散故也；有药性有毒治标之急方，汗吐下剂是也；有补下治下的急方，肝肾之病，不厌频而多是也。奇方有二：有单方之奇方，用一物是也；有数合阳数之奇方，一三五七九，皆阳数也，故奇方宜下不宜汗。凡入阳之分亦谓之奇。偶方有二：有古之复方之偶方，二四六八十，皆阴数也，故偶方宜汗不宜下。凡入阴之分亦谓之偶。复方有二：有二方三方之复方，如调胃承气汤加连翘、黄芩、山栀、薄荷为凉膈散。如防风、荆芥、石膏、滑石、桔梗、川芎、麻黄、当归、芍药、白术为防风通圣散；有分两均齐之复方，胃风汤是也。十剂：宣剂可以去壅，姜、橘之属，郁而不散者用之；通剂可以去滞，通草、防己之属，留而不行者用之；补剂可以去弱，人参、羊肉之属，气弱血弱者用之；泄剂可以去闭，葶苈、大黄之属，闭而有余者用之；轻剂可以去实，麻黄、葛根之属，气实腠理闭密者用之；重剂可以去怯，磁石、铁粉之属，气浮神志不定者用之；滑剂可以去着，冬葵、榆皮之属。气着经涩二便涩者用之；涩剂可以去脱，牡蛎、龙骨之属，气脱遗溺遗粪遗精亡血者用之；燥剂可以去湿，桑白皮、赤小豆之属，分上中下表里用之；湿剂可以去枯，紫石英、白石英之属，气枯血枯者用之；又寒剂可以去热，硝、黄之属；热剂可以去寒，桂、附之属是也。
汤散丸丹斟等分，
药有宜膏煎者，宜水者，酒渍者，宜丸宜散者，亦有一物兼宜者。但古人以口咬细，令如麻豆大为粗末，
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) originated in the era of Yan Di (Flame Emperor) and is the ancestor of medicine. Yi Yin used the *Bencao Jing* to compile the *Tangye Jingfa* (Classic of Decoctions), and Zhang Zhongjing further expanded the *Tangye* to establish specific treatment methods. Later figures such as Tao Hongjing, Li Xun of the Tang Dynasty, and Chen Cangqi, although producing numerous materia medica works, could not surpass these predecessors. As time passed, right and wrong inevitably became confused; those who truly grasped the essence of the classics were Wang Bing (styled Dongheng) and Zhu Zhenheng (styled Danxi), while those who mastered the essentials were Gu'an and Jiezhai. Therefore, I summarize the symbolic properties of drugs at the beginning and classify them into three grades (Upper, Middle, Lower) at the end. The songs and mnemonics of predecessors have been modified, not for the sake of labor, but out of reverence so as not to deviate even slightly from the intent of the classics. The *Zhinan* states: "Without reading the Materia Medica, how can one know drug properties? If one sticks rigidly to drug properties, one will certainly fail to recognize diseases; even if one recognizes the disease, one may not yet know the method." If one can exhaustively understand the *Suwen* (Basic Questions), one knows what pathogenic qi has affected the body, and thus knows which flavor of medicine to select.
Heaven possesses Yin and Yang, manifesting the Six Qi (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire), which are honored by the Three Yin and Three Yang channels.
Warmth, coolness, cold, and heat circulate through the four seasons;
Spring and summer warmth and heat belong to Heaven's Yang Qi; Autumn and winter coolness and cold belong to Heaven's Yin Qi. Yang Qi ascends, Yin Qi descends.
Earth possesses Yin and Yang, transforming the Five Flavors (Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, Salty), which correspond to the growth, transformation, and storage of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
Sour, bitter, pungent, sweet, salty, and bland flavors arise from this.
