猪苓味甘苦平 入太阴少阴之经，主伤寒温疫大热。
五苓散分利阴阳；
猪苓汤通调水道。
泽泻甘咸性寒而沉 通小肠遗沥，逐三焦停水，利小便不通，宣膀胱胞垢。
凡三方同用。
白术甘平 利水道有分渗之功，强脾胃有进食之效。
甘草汤利津液；
五苓散润虚燥；
真武汤益脾；
理中丸和胃。
凡七方同用。
茯苓甘平 开胃府止渴，伐肾水消痰，止小便多，分小便涩。
大枣汤伐肾；
四逆汤益阴；
甘草汤生津；
猪苓汤利水；
附子汤补阳；
附子丸益脾。
凡九方同用。
滑石甘寒 主伤寒身热虚烦，通六府九窍津液。同阿胶分渗入大肠滑窍。
人参甘温微寒 主虚烦吐逆，益元气，生津液，补阳温寒退热。
白虎汤益气；
竹叶汤扶羸；
四逆汤滋阴；
黄连汤益胃；
小柴胡汤补表里不足；
附子汤补阳弱阴胜；
乌梅丸缓脾；
理中汤断利。
凡十八方同用。
竹叶味苦大寒 主咳逆呕吐，胸中烦热，故石膏汤用以清经中余热。
石膏辛甘微寒 解肌发汗，彻热除烦，入少阳主三焦皮肤大热。入阳明疗身
热，目痛鼻干。
越婢汤发表；
白虎汤除烦；
大青龙解荣中寒；
升麻汤清肺中热。
凡五方同用。
葳蕤甘平 治时疾虚寒客热，润心肺止渴除烦。
升麻汤用以润肺；
白虎汤加之治斑。
栝蒌根苦寒 主烦渴身热，口燥舌干。
干姜汤生津液；
小柴胡止烦渴。
Zhu Ling (Polyporus) is sweet, bitter, and neutral in nature. It enters the Taiyin and Shaoyin meridians. It primarily treats severe heat caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage) and Wenyi (Plague-like febrile diseases).
Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) separates and promotes Yin and Yang;
Zhuling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) unblocks and regulates the water pathways.
Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome) is sweet, salty, cold in nature, and heavy/sinking. It unblocks residual dribbling from the Small Intestine, expels stagnant water from the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), benefits urination obstruction, and clears turbid deposits from the Bladder.
The above three formulas are commonly used together.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is sweet and neutral. It has the function of separating and渗 (percolating) to benefit water pathways, and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach with the effect of promoting appetite.
Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction) benefits the generation of Jin Ye (Body Fluids);
Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) moistens deficiency dryness;
Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) tonifies the Spleen;
Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill) harmonizes the Stomach.
The above seven formulas are commonly used together.
Fu Ling (Poria) is sweet and neutral. It opens the Stomach Fu organ to stop thirst, subdues Kidney Water to eliminate phlegm, reduces frequent urination, and separates/diffuses urinary涩 (obstruction/stagnation).
Dazao Tang (Jujube Decoction) subdues the Kidney;
Sini Tang (Recover the Prostrate Decoction) tonifies Yin;
Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction) generates fluids;
Zhuling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) promotes urination;
Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction) tonifies Yang;
Fuzi Wan (Aconite Pill) tonifies the Spleen.
The above nine formulas are commonly used together.
Hua Shi (Talcum) is sweet and cold. It primarily treats body heat and deficiency vexation caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage), and unblocks the Jin Ye (Body Fluids) of the Six Fu organs and Nine Orifices. When used with Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), it percolates into the Large Intestine to lubricate the orifices.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) is sweet, warm, and slightly cold. It primarily treats deficiency vexation, vomiting, and counterflow qi. It tonifies Yuan Qi (Primal Qi), generates Jin Ye (Body Fluids), tonifies Yang, warms Cold, and dissipates heat.
Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) tonifies Qi;
Zhuye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction) supports the emaciated/weak;
Sini Tang (Recover the Prostrate Decoction) nourishes Yin;
Huanglian Tang (Coptis Decoction) tonifies the Stomach;
Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) tonifies insufficiency at both the Exterior and Interior levels;
Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction) tonifies Yang to counter Yin excess;
Wumei Wan (Mume Pill) soothes the Spleen;
Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) stops diarrhea.
The above eighteen formulas are commonly used together.
Zhuye (Bamboo Leaf) is bitter and very cold. It primarily treats cough with counterflow qi, vomiting, and vexation and heat in the chest. Therefore, Shigao Tang (Gypsum Decoction) uses it to clear residual heat in the meridians.
Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) is acrid, sweet, and slightly cold. It resolves the muscle layer and induces sweating, thoroughly eliminates heat and relieves vexation. Entering the Shaoyang meridian, it treats severe heat of the skin and Sanjiao (Triple Burner). Entering the Yangming meridian, it treats body heat, eye pain, and nasal dryness.
Yebi Tang (Wild Goose Decoction) releases the Exterior;
Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) eliminates vexation;
Da Qinglong Tang (Major Blue Dragon Decoction) resolves Cold within the Ying (Nutrient) level;
Shengma Tang (Cimicifuga Decoction) clears Heat in the Lungs.
The above five formulas are commonly used together.
Weirui (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma) is sweet and neutral. It treats deficiency Cold and invading Heat during epidemic diseases, moistens the Lungs and Heart, stops thirst, and eliminates vexation.
Shengma Tang (Cimicifuga Decoction) uses it to moisten the Lungs;
Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) adds it to treat macules/rashes.
Gualou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix) is bitter and cold. It primarily treats vexation and thirst, body heat, dry mouth, and dry tongue.
Ganjiang Tang (Dried Ginger Decoction) generates fluids;
Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) stops vexation and thirst.