古之药剂，锱铢分两，与今不同。云一升者，即今之一茶盏也。云两铢者，六铢即二钱半，
二十四铢为一两也。云三两者，即今之二两也。云一两者，即今之六钱半也。凡散药有云刀圭者，
有云方寸匕者，有云一字者。刀圭者，十分方寸匕之一。准方寸匕者，作匕方正一寸，抄散取不
落纸为度。一撮者，四刀圭也，十撮为一勺。一字者，即今之二分半也，如一钱有四字之义。二
字者，即今半钱，为五分也。
凡丸药云如细麻者，即胡麻也。如黍粟，亦然，以十六黍为一大豆。如大麻子者，准三细麻
也。如胡豆大者，即今青斑豆也，以二大麻子准之。如小豆者，今赤小豆是也。如大豆者，以二
小豆准之。如梧桐子大者，以一大豆准之可也。
凡煎汤剂，必先以主治之为君药，先煮数沸，然后余药文火缓缓熬之，得所勿揭盖，连罐取
起，坐凉水中，候温热服之，庶气味不泄。若遽乘热揭封倾出，则气泄而性不全矣。煎时不宜烈
火，其汤腾沸耗蚀而速涸，药性未尽出而气味不纯。人家多有此病，而反责药不效，咎将谁归？
发汗药，先煎麻黄二三沸，后入余药同煎。止汗药，先煎桂枝二三沸，后下众药同煎。和解
药，先煎柴胡，后下众药。至于温药，先煎干姜，行血药先煎桃仁，利水药先煎猪苓，止泻药先
煎白术、茯苓，止渴药先煎天花粉、干葛，去湿药先煎苍术、防己，去黄药先煎茵陈，呕吐药先
煎半夏、生姜，风药先煎防风、羌活，暑药先煎香薷，热药先煎黄连。凡诸治剂，必有主治为君
之药，俱宜先煎，则效自奏也。
凡汤用麻黄去节，令通理。碎锉如豆大，先另煮二三沸，掠去上沫，更益水如本数，乃内余剂，不尔令人烦。
凡用大黄不须细锉，先以酒浸，令淹浃密覆一宿，明旦煮汤，临熟，乃内扬中，煮二三沸便
起，则势力猛，易得快利。丸药中微蒸之，恐寒伤胃也。
凡汤中用阿胶、饴糖、芒硝皆须待汤熟起去渣，只内净汁中煮两三沸，溶化尽仍倾盏内服。
凡用干枣、莲子、乌梅仁、决明子皆擘破研碎入药煎。凡用砂仁、豆寇、丁香之类，皆须打碎，
迟后入药煎数沸则起。不尔，久久煎之，其香气消散也，是以效少。凡汤中用犀角、羚羊角，一
概末如粉，临服内汤中。然入药法，生磨汁煮亦通。凡诸药子仁，皆用汤泡，去皮尖及双仁者，
亦有炒令黄色者，生用者并捣碎入剂煎方得汁出。凡用沉香、木香、乳、没，一切香末药味，须
研极细，待汤热先倾汁盏，调香末服讫，然后尽饮汤药。
凡煎汤药，初欲微火，令小沸。其水数根据方多少，大略药二十四两，用水一斗，煮取四升，以此为准。然
利汤欲生，少水而多取汁；补汤欲熟，多水而小取汁。服汤宜小沸，热则易下，冷则呕涌。
古代的药物计量单位，如锱、铢、分、两，与现在不同。文中说“一升”，相当于现在的一茶盏。“两铢”的说法中，六铢等于二钱半，二十四铢为一两。文中说“三两”，相当于现在的二两。文中说“一两”，相当于现在的六钱半。
凡是散剂药物，有的用“刀圭”做单位，有的用“方寸匕”，有的用“一字”。所谓“刀圭”，是“方寸匕”的十分之一。所谓“准方寸匕”，是指制作一个边长一寸的正方形小勺，以舀取药粉不洒落到纸上为标准。“一撮”等于四个“刀圭”，十“撮”等于一“勺”。“一字”相当于现在的二分半，就像一钱包含四个字的意思一样。“二字”相当于现在的半钱，即五分。
凡是丸药，如果说大小像细麻籽，那就是胡麻（黑芝麻）。像黍米或粟米那样大，也是同样的道理，以十六粒黍米相当于一粒大豆的大小。像大麻籽那样大，相当于三粒细麻籽。像胡豆（蚕豆）那样大，就是现在的青斑豆，以两粒大麻籽来折算。像小豆那样大，就是现在的赤小豆。像大豆那样大，以两粒小豆来折算即可。像梧桐子那样大，以一粒大豆来折算就可以了。
凡是煎煮汤剂，必须首先将作为君药的主治药物先煮沸几滚，然后再加入其他药物，用小火慢慢熬煮。火候得当就不要揭开锅盖，连罐取出，放在凉水中冷却，等到温热时服用，这样药物的气味才不会泄露。如果急于趁热揭开盖子倒出药液，那么药气就会泄露，药性就不完整了。煎药时不宜用猛火，否则药汤沸腾过快会消耗水分并迅速烧干，导致药性未能完全析出且气味不纯正。很多人家里都有这种毛病，却反而责怪药物无效，这责任该归咎于谁呢？
发汗类药物，要先煎煮麻黄二三沸，然后加入其余药物共同煎煮。止汗类药物，要先煎煮桂枝二三沸，然后加入其他药物共同煎煮。和解类药物，要先煎煮柴胡，然后加入其他药物。至于温里类药物，要先煎煮干姜；活血行血类药物，要先煎煮桃仁；利水类药物，要先煎煮猪苓；止泻类药物，要先煎煮白术、茯苓；止渴类药物，要先煎煮天花粉、干葛；祛湿类药物，要先煎煮苍术、防己；退黄类药物，要先煎煮茵陈；止呕类药物，要先煎煮半夏、生姜；祛风类药物，要先煎煮防风、羌活；解暑类药物，要先煎煮香薷；清热类药物，要先煎煮黄连。凡各种治疗制剂，必定有作为君药的主治药物，都应当先煎煮，疗效自然显现。
凡是汤剂中使用麻黄，要去掉节，使其理路通畅。将其切碎如豆粒大小，另外先煮二三沸，撇去上面的浮沫，再补充水量至原来的数量，然后放入其他药物，否则会让人心烦意乱。
