岐伯曰∶厥阴司天为风化，在泉为酸化，清毒不生。少阴司天为热化，在泉为苦化，寒
毒不生。太阴司天为湿化，在泉为甘化，燥毒不生。少阳司天为火化，在泉为苦化，寒毒不
生。阳明司天为燥化，在泉为辛化，湿毒不生。太阳司天为寒化，在泉为咸化，热毒不生。
治病者，必明六化分治，五味五色所生，五脏所宜，乃可言盈虚病生之绪。本乎天者，天之
气；本乎地者，地之气。谨候气宜，无失病机。司岁备物，则无遗主矣。岁物者，天地之专
精也。非司岁物则气散，质同而异等也。气味有浓薄，性用有躁静，治保有多少，力化有浅
深。上淫于下，所胜平之；外淫于内，所胜治之。
王冰曰∶化于天者，为天气；化于地者，为地气。五毒皆五行之气所为，故所胜者不生
，惟司天在泉之所生者其味正。故药工专司岁气，所收药物，则所主无遗略矣。五运有余，
则专精之气，药物肥浓，使用当其正气味也。不足，则药不专精而气散，物不纯，形质虽同
，力用则异矣。故天气淫于下、地气淫于内者，皆以所胜平治之，如风胜湿、酸胜甘之类是
也。
岐伯曰∶气有多少，形有盛衰，治有缓急，方有大小。又曰∶病有远近，证有中外，治
有轻重。近者奇之，远者偶之。汗不以奇，下不以偶。补上治上制以缓，补下治下制以急。
近而偶奇，制小其服；远而奇偶，制大其服。大则数少，小则数多。多则九之，少则二之。
奇之不去则偶之，偶之不去则反佐以取之，所谓寒热温凉，反从其病也。王冰曰∶脏位有高
下，腑气有远近，病证有表里，药用有轻重。单方为奇，复方为偶。心肺为近，肝肾为远，
脾胃居中。肠 胞胆，亦有远近。识见高远，权以合宜。方奇而分两偶，方偶而分两奇。近
而偶制，多数服之；远而奇制，少数服之。则肺服九，心服七，脾服五，肝服三，肾服一，
为常制也。方与其重也，宁轻；与其毒也，宁善；与其大也，宁小。是以奇方不去，偶方主
之；偶方不去，则反佐以同病之气而取之。夫微小之热，折之以寒；微小之冷，消之以热。
甚大寒热，则必能与异气相格。声不同不相应，气不同不相合。是以反其佐以同其气，复令
寒热参合，使其始同终异也。时珍曰∶逆者正治，从者反治。反佐，即从治也。谓热在下而
上有寒邪拒格，则寒药中入热药为佐，下膈之后，热气既散，寒性随发也。寒在下而上有浮
火拒格，则热药中入寒药为佐，下膈之后，寒气既消，热性随发也。此寒因热用，热因寒用
之妙也。温凉仿此。完素曰∶流变在乎病，主病在乎方，制方在乎人。方有七∶大、小、缓、
急、奇、偶、复也。制方之体，本于气味，寒、热、温、凉，四气生于天；酸、苦、辛、咸、
甘、淡，六味成于地。是以有形为味，无形为气。气为阳，味为阴。辛甘发散为阳，酸苦涌
泄为阴；咸味涌泄为阴，淡味渗泄为阳。或收或散，或缓或急，或燥或润，或软或坚，各随
脏腑之证，而施药之品味，乃分七方之制也。故奇、偶、复者，三方也。大、小、缓、急者，
四制之法也。故曰∶治有缓急，方有大小。
大方 岐伯曰∶君一、臣二、佐九，制之大也。君一、臣三、佐五，制之中也。君一、
臣二，制之小也。又曰∶远而奇偶，制大其服；近而奇偶，制小其服。大则数少，小则数多。
多则九之，少则二之。完素曰∶身表为远，里为近。大小者，制奇偶之法也。假如小承气汤、
调胃承气汤，奇之小方也；大承气汤、抵当汤，奇之大方也，所谓因其攻里而用之也。桂枝、
麻黄，偶之小方也；葛根、青龙，偶之大方也，所谓因其发表而用之也。故曰∶汗不以奇，
下不以偶。
张从正曰∶大方有二∶有君一、臣三、佐九之大方，病有兼证而邪不一，不
可以一、二味治者，宜之；有分两大而顿服之大方，肝肾及下部之病道远者，宜之。王太仆
以心肺为近，肾肝为远，脾胃为中。刘河间以身表为远，身里为近。以予观之，身半以上，
其气三天之分也；身半以下，其气三地之分也；中脘，人之分也。
小方 从正曰∶小方有二∶有君一、臣二之小方，病无兼证，邪气专一，可一、二味治
者，宜之；有分两少而频服之小方，心肺及在上之病者，宜之，徐徐细呷是也。完素曰∶肝
肾位远，数多则其气缓，不能速达于下，必大剂而数少，取其迅急下走也；心肺位近，数少
则其气急下走，不能升发于上，必小剂而数多，取其易散而上行也。王氏所谓肺服九、心服
七、脾服五、肝服三、肾服一，乃五脏生成之数也。
缓方 岐伯曰∶补上治上制以缓，补下治下制以急，急则气味浓，缓则气味薄，适其至
