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The herbs used in ancient prescriptions produced significant effects at that time, and their functions were clearly recorded in the *Bencao* (Materia Medica). However, when applied according to these ancient prescriptions today, there are cases where they are appropriate and others where they are not. What is the reason for this? There are several factors: First, the difference in local climate and geography. When initially used, there was necessarily a place of origin; this was the native soil where they grew, so their qi (vital energy) was dense and their potency complete. Later, when propagated to other regions, the change in local environment led to diminished potency. Second, the difference in species. The varieties of any substance are not uniform. The ones collected by the ancients were invariably the most precious varieties. In later generations, people chose varieties that were easy to propagate for cultivation, which were not necessarily the most precious ones. Although the substances were not counterfeit, the species differed. Third, the difference between natural growth and human cultivation. Herbs collected at that time all grew in mountain valleys, where their primordial qi had not been depleted, thus acquiring a particularly dense qi. Today, all are cultivated artificially; lacking the true qi of mountain valleys and subjected to irrigation efforts, their nature becomes bland and inferior. Fourth, errors in nomenclature versus reality. At that time, medicines were not sold in markets but were gathered and prepared by physicians themselves. Later, for rarely used items, those who sought to obtain and use them might mistakenly substitute other substances or replace them with different species. Furthermore, shops lacking stock might deceive customers with similar-looking substitutes for profit, causing the medicine to lose its authenticity. The reasons for these changes are manifold. Since the medicinal properties differ, even if the diagnosis of the disease is extremely accurate and the prescription is perfectly appropriate, the fact remains that the medicine is no longer the same as it was then, and efficacy cannot be guaranteed. Modern physicians only know how to determine the prescription; the herbs are obtained by patients from local pharmacies, making it difficult to distinguish between authentic and fake products. Even a divine physician cannot treat a genuine disease with counterfeit medicine.

In treating diseases, some aspects of herbal action can be explained, while others cannot. For instance, hot-natured herbs can treat cold syndromes, and dry-natured herbs can treat dampness. Aromatic herbs can promote the flow of qi, and moistening herbs can generate body fluids; these are explainable. However, consider dispersion: Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) dispels pathogenic factors from the Taiyang channel (Solar channel), whereas Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) dispels pathogenic factors from the Shaoyang channel (Lesser Yang channel). Consider nourishing yin: Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) nourishes lung yin, whereas Shengdi Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) nourishes kidney yin. Consider detoxification: Xionghuang (Realgar) detoxifies snake and insect venom, whereas Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) detoxifies food poisoning; these cannot be fully generalized. As for Bi Jia (Trionycis Carapax) eliminating masses, Shi Jun Zi (Quisqualis Fructus) killing roundworms, Chi Xiao Dou (Phaseoli Semen Rubrum) reducing skin edema, Rui Ren (Prunus cerasiformis seed) causing insomnia when taken raw and drowsiness when cooked, and Bai He Hua (Hemidesmus indicus root/flower) rotting bone without affecting flesh—these are utterly inexplicable by general principles. These represent the specialized functions of herbs, what is referred to as single-herb formulas or secret recipes. Yet people only recognize the inexplicable as specialized functions, failing to realize that commonly used herbs also possess specific specialized efficacies. Later generations either do not know this and thus fail to use them effectively, or use them daily without recognizing these specific attributes, thereby failing to fully harness the benefits of the herbs. A knowledgeable physician should extensively collect unique prescriptions and deeply understand herbal pharmacology, so that when facing rare or complex conditions, there are always treatment methods available, allowing for infinite adaptability. When Shen Nong compiled the *Bencao*, he could not identify the nature of a herb merely by its appearance, nor could he test every herb individually to learn its properties. Yet he was able to profoundly comprehend their functions, ensuring that his applications were always effective. Was this not a tacit understanding with the creative forces of nature, far beyond the reach of later generations' intellectual reasoning?