寻万物之性，皆有离合。虎啸风生，龙吟云起，磁石引针，琥珀拾芥，漆得蟹而散，麻
得漆而涌，桂得葱而软，树得桂而枯，戎盐累卵，獭胆分杯，其气爽有相关感，多如此类，
其理不可得而思之。至于诸药，尤能递为利害，先圣既明有所说，何可不详而避之？时人为
方，皆多漏略，若旧方已有，此病亦应改除，假如两种相当，就其轻重，择而除之。伤寒赤
散，吾常不用藜芦，断下黄连丸，亦去其干姜，而施之无不效，何忽强以相憎，苟令共事乎
？相反为害，深于相恶。相恶者，谓彼虽恶我，我无忿心，犹如牛黄恶龙骨，而龙骨得牛黄
更良，此有以制伏故也。相反者，则彼我交仇，必不宜合。今画家用雌黄、胡粉相近，便自
黯妒，粉得黄即黑，黄得粉亦变，此盖相反之证也。药理既昧，所以不效，人多轻之。今按
方处治，必恐卒难寻究本草，更复抄出其事在此，览略看之，易可知验。而《本经》有直云
茱萸、门冬者，无以辨山、吴、天、麦之异，咸宜各题其条。又有乱误处，譬如海蛤之与
甲，畏恶正同。又有诸芝使薯蓣，薯蓣复使紫芝，计无应如此，不知何者是非，亦且并记，
当更广验正之。又《神农本经》相使正各一种，兼以药对参之，乃有两、三，于事亦无嫌。
其有云相得共疗其病者，既非妨避之禁，不复疏出。
上药一百二十种为君，主养命以应天，无毒，多服久服不伤人，欲轻身益气，不老延年
者。其上品药性，亦皆能遣疾，但其势大和浓，不为仓卒之效，然而岁月常服，必获大益。
病既愈矣，命亦兼申，天道仁育，故云应天。一百二十种者，当谓寅、卯、辰、巳之月，法
万物生荣时也。
中药一百二十种为臣，主养性以应人，无毒有毒，斟酌其宜，欲遏病补虚羸者。其中
药性，疗病之辞渐深，轻身之说稍薄，于服之者，祛患当速，而延龄为缓。人怀性情，故
应人。一百二十种者，当谓午、未、申、酉之月，法万物成熟时也。
下药一百二十五种为佐、使，主治病以应地，多毒，不可久服，欲除寒热邪气，破积聚
愈疾者。其下品药性，专主攻击，毒烈之气，倾损中和，不可常服，疾愈即止。地体收杀，
故云应地。一百二十五种者，当谓戌、亥、子、丑之月，法万物枯壮时也。兼以闰之盈数加
之。《神农本经》三品合三百六十五种，法三百六十五度，一度应一日，以成一岁也。今所
举其纲目，以明药之品数。其《本草》中唐之所附，名医尝用加添之药，不在此例也。
考察万物的本性，都有聚合与离散的关系。老虎长啸则风生，龙吟叫则云起，磁石能吸引铁针，琥珀能吸附草芥，漆遇到蟹就会消散，麻遇到漆就会肿胀，桂枝遇到葱就会变软，树木遇到桂枝就会枯死，戎盐可以叠成蛋形，獭胆可以将一杯酒分成两半，它们之间气息相通、相互感应，大多如此这类情况，其中的道理难以用思维完全揣测。至于各种药物，尤其能够互相产生利害影响，先圣已经明确有所论述，怎么可以不详细查考并加以避免呢？当时的人编写方剂，大多疏漏简略，如果旧有的方剂中已有此病名，也应该修改删除；假如两种药性相当（指相恶或相反），就根据病情的轻重，选择其中一种去除。治疗伤寒的赤散方，我通常不用藜芦；治疗痢疾的黄连丸，也去掉干姜，但施用后没有不有效的，为什么非要强行让互相憎恶的药物共处一室呢？相反的危害，深于相恶。所谓相恶，是指虽然彼此厌恶，但我并无怨恨之心，就像牛黄厌恶龙骨，但龙骨得到牛黄反而疗效更好，这是因为有制约伏制的原因。所谓相反，则是彼此如同仇敌，一定不宜合用。现在的画家用雌黄和胡粉放在一起，便自然显得暗淡嫉妒，粉遇到黄就会变黑，黄遇到粉也会变色，这就是相反的例证。药理既然不明，所以疗效不佳，人们往往轻视它。现在按照方剂处方治疗，恐怕一时难以查阅本草书籍，于是再次抄录此事在此，粗略阅读一下，容易知晓验证。而《神农本草经》中直接写茱萸、门冬的，无法辨别是山茱萸还是吴茱萸，是天门冬还是麦门冬，都应当各自标注清楚其条目。又有混乱错误的地方，比如海蛤与海蛤壳，它们的畏恶关系完全相同。又有诸芝类药材使薯蓣，薯蓣又使紫芝，计算起来不应该如此，不知谁是谁非，也一并记录，将来再广泛验证以纠正。另外，《神农本草经》中说相使的正各一种，兼以药对参考，却有两三种，在事理上也没有嫌疑。那些说“相得”共同治疗疾病的，既然不是禁忌回避的内容，就不再单独列出。
上品药一百二十种为君药，主要保养生命以顺应天道，无毒，多服久服不伤人，想要轻身益气、不老延年的人服用。这些上品的药性，也能祛除疾病，但其作用温和浓厚，不会有仓促的疗效，然而常年常服，必定获得大益。疾病既已痊愈，生命也得以延长，天道仁爱养育万物，所以说顺应天。这一百二十种药，应当对应寅、卯、辰、巳四个月，效法万物生长繁荣的时候。
中品药一百二十种为臣药，主要修养性情以顺应人道，有毒或无毒，斟酌适宜服用，想要遏制疾病、补益虚弱消瘦的人服用。这些中品的药性，治疗疾病的言辞逐渐深刻，轻身的说法稍弱，对于服用者来说，祛病应当迅速，而延寿则较缓。人怀有性情，所以顺应人。这一百二十种药，应当对应午、未、申、酉四个月，效法万物成熟的时候。
下品药一百二十五种为佐使药，主要治疗疾病以顺应地道，多毒，不可久服，想要除去寒热邪气、破除积聚、治愈疾病的人服用。这些下品的药性，专门主司攻伐，毒烈之气，会倾损中和之气，不可常服，疾病痊愈即止。大地体性收敛肃杀，所以说顺应地。这一百二十五种药，应当对应戌、亥、子、丑四个月，效法万物枯萎壮盛（此处指凋零收藏）的时候。再加上闰月的盈余数字。《神农本草经》三品合计三百六十五种，效法一年三百六十五度，一度对应一天，以此构成一年。现在所列举的纲目，是为了明确药物的品数。其中《本草》中唐代所附带的，名医曾经使用添加的药物，不在此例范围内。
Examining the nature of all things, there are always association and dissociation. When a tiger roars, wind arises; when a dragon chants, clouds gather; lodestone attracts iron needles; amber picks up mustard seeds; lacquer disperses upon contact with crabs; hemp swells upon contact with lacquer; cinnamon twig becomes soft when combined with scallion; trees wither when exposed to cinnamon; halite can be stacked like eggs; otter gall divides a cup of wine. Their qi is mutually responsive and interconnected, mostly