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Ancient prescriptions and decoction methods: "Ju" (chewing/crushing) refers to crushing herbs into pieces the size of hemp seeds or beans; "Zhi Luo" (processing and sifting) in powder methods refers to selecting, pounding, and sifting. This is because acute illnesses caused by pathogenic factors require decoctions to purge and cleanse, while chronic stubborn diseases require powders for gradual soaking and treatment. In recent times, all medicines have been made into powders, causing the method of decoctions to be forgotten. Currently, herbs crushed into "Ju" sizes, or coarsely pounded and sifted, are used for decoctions; those pounded and sifted into extremely fine powder are used for powders. Furthermore, regarding the names Dan (elixir/pill), Wan (pill), Gao (paste), and Jian (decoction/concentrate), people do not understand their practical differences. Generally speaking, "Dan" is formed through cooking and refining, symbolizing "one Yang residing within"; "Wan" implies gathering and containing substances; "Gao" refers to medicinal pastes for external application and plastering; "Jian" refers to agents that are harmonized, cooked, and taken as food or drink. Nowadays, some call substances refined by fire and turning red "Dan", non-refined ones "Wan", ingestible concentrates "Jian", and topical plasters "Gao". By carefully examining these categories, one can infer others by analogy.

When decocting medicine, fresh water should be used, ensuring it is extremely clean, and heated over a low flame until slightly boiling. For laxative decoctions, less water should be used to obtain more liquid; for tonic decoctions, more water should be used to obtain less liquid. This is the ancient method. Regarding the dosage of decoctions, the units of Sheng and Liang differ between ancient and modern times; one should follow current secular practices. Approximately, for every three Qianbi (a small measure of herbs) of medicine, use one Zhan (a cup measure) of water, decoct until seven-tenths remains. The increase or decrease of other amounts should depend on the severity of the disease.

For diseases located above the chest and diaphragm, take medicine after eating; for diseases located below the heart and abdomen, take medicine before eating; for diseases in the limbs and blood vessels, take medicine on an empty stomach in the morning; for diseases in the bone marrow, take medicine when full at night. These are the general rules of medication administration. However, for sudden illnesses caused by pathogenic invasion, aggressive treatment should be swift, and one cannot rigidly adhere to general rules.

When taking laxative decoctions, it is best to take them early in the morning, and they should be slightly warm; if cold, they may induce vomiting. They must also be clear; if turbid, they may cause胸闷 (chest stuffiness). Generally, divide the dose into three servings. The first serving should be the largest, as the patient's Gu Qi (Grain Qi/Spleen-Stomach energy) is still strong. Subsequent servings should be gradually smaller, with the last being the smallest. The frequency and intervals of dosing should be determined by consulting the patient; the next dose should only be given after the effect of the previous dose has somewhat dissipated.

When taking tonifying pills and powders, unless the person is severely depleted, one should first take a laxative decoction to drain accumulated phlegm and excess from the chest and abdomen, and only then take tonifying medicine. When taking decoctions or powders for treating wind diseases, three to five doses are usually required. For chronic lingering wind diseases, the dosage must be doubled, potentially requiring over a hundred days for recovery. One must also consider what is appropriate. For Shang Han (Cold Damage) and epidemic febrile diseases, do not restrict treatment to morning or evening; immediate urgent treatment is necessary. Medication administration should not be restricted by general rules, so that the disease may heal easily without transmitting. Therefore, illnesses in children and women often become more severe, largely due to enduring symptoms in hope of spontaneous recovery rather than seeking immediate treatment.