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Sulfur (Liu Huang) is originally the essence of fire; Mirabilite (Puxiao, 朴硝) contends with it upon contact. Mercury (Shuiyin, 水银) must never meet Arsenic Trioxide (Pi Jian, 砒霜); Wild Wolf Poison (Yelangdu, 野狼毒) fears most Metolochite (Miduoseng, 密陀僧). Croton Seed (Badou, 巴豆) has a fierce nature and is supreme, yet it clashes in temperament with Pholistoma Seed (Qianniu, 牵牛). Clove (Dingxiang, 丁香) must not meet Curcuma Root (Yujin, 郁金); Rhubarb (Mangxiao, 芒硝) hardly combines with Burreed Tuber (Jingsanleng, 京三棱). Aconite Root (Chuanwu, 川乌) and Aconite Root (Caowu, 草乌) do not harmonize with Rhinoceros Horn (Xi, 犀); Ginseng Root (Renshen, 人参) is taboo with Trogopterus Dung (Wulingzhi, 五灵脂). Cinnamon Twig (Guangui, 官桂) excels at regulating cold qi; when meeting Litharge (Shizhi, 石脂), it becomes strange and unpredictable. Generally, compounding drugs requires observing adverse and harmonious relationships; processing, identifying, roasting, and frying must be precise and subtle.

There are two theories regarding Large Formulas (Da Fang, 大方): one consists of one Sovereign herb, three Minister herbs, and nine Assistant herbs; the other involves large dosages taken in a single dose. Generally, for treating Liver disorders or diseases located lower down and distant from the center, a Large Formula taken in a single small dose is appropriate. If a disease presents with concurrent syndromes and pathogenic factors are not specific, and cannot be treated with one or two herbs, a Large Formula with one Sovereign, three Ministers, and nine Assistants is suitable. Wang Taipu divided the human body into three sections: the upper is near, the lower is distant. The near area comprises the Heart and Lung; the distant area comprises the Liver and Kidney; the middle comprises the Spleen and Stomach. From my observation, the upper half of the body corresponds to Heaven's division with its qi in three parts; the lower half corresponds to Earth's division with its qi in three parts; the Zhongwan point corresponds to Man's division. Furthermore, the Three Yin and Three Yang meridians of the hands also belong to Heaven, with high qi; the Three Yin and Three Yang meridians of the feet also belong to Earth, with low qi; the Yin-Yang of Wu-Ji (Spleen-Stomach) also belongs to Man, with qi situated in the Central Province. Thus, three doses for the Liver can be combined with seven doses for the Heart; two doses for the Kidney can be combined with seven doses for the Lung.

There are also two theories regarding Small Formulas (Xiao Fang, 小方): one consists of one Sovereign herb and two Minister herbs; the other involves slight dosages taken peacefully. Generally, for treating Heart and Lung disorders or diseases located upper and near, a Small Formula with slight dosages, taken infrequently but often, is appropriate, sipping slowly is the method. If a disease has no concurrent syndromes and pathogenic factors are specific, treatable with one or two herbs, a Small Formula with one Sovereign and two Ministers is suitable. Thus, two doses for the Kidney can be divided into nine doses for the Lung and three doses for the Liver.

There are five theories regarding Slow Formulas (Huan Fang, 缓方): there are Sweet-Slow Formulas using substances like sugar, honey, dates, okra, and Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草). Generally, for diseases in the chest and diaphragm, sweetness retains the medicinal effect. There are Pill-Slow Formulas; generally, compared to Decoctions and Powders, Pills have slower dispersing and moving properties. There are Multi-Ingredient Slow Formulas where numerous herbs constrain each other's natures, such as Wanbing Wan containing seventy to eighty ingredients mutually restraining each other. There are Non-Toxic Slow Formulas; generally, herbs with thin flavors and qi are good for tonifying and treating the upper body, losing strength by the time they reach the lower body. Therefore, tonifying/treating the upper uses slow formulas to control this, resulting in thin flavors/qi. Wang Taipu said: "Treating/tonifying the upper, if the formula is rapid, the upper cannot bear it and forces the qi to rush downward." Making a Slow Formula with thick flavors/qi makes its momentum similar to a Rapid Formula.