所。病所远而中道气味之者，食而过之，无越其制度也。王冰曰∶假如病在肾而心气不足，
服药宜急过之，不以气味饲心，肾药凌心，心复益衰矣。余上下远近例同。完素曰∶圣人治
上，不犯下；治下，不犯上；治中，上下俱无犯。故曰∶诛伐无过，命曰大惑。好古曰∶治
上必妨下，治表必连里。用黄芩以治肺，必妨脾；用苁蓉以治肾，必妨心；服干姜以治中，
必僭上；服附子以补火，必涸水。从正曰∶缓方有五∶有甘以缓之之方，甘草、糖、蜜之属
是也，病在胸膈，取其留恋也。有丸以缓之之方，比之汤散，其行迟慢也。有品件众多之缓
方，药众则递相拘制，不得各骋其性也。有无毒治病之缓方，无毒则性纯功缓也。有气味俱
薄之缓方，气味薄则长于补上治上，比至其下，药力已衰矣。
急方 完素曰∶味浓者为阴，味薄者为阴中之阳；故味浓则下泄，味薄则通气。气浓者
为阳，气薄为阳中之阴；故气浓则发热，气薄则发汗是也。好古曰∶治主宜缓，缓则治其本
也；治客宜急，急则治其标也。表里汗下，皆有所当缓、所当急。从正曰∶急方有四∶有急
病急攻之急方，中风、关格之病是也。有汤散荡涤之急方，下咽易散而行速也。有毒药之急
方，毒性能上涌下泄以夺病势也。有气味俱浓之急方，气味俱浓，直趋于下而力不衰也。
奇方 王冰曰∶单方也。从正曰∶奇方有二∶有独用一物之奇方，病在上而近者宜之。
有药合阳数一、三、五、七、九之奇方，宜下不宜汗。完素曰∶假如小承气，调胃承气，奇
之小方也；大承气、抵当汤，奇之大方也，所谓因其攻下而为之也。桂枝、麻黄，偶之小方
也；葛根、青龙，偶之大方也，所谓因其发散而用之也。
偶方 从正曰∶偶方有三∶有两味相配之偶方；有古之二方相合之偶方，古谓之复方，
皆病在下而远者宜之；有药合阴数二、四、六、八、十之偶方，宜汗不宜下。王太仆言∶汗
药不以偶，则气不足以外发；下药不以奇，则药毒攻而致过。意者下本易行，故单行则力孤
而微；汗或难出，故并行则力齐而大乎？而仲景制方，桂枝汗药，反以五味为奇；大承气下
药，反以四味为偶，何也？岂临事制宜，复有增损乎？
复方 岐伯曰∶奇之不去则偶之，是谓重方。好古曰∶奇之不去复以偶，偶之不去复以
奇，故曰复。复者，再也，重也。所谓十补一泄，数泄一补也。又伤寒见风脉，伤风得寒脉，
为脉证不相应，宜以复方主之。从正曰∶复方有三∶有二方、三方及数方相合之复方，如桂
枝二越婢一汤、五积散之属是也。有本方之外别加余药，如调胃承气加连翘、薄荷、黄芩、
栀子为凉膈散之属是也。有分两均齐之复方，如胃风汤各等分之属是也。王太仆以偶为复方，
今七方有偶又有复，岂非偶乃二方相合、复乃数方相合之谓乎？
岐伯说：厥阴司天，气候表现为风化；厥阴在泉，气味表现为酸化，寒毒便不会滋生。少阴司天，气候表现为热化；少阴在泉，气味表现为苦化，寒毒便不会滋生。太阴司天，气候表现为湿化；太阴在泉，气味表现为甘化，燥毒便不会滋生。少阳司天，气候表现为火化；少阳在泉，气味表现为苦化，寒毒便不会滋生。阳明司天，气候表现为燥化；阳明在泉，气味表现为辛化，湿毒便不会滋生。太阳司天，气候表现为寒化；太阳在泉，气味表现为咸化，热毒便不会滋生。
治疗疾病的人，必须明白六气分治的规律，以及五味、五色所对应的生成关系和五脏适宜的属性，才能谈论气血盈虚及疾病发生的头绪。源于天的，是天之气；源于地的，是地之气。谨慎观察气机的适宜性，不要错失疾病的机理。按照岁气来储备药物，就不会遗漏主治功效。所谓“岁物”，是指天地精气专一凝聚而成的药物。不是由岁气专主生成的药物，其气机就会散漫，虽然质地相同但等级不同。药物的气味有浓淡之分，药性的作用有躁动与静守之别，治疗保养的功效有大小之差，药力的转化有深浅之异。如果天之淫气侵犯人体下部，应用能克制它的性质来平抑它；如果地之淫气侵犯人体内部，应用能克制它的性质来治疗它。
王冰说：在天形成的气化，称为天气；在地形成的气化，称为地气。五毒都是五行之气的作用，所以被克制的性质不会产生，只有司天和在泉所生的味道才是纯正的。因此，制药工匠专门根据岁气来采集药物，所收采的药物，其主治功效就不会有遗漏。五运之气有余，则专精之气使药物肥厚浓郁，使用时符合其正气的味道；五运之气不足，则药物不专精而气机散漫，物产不纯，虽然形态质地相同，但药效作用却不同了。所以，当天气淫溢于下、地气淫溢于内时，都用能克制它们的性质来平复治疗，比如风胜湿、酸胜甘之类的道理。