Pungent, sweet, and bland belong to Earth's Yang Qi; sour, bitter, and salty belong to Earth's Yin Qi. Yang Qi floats, Yin Qi sinks. Sour flavor arises in the East, corresponding to Wood Qi and Spring Qi, entering the Liver with a warm nature; bitter flavor arises in the South, corresponding to Fire Qi and Summer Qi, entering the Heart with a hot nature; sweet flavor arises in the Center, corresponding to Earth Qi and the four seasons, its qi combining warmth, coolness, cold, and heat, its flavor combining pungency, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness, its fundamental qi being neutral, its fundamental flavor sweet, entering the Spleen and Stomach; pungent flavor arises in the West, corresponding to Metal Qi and Autumn Qi, entering the Lungs with a dry nature; salty flavor arises in the North, corresponding to Water Qi and Winter Qi, entering the Kidneys with a cold nature; bland is the root of the five flavors, so the Materia Medica does not list bland separately.
However, where there is generation, there is transformation: Wood flavor transforms into Sweet, Fire flavor into Pungent, Earth flavor into Salty, Metal flavor into Sour, and Water flavor into Bitter; their correspondence to the Zang-Fu organs remains the same. The classics state: "Heaven feeds humans with Five Qi, Earth feeds humans with Five Flavors." Five Qi enter through the nose and store in the Heart and Lungs; Five Flavors enter through the mouth and store in the Intestines and Stomach.
Pungent disperses, Sour astringes, Bland渗利 (percolates and drains); Salty softens, Bitter purges, Sweet moderates and harmonizes.
Drugs inherently possess five flavors, entering the five Zang organs to tonify or drain. Pungent dispersal refers to dispersing stagnation in the exterior and interior; Sour astringency refers to gathering scattered Qi; Bland percolation refers to percolating internal dampness and promoting urination; Salty softening refers to softening severe dryness and constipation due to great heat; Bitter purging refers to draining ascending fire; Sweet moderation refers to moderating extreme heat or cold.
Sour and bitter induce vomiting and purging, belonging to Yin as flavors; Pungent and sweet disperse, belonging to Yang as Qi, light in nature.
Furthermore, Salty flavor induces vomiting and purging, belonging to Yin; Bland flavor percolates and drains, belonging to Yang. Some drugs possess two or three flavors, or one or two natures, leading to distinctions between light/clear and heavy/turbid, and differences in the concentration of Qi and flavor.
Light and clear forms image proximity to the upper part,
Flavor-thin substances, like tea. Clear Yang exits through the upper orifices, following the nature of Heaven which is close to the upper.
Heavy and turbid forms image proximity to the lower part.
Flavor-concentrated substances, like Rhubarb (*Da Huang*). Turbid Yin exits through the lower orifices, following the nature of Earth which is close to the lower. Yang transforms Qi, Yin forms substance; this applies to all things.
Clear within clear promotes sweating through the interstices, representing the most concentrated Yang among Yang flavors:
Aconite (*Fu Zi*) has concentrated Qi, belonging to Yang within Yang, thus generating heat.
Clear within turbid solidifies the limbs, caused by thin Qi representing Yin within Yang.
Poria (*Fu Ling*) is bland, belonging to Yang in Heaven. Yang should ascend, why does it promote urination and descend? The classics state: Thin Qi is Yin within Yang, therefore Poria promotes urination and descends. However, in descending, it still retains the nature of Yang, hence it enters the Hand Taiyang channel.
Turbid within turbid travels to the five Zang organs, representing Yin within Yin via concentrated flavors;
Rhubarb (*Da Huang*) has concentrated flavor, belonging to Yin within Yin, thus purging downward.
Turbid within clear returns to the six Fu organs, representing Yang within Yin via thin flavors.
Ephedra (*Ma Huang*) is bitter, belonging to Yin on Earth. Yin should descend, why does it induce sweating and ascend? The classics state: Thin flavor is Yang within Yin, therefore Ephedra induces sweating and ascends. However, in ascending, it does not contradict the nature of Yin, hence it enters the Hand Taiyin channel.
How to treat external contraction by the Six Excesses? Wind requires Pungent-Cool, Heat requires Salty-Cold, Fire follows the Heat treatment.
Dampness requires Bitter-Hot, Cold requires Sweet-Hot; Bitter-Warm dries and overcomes, assisted by Pungent-Sour.