There are five theories regarding Rapid Formulas (Ji Fang, 急方): there are Rapid Attack Formulas for acute conditions, such as sudden severe abdominal pain or blockage of urination and defecation, using Beiji Dan to attack. Such medicines should not be prolonged because the condition allows no waiting. For example, in critical stroke where food cannot enter, Jifeng San is used. There are Decoction/Powder Scouring Rapid Formulas; generally, compared to Pills, Decoctions and Powders disperse easily and act quickly after swallowing. There are Toxic-Rapid Formulas; generally, toxic herbs can induce vomiting or purging, capable of seizing the major trend of the disease. There are Thick-Flavor Rapid Formulas; herbs with thick flavors/qi tend to move downward without losing strength. Wang Taipu said: "Treating/tonifying the lower, if the formula is slow, it prolongs the journey and weakens the force; making a Rapid Formula with thin flavors/qi makes its force equal to a slow one."

There are two theories regarding Odd Formulas (Qi Fang, 奇方): there are Ancient Single-Herb Odd Formulas, using only one substance. For diseases upper and near, Odd Formulas are suitable. There are Numerically Odd Formulas conforming to Yang numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9); since the number of herbs is odd. One Sovereign/Three Ministers or Three Sovereigns/Five Ministers also fit Yang numbers. Thus, Odd Formulas are suitable for purging, not sweating.

There are three theories regarding Even Formulas (Ou Fang, 偶方): there are Two-Herb Paired Even Formulas; there are Ancient Compound Even Formulas formed by combining prescriptions. For diseases lower and distant, Even Formulas are suitable. There are Numerically Even Formulas conforming to Yin numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10). Two Sovereigns/Four Ministers or Four Sovereigns/Six Ministers also fit Yin numbers. Thus, Even Formulas are suitable for sweating, not purging.

Regarding Compound Formulas (Fu Fang, 复方), there are combinations of one, two, or three formulas, such as Guizhi Yuepi Tang, or adding Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao, 连翘), Mint (Bohe, 薄荷), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin, 黄芩), and Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi, 栀子) to the base of Mangxiao, Gancao, and Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) to form Liangge San. Adding extra herbs to a base formula constitutes a Compound Formula. There are Equal-Dosage Compound Formulas, such as Weifeng Tang with equal parts. Examining the *Neijing*, the four types of Qi/Ou suggest that formulas with an odd number of ingredients are Qi Formulas, and even numbers are Ou Formulas. It further states: "Sweating methods should not use Qi [Odd]; purging methods should not use Ou [Even]." Observing Zhang Zhongjing's formulas, Guizhi Tang is a sweating formula but uses three ingredients (Odd); Dachengqi Tang is a purging formula but uses four ingredients (Even). Why?

Is it due to adapting to circumstances with additions and subtractions? Examining the main gist, Wang Taipu stated: "If sweating herbs do not use Even formulas, Qi is insufficient to emit outward; if purging herbs do not use Odd formulas, drug toxicity attacks excessively." This implies Qi means single action, and Ou means combined action. Why? Purging is easy to execute, so single action is suitable; sweating is difficult to achieve, so combined action is suitable. Single action makes force isolated and weak; combined action makes force uniform and strong. This is Wang Taipu's intent. However, Wang Taipu also equated Qi Formulas with ancient single-herb formulas and Ou Formulas with compound formulas. Since Ou already exists among the Seven Categories, why is there also Fu? Is Ou merely the combination of two formulas, while Fu is the combination of two or four? Otherwise, why is there Fu outside of Ou? This "Fu" character does not mean repetition, but reversal/reiteration. Why? Because the *Neijing* mentions Qi and Ou but not repetitive formulas, stating only: "If Qi fails to remove the pathogen, use Ou; this is Chong Fang, which is Fu Fang." It further says: "If Ou fails to remove the pathogen, use reverse assistance to capture it," meaning Cold, Heat, Warm, Cool follow the disease's nature. Thus, Fu as a formula type implies reversal, aligning with the *Neijing*'s intent.