岐伯说：气有多少的不同，形体有盛衰的变化，治疗有缓急的区别，方剂有大小的分类。又说：疾病有远近之分，证候有表里之异，治疗有轻重之别。病位近的用奇方，病位远的用偶方。发汗法不用奇方，攻下法不用偶方。补益上部或治疗上部疾病，制方宜缓；补益下部或治疗下部疾病，制方宜急。病位近而用偶方或奇方，应减小服药剂量；病位远而用奇方或偶方，应增大服药剂量。大方剂药味数量少，小方剂药味数量多。多的可以加到九味，少的可以减至二味。如果用奇方无效，就用偶方；用偶方无效，就采用反佐法来取效，这就是所说的寒热温凉，顺从病势的治疗方法。
王冰说：脏腑位置有高下之分，腑气运行有远近之别，病证有表里之异，药物使用有轻重之择。单方为奇方，复方为偶方。心肺位置较近，肝肾位置较远，脾胃位居中间。肠、膀胱、胆等也有远近之分。见识高远者，权衡病情以合宜用药。方剂用奇数而分量用偶数，方剂用偶数而分量用奇数。病位近而用偶方制，需多次服用；病位远而用奇方制，需少量服用。这是肺服九、心服七、脾服五、肝服三、肾服一的常规制法。开方与其分量重，不如分量轻；与其有毒性，不如无毒；与其方剂大，不如方剂小。因此，奇方无效，由偶方主治；偶方无效，就反佐以同病之气来取效。对于微小的热邪，用寒药折损它；对于微小的冷邪，用热药消除它。如果是极度的寒热，则必然能与异气相格拒。声音不同就不能相应，气机不同就不能相合。所以反向佐以同其气，再让寒热参合，使其开始相同最终不同。
李时珍说：逆着病势治疗为正治，顺着病势治疗为反治。反佐，就是顺从治疗的意思。比如热邪在下而上部有寒邪格拒，则在寒药中加入热药作为佐使，药液通过膈肌后，热气散去，寒性随即发挥。寒邪在下而上部有浮火格拒，则在热药中加入寒药作为佐使，药液通过膈肌后，寒气消散，热性随即发挥。这就是“寒因热用，热因寒用”的妙处。温凉之法也仿照此理。
张元素（完素）说：病证的流变在于病情本身，主治疾病的关键在于方剂，制定方剂的要点在于医生。方剂分为七类：大、小、缓、急、奇、偶、复。制方的基础在于气味，寒、热、温、凉四气生于天；酸、苦、辛、咸、甘、淡六味成于地。因此，有形的是味，无形的是气。气属阳，味属阴。辛、甘发散属阳，酸、苦涌泄属阴；咸味涌泄属阴，淡味渗泄属阳。或收或散，或缓或急，或燥或润，或软或坚，各随脏腑的证候，施用相应的药物品味，这就分出了七方的体制。所以奇、偶、复是三方，大、小、缓、急是四种制法。所以说：治疗有缓急，方剂有大小的区别。
【大方】
岐伯说：君药一味、臣药二味、佐药九味，是大方的体制。君药一味、臣药三味、佐药五味，是中方的体制。君药一味、臣药二味，是小方的体制。又说：病位远而用奇偶方，应增大服药量；病位近而用奇偶方，应减小服药量。大方药味少，小方药味多。多的可达九味，少的仅二味。
张元素说：体表为远，体内为近。大小方，是制定奇偶方的方法。例如小承气汤、调胃承气汤，是奇方中的小方；大承气汤、抵当汤，是奇方中的大方，这是顺应其攻里的作用而使用的。桂枝汤、麻黄汤，是偶方中的小方；葛根汤、青龙汤，是偶方中的大方，这是顺应其发表的作用而使用的。所以说：发汗不用奇方，攻下不用偶方。
张从正说：大方有两种：一种是君药一味、臣药三味、佐药九味的大方，适用于病有兼证且邪气不一，不能用一两味药治疗的病症；另一种是分量大且一次性服用的大方，适用于肝肾及下部病位较远的病症。王冰认为心肺为近，肾肝为远，脾胃居中。刘河间认为体表为远，体内为近。我认为，身体上半部分，其气占三分天之数；身体下半部分，其气占三分地之数；中脘穴，是人身的分界线。
【小方】
张从正说：小方有两种：一种是君药一味、臣药二味的小方，适用于病无兼证，邪气专一，可用一两味药治疗的病症；另一种是分量少且频繁服用的小方，适用于心肺及在上部的疾病，慢慢细细饮用即是。张元素说：肝肾位置较远，药味多则气机缓和，不能迅速到达下部，必须用大剂量且次数少，取其迅急下行；心肺位置较近，药味少则气机急迫下行，不能升发于上，必须用小剂量且次数多，取其易散而上行。王氏所说的肺服九、心服七、脾服五、肝服三、肾服一，是五脏生成的数理。
