气薄味甘性温，无毒，升也，阳也。其用有四∶温分肉而实腠理，益元气而补三焦；内
托阴症之疮痍，外固表虚之盗汗。如痈疽已溃者多用，从里托毒而出。又能生肌收口，补表
故也。大都表邪旺者不可用，用之反助邪气。就阴气弱者论之，亦宜少用，若用之以升元气
于表，则内反虚耗矣。又表虚有邪，发汗不出者，服之自汗。此药大益胃气，能解肌热，故
人参黄 甘草三味，退虚热之圣药也。入手少阳足太阴少阴肾命门之剂。蜜炙用之，大能止
汗，生用又能发汗。人参非此则不能补，故为补中益气之要药也。用之于痘家，与前参同，
但实热之症，比参尤加谨焉。恶鳖甲。
气温，味甘苦而甘温，味浓气薄，无毒，可升可降，阴中阳也。入手太阳少阴兼足阳明
太阳少阴厥阴。除湿益燥，和中益气，利腰脐间瘀血，除胃中邪热。利水道、有除湿之功，
强脾胃，有进食之效。佐黄芩有安胎之能，君枳实有消痞之妙。与二陈同用，则化痰除湿，
消食健胃。与白芍当归枳实生地之类同用，则补脾而清脾家湿热。与干姜同用，去脾家寒湿。
与
若见水泡之症，须用麻黄根汁浸透炒之，取其达表以利水道也。
气平味甘，阳也。入足厥阴太阴二经。生用则寒，炙之则温。生用泻火，炙则温中。能
补上中下三焦元气，和诸药解诸急。热药用之缓其热，寒药用之缓其寒。补阳不足，中满禁
用。梢子生用，去茎中之痛。胸中积热，非梢子不能除。节治肿毒，大有奇功。养血补胃，
身实良方。除邪热，利咽痛，理中气。坚筋骨，长肌肉。通经脉，利血气。止咳嗽，润肺道。
又炙之能散表寒，故附子理中用之，恐其僭上也。调胃承气用之，恐其速下也。二药用之，
非和也，皆缓也。小柴胡有柴芩之寒，有参夏之温，其中用甘草者，则有调和之意。中不满
而用甘为之补，中满者而用甘为之泻，此升降浮沉之妙也。经云，以甘补之，以甘泻之，以
甘缓之，此之谓也。痘家用之解毒，以和中健脾，若头面毒盛者，于解毒汤中多用之，取其
缓诸药，使之上攻头面故也。反甘遂大戟芫花海藻。
【白术】
气味轻薄，味甘，性温，无毒，具有升散作用，属阳。它的作用有四个方面：温暖肌肉并充实腠理（皮肤纹理及汗孔），补益元气并滋养三焦；向内托举阴证疮疡的毒邪，向外固表止住因表虚引起的盗汗。对于已经溃破的痈疽，多用此药，以便从体内托出毒邪。又能促进肌肉生长、收敛伤口，这是因为它能补益体表之气。大抵而言，如果体表邪气旺盛者不可使用，使用了反而助长邪气。就阴气虚弱者而论，也应少量使用，如果用此药将元气提升浮越于体表，则体内反而会更加虚耗。另外，如果是表虚兼有外邪，导致发汗不出的人，服用此药后自然会出汗。此药大补胃气，能解除肌表之热，所以人参、黄芪、甘草这三味药，是退除虚热的圣药。本药入足太阴脾经、手少阳三焦经及足少阴肾经和命门。蜜炙后使用，能大大止汗；生用则能发汗。人参如果没有白术配合就不能很好地补益，所以它是补中益气的重要药物。用于痘疹患者时，用法与人参相同，但对于实热证候，比用人参更要谨慎。忌与鳖甲同用。
【甘草】
气温，味甘、苦，整体呈甘温之性，味道浓厚而气味轻薄，无毒，既可升又可降，属于阴中之阳。入足太阳膀胱经、手少阴心经，兼入足阳明胃经、足太阳膀胱经、足少阴肾经、足厥阴肝经。能除湿并增加燥性，调和脾胃并补益元气，疏通腰脐间的瘀血，清除胃中的邪热。通利水道，有除湿的功效；强健脾胃，有增进食欲的效果。佐以黄芩使用，有安胎的作用；作为主药配伍枳实，有消除痞满的妙效。与二陈汤同用，则能化痰除湿，消食健胃。与白芍、当归、枳实、生地等药同用，则能补脾并清泻脾经湿热。与干姜同用，可去除脾经寒湿。如果遇到出现水泡的症状，必须用麻黄根汁浸泡透后炒制，取其通达体表以利水道的功效。
【甘草续】
气味平，味甘，属阳。入足厥阴肝经、足太阴脾经。生用时性寒，炙过后性温。生用能泻火，炙用能温中。能补益上、中、下三焦的元气，调和诸药并缓解各种急症。热性药中加入它能缓和其热性，寒性药中加入它能缓和其寒性。补益阳气不足，但中焦胀满者禁用。甘草梢生用，能去除茎部（指阴茎或肢体末端）的疼痛。胸中积热，非甘草梢不能清除。甘草节治疗肿毒，大有奇功。养血补胃，是身体充实的良好方剂。清除邪热，利咽喉止痛，调理中焦气机。坚固筋骨，促进肌肉生长。通经脉，利血气。止咳嗽，润肺道。另外，炙甘草能发散表寒，所以在附子理中丸中使用它，是担心药力僭越上行；在调胃承气汤中使用它，是担心泻下过快。在这两个方剂中使用甘草，并非为了“和解”，而是为了“缓急”。小柴胡汤中有柴胡、黄芩的寒性，有人参、半夏的温性，其中使用甘草，是为了调和之意。中焦不胀满而用甘味药是为了补益，中焦胀满而用甘味药是为了泻实，这就是升降浮沉的奥妙所在。经文说：“以甘补之，以甘泻之，以甘缓之”，说的就是这个道理。痘科医生用它来解毒，通过调和脾胃、健脾益气，如果头面部毒邪炽盛者，在解毒汤中多使用它，是取它缓和诸药药性，使药力向上攻伐头部的缘故。反畏甘遂、大戟、芫花、海藻。
[Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma)]
The qi is thin, the taste is sweet, the nature is warm, and it is non-toxic. It has an ascending property and belongs to Yang. Its functions are fourfold: it warms the muscles and consolidates the cou li (skin texture and pores), benefits the primordial Qi and tonifies the San Jiao (Triple Burner); internally it supports the sores and ulcers of Yin syndromes, and externally it secures the exterior to stop night sweats caused by exterior deficiency. For carbuncles and sores that have already ulcerated, this herb is used frequently to support the body from within and expel toxicity outward. It can also generate flesh and close wounds, which is due to its ability to tonify the exterior Qi. Generally speaking, if the pathogenic factors on the exterior are vigorous, it should not be used, as doing so would instead assist the pathogenic factors. Regarding those with weak Yin Qi, it should also be used in small amounts; if used to raise the Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) to the exterior, the interior will conversely become depleted. Furthermore, for those with exterior deficiency accompanied by pathogens who cannot sweat, taking this herb will induce spontaneous sweating. This herb greatly benefits Stomach Qi and can resolve muscular heat. Therefore, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) are three herbs considered sacred remedies for retreating deficiency heat. This herb enters the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and Mingmen (Gate of Life). When honey-fried, it greatly stops sweating; when used raw, it induces sweating. Ren Shen cannot effectively tonify without Bai Zhu, thus it is a key herb for tonifying the Middle and benefiting Qi. When used in patients with smallpox, its usage is similar to that of Ren Shen, but for excess-heat syndromes, one must be even more cautious than when using Ren Shen. It is incompatible with Die Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum).
[Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma)]
