剂者，从齐从刀，用以齐其不齐，而成其所以齐也。独用之谓药，合用之谓剂，才
有长短大小良毒之难齐，用有相益相济、相畏相恶、相忌相制之不同，剂有宣通补泻、
轻重、滑涩、燥湿对治之名异。良相剂量群才，以成治世之功；良医剂量群药，以成治
病之功，其义一也。合剂者必本乎是，苟昧其旨而违其道，即失对治之义，求疾之瘳，
其可得乎！
宣，可去壅，姜橘之属是也。故郁壅不散，宜宣剂以散之。有积痰上壅，有积瘀上
壅，有积食上壅，有积饮上壅。（宣涌吐之剂也，经曰∶高者因而越之，又曰∶木郁则达之。以
病在上而涌吐之也，若瓜蒂散、姜盐汤、人参芦、藜芦之类。）
通，可去滞，通草、防己之属是也。故留滞不行，宜通剂以行之。如痹留也、饮留
也、痛亦留也。（通，疏通之剂也，如小便滞而不通。宜通草、琥珀、海金沙之属∶月经滞而不
通，红花、桃仁、五灵脂之属。）
补，可去弱，人参、羊肉之属是也。故羸弱不足，宜补剂以扶之。有气弱、有血
弱、有气血俱弱。（补，滋补之剂也。不足为虚，《经》曰∶虚则补之。如气虚四君；血虚四
物；气血俱虚八珍十全之剂。又曰∶精不足者补之以味、盖药味酸苦甘辛咸各补其脏，故此为云。）
泻，可去闭，葶苈、大黄之属是也。故闭结有余，宜泻剂以下之。有闭在表，有闭
在里，有闭在中。（泻，泄泻之剂也。有余为实，《经》曰∶实则泻之，实则散之。如大小承气
汤、大柴胡汤之类。）
滑，可去着，冬葵子、榆白皮之属是也。故涩则气着，宜滑剂以利之。有经涩，
有小便涩，有大便涩。（滑，滑利之剂也。滑以养窍，如大便结燥，小便淋涩，用火麻仁。郁李
仁，冬葵子、滑石之类。）
涩，可去脱，牡蛎龙骨之属是也。故滑则气脱，宜涩剂以收之。前脱者遗尿，后脱
者遗矢，阳脱者自汗，阴脱者失精失血。（涩，收敛之剂也。如大便频泻，宜肉豆蔻诃子之属∶小
水勤通，宜桑螵蛸、益智之属；冷汗不禁，宜黄 、麻黄根之属；精遗不固，宜龙骨，牡蛎之属∶血
崩不止，宜地榆、阿胶之属。
燥，可去湿，桑白皮，赤小豆之类是也。故湿则为重，宜燥剂以除之，有湿在上，有湿在中，有
湿在下，有湿在经络，有湿在皮肉，有湿在筋骨。（燥，除湿之剂也，如夹食致泻，停饮成痰，宜白
术、苍术、茯苓半夏之属。肢体浮肿，胸腹胀满，宜桑白皮、大腹皮、赤小豆之属。又沉
寒痼冷，吐利腥秽，宜高良姜，附子川椒之属。）
湿，可去枯，白石英、紫石英之属是也。故枯则为燥，宜湿剂以润之。有减气而
枯，有减血而枯。（湿润燥之剂也。与滑虽类，略有不同，《经》曰∶辛以润之，盖辛能散气
能化液也。至于盐硝味虽属咸，亦属其阴之水、诚润燥之要药，夫人有枯涸皱揭之病，匪独金化
为然。亦有火以乘之，非湿剂莫能愈也。）
重可去怯，磁石铁粉之属是也。故怯则气浮，宜重剂以镇之。神志失守，惊悸不
宁。重，镇固之剂也，如小儿急惊，心神昏冒，宜金银箔、朱砂丸之属。
轻，可去实，麻黄葛根之属是也。故实而气蕴，宜轻剂以扬之。腠理闭闷，噎寒中
蕴。（轻，散扬之剂也。如寒邪客于皮肤，头痛身热无汗，宜麻黄汤、升麻葛根汤之属。）
Ji (Formulation/Preparation), composed of "Qi" (uniformity) and "Dao" (knife), means to make uneven things uniform, thereby achieving overall coordination. When used alone, it is called "Yao" (Medicine); when combined, it is called "Ji" (Formulation). Because medicinal materials vary in efficacy, size, and toxicity, making them difficult to standardize, their application involves different relationships such as mutual assistance, mutual restraint, mutual fear, mutual aversion, mutual incompatibility, and mutual inhibition. Therefore, formulations are named according to their therapeutic actions targeting the disease, such as Xuan Tong (Dispersing and Unblocking), Bu Xie (Tonifying and Purging), Qing Zhong (Light and Heavy), Hua Se (Slippery and Astringent), and Zao Shi (Drying and Dampening). An excellent chancellor coordinates various talents to achieve the merit of governing the state; an excellent physician coordinates various medicines to achieve the merit of treating diseases; the principle is the same. Formulations must be based on this principle. If one ignores its essence and violates its way, one loses the meaning of targeted treatment, and how can one expect to cure the disease?
Xuan (Dispersing) can remove obstruction, exemplified by drugs like Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Ju Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium). Therefore, when Qi stagnation and obstruction do not dissipate, a Xuan formulation should be used to disperse it. This includes phlegm accumulation obstructing upwards, blood stasis obstructing upwards, food accumulation obstructing upwards, and fluid retention obstructing upwards. (Xuan formulations include emetic agents. The *Classic of Internal Medicine* states: "For pathogens located high, induce vomiting to expel them"; and "When Wood Qi is stagnant, promote its free flow." Since the pathology is in the upper jiao, emesis is employed, such as Gua Di San (Melon Seed Powder), Jiang Yan Tang (Ginger-Salt Decoction), Ren Shen Lu (Ginseng Rhizome), and Li Lu (Veratrum Root).)
