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1. Regarding the properties of herbs for miscellaneous diseases and smallpox/rubella (Xiaozhen, 痘疹), the sages have already recorded them in detail in various volumes, but there are differences in their discussions, and the indications often lack completeness. I privately reflect that within smallpox/rubella cases, there are also concurrent miscellaneous diseases. Although during the onset of smallpox/rubella, treatment should focus on the primary disease as the root and the secondary disease as the branch, yet when pustules are filling with pus, if accompanied by severe symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, or after severe symptoms have just healed, if one contracts smallpox/rubella again, these situations all require simultaneous care and combined treatment. If a herb is an essential item for treating smallpox/rubella but is contraindicated for the concurrent disease, focusing solely on one while neglecting the other would only aid the pathogenic factors to wreak havoc, causing the miscellaneous disease to worsen and putting the smallpox/rubella in danger! Therefore, I have listed the properties of herbs for miscellaneous diseases item by item, and appended the properties of herbs for smallpox/rubella afterwards, compiling them into one volume. This way, both can be achieved without hindrance; whether dealing with smallpox/rubella or miscellaneous diseases, one can naturally achieve a perfect outcome, and it is convenient for reference.

2. Any herb that possesses great potency, capable of saving lives in an instant, and lacks toxic or foul flavors that might cause future harm, is like a gentleman of both talent and virtue: relied upon to rescue from peril, and providing protection for sustenance. For those whose benefits become more apparent the closer one gets to them, four circles are added above the title. For herbs with biased flavors but superlative power, capable of rescuing from crisis and aiding the distressed, saving lives in emergencies—like capable ministers in chaotic times who stabilize turmoil and assist in crises—or those with mild natures, specifically effective in regulating and tonifying Qi and Blood, and nourishing Spirit over the long term—like virtuous ministers in peaceful times who secure the state for generations—three circles are added side-by-side above the title. For herbs with shallow and thin flavors, able to cure several ailments but lacking great potency to instantly save critical conditions, serving only as assistants or guides in treatment, and not suitable for long-term beneficial consumption—like low-ranking soldiers who are righteous and indispensable for service—two circles are added above the title. For herbs that offer minor therapeutic merit but damage Yuan Qi, having equal merit and fault, usable temporarily but not long-term—like mediocre low-ranking soldiers who commit minor faults but do not cause major disasters, obeying orders faithfully—one circle is added above the title. For herbs with mediocre and inferior flavors, insufficient for curing disease but excessive in harming the body, akin to violent and evil individuals who cannot do good but grow increasingly wicked, doing more harm than good, where merit does not cover fault—as well as non-routine herbs and rare products known in name through ancient texts but unused in practice—no circles or dots are added, following ancient encyclopedias only. Absurd content has been deleted and will not pollute the text.

Below the herb names, detailed notes on the herb's nature, acquired flavor, and cold/heat/warm/cool attributes are provided to determine the degree of tonification or purgation. Contraindications and processing methods are appended at the end, making the inherent nature of each herb clear, ensuring accurate prescription, proper preparation, and enhanced efficacy.

3. If the main text leaves any points unexplained or if there are discrepancies between ancient and modern theories, additional commentary is provided to clarify and elucidate, ensuring that the superiority or inferiority of herb properties is clearly understood internally, allowing for appropriate selection and effortless application without confusion.

4. The properties of herbs for smallpox/rubella are appended after the entries for miscellaneous diseases. If the preceding entry lists only one herb name, the appendix simply states "Combined Reference for Smallpox/Rubella Indications." If the preceding entry includes multiple herbs, the appendix specifically details the combined reference for each herb to facilitate retrieval.

5. If an herb is stated to directly treat a specific symptom, a pointed circle is marked beside it; if slightly less effective, a round circle is used, to indicate its applicability. If the merit does not outweigh the fault, or if there is significant merit or fault regarding the disease, double circles are used to highlight the emphasis. Entries without pointed or double circles follow ancient encyclopedic records. Entries with false or exaggerated faults have been deleted and will not be repeated.

6. All things are born by receiving energy from Heaven and mature by relying on Earth. Heaven issues commands governing generation, with the Qi of Cold, Heat, Warmth, and Coolness circulating in the four seasons; this is Yang. Earth condenses substance governing formation, with the Flavors of Sour, Bitter, Pungent, Salty, Sweet, and Bland nourishing the Five Elements; this is Yin. Thus, slightly cold and slightly warm correspond to Spring Qi; warm and hot correspond to Summer Qi; greatly hot corresponds to Late Summer Qi; cool corresponds to Autumn Qi; and greatly cold corresponds to Winter Qi. "Slightly cold" implies receiving Spring Qi to generate, where Spring Qi ascends and promotes growth. "Greatly hot" implies receiving Late Summer Qi to generate, where Late Summer Qi transforms. "Neutral" implies receiving Autumn Qi to generate, which is cool; Autumn Qi descends and gathers. "Greatly cold" implies receiving Winter Qi to generate, where Winter Qi sinks and stores. These are the aspects of Qi received from Heaven.

"Heaven generates Water, Earth completes it with six; Earth generates Fire, Heaven completes it with seven; Heaven generates Wood, Earth completes it with eight; Earth generates Metal, Heaven completes it with nine; Heaven generates Earth, Earth completes it with ten." Water moistens downward, producing Saltness. Fire flares upward, producing Bitterness. Wood bends and straightens, producing Sourness. Metal yields and changes, producing Pungency. Earth cultivates and harvests, producing Sweetness. That which originates from Heaven tends upward; that which originates from Earth tends downward. The quantity of Qi and Flavor follows their respective categories. Sour corresponds to Wood Qi; Pungent to Metal Qi; Salty to Water Qi; Bitter to Fire Qi; Sweet to Earth Qi. Earth thrives in all four seasons, and its generative number is five; thus its Qi is neutral, its Flavor is sweet and bland, its Nature is mild and non-toxic. The Virtue of Earth is harmonious;感应 (induction) and analogy confirm this universally. It is indeed the source and destination of all things; this represents the Flavor derived from Earth.

Regarding the term "toxic" in herbs, it refers to discordant and imbalanced Qi, indicating biased acquisition. If the Qi acquisition is pure and correct, what toxicity could there be? Therefore, Qi with toxicity must be Hot; Flavor with toxicity must be Pungent. Branches and shoots govern Qi and ascend to treat the upper body; roots and fibers govern Flavor and descend to treat the lower body. This is the immutable constant of herb nature. The subtlety of adaptation and appropriateness lies in the practitioner.