【缓方】
岐伯说：补益上部或治疗上部疾病，制方宜缓；补益下部或治疗下部疾病，制方宜急。急则气味浓厚，缓则气味淡薄，以使药力恰达病所。如果病位远而中途经过的部位需要气味调和，可通过进食来引导，不要超越制度规范。
王冰说：例如病在肾而心气不足，服药宜急过之，不要用气味滋养心脏，以免肾药凌犯心脏，导致心气更加衰弱。其余上下远近的情况同理。
张元素说：圣人治疗上部，不侵犯下部；治疗下部，不侵犯上部；治疗中部，上下都不侵犯。所以说：诛伐无罪之地，叫做大惑。李好古说：治疗上部必妨害下部，治疗表证必牵连里证。用黄芩治肺，必妨害脾；用肉苁蓉治肾，必妨害心；服干姜治中焦，必僭越上行；服附子补火，必耗竭肾水。
张从正说：缓方有五种：有用甘味缓急的方剂，如甘草、糖、蜜之类，适用于胸膈病变，取其留恋停留之意；有用丸剂缓行的方剂，相比汤散，其运行迟慢；有用多种药材组成的缓方，药味多则相互制约，不能各自逞其药性；有用无毒药材治病的缓方，无毒则药性纯正，功效缓慢；有用气味俱薄的缓方，气味薄则长于补上治上，等到到达下部时，药力已经衰减。
【急方】
张元素说：味浓者为阴，味薄者为阴中之阳；所以味浓则向下泄利，味薄则通行气机。气浓者为阳，气薄者为阳中之阴；所以气浓则发热，气薄则发汗。
李好古说：治本宜缓，缓则治其本；治标宜急，急则治其标。表里汗下，都有应当缓和应当急的时候。
张从正说：急方有四种：有急病急攻的急方，如中风、关格等疾病；有汤散荡涤的急方，咽下后容易散开且行速；有毒药的急方，利用毒性上涌下泄以夺取病势；有气味俱浓的急方，气味俱浓，直趋下行而力量不衰。
张从正说：奇方有两种：有独用一味药的奇方，适用于病位在上且近的病症；有药味符合阳数一、三、五、七、九的奇方，适宜攻下而不适宜发汗。
张元素说：例如小承气汤、调胃承气汤，是奇方中的小方；大承气汤、抵当汤，是奇方中的大方，这是顺应其攻下的作用而制定的。桂枝汤、麻黄汤，是偶方中的小方；葛根汤、青龙汤，是偶方中的大方，这是顺应其发散的作用而使用的。
【偶方】
张从正说：偶方有三种：有两味药相配的偶方；有古代两个方剂相合的偶方，古时候称为复方，都适用于病位在下且远的病症；有药味符合阴数二、四、六、八、十的偶方，适宜发汗而不适宜攻下。
王冰说：发汗药不用偶方，则气力不足以向外发散；下药不用奇方，则药毒攻伐过度。我想，攻下原本容易，单行则力量孤单微弱；发汗或许困难，并行则力量齐整宏大？然而张仲景制方，桂枝汤作为发汗药，反而用五味组成奇方；大承气汤作为下药，反而用四味组成偶方，为什么呢？难道是临事制宜，又有增减变化吗？
李好古说：用奇方无效再用偶方，用偶方无效再用奇方，所以叫作“复”。复者，再次、重叠之意。所谓十补一泄，数次泄后再补。另外，伤寒出现风脉，伤风出现寒脉，属于脉证不相应，宜用复方主治。
张从正说：复方有三种：有两个、三个及多个方剂相合的复方，如桂枝二越婢一汤、五积散之类；有在本方之外另外加入其他药物的复方，如在调胃承气汤中加入连翘、薄荷、黄芩、栀子成为凉膈散之类；有分量均齐的复方，如胃风汤各等分之类。王冰将偶方视为复方，现在七方中有偶方又有复方，难道偶方是两方相合，复方是多方面相合的意思吗？
Qibo stated: When Jueyin governs the Heaven (Superior Qi), the climate manifests as Wind transformation; when it governs the Earth (Inferior Qi), the taste manifests as Sour, and Cold toxins do not arise. When Shaoyin governs the Heaven, the climate manifests as Heat transformation; when it governs the Earth, the taste manifests as Bitter, and Cold toxins do not arise. When Taiyin governs the Heaven, the climate manifests as