Tong (Unblocking) can remove stagnation, exemplified by drugs like Tong Cao (Tetrapanacis Medulla) and Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix). Therefore, when fluids or Qi remain stagnant and fail to circulate, a Tong formulation should be used to promote circulation. This includes Bi syndrome (obstruction/pain), fluid retention, and pain caused by stagnation. (Tong formulations are unblocking agents. For example, for stagnant and obstructed urination, use Tong Cao, Hu Po (Amber), or Hai Jin Sha (Lygodii Spora); for stagnant and obstructed menstruation, use Hong Hua (Carthami Flos), Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), or Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopteri Dung).)
Bu (Tonifying) can remove weakness, exemplified by drugs like Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Yang Rou (Ovis/Aries Meat). Therefore, when the body is emaciated and deficient, a Bu formulation should be used to support it. This includes Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, and simultaneous Qi and Blood deficiency. (Bu formulations are tonifying agents. Deficiency implies emptiness; the *Classic of Internal Medicine* states: "If deficient, tonify it." For example, Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) for Qi deficiency; Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) for Blood deficiency; Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction) or Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Ten Significant Great Tonifying Decoction) for simultaneous Qi and Blood deficiency. It also states: "Those with insufficient Essence should be supplemented with substantial flavors," because the sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty flavors of medicines each tonify corresponding Zang organs.)
Xie (Purging) can remove closure/constipation, exemplified by drugs like Ting Li Zi (Lepidii Semen) and Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma). Therefore, when there is excess closure, a Xie formulation should be used to purge downwards. This includes exterior closure, interior closure, and middle-jiao closure. (Xie formulations are purgative agents. Excess implies fullness; the *Classic of Internal Medicine* states: "If full, purge it; if full, scatter it." Examples include Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction), Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction), and Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction).)
