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Suppressing fire and ascending water, nourishing yin and retreating yang; moistening dryness and promoting circulation to eliminate the old and generate the new. Steeping the body induces sweating; moistening the intestines promotes purgation; warming meridians dispels cold; tonifying the middle replenishes qi; regulating menstruation breaks blood stasis; pain decreases as obstruction is relieved. Wind exits through sweating; releasing the exterior or attacking the interior; consolidating the exterior or draining dampness; dual resolution of exterior and interior or solitary attack on pathogens—all are adaptive measures according to circumstances. There are five main methods of treatment; ponder their subtleties carefully. Harmonizing (He) and reducing (Qu) belong to comprehensive principles. For instance, in cases of slight heat, use cool herbs for harmonization; if harmonization fails, proceed to reduction (Zhi). Since heat is intense, use cold herbs for direct reduction; if reduction fails, employ following treatment (Cong) using warm herbs to follow the pathogenic nature. If following treatment fails, apply orthodox reduction (Zhe) to prevent rebellious drug action. The flavors and properties of drugs vary with the therapeutic intent; cold drugs may be taken hot (Han Yin Re Yong), or sweating may be induced again. If reduction fails, seek the underlying etiology and attenuate it. The method of seeking etiology relies on resonance of similar energies and sounds. The formulation of drugs stems from these five treatments. The classics do not distinguish them explicitly because when abnormal pathogens arise internally, physicians cannot easily control them—this is what is meant.

The principles of the Seven Formulas serve as the standard: Large, Small, Slow, Rapid, Odd, Even, and Compound. Small formulas have few ingredients and should be taken slowly; large formulas have many ingredients and are suitable for single-dose administration. Formulas lingering in the chest with light flavors act slowly; purgative formulas with strong qi act rapidly and severely. "Odd" refers to a single formula with one method; "Even" refers to two formulas combined like a pair; "Compound" involves multiple combinations of three or four formulas, used for counteracting mixed cold and heat conditions. Harmonizing formulas gather similar categories. One must examine each case carefully. Generally, prescription lies in appropriateness; one should not pursue excessive variety beyond standard limits, as exceeding this leads to inefficacy. *Bencao* states: Among 365 herbs, 20 are mutually enhancing (Xiang Xu), 71 are used alone (Dan Xing), 90 are mutually assisting (Xiang Shi), 78 are mutually feared (Xiang Wei), 60 are mutually loathed (Xiang E), 18 are mutually incompatible (Xiang Fan), and 26 are mutually killing (Xiang Sha). Thus, Mr. Danxi said: I use herb A to treat disease B, herb C to monitor herb D, and herb E as a guiding herb—the essence is thereby achieved.

The Ten Categories include Tonifying (Bu), Purgative (Xie), Dispersing (Xuan), Unblocking (Tong), Slippery (Hua), Astringent (Se), Drying (Zao), Moistening (Shi), Heavy (Zhong), and Light (Qing). Purgation evacuates excess to treat stagnation and fullness; tonification regulates deficiency. Dispersing is not purgation but induces vomiting; unblocking opens flow evenly. Slippery herbs nourish orifices and moisten dryness; astringent herbs, often sour, promote consolidation. Drying herbs address fluid retention and cold; moistening herbs treat dryness and cracking. Heavy herbs suppress and reduce pathogenic factors; light herbs disperse via fumigation or sweating to expel accumulation. The Ten Categories originate from the Three Methods: dispersing, drying/astringency, and lightness treat the upper jiao; heaviness, moisture, unblocking, slipperiness, and purgation treat the lower jiao; vomiting pertains to the principle of dispersing. When applied correctly, these methods still offer benefit, expelling pathogens, supporting healthy qi, and augmenting innate vitality.