Dampness transformation; when it governs the Earth, the taste manifests as Sweet, and Dryness toxins do not arise. When Shaoyang governs the Heaven, the climate manifests as Fire transformation; when it governs the Earth, the taste manifests as Bitter, and Cold toxins do not arise. When Yangming governs the Heaven, the climate manifests as Dryness transformation; when it governs the Earth, the taste manifests as Acrid, and Dampness toxins do not arise. When Taiyang governs the Heaven, the climate manifests as Cold transformation; when it governs the Earth, the taste manifests as Salty, and Heat toxins do not arise.
Those who treat diseases must understand the laws of Six Transformations divided by governance, the generation of Five Flavors and Five Colors, and the suitability for the Zang organs, before one can discuss the threads of excess and deficiency and the origin of diseases. That which originates from Heaven is the Qi of Heaven; that which originates from Earth is the Qi of Earth. Carefully observe the appropriateness of the Qi, do not miss the mechanism of the disease. Preparing substances according to the Yearly Qi ensures no primary efficacy is missed. The "Yearly Substance" refers to the exclusive essence of Heaven and Earth. Substances not governed by the Yearly Qi have scattered Qi; although their quality may be similar, their grade differs. There are differences in the density and thinness of flavor and Qi, in the agitation or stillness of nature and function, in the magnitude of therapeutic preservation, and in the depth of power transformation. If Heavenly excessive Qi invades the lower part, use the controlling nature to level it; if Earthly excessive Qi invades the interior, use the controlling nature to treat it.