Wind regulation corresponds to the Liver and Spring Wood, the way of Sour generation. When失常 (abnormal), disease occurs. If Wind excesses internally, treat with Pungent-Cool, assist with Sweet-Pungent, moderate with Sweet, disperse with Pungent. Heat regulation corresponds to the Heart and Summer Fire, the way of Bitter growth. When abnormal, disease occurs. If Heat excesses internally, treat with Salty-Cold, assist with Sweet-Bitter, astringe with Sour, disperse with Bitter. Dampness regulation corresponds to the Spleen and Earth, the way of Sweet central transformation. When abnormal, disease occurs. If Dampness excesses internally, treat with Bitter-Hot, assist with Salty-Hot, dry with Bitter, drain with Bland. Dryness regulation corresponds to the Lungs and Autumn Metal, the way of Pungent gathering. When abnormal, disease occurs. If Dryness excesses internally, treat with Bitter-Warm, assist with Sweet-Pungent, moisten with Pungent, purge with Bitter. Cold regulation corresponds to the Kidneys and Winter Water, the way of Salty storing. When abnormal, disease occurs. If Cold excesses internally, treat with Sweet-Hot, assist with Bitter-Pungent, disperse with Pungent, firm with Bitter. Generally, the five flavors Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, and Salty are the roots of the five Zang organs. The four seasons and five elements generate transformations, each following its proper path; deviation causes disease. Ancient sages established methods to control changes; for example, if Wind excesses internally, it is Liver Wood abnormality, with Fire blazing subsequently, treated with Pungent-Cool, using Pungent Metal to overcome Wood and Cool Water to extinguish Fire. The rest follow this pattern. Although the *Neijing* says "Wind excesses internally" and also "Wind excesses and prevails," regarding the Qi in the Earthly Branches, it is called "excesses internally"; regarding the Qi ruling the Heavenly Stem, it is called "prevails." This applies to all Six Excesses, and the treatment principles are the same. If the guest pathogen overcomes the host, drain the guest and tonify the host; if the host overcomes the guest, drain the host and tonify the guest. Treat according to urgency.
Internal injury distinguishes deficiency and excess based on suffering and desire.
Liver suffers from tension, urgently eat Sweet to moderate it, e.g., Licorice (*Gan Cao*); Liver desires dispersion, urgently eat Pungent to disperse it, e.g., Ligusticum (*Chuan Xiong*); Tonify with Pungent, e.g., Asarum (*Xi Xin*); Drain with Sour, e.g., White Peony (*Bai Shao*). Heart suffers from flaccidity, urgently eat Sour to astringe it, e.g., Schisandra (*Wu Wei Zi*); Heart desires softening, urgently eat Salty to soften it, e.g., Mirabilite (*Mang Xiao*); Tonify with Salty, e.g., Alisma (*Ze Xie*); Drain with Sweet, e.g., Ginseng (*Ren Shen*), Licorice (*Gan Cao*). Spleen suffers from dampness, urgently eat Bitter to dry it, e.g., Atractylodes (*Bai Zhu*); Spleen desires relaxation, urgently eat Sweet to relax it, e.g., Licorice (*Gan Cao*); Tonify with Sweet, e.g., Ginseng (*Ren Shen*); Drain with Bitter, e.g., Coptis (*Huang Lian*). Lungs suffer from rebellious Qi, urgently eat Bitter to purge it, e.g., Scutellaria (*Huang Qin*); Lungs desire gathering, urgently eat Sour to gather it, e.g., White Peony (*Bai Shao*); Tonify with Sour, e.g., Schisandra (*Wu Wei Zi*); Drain with Pungent, e.g., Mulberry Root Bark (*Sang Bai Pi*). Kidneys suffer from dryness, urgently eat Pungent to moisten it, e.g., Anemarrhena (*Zhi Mu*), Phellodendron (*Huang Bo*); Note: Opens interstices, generates fluids, unblocks Qi. Kidneys desire firmness, urgently eat Bitter to firm it, e.g., Anemarrhena (*Zhi Mu*); Tonify