Hua (Slippery) can remove adherence/sticking, exemplified by drugs like Dong Kui Zi (Abutilonis Semen) and Yu Bai Pi (Ulmus Alba Cortex). Therefore, when dryness causes Qi to adhere, a Hua formulation should be used to lubricate and promote flow. This includes menstrual stickiness, urinary stickiness, and fecal stickiness. (Hua formulations are lubricating agents. Slipperiness nourishes orifices. For example, for dry constipation or painful scanty urination, use Huo Ma Ren (Cannabis Fructus), Yu Li Ren (Prunus Semen), Dong Kui Zi, or Hua Shi (Talcum).)
Se (Astringing) can remove collapse/loss, exemplified by drugs like Mu Li (Ostrea Concha) and Long Gu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi). Therefore, when leakage leads to Qi collapse, a Se formulation should be used to consolidate and retain. Anterior collapse manifests as enuresis, posterior collapse as fecal incontinence, Yang collapse as spontaneous sweating, and Yin collapse as seminal emission or hemorrhage. (Se formulations are astringent agents. For frequent diarrhea, use Rou Dou Kou (Myristica Semen) or He Zi (Chebulae Fructus); for frequent urination, use Sang Piao Xiao (Mantis Ootheca) or Yi Zhi Ren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus); for uncontrollable cold sweat, use Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) or Ma Huang Gen (Ephedrae Herbae Radix et Rhizoma); for unstable seminal emission, use Long Gu, Mu Li; for uterine bleeding that will not stop, use Di Yu (Sanguisorbae Radix) or E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini).)
Zao (Drying) can remove dampness, exemplified by drugs like Sang Bai Pi (Mori Cortex) and Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean). Therefore, dampness causes heaviness, so a Zao formulation should be used to eliminate it. Dampness may be in the upper jiao, middle jiao, lower jiao, meridians, skin/muscles, or sinews/bones. (Zao formulations are dampness-removing agents. For diarrhea complicated by food stagnation or phlegm from retained fluids, use Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Fu Ling (Poria), or Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tuber). For limb edema and chest/abdominal distension, use Sang Bai Pi, Da Fu Pi (Arecae Pericarpium), or Chi Xiao Dou. For deep-seated cold and chronic chill, with vomiting and purging of foul-smelling matter, use Gao Liang Jiang (Galangal Rhizome), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), or Chuan Jiao (Zanthoxyli Pericarpium).)
Shi (Moistening/Dampening) can remove withering/dryness, exemplified by drugs like Bai Shi Ying (Quartzum Album) and Zi Shi Ying (Quartzum Rubrum). Therefore, withering leads to dryness, so a Shi formulation should be used to moisten it. Withering may result from Qi depletion or Blood depletion. (Shi formulations are moistening agents. Although similar to slippery agents, they differ slightly. The *Classic of Internal Medicine* states: "Pungency moistens," because pungency can move Qi and transform fluids. Salty substances like Yan (Salt) and Xiao (Mirabilite), though salty, belong to Yin-Water and are indeed essential herbs for moistening dryness. Diseases of withering and wrinkling are not solely due to Metal element excess; they can also be caused by Fire pathogen invasion, which cannot be cured without moistening agents.)
Zhong (Heavy) can remove timidity/fear, exemplified by drugs like Ci Shi (Magnetitum) and Tie Fen (Ferrum Pulveratum). Therefore, timidity causes Qi to float upward, so a Zhong formulation should be used to anchor and settle it. This addresses loss of spiritual control, palpitations, and restlessness. (Zhong formulations are anchoring agents. For example, in pediatric acute convulsions with clouded consciousness, use Jin Yin Bo (Gold Leaf) or Zhu Sha Wan (Cinnabar Pill).)
Qing (Light) can remove excess/pathogenic solidity, exemplified by drugs like Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) and Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix). Therefore, when excess pathogens cause Qi stagnation, a Qing formulation should be used to lift and disperse. This addresses closed pores, stuffiness, and internal accumulation of cold. (Qing formulations are dispersing and lifting agents. For example, when Cold pathogen lodges in the skin causing headache, fever, and absence of sweating, use Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) or Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang (Cimicifugae and Pueraria Decoction).)