凡是使用大黄，不需要切得太细，先用酒浸泡，使其浸透，严密覆盖一夜，第二天早晨煮汤，临近煮熟时，再加入芒硝，煮二三沸就离火，这样药力猛烈，容易获得快速的通便效果。如果是制成丸药，稍微蒸一下，是担心寒凉之性损伤胃气。
凡是汤剂中使用阿胶、饴糖、芒硝，都必须等到汤药煎好去掉药渣后，只将纯净的药汁倒入，再煮两三沸，使其完全溶化，然后倒入杯中服用。
凡是使用干枣、莲子、乌梅仁、决明子，都要掰开研碎后入药煎煮。凡是使用砂仁、豆蔻、丁香之类的药物，都必须打碎，在煎药后期放入，煮几沸就离火。如果不这样做，长时间煎煮，香气就会消散，因此疗效较少。凡是汤剂中使用犀角、羚羊角，一律磨成粉末，临服时加入药汤中。然而入药方法，生磨汁液煮服也是通行的。凡是各种药物的种子和果仁，都用热水浸泡，去皮尖及双仁者，也有炒至黄色的，生用的都要捣碎后入剂煎煮才能析出有效成分。凡是使用沉香、木香、乳香、没药等一切香末药味，必须研磨得极细，待药汤烧热后先倒出药汁到杯中，调和香末服下，然后再喝完剩下的汤药。
凡是煎煮汤药，开始要用微火，使水微微沸腾。用水量根据方剂的多少而定，大致规律是：药物二十四两，用水一斗，煮取四升，以此为准。然而，用于通利的汤剂希望药性保留生性，用水少而多取药汁；用于补益的汤剂希望药性熟透，用水多而少取药汁。服用汤药宜保持微沸状态，热则容易咽下，冷则会引起呕吐反胃。
Ancient herbal dosage units, such as zi (1/24 liang), zhu (1/24 liang), fen (1/10 qian), and liang (37.3g in Ming dynasty), differ from modern standards. When the text mentions "one sheng" (a unit of volume), it refers to approximately one teacup today. Regarding "two zhu," six zhu equal two and a half qian, and twenty-four zhu constitute one liang. The text's mention of "three liang" corresponds to two liang today. The text's mention of "one liang" corresponds to six and a half qian today.
For powdered medicines, measurements include "daogui," "fangcunbi," and "yizhi." "Daogui" is one-tenth of a "fangcunbi." A "standard fangcunbi" is a square spoon with sides of one cun (approx. 3.3cm), used to scoop powder without spilling onto paper. "One cuo" equals four daogui; ten cuo equal one shao (spoon). "One yizhi" is equivalent to two and a half fen today, analogous to how one qian contains four characters in meaning. "Two yizhi" is half a qian, or five fen.
Regarding pill sizes: if described as size of fine hemp seeds, it refers to Sesamum indicum L. (Huma, black sesame). Similar to millet or broomcorn millet seeds, sixteen millet seeds equate to one soybean in size. Size of large hemp seeds equates to three fine hemp seeds. Size of broad beans refers to Vicia faba L. (Qubandou, green speckled bean), estimated by two large hemp seeds. Size of small beans refers to Phaseolus angularis Wight (Chixiaodou, red adzuki bean). Size of soybeans is estimated by two small beans. Size of paulownia seeds is estimated by one soybean.