with Bitter, e.g., Phellodendron (*Huang Bo*), Drain with Salty, e.g., Alisma (*Ze Xie*). For deficiency/excess tonification/draining of the five Zang organs: Liver deficiency is tonified with Tangerine Peel (*Chen Pi*), Ginger (*Sheng Jiang*), etc. The classics say: "Tonify the mother when deficient." Water generates Wood, Kidney is the mother of Liver; Kidney belongs to Water. To tonify the Kidney, use Prepared Rehmannia (*Shu Di Huang*). If there are no other symptoms, only insufficiency, use *Shen Qi Wan* (Kidney Qi Pill). Excess is drained with White Peony (*Bai Shao*); if no other symptoms, use *Xie Qing Wan* (Drain Green Pill). Excess drains the child; Heart is the child of Liver, use *Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang* (Licorice Decoction to Drain the Heart). Heart deficiency is tonified with Fried Salt; "Tonify the mother when deficient," Wood generates Fire, Liver is the mother of Heart. Liver belongs to Wood; Heart belongs to Fire. Tonify with Ginger (*Sheng Jiang*); if no other symptoms, use *Zhu Sha An Shen Wan* (Cinnabar Calming Spirit Pill). Excess is drained with Licorice (*Gan Cao*); if no other symptoms, severe cases use single *Huang Lian Tang*, mild cases use *Dao Chi San*. Spleen deficiency is tonified with Licorice (*Gan Cao*), Jujube (*Da Zao*), etc.; excess is drained with Immature Bitter Orange (*Zhi Shi*); if no other symptoms, deficiency uses *Yi Huang San*, excess uses *Xie Huang San*. Heart is the mother of Spleen, tonify Heart with Fried Salt. Lung is the child of Spleen, drain Lung with Mulberry Root Bark (*Sang Bai Pi*). Lung deficiency is tonified with Schisandra (*Wu Wei Zi*); excess is drained with Mulberry Root Bark (*Sang Bai Pi*); if no other symptoms, excess uses *Xie Bai San*, deficiency uses *E Jiao San*. Lung deficiency tonifies Spleen Earth, tonifying the mother; excess drains Kidney Water, draining the child. Kidney deficiency is tonified with Prepared Rehmannia (*Shu Di Huang*), Phellodendron (*Huang Bo*); drained with Salty Alisma (*Ze Xie*). Kidneys have tonification but no draining; use *Shen Qi Wan* (Kidney Qi Pill). Lung is the mother of Kidney because Metal generates Water, so only tonify Lung with Schisandra (*Wu Wei Zi*).
Ascending, descending, floating, and sinking follow general laws.
Liver governs Spring, from Zi hour to Mao hour, Yin within Yang; Wind medicines correspond, such as Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*), Notopterygium (*Qiang Huo*), Cimicifuga (*Sheng Ma*), Kudzu (*Ge Gen*), rising from Earth to Heaven, these are thin-flavored drugs. Pungent tonifies, Sour drains; Warm tonifies, Cool drains. Heart governs Summer, from Mao hour to Wu hour, Yang within Yang; Hot medicines correspond, such as Aconite (*Fu Zi*), Aconitum (*Wu Tou*), Ginger (*Jiang*), Cinnamon (*Gui*), Red Bean (*Hong Dou*). They embody the Qi and flavor of Fire; Fire's concentrated, floating, dispersing, and sinking nature, concentrated Qi is prominent. Salty tonifies, Sweet drains; Hot tonifies, Cold drains. Lungs govern Autumn, from Wu hour to You hour, Yang within Yin; Dry medicines correspond, such as Poria (*Fu Ling*), Polyporus (*Zhu Ling*), Alisma (*Ze Xie*), Akebia (*Mu Tong*), receiving from Heaven and descending to Earth, these are thin-Qi drugs. Sour tonifies, Pungent drains; Cool tonifies, Warm drains. Winter governs Kidneys, from You hour to Zi hour, Yin within Yin; Cold medicines correspond, such as Rhubarb (*Da Huang*), Scutellaria (*Huang Qin*), Coptis (*Lian*), Phellodendron (*Huang Bo*), Stephania (*Fang Ji*). They embody the Qi and flavor of Water; Water's concentrated transformation, floating and sinking, concentrated flavor is prominent. Bitter tonifies, Salty drains; Cold