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Decoction (Tang) refers to the clear liquid obtained after boiling herbs. For tonifying deficiency, herbs should be boiled thoroughly until cooked; for promoting diuresis and removing dampness, raw preparation is acceptable. Decoctions are used to treat acute diseases because their medicinal properties are easy to ascend, disperse, and circulate through the meridians. Hence it is said: "Decoction" implies sweeping or cleansing. When treating disorders in the upper jiao, add wine for decoction; to remove dampness, add fresh ginger; to tonify primordial qi, add Chinese date (Jujubae Fructus); to dispel wind-cold, add scallion white (Allii Fistulosi Caulis); to treat disorders of the diaphragm, add honey for decoction; to relieve pain, add vinegar. For all tonifying decoctions, the dregs must be boiled again, and both the first and second infusions should be taken together. However, for formulas that release the exterior or purge the interior, only the first infusion is needed for efficacy, as there is no need to boil the dregs further, due to differences in the degree of cooking which affects the speed of action.

Electuary (Gao) refers to a thick paste made by simmering herbs. The dosage of herbs is usually large, requiring prolonged water decoction. The dregs are boiled several more times, filtered, and the concentrated juices are combined and simmered into a paste. It is used for chronic diseases because its texture is like maltose, possessing strong tonic and consolidating power. Hence it is said: "Electuary" means glue or gum. There are also external plasters for sores and swellings. While the general method of preparation is similar, internal electuaries may be prepared with either water or wine, whereas external plasters for sores must be prepared with oil or vinegar extracts.

Powder (San) refers to herbs ground into fine powder. They should be prepared freshly and not stored for long periods, lest the aroma and flavor dissipate, rendering them ineffective. Powders are used for urgent conditions; they do not follow the meridian pathways but primarily eliminate accumulations in the stomach and zang-fu organs. Hence it is said: "Powder" means dispersing. The method of administration varies: powders with strong aroma and flavor are mixed with warm water for ingestion, while those with mild aroma and flavor are boiled and taken with the dregs.

Pill (Wan) refers to round granules formed from herbal ingredients. For diseases of the lower jiao, pills are made the size of Sophora seeds (Sophorae Semen); for middle jiao diseases, the size of mung beans (Phaseoli Radiati Semen); and for upper jiao diseases, the size of rice grains. Since diseases cannot be cured quickly, pills are used for their slow, gradual effect. Hence it is said: "Pill" means slow. Some pills are made using water (water-hollowed pills) or thin starch paste, chosen for their ease of dissolution to act on the upper jiao. Pills made with thick starch paste or rice dissolve slightly slower, allowing them to reach the middle jiao. Pills made with wine or vinegar are chosen for their astringent or dispersing effects. When using Pinellia Rhizoma Preparatum (Banxia) or Arisaema Cum Bile (Nanxing) to resolve damp-phlegm, ginger juice is used to make pills to mitigate their toxicity. Pills made with Medicated Leaven Paste (Shenqu) are chosen for their food-digesting properties; those made with Chinese Yam Paste (Shanyao) for their astringent effect; those made with refined honey for their slow dissolution and ability to guide qi through the meridians; and those made with beeswax for their resistance to dissolution, which protects the medicinal properties, ensuring full potency reaches beyond the diaphragm to take effect.

Steeped Wine (Zhi) refers to medicinal wine made by steeping and boiling herbs in alcohol. Herbs should be finely chopped, placed in a silk bag, submerged in wine, sealed, and processed according to instructions. After boiling, burying the container in soil for an extended period intensifies the aroma and enriches the flavor. Consumed morning and evening, the medicinal power rapidly reaches the meridians, achieving remarkable results whether attacking pathogens or tonifying deficiency. The remaining dregs can be filtered out, dried, lightly crushed, and re-steeped. Although the potency is slightly weaker, it is still effective when ingested and can also be made into a powder. Do not discard them lightly. For tonifying deficiencies, drink sparingly to achieve quick results; for attacking wind-related syndromes, drink more to see rapid miraculous effects. Avoid drinking to intoxication or vomiting, as this severely damages the body.