黄 米泔水煮补肾，蜜炙补肺，醋炒入肝，酒炒发表，盐水炒亦入肾，防风煎汤炒，
亦走表止汗，附子煎汁炒，则走表助阳，能退表虚之热。
白术 米泔浸洗，晒干生用，或用土拌炒，或姜枣煎汤拌炒，或苍术煎汤拌炒，或十香
汤拌炒，或同大枣煮，晒干用，或用附子汁拌炒，则守中以止涩，能止里虚之泻。
附子 或童便浸煮，或面裹煨熟，或黄连甘草汤煮。面煨者，走而不守，其势上行，可
以壮阳于表。童便制者，守而不走，其势下行，可以回阳于里。以寒药监制者，是用之而又
畏之也。譬之用人，正欲任使之，而又束缚之，安能尽其才哉？
生、熟地 姜汁炒用，可以不腻膈。
陈皮 盐水泡去白。可以消痰下气。
大小茴 盐酒炒。
白扁豆 汤泡去皮，姜汁炒。
干姜 温汤洗浸，春夏炒黑，秋冬炒焦，初春初秋带焦。
柴胡 酒洗。
升麻 酒洗。
远志 甘草汤浸，去骨，同茯神用，开胸膈，而使火下降。
荆芥 醋炒。
补骨脂 盐酒拌炒，或面拌炒。
乌药 附子汁煮，晒用。
赤白芍 或酒炒，或肉桂煎浓汤拌炒。芍味酸泻肝，桂味辛，制芍则温肺平肝，治寒热
如疟。盖木得桂则柔，金得桂则沉也。
黄连 酒炒，或吴茱萸炒。
神曲 姜汁炒，消痰。
五味 吴茱萸炒。
木瓜 吴茱萸盐汤煮，晒干用。
浓朴 姜汁炒。
吴茱萸 盐水炒。
细辛 酒洗。
芡实 米炒黄色。
砂仁 姜汁同盐水拌炒，能使阳气下达。
杜仲 盐酒拌炒则不燥，姜汁拌炒则疏肝。
Huangqi (Astragalus Root): Boiled in rice-washing water to tonify the Kidney; honey-fried to tonify the Lung; vinegar-fried to enter the Liver; wine-fried to release the exterior; salt-water fried also enters the Kidney; fried with decoction of Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) also travels to the exterior and stops sweating; fried with decoction of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) travels to the exterior and assists Yang, capable of retreating heat due to exterior deficiency.
Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome): Soaked and washed in rice-washing water, sun-dried for raw use; or stir-fried mixed with soil; or stir-fried mixed with decoction of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and Dazao (Jujube); or stir-fried mixed with decoction of Cangzhu (Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome); or stir-fried mixed with Shixiang Tang (Ten Fragrances Decoction); or boiled together with Dazao (Jujube), sun-dried for use; or stir-fried mixed with juice of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), then stabilizes the Middle Jiao and astringes, capable of stopping diarrhea due to interior deficiency.
Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root): Or soaked and boiled in Tongbian (Child's Urine); or wrapped in flour and baked until cooked; or boiled in decoction of Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) and Gancao (Licorice Root). Those baked in flour travel but do not stabilize, their momentum moves upward, capable of strengthening Yang at the exterior. Those processed with Tongbian (Child's Urine) stabilize but do not travel, their momentum moves downward, capable of restoring Yang in the interior. Those monitored by cold-natured herbs imply using them while fearing their toxicity. It is like employing a person: one wishes to utilize them, yet binds them; how can one fully utilize their talent?
Shengdi Huang (Raw Rehmannia Root) and Shudi Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root): Stir-fried with Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice) to avoid cloying the chest/stomach.
Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel): Soaked in salt water, remove the white pith. Can resolve phlegm and direct Qi downward.
Da Huixiang (Star Anise) and Xiao Huixiang (Fennel Fruit): Stir-fried with salt and wine.
Baibiandou (White Hyacinth Bean): Soaked in hot water, peel removed, stir-fried with ginger juice.
Ganjiang (Dried Ginger): Washed and soaked in warm water; stir-fried until black in spring and summer; stir-fried until scorched in autumn and winter; slightly scorched in early spring and early autumn.
Chaihu (Bupleurum Root): Washed with wine.
Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome): Washed with wine.
Yuanzhi (Polygala Root): Soaked in Gancao (Licorice Root) decoction, remove woody core, used together with Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), opens the chest and diaphragm, and causes Fire to descend.
Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike): Vinegar-fried.
Buguzhi (Psoralea Fruit): Stir-fried mixed with salt and wine, or mixed with flour.
Wuyao (Lindera Root): Boiled in Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) juice, sun-dried for use.
Chishao (Red Peony Root) and Baishao (White Peony Root): Or wine-fried, or stir-fried mixed with thick decoction of Rougui (Cinnamon Bark). Shaoyao (Peony Root) has a sour taste that drains the Liver; Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) has a pungent taste; processing Shaoyao with Rougui warms the Lung and soothes the Liver, treating alternating chills and fever resembling malaria. For Wood obtains softness from Gui (Cinnamon), Metal obtains heaviness from Gui (Cinnamon).
Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome): Wine-fried, or stir-fried with Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit).
Shenqu (Medicated Leaven): Stir-fried with ginger juice, resolves phlegm.
Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry): Stir-fried with Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit).
Mugua (Chaenomeles Fruit): Boiled in Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit) and salt water decoction, sun-dried for use.
Houpo (Magnolia Bark): Stir-fried with ginger juice.
Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit): Salt-water fried.
Xixin (Asarum Root): Washed with wine.
Qianshi (Euryale Seed): Stir-fried with rice until yellow.
Sharen (Amomum Fruit): Stir-fried mixed with ginger juice and salt water, enables Yang Qi to descend.
Duzhong (Eucommia Bark): Stir-fried mixed with salt and wine so it is not drying; stir-fried mixed with ginger juice soothes the Liver.