tonifies, Hot drains. Spleen governs Late Summer transformation, Sweet tonifies, Bitter drains; Qi varies in Cold, Hot, Warm, Cool, each suitable as appropriate, see detailed classification notes later. The classics say: "Tonification and draining depend on flavor, changing Qi with the seasons." Whenever "tonification" is mentioned, it uses Pungent-Sweet-Warm-Hot agents, assisting the ascending-floating of Spring-Summer, corresponding to Liver-Heart in the human body; whenever "draining" is mentioned, it uses Sour-Bitter-Cold-Cool and Bland-percolating agents, assisting the descending-sinking of Autumn-Winter, corresponding to Lungs-Kidneys in the human body. Following the season: Spring warmth suits Cool, Summer heat suits Cold, Autumn coolness suits Warm, Winter cold suits Hot; Day follows ascending, Night follows descending; Sunny follows Hot, Cloudy follows Cold. However, if disease opposes the season, Summer may use Hot, Winter may use Cold, e.g., releasing the exterior does not avoid Heat, attacking the interior does not avoid Cold, because they do not stay in the middle. Similarly, for Cold Damage, although Summer may use Pungent-Hot; for alcohol injury and chronic heat, although Winter may use Bitter-Cold, these are temporary uses. Regarding the patient's condition: Disease in the upper suits ascending, disease in the lower suits descending, disease in the exterior suits floating, disease in the interior suits sinking, Cold disease treats with Hot, Heat disease treats with Cold; changes are countless. Thus, ascending, descending, floating, and sinking should be followed; this means not harming the year's Qi and not violating Heavenly Harmony; Cold, Hot, Warm, Cool should oppose the disease; this means regulating Qi to achieve balance, how can one adhere to a single principle!
Diseases below the waist and trunk are lowered by tips; diseases above the mid-body are reduced by roots;
For drugs with roots in the soil, the upper half has Qi and pulse ascending, sprouting as the root. The lower half has Qi and pulse descending, entering the soil as the tip. Disease in the Middle Jiao uses the stem, Upper Jiao uses the root, Lower Jiao uses the tip. The classics say: Roots ascend, tips descend.
Horizontal movement in arms and hands relies on Pungent dispersal,
Of the five flavors: Sour stops and astringes, Salty stops and softens hardness, Bitter goes straight and purges, e.g., Phellodendron (*Huang Bo*), Rhubarb (*Da Huang*); Pungent moves horizontally and disperses, e.g., Cinnamon Twig (*Gui Zhi*); Sweet moves upward and releases, e.g., Licorice (*Gan Cao*).
Is it difficult to assign meridians and guiding agents?
The poem says: Small Intestine and Bladder belong to Taiyang, Achillea (*Hao Ben*), Notopterygium (*Qiang Huo*) are their home; Sanjiao, Gallbladder, Liver, and Pericardium, Shaoyang and Jueyin rely strongly on Bupleurum (*Chai Hu*). Large Intestine, Yangming, and Foot Stomach, Kudzu (*Ge Gen*), Angelica Dahurica (*Bai Zhi*), Cimicifuga (*Sheng Ma*) are appropriate; Taiyin Lung meridian starts in the Middle Jiao, Angelica Dahurica (*Bai Zhi*), Cimicifuga (*Sheng Ma*), Scallion White (*Cong Bai*) are their home. Spleen meridian differs slightly from Lung, Cimicifuga combined with Angelica Dahurica is detailed; Shaoyin Heart meridian is dominated by Angelica Pubescens (*Du Huo*), Kidney meridian benefits from Angelica Pubescens plus Cinnamon (*Gui*). Using these drugs as guides to unblock meridians, how can disease reach the vital organs? However, these are mostly guiding drugs for external contractions and miscellaneous syndromes; for internal injury and deficiency, one must seek them within the aforementioned five Zang organ deficiency/excess tonification/draining drugs.