Wang Bing stated: Transformation occurring in Heaven constitutes Heavenly Qi; transformation occurring in Earth constitutes Earthly Qi. The Five Toxins are all caused by the Qi of the Five Elements; therefore, the controlled nature does not arise, and only the taste generated by the governing Heaven and governing Earth is correct. Thus, pharmaceutical workers specifically monitor the Yearly Qi, and the collected medicines will have no omissions in their primary indications. When the Five Movements are in excess, the exclusive essence makes the medicine plump and dense, using its proper flavor and Qi. When insufficient, the medicine lacks exclusivity and the Qi scatters, the substance is impure; although the form and quality are the same, the functional power differs. Therefore, when Heavenly Qi excessively invades the lower and Earthly Qi excessively invades the interior, both are treated and leveled by their controlling natures, such as Wind overcoming Dampness, or Sour overcoming Sweet.
Qibo stated: Qi has variations in quantity, forms have fluctuations in prosperity and decline, treatment has distinctions in slowness and urgency, and prescriptions have sizes of large and small. It is also said: Diseases have distances near and far, syndromes have exterior and interior locations, and treatment has degrees of lightness and heaviness. For distant conditions, use Even formulas (Ou Fang); for near conditions, use Odd formulas (Qi Fang). Sweating should not use Odd formulas; purging should not use Even formulas. Tonifying the upper or treating upper diseases requires slow-acting formulations; tonifying the lower or treating lower diseases requires rapid-acting formulations. For near conditions using Even or Odd formulas, reduce the dosage; for distant conditions using Odd or Even formulas, increase the dosage. Large formulas have fewer ingredients, small formulas have more ingredients. Many can reach nine, few can be two. If an Odd formula fails, use an Even formula; if an Even formula fails, use counter-assistance (Fan Zuo) to obtain the effect. This is referred to as Han, Re, Wen, Liang following the disease's nature.
Wang Bing stated: Zang organs have high and low positions, Fu organ Qi has near and far distances, disease syndromes have exterior and interior levels, and medicinal usage has lightness and heaviness. Single formulas are Odd; combined formulas are Even. Heart and Lung are near; Liver and Kidney are far; Spleen and Stomach are central. Intestines, Bladder, and Gallbladder also have near and far distinctions. One with profound insight weighs circumstances to suit appropriateness. If the formula is Odd but the weight is Even, or the formula is Even but the weight is Odd: for near conditions using Even formulation, take many doses; for distant conditions using Odd formulation, take few doses. This establishes the standard system: Lung takes nine, Heart takes seven, Spleen takes five, Liver takes three, Kidney takes one. In prescribing, prefer lightness over heaviness, safety over toxicity, and smallness over largeness. Therefore, if an Odd formula fails, an Even formula governs; if an Even formula fails, use counter-assistance with the Qi of the disease to obtain the effect. Minor heat is reduced by cold; minor cold is eliminated by heat. Extreme cold and heat will inevitably repel contrary Qi. Different sounds do not resonate; different Qi do not combine. Thus, reverse assistance aligns with the Qi, mixing cold and heat so they start similarly but end differently.
Li Shizhen stated: Treating against the disease nature is Standard Treatment (Zheng Zhi); treating in accordance with the disease nature is Counter-Treatment (Fan Zhi). Counter-assistance is synonymous with Counter-Treatment. For example, if Heat is below and Cold pathogen rejects above, add Hot medicine as assistant to Cold medicine; after passing the diaphragm, once the Heat dissipates, the Cold property activates. If Cold is below and Floating Fire rejects above, add Cold medicine as assistant to Hot medicine; after passing the diaphragm, once the Cold dissipates, the Heat property activates. This is the subtlety of "Cold used with Heat, Heat used with Cold." Warm and Cool follow this pattern.