When decocting liquid preparations (Tangji), the sovereign drug (Junyao) responsible for the main treatment must be boiled first for a few minutes. Then, add remaining herbs and simmer slowly over gentle heat. Do not lift the lid once the correct consistency is reached. Remove the pot and place it in cold water. Take when warm to prevent the loss of medicinal aroma and efficacy. If poured out hot while uncovered, the volatile components escape, and the drug's nature becomes incomplete. Avoid high heat during decoction, as rapid boiling consumes water quickly, preventing full extraction of medicinal properties and purity of aroma. Many households make this error yet blame the medicine for ineffectiveness; who should bear the responsibility?
For diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) formulas, boil Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, Ephedra) for two or three boils before adding other herbs. For antihyperhidrotic (sweat-stopping) formulas, boil Cinnamon Twig Decoction ingredients (specifically Guizhi, Cinnamomi Ramulus) for two or three boils before adding others. For harmonizing formulas, boil Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu, Bupleurum) first, then add others. For warming formulas, boil Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, Zingiberis Rhizoma) first. For blood-invigorating formulas, boil Peach Kernel (Taoren, Persicae Semen) first. For diuretic formulas, boil Polyporus (Zuling, Polypori Umbellati Sclerotium) first. For antidiarrheal formulas, boil Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu, Atractylodes macrocephala) and Poria (Fuling, Poria cocos) first. For thirst-quenching formulas, boil Trichosanthis Radix (Tianguahua, Trichosanthes root) and Kudzu Root (Gegen, Puerariae Lobatae Radix) first. For dampness-resolving formulas, boil Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu, Atractylodes lancea) and Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (Fangji, Stephania tetrandra) first. For jaundice-clearing formulas, boil Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, Artemisia scoparia) first. For antiemetic formulas, boil Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia, Pinellia ternata) and Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) first. For wind-dispelling formulas, boil Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng, Saposhnikovia divaricata) and Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo, Notopterygium incisum) first. For summerheat-resolving formulas, boil Moslae Herba (Xiangru, Mosla chinensis) first. For heat-clearing formulas, boil Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian, Coptis chinensis) first. In all treatments, the sovereign drug must be decocted first to ensure efficacy.
When using Mahuang in decoctions, remove the nodes to ensure smooth flow. Crush into bean-sized pieces. Boil separately for two or three minutes, skim off the foam on top, replenish water to original volume, then add other herbs. Failure to do so may cause irritability.
When using Rheum Palmatum (Dahuang, Rhubarb), do not grind finely. Soak in wine overnight, covered tightly. Boil next morning. Near completion, add Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas, Mirabilite), boil for two or three minutes, then remove. This yields potent purgative effects. For pills, slight steaming prevents cold nature from damaging the stomach.
When using Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao, Colla Corii Asini), Maltose (Yitang, Saccharum officinarum juice processed), or Mangxiao in decoctions, wait until the decoction is finished and dregs removed. Add these substances to the clear liquid only, boil for two or three minutes until dissolved, then pour into a cup for consumption.
When using dried Jujube (Dazao, Ziziphus jujuba), Lotus Seed (Lianzi, Nelumbinis Semen), Dried Plum Pit (Wumeiren, Prunus mume seed kernel), or Cassia Seed (Juemingzi, Cassiae Semen), split and crush them before decoction. When using Amomum fruit (Sharen, Amomi Fructus), Cardamom (Doukou, Elettaria cardamomum), or Clove (Dingxiang, Caryophylli Flos), crush them and add late in the process, boiling for a few minutes only. Otherwise, prolonged boiling dissipates their aromatic oils, reducing efficacy. When using Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao, though now substituted by Water Buffalo Horn Shuiniu Jiaoxiao) or Antelope Horn (Lingyangjiao, Saiga Tatarica Cornu), grind into fine powder and add to the hot decoction just before taking. Alternatively, fresh grinding and decoction is acceptable. For seeds and kernels of various herbs, soak in hot water, remove skins, tips, and double-kernels. Some are stir-fried until yellow; raw ones must be crushed to release active constituents. For aromatic resins like Agarwood (Chenxiang, Aquilaria sinensis), Costus Root (Muxiang, Aucklandiae Radix), Frankincense (Ruxiang, Boswelliae Resina), and Myrrh (Moyao, Commiphora Myrrha), grind extremely fine. Pour hot decoction into a cup, mix with powder, consume, then drink the remaining liquid.
Initially, use low heat to bring water to a gentle boil. Water quantity depends on the prescription: roughly, for 24 liang of herbs, use one dou (approx. 10 liters) of water, reduce to four sheng (approx. 1.6 liters). This is the standard. However, for purgative decoctions, use less water to extract more concentrated juice (preserving raw potency). For tonic decoctions, use more water to extract less concentrated juice (allowing thorough cooking). Decoctions should be taken warm; hot liquids are easier to swallow, while cold ones may induce vomiting.