Monarch, Minister, Assistant, and Envoy harmonize without mutual antagonism. Upper Grade drugs (120 types) serve as Monarchs, primarily nourishing life to correspond to Heaven, non-toxic, taken in large amounts and long-term to lighten the body and prolong life. Middle Grade drugs (120 types) serve as Ministers, primarily nourishing nature to correspond to Humanity, non-toxic or toxic, suppressing disease and tonifying deficiency, used with discretion. Lower Grade drugs (120 types) serve as Assistants and Envoys, primarily treating disease to correspond to Earth, highly toxic, removing cold and heat, breaking accumulations, not to be taken long-term. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* has 365 types, corresponding to the 365 degrees of the celestial sphere; later Tao Hongjing added 365 types, totaling 720 types. This classifies Monarch/Minister based on toxicity. If formulating prescriptions: the drug treating the main pathogen is Monarch, assisting the Monarch is Minister, guiding the Minister is Assistant/Envoy. For example, treating wind with Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*) as Monarch, treating upper heat with Scutellaria (*Huang Qin*) as Monarch, middle heat with Coptis (*Huang Lian*) as Monarch, treating dampness with Stephania (*Fang Ji*) as Monarch, treating cold with Aconite (*Fu Zi*) as Monarch. Depending on accompanying symptoms, use assistants to treat them. If constitution is weak and pure Bitter-Cold cannot be used purely, use Pungent-Hot as a guide to monitor and control it. Generally, drugs for nourishing life and nature use One Monarch, Two Ministers, Three Assistants/Envoys. Drugs for treating disease use One Monarch, Two Ministers, Nine Assistants/Envoys. It is essential that Monarch, Minister, Assistant, and Envoy cooperate harmoniously like father, son, brother; if the main treatment is similar and flavors resemble old formulas, minor antagonisms and fears are not strictly observed. If major antagonisms and fears exist in the same formula, regret will surely follow. To remove accumulations, monitoring controls remain, so as not to kill; this is not for beginners to use recklessly. General rules for drug use: For resolving wind-cold, use Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*) as Monarch, Licorice (*Gan Cao*), Atractylodes (*Bai Zhu*) as Assistants; wind suits Pungent dispersal. For resolving cold damage, use Licorice (*Gan Cao*) as Monarch, Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*), Atractylodes (*Bai Zhu*) as Assistants; cold suits Sweet release. For sudden red and swollen eyes, use Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*), Scutellaria (*Huang Qin*) to drain fire as Monarch, Coptis (*Huang Lian*), White Peony (*Bai Shao*) to harmonize blood as Assistants, combined with meridian-specific drugs; for chronic dim vision, use Prepared Rehmannia (*Shu Di Huang*), Angelica Sinensis (*Dang Gui*) as Monarch, Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*), Notopterygium (*Qiang Huo*) as Ministers, Licorice (*Gan Cao*), Chrysanthemum (*Ju Hua*) as Assistants. For dysentery with abdominal pain, use White Peony (*Bai Shao*), Licorice (*Gan Cao*) as Monarch, Angelica Sinensis (*Dang Gui*), Atractylodes (*Bai Zhu*) as Assistants. For blood in stool/urine, differentiate heat by Sanjiao; for watery diarrhea, use Poria (*Fu Ling*), Atractylodes (*Bai Zhu*) as Monarch, White Peony (*Bai Shao*), Licorice (*Gan Cao*) as Assistants. For various winds, use Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*) as Monarch, symptom-specific drugs as Assistants. For cough, use Schisandra (*Wu Wei Zi*) as Monarch, Pinellia (*Ban Xia*) if phlegm, E-Jiao (*E Jiao*) if wheezing, Scutellaria (*Huang Qin*) if heat/no heat, differing only in dosage. For difficult urination, use Phellodendron (*Huang Bo*), Anemarrhena (*Zhi Mu*) as Monarch, Poria (*Fu Ling*), Alisma (*Ze Xie*) as Assistants. For dampness in Lower Jiao, use Gentiana (*Long Dan Cao*), Stephania (*Fang Ji*) as Monarch, Licorice (*Gan Cao*), Phellodendron (*Huang Bo*) as Assistants. For hemorrhoids and fistulas, use Atractylodes (*Cang Zhu*), Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*) as Monarch, Licorice (*Gan Cao*), White Peony (*Bai Shao*) as Assistants. For various sores, use Coptis (*Huang Lian*), Angelica Sinensis (*Dang Gui*) as Monarch, Licorice (*Gan Cao*), Scutellaria (*Huang Qin*) as Assistants. For malaria, use Bupleurum (*Chai Hu*) as Monarch, guiding drugs based on the meridian of onset time as Assistants. There are only eighteen pairs of incompatible drugs, let me tell you one by one: Ginseng (*Ren Shen*), White Peony (*Bai Shao*), Sand Ginseng (*Sha Shen*), Asarum (*Xi Xin*), Polish Privet (*Xuan Shen*), and Purple Ginseng (*Zi Shen*), Sophora (*Ku Shen*), Salvia (*Dan Shen*) and the previous drugs, once seen with Veratrum (*Li Lu*), kills instantly; White Lily Bulb (*Bai Ji*), Ampelopsis (*Bai Lian*), and Pinellia (*Ban Xia*), Trichosanthes (*Gua Lou*), Fritillaria (*Bei Mu*), these five are true; do not see Aconite (*Wu Tou*) and Aconitum (*Wu Hui*), meeting one reverses the other swiftly as a god; Great Euphorbia (*Da Ji), Genkwa (*Yuan Hua*), and Seaweed (*Hai Zao*), Kansui (*Gan Sui*) above reverse Licorice (*Gan Cao*). If vomiting poison or intestinal turning, commonly used ones are not good; Beeswax (*Mi La*) must not meet Scallion (*Cong*), Abalone Shell (*Shi Jue Ming*) must not meet Mica (*Yun Mu*); Veratrum (*Li Lu*) must not be invaded by Wine (*Jiu*), if humans offend it, all becomes bitter. Furthermore, Realgar (*Liu Huang*) is originally the essence of Fire, Mirabilite (*Pu Xiao*) contends upon seeing it; Mercury (*Shui Yin*) must not meet Arsenic (*Pi*), Wild Wolfbane (*Ye Lang Du*) fears most Melilotus (*Mi Tuo Seng*). Croton (*Ba Dou*) nature is fierce and supreme,偏偏 (specifically) does not go along with Morning Glory Seed (*Qian Niu*); Clove (*Ding Xiang*) must not meet Goldthread (*Yu Jin*), Nitre (*Ya Xiao*) hard to combine with Beijing Sedge (*Jing San Leng*). Sichuan Aconite (*Chuan Wu*), Grass Aconite (*Cao Wu*) do not go with Rhinoceros Horn (*Xi*), Ginseng (*Ren Shen*) again avoids Trogoderma (*Wu Ling Zhi*); Official Cinnamon (*Guan Gui*) is good at regulating cold Qi, if meeting Hematite (*Shi Zhi*), it is deceived. Generally, compounding looks at compatibility and incompatibility, processing, roasting, frying, popping must not be mixed up.