Zhang Yuansu stated: Flow and change depend on the disease; mastering the disease depends on the formula; forming the formula depends on the person. There are Seven Categories of Formulas: Da (Large), Xiao (Small), Huan (Slow), Ji (Rapid), Qi (Odd), Ou (Even), and Fu (Repeated). The basis of formula structure lies in Flavor and Qi. Han, Re, Wen, Liang (Four Qi) are born from Heaven; Suan, Ku, Xin, Xian, Gan, Dan (Six Flavors) are formed from Earth. Thus, tangible is Flavor, intangible is Qi. Qi is Yang, Flavor is Yin. Acrid and Sweet disperse and emit, belonging to Yang; Sour and Bitter induce vomiting and purging, belonging to Yin; Salty induces vomiting and purging, belonging to Yin; Bland promotes seepage and purging, belonging to Yang. Whether astringing or dispersing, slowing or accelerating, drying or moistening, softening or hardening, each follows the syndrome of the Zang-Fu organs to apply specific flavors and tastes, thereby dividing the Seven Formula systems. Thus, Qi, Ou, and Fu are three types; Da, Xiao, Huan, and Ji are four methods of regulation. Hence, treatment has slowness and urgency, and formulas have large and small sizes.
[Large Formula]
Qibo stated: One Sovereign, two Ministers, nine Assistants constitute a Large formula. One Sovereign, three Ministers, five Assistants constitute a Medium formula. One Sovereign, two Ministers constitute a Small formula. It is also said: For distant conditions using Odd/Even formulas, increase the dosage; for near conditions using Odd/Even formulas, decrease the dosage. Large formulas have few ingredients, small formulas have many. Many reach nine, few are two.
Zhang Yuansu stated: Body surface is Far, interior is Near. Large and Small refer to the method of regulating Odd and Even. For instance, Xiao Chengqi Tang and Tiaowei Chengqi Tang are Small Odd formulas; Da Chengqi Tang and Didang Tang are Large Odd formulas, used because they attack the interior. Guizhi Tang and Mahuang Tang are Small Even formulas; Gegen Tang and Qinglong Tang are Large Even formulas, used because they release the exterior. Hence, sweating does not use Odd formulas; purging does not use Even formulas.
Zhang Congzheng stated: There are two types of Large Formulas: One is the Large Formula of One Sovereign, Three Ministers, Nine Assistants, suitable for diseases with concurrent syndromes and diverse pathogens that cannot be treated with one or two herbs; the other is a Large Formula with heavy dosage taken at once, suitable for diseases of the Liver, Kidney, and lower parts where the distance is far. Wang Taipu considered Heart and Lung as Near, Kidney and Liver as Far, and Spleen and Stomach as Middle. Liu Hejian considered body surface as Far and body interior as Near. In my view, the upper half of the body corresponds to three parts of Heavenly Qi; the lower half corresponds to three parts of Earthly Qi; Zhongwan is the dividing line of humanity.
[Small Formula]
Congzheng stated: There are two types of Small Formulas: One is the Small Formula of One Sovereign, Two Ministers, suitable for diseases without concurrent syndromes, with singular pathogens treatable by one or two herbs; the other is a Small Formula with light dosage taken frequently, suitable for diseases of the Heart, Lung, and upper regions, sipping slowly and finely. Yuansu stated: Liver and Kidney are distant; many doses make the Qi slow, unable to reach the lower part quickly, so large doses with few frequencies are needed to ensure rapid descent. Heart and Lung are near; few doses make the Qi urgent downward, unable to ascend, so small doses with many frequencies are needed to ensure easy dispersion and ascent. The Wang system stating Lung takes nine, Heart seven, Spleen five, Liver three, Kidney one, represents the generative numbers of the Five Zang organs.
[Slow Formula]
Qibo stated: Tonifying/treating the upper requires slow formulation; tonifying/treating the lower requires rapid formulation. Rapid means strong flavor and Qi; slow means weak flavor and Qi, reaching the target appropriately. If the disease is distant and the middle path requires flavor adjustment, guide it with food without exceeding regulations.
Wang Bing stated: For example, if the disease is in the Kidney but Heart Qi is deficient, medication should pass quickly through the Heart, not nourishing the Heart with flavors, lest Kidney medicine oppress the Heart, further depleting Heart Qi. The examples for upper/lower and near/far are similar.