following such patterns, and their principles are difficult to fully comprehend through thought alone. As for various medicinal materials, they particularly influence each other in terms of benefit and harm. The sages have already clearly stated certain rules; how can one fail to investigate them in detail and avoid pitfalls? Contemporary practitioners compiling prescriptions often omit details. If an old prescription contains a condition that should be modified or removed, it ought to be adjusted. If two substances have comparable interactions (referring to mutual aversion or incompatibility), one should select and remove one based on the severity of the condition. In the Chisan Decoction for treating Cold Damage, I usually exclude Veratrum Viride Rhizome (Lilü, 藜芦); in the Huanglian Wan for dysentery, I also remove Zingiberis Preparata Rhizome (Ganjiang, 干姜), yet the efficacy is invariably achieved. Why insist on forcing substances that mutually detest each other to coexist? The harm caused by incompatibility (Xiangfan, 相反) is deeper than that of mutual aversion (Xiang'e, 相恶). Mutual aversion means that although they dislike each other, there is no resentment; for instance, Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis, 牛黄) dislikes Gulonggu (Os Draconis, 龙骨), but Gulonggu becomes more effective when combined with Niuhuang because one controls the other. Incompatibility means they are like enemies and must not be combined. Modern painters note that Realgar (Xionghuang, 雄黄) and Lead White (Hufen, 胡粉) placed near each other appear dull and jealous; powder turns black when mixed with realgar, and realgar changes when mixed with powder; this is evidence of incompatibility. Since pharmacological principles are unclear, efficacy is poor, and people often disregard them. Now, when prescribing according to formulas, it may be difficult to consult the Materia Medica immediately. Therefore, I copy these matters here for reference. A brief reading makes verification easy. However, in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (*Divine Farmer's Materia Medica*), items like Zhuyu (Corni Fructus, 茱萸) and Mendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 麦冬) are listed without distinguishing between Shan Zhuyu (Corni Fructus, 山茱萸) and Wu Zhuyu (Zanthoxyli Fructus, 吴茱萸), or between Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix, 天门冬) and Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 麦门冬). Each entry should be clearly labeled. There are also errors and confusions; for example, Haige (Concha Arcae, 海蛤) and Haiheli (Concha Arcae, 海蛤壳) have identical avoidance relationships. Also, various Zhi (Ganoderma spp., 灵芝) interact with Shuyu (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 薯蓣), and Shuyu interacts with Zizhi (Ganoderma