The temperature is warm, the taste is sweet and bitter, overall possessing a sweet-warm nature. The taste is dense while the qi is thin, and it is non-toxic. It can ascend and descend, belonging to Yang within Yin. It enters the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, and concurrently the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. It removes dampness and increases dryness, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and benefits Qi, promotes the circulation of blood stasis between the waist and umbilicus, and clears evil heat from the Stomach. It promotes urination and has the effect of removing dampness; it strengthens the Spleen and Stomach and has the efficacy of promoting appetite. When assisted by Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), it has the ability to calm the fetus; when used as the sovereign herb with Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), it has the wonderful effect of dissipating痞满 (fullness and obstruction). Used together with Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction), it resolves phlegm and removes dampness, aids digestion, and strengthens the Stomach. Used together with Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Zhi Shi, and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), it tonifies the Spleen and clears damp-heat in the Spleen. Used together with Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), it removes cold-dampness in the Spleen. If symptoms involving water blisters are seen, Ma Huang Gen (Ephedrae Radix) juice must be used to soak the herb thoroughly before stir-frying, to take advantage of its ability to reach the exterior and promote urination.
[Continuation of Gan Cao]
The qi is neutral, the taste is sweet, and it belongs to Yang. It enters the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. When used raw, it is cold; when fried, it is warm. Raw use purges fire, while fried use warms the Middle Jiao. It can tonify the Yuan Qi of the Upper, Middle, and Lower San Jiao, harmonize various herbs, and relieve various emergencies. When added to hot-natured drugs, it moderates their heat; when added to cold-natured drugs, it moderates their cold. It tonifies insufficient Yang, but is contraindicated in cases of fullness in the Middle Jiao. Gan Cao Shao (the tips of the root) used raw removes pain in the stems (referring to the penis or extremities). Heat accumulated in the chest cannot be cleared except by Gan Cao Shao. Gan Cao Jie (the nodes of the root) treats swelling and toxins, achieving great miraculous results. It nourishes blood and tonifies the Stomach, serving as a good prescription for strengthening the body. It eliminates evil heat, benefits the throat and relieves pain, regulates Middle Jiao Qi, strengthens sinews and bones, promotes muscle growth, unblocks meridians, benefits blood and Qi, stops coughing, and moistens the lung passages. Additionally, honey-fried Gan Cao can disperse exterior cold; therefore, it is used in Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan (Aconite Pill to Regulate the Middle) to prevent the medicinal force from overstepping upwards; it is used in Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate the Stomach and Direct Downward Decoction) to prevent rapid purgation. In these two formulas, Gan Cao is used not for "harmonizing" (He), but for "moderating/slacking" (Huan). Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) contains the coldness of Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) and Huang Qin, and the warmth of Ren Shen and Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma); the inclusion of Gan Cao therein implies the intent to harmonize. If the Middle Jiao is not full, using sweet herbs serves to tonify; if the Middle Jiao is full, using sweet herbs serves to purge. This is the subtlety of ascending, descending, floating, and sinking. The Classic states: "Tonify with sweet, purge with sweet, moderate with sweet." This is what is meant. In pediatric smallpox treatment, it is used to detoxify, harmonize the Middle, and strengthen the Spleen. If toxins are abundant on the head and face, it is used in large doses in Jie Du Tang (Detoxification Decoction) to take advantage of its ability to moderate other herbs, allowing their action to attack upward toward the head and face. It is antagonistic to Gan Sui (Kansui Radix), Da Ji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix), Yuan Hua (Genkwa Flos), and Hai Zao (Sargassum).