Yuansu stated: The Sage treats the upper without offending the lower; treats the lower without offending the upper; treats the middle without offending either. Thus, punishing the innocent is called great confusion. Haogu stated: Treating the upper necessarily affects the lower; treating the exterior necessarily connects to the interior. Using Huangqin to treat the Lung necessarily harms the Spleen; using Rongrong to treat the Kidney necessarily harms the Heart; taking Ganjiang to treat the Middle necessarily rebels upward; taking Fuzi to tonify Fire necessarily depletes Water.
Congzheng stated: There are five types of Slow Formulas: One uses Sweet to slow, such as Gancao, sugar, honey, suitable for chest/diaphragm diseases to retain the effect. One uses Pills to slow, which act slower than decoctions/powders. One contains many ingredients, where herbs mutually constrain each other, preventing any single herb from exerting its full nature. One uses non-toxic herbs to treat, where non-toxicity ensures pure nature and slow action. One has weak flavor and Qi, which excels in tonifying/treating the upper; by the time it reaches the lower, the medicinal power has declined.
[Rapid Formula]
Yuansu stated: Strong flavor is Yin; weak flavor is Yang within Yin. Thus, strong flavor leads to downward purging; weak flavor promotes Qi movement. Strong Qi is Yang; weak Qi is Yin within Yang. Thus, strong Qi causes fever; weak Qi induces sweating.
Haogu stated: Treating the root should be slow, slowing treats the root; treating the branch should be rapid, rapid treats the branch. Exterior/Interior, Sweating/Purging all have situations requiring slowness and situations requiring rapidity.
Congzheng stated: There are four types of Rapid Formulas: One is rapid attack for acute diseases, such as wind-stroke or Guan-Ge. One is decoction/powder scouring, which disperses easily and acts fast upon swallowing. One uses toxic drugs, where toxicity surges upward or purges downward to seize the disease momentum. One has strong flavor and Qi, which directs straight downward without losing strength.
[Odd Formula]
Wang Bing stated: It is a single-substance formula.
Congzheng stated: There are two types of Odd Formulas: One uses a single herb alone, suitable for diseases in the upper and near regions. One combines herbs matching odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), suitable for purging rather than sweating.
Yuansu stated: For instance, Xiao Chengqi Tang and Tiaowei Chengqi Tang are Small Odd formulas; Da Chengqi Tang and Didang Tang are Large Odd formulas, formulated for purging. Guizhi Tang and Mahuang Tang are Small Even formulas; Gegen Tang and Qinglong Tang are Large Even formulas, used for dispersing.
[Even Formula]
Congzheng stated: There are three types of Even Formulas: One pairs two herbs; one combines two ancient formulas (anciently called Compound Formulas), suitable for diseases in the lower and distant regions; one combines herbs matching even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10), suitable for sweating rather than purging.
Taipu stated: Sweating agents without Even numbers lack sufficient Qi to emit outward; purging agents without Odd numbers cause toxic aggression leading to excess. I suppose purging is naturally easy, so single action results in isolated and weak power; sweating is difficult, so combined action results in equal and greater power? However, Zhang Zhongjing's formulas: Guizhi Tang, a sweating agent, uses five ingredients (Odd); Da Chengqi Tang, a purging agent, uses four ingredients (Even). Why? Is it adapting to circumstances with additions and subtractions?
[Compound Formula]
Qibo stated: If Odd fails, use Even; this is called Chong Fang (Double/Repeated Formula).
Haogu stated: If Odd fails, use Even; if Even fails, use Odd; hence called "Fu" (Repeat). Fu means again, double. Such as ten parts tonification, one part purging; several parts purging, one part tonification. Also, if Taiyang presents with Wind pulse, or Shangfeng presents with Cold pulse, indicating mismatched pulse and syndrome, a Compound Formula should govern.
Congzheng stated: There are three types of Compound Formulas: One combines two, three, or multiple formulas, such as Guizhi Er Yuebi Yi Tang or Wuji San. One adds other herbs to a base formula, such as adding Lianqiao, Bohe, Huangqin, Zhizi to Tiaowei Chengqi Tang to create Liangge San. One has equal weights, such as Weifeng Tang with equal parts. Taipu considered Even as Compound. Now, among the Seven Formulas, there is Even and there is Compound. Does this mean Even is the combination of two formulas, while Compound is the combination of multiple formulas?