Seven Formulas and Ten Categories have mechanisms;
Seven Formulas: Large Formula (One Monarch, Two Ministers, Nine Assistants) is used when diseases have concurrent syndromes; or when disease is in Liver/Kidney below and distant, taking large doses frequently is also a Large Formula. Small Formula (One Monarch, Two Ministers) is used when diseases have no concurrent syndromes; or when disease is in Heart/Lungs above and near, taking small doses frequently is also a Small Formula. Slow Formula has five types: Slow formula of Sweet moderation, e.g., sugar/honey, Jujube (*Da Zao*), Licorice (*Gan Cao*), taking sweetness to change separation; Slow formula of Pills, Qi movement is slow; Slow formula of non-toxic root treatment, effect is naturally slow; Slow formula of many ingredients, e.g., exterior-interior drugs in same dose, or ascending-descending drugs in same dose, mutually restricting each other, displaying their abilities without allowing toxicity to run rampant; Slow formula of tonifying upper/treating upper, Heart/Lung diseases do not dislike frequent and small doses. Urgent Formula has five types: Urgent formula for urgent disease attack, e.g., stroke with locked jaw, using *Xu Ming Tang*; Urgent formula of urgent/drastic drug nature, e.g., urinary/fecal obstruction, borrowing *Bei Ji Wan*; Urgent formula of decoction/powder scouring, easy to scatter downwards; Urgent formula of toxic drug nature treating branch, sweating/vomiting/purging agents are this type; Urgent formula of tonifying lower/treating lower, Liver/Kidney diseases do not dislike frequent and large doses. Odd Formula has two types: Single-drug Odd Formula, using one substance; Number-combining Yang-number Odd Formula, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 are all Yang numbers, so Odd Formula suits purging not sweating. Any entering Yang division is also called Odd. Even Formula has two types: Ancient Compound Even Formula, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 are all Yin numbers, so Even Formula suits sweating not purging. Any entering Yin division is also called Even. Compound Formula has two types: Two/Three Formula Compound, e.g., *Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang* adding Forsythia (*Lian Qiao*), Scutellaria (*Huang Qin*), Gardenia (*Shan Zhi*), Mint (*Bo He*) becomes *Liang Ge San*; e.g., Saposhnikovia (*Fang Feng*), Schizonepeta (*Jing Jie*), Gypsum (*Shi Gao*), Talc (*Hua Shi*), Platycodon (*Jie Geng*), Ligusticum (*Chuan Xiong*), Ephedra (*Ma Huang*), Angelica Sinensis (*Dang Gui*), White Peony (*Bai Shao*), Atractylodes (*Bai Zhu*) becomes *Fang Feng Tong Sheng San*; Balanced-weight Compound Formula, *Wei Feng Tang* is this type. Ten Categories: Xu Category removes obstruction, Ginger (*Jiang*), Citrus (*Ju*) types, used for stagnation not dispersing; Tong Category removes stasis, Tetrapanax (*Tong Cao*), Stephania (*Fang Ji*) types, used for retention not moving; Bu Category removes weakness, Ginseng (*Ren Shen*), Mutton (*Yang Rou*) types, used for Qi/Blood weakness; Xie Category removes closure, Lepidium (*Ting Li*), Rhubarb (*Da Huang*) types, used for closure with excess; Qing Category removes solidity, Ephedra (*Ma Huang*), Kudzu (*Ge Gen*) types, used for Qi solidity with closed interstices; Zhong Category removes timidity, Magnetite (*Ci Shi*), Iron Powder (*Tie Fen*) types, used for floating Qi and unsettled spirit; Hua Category removes adhesion, Okra (*Dong Kui*), Elm Bark (*Yu Pi*) types, used for Qi adhering to meridians and obstructed bowels/bladder; Se Category removes collapse, Oyster Shell (*Mu Li*), Dragon Bone (*Long Gu*) types, used for Qi collapse with enuresis, fecal incontinence, seminal emission, blood loss; Zao Category removes dampness, Mulberry Root Bark (*Sang Bai Pi*), Adzuki Bean (*Chi Xiao Dou*) types, used by Upper/Middle/Lower and Exterior/Interior; Shi Category removes withering, Purple Quartz (*Zi Shi Ying*), White Quartz (*Bai Shi Ying*) types, used for Qi/Blood withering; Also Han Category removes heat, Mirabilite (*Xiao*), Rhubarb (*Huang*) types; Re Category removes cold, Cinnamon (*Gui*), Aconite (*Fu*) types.
Decoctions, powders, pills, dan preparations require equal proportions,
Drugs suitable for paste decoction, water decoction, wine soaking, pill, powder forms, some suitable for multiple forms. But ancients bit finely, making coarse powder like hemp/millet seeds,