Sinense, 紫芝); calculations suggest this should not occur, but since it is unknown which is correct, both are recorded for future verification. Furthermore, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* states that "mutual enhancement" (Xiangshi, 相使) applies to specific pairs; cross-referencing with drug pairs reveals two or three instances, which poses no objection. Those described as "mutual accord" (Xiangde, 相得) to treat diseases together are not contraindicated and thus are not separately listed.
The Upper Grade consists of 120 herbs acting as Sovereign drugs, primarily nourishing life to align with Heaven. They are non-toxic; long-term use does not harm the body. For those seeking to lighten the body, augment qi, prevent aging, and prolong life: these Upper Grade herbs can also dispel disease, but their action is gentle and profound, lacking immediate effects. However, consistent use over time yields great benefits. Once illness is cured, life is extended. Heaven’s way is benevolent nurturing, hence "aligning with Heaven." The number 120 corresponds to the months of Yin, Mao, Chen, and Si, modeling the time when all things grow and flourish.
The Middle Grade consists of 120 herbs acting as Minister drugs, primarily cultivating temperament to align with Humanity. They may be toxic or non-toxic, used with careful judgment. For those aiming to suppress disease and tonify emaciation: the therapeutic descriptions for Middle Grade herbs are more intense, while claims of lightening the body are weaker. For users, disease removal is relatively fast, while longevity extension is slower. Humans possess temperament, hence "aligning with Humanity." The number 120 corresponds to the months of Wu, Wei, Shen, and You, modeling the time when all things mature.
The Lower Grade consists of 125 herbs acting as Assistant and Envoy drugs, primarily treating disease to align with Earth. They are mostly toxic and should not be taken long-term. For those aiming to eliminate cold-heat pathogenic factors, break up accumulations, and cure illness: Lower Grade herbs specialize in attack. Their toxic and fierce qi damages the harmonious balance and cannot be taken continuously; usage stops once the disease is resolved. Earth’s nature is收敛 (restraining) and killing, hence "aligning with Earth." The number 125 corresponds to the months of Xu, Hai, Zi, and Chou, modeling the time when all things wither and store. This includes leap month adjustments. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists 365 items across the three grades, corresponding to the 365 degrees of the year, one degree per day, completing a year. The current outline clarifies the classification numbers. Herbs added later by famous physicians or included in Tang dynasty commentaries are excluded from this count.