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The methods of processing medicinal materials were rarely recorded in ancient formularies, but were most detailed in the works of Lei Xiao during the Song Dynasty, specifically the *Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun* (Lei Gong's Treatise on Processing) currently circulated. In later generations, the methods of processing medicines became increasingly complex day by day; while some parts are extremely absurd and should certainly not be followed, there are indeed profound principles hidden within its subtleties. Any substance with strong qi and potent force is inherently biased; bias implies that where there is benefit, there must also be harm. To obtain the benefit while removing the harm, one must use specific methods to constrain it, thereby making the biased nature of the medicine mellow and pure.

The meaning of "constraint" (Zhi) varies: sometimes it is constrained by opposite properties, sometimes by mutually supportive properties, sometimes by mutual antipathy (Xiang E), sometimes by mutual fear (Xiang Wei), and sometimes by mutual affinity (Xiang Xi). The methods of constraint also differ: some constrain the form, some constrain the nature, some constrain the flavor, and some constrain the texture. These are all ingenious methods of medication. Ancient formularies did not process many herbs; their prescription logic focused on coordinating qi and nature. For example, using Bai Shao (White Peony Root) in Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) already embodies the principle of mutual constraint, so it was not necessary to process every herb individually.

However, those in later generations who sought novelty and strangeness insisted on obtaining expensive and bizarre substances, employing processing methods that wasted immense labor and cost to mystify their theories. This was fabricated by those fond of the unusual to deceive wealthy people, and such methods are unreliable. Only those that are balanced and rational are worthy of adoption.

Among things that harm humanity, some kill the person without destroying the family; some destroy the family without killing the person. But the one that first destroys the family and then kills the person is Ren Shen (Ginseng). When used appropriately, Ren Shen truly can tonify Yuan Qi (Primary Qi) and rescue critical conditions. However, one cannot claim that it can resurrect all the dead. As a substance, its qi is vigorous and its force is concentrated; regardless of wind-cold, summer-heat, dampness, phlegm-fire, or stagnation, it can tonify and block these pathogenic factors inside the body. Therefore, if a patient has indeed expelled the pathogen and suffers from righteous qi deficiency, its use is appropriate. If the pathogen is slight but the righteous qi is exhausted, or if the pathogen is deep-seated and the righteous qi is weak, unable to expel it outward, then Ren Shen may be added to anti-pathogenic formulas as an aid for driving out the pathogen.

Yet, one must carefully assess the severity before using it, so as to naturally achieve the merit of supporting the critical and stabilizing the collapsing. If one fails to examine whether there is a pathogen, whether it is deficiency or excess, and further combines it with purely tonifying and warming agents, the pathogen will be completely sealed inside. In mild cases, the pathogen will never exit again; in severe cases, death will ensue. Why do physicians use it indiscriminately upon encountering disease, and why do patients' families accept death from its use without regret? It is because the minds of the foolish equate high price with good medicine and low price with inferior medicine. Furthermore, the common sentiment favors tonification and dislikes attack/expulsion. Thus, if one dies after taking Ren Shen, even if the error is known, they think that since Ren Shen was taken, the physician's effort has been exhausted and the filial son's duty fulfilled; this is destiny, so there is no resentment. But if one dies after taking attacking/expelling medicines, even if the prescription was correct and the disease truly incurable, the physician's guilt would be innumerable. Hence, Ren Shen is regarded as the "holy medicine" for physicians to claim credit and avoid blame. Patients' families act thus, physicians act thus, causing endless harm!

Even more shocking is that some regard the use of Ren Shen as a badge of honor or a sign of power; due to its high price, they firmly believe it can reverse fate and save life, so they resolutely use it. Who knows that once Ren Shen is used, any ordinary case with existing pathogens will die, and those who survive will never fully recover. What causes the destruction of the family? Previously, Ren Shen cost only one or two qian, at most three or four qian. Now its price is ten times higher, and the dosage consumed exceeds one or two qian. A moderately wealthy family consuming two or three liang sees its assets completely depleted. At the moment of life and death, what desire is not pursued? Who cares about the destruction of the family? Physicians, failing to consider this even for a moment, casually prescribe Ren Shen. Not using it when required is seen as unfilial by parents, unkind by children, and cruel by spouses and siblings, leading to reprimands from relatives and friends. Even knowing it is useless, they use it merely to shirk responsibility. Filial and kind fathers, hoping for a miracle, strive to procure it, causing impoverished families whose illnesses might slightly improve to suffer lifelong cold and hunger. If still unsuccessful, they lack funds for coffins and burial, selling wives and children, resulting in total family ruin. While medical malpractice killing people might be forgivable, deliberately harming people and destroying families daily out of self-interest is worse than robbery; how can one not be cautious! I wish all people under heaven would absolutely not treat Ren Shen as a drug that brings back the dead and insist on taking it. Physicians must examine the illness, confirming it is purely deficient and untreatable without Ren Shen, and that its use guarantees safety, before applying it. They must also assess the family's financial capacity to ensure it can support the cost, so that after using Ren Shen, the patient does not face destitution. Then, use it sparingly. This preserves material resources, saves lives, and protects families. With such mindfulness, heavenly blessings will naturally descend. But if physicians, like those in recent times, kill and destroy families in ways unknown to others, may it not be that heavenly punishment also comes in ways unknown to others? How can one not be cautious!