上药一百二十种，为君，主养命以应天。无毒，多服、久服不伤人。欲轻身益气，不老
延
中药一百二十种，为臣，主养性以应人。有毒无毒，斟酌其宜。欲遏病，补虚羸者，本
中经。
下药一百二十五种，为佐使，主治病以应地，多毒，不可久服。欲除寒热邪气，破积聚、
愈疾者，本下经。
三品合三百六十五种，法三百六十五度，每一度应一日，以成一岁。倍其数，合七百三
十名也。
凡药有君臣佐使，以相宣摄，合和者，宜用一君、二臣、三佐、五使，又可一君、三臣、
又有阴阳配合，子母兄弟，根茎花实，草石骨肉。有单行者，有相须者，有相使者，有
相畏者，有相恶者，有相反者，有相杀者。凡此七情，合和之时，用意视之。当用相须、相
使者良，勿用相恶、相反者。若有毒宜制，可用相畏，相杀者，不尔勿合用也。
又有酸、咸、甘、苦、辛五味，又有寒、热、温、凉四气，及有毒、无毒、阴干、曝干、
采造时月、生熟、土地所
出、真伪
玉泉（畏款冬花）
玉屑（恶鹿角）
丹砂（恶磁石，畏咸水）
曾青（畏菟丝子）
石胆（水英为使，畏牡桂、菌桂、芫花、辛夷、白薇）
云母（泽泻为使，畏 甲及流水，恶徐长卿）
钟乳（蛇床子、菟丝子为使，恶牡丹、玄石、牡蒙，畏紫石英、 草）
朴硝（畏麦句姜）
硝石（火为使，恶苦参、苦菜，畏女菀）
芒硝（石苇为使，恶麦句姜）
矾石（甘草为使，恶牡蛎）
滑石（石苇为使，恶曾青） 紫石英（长石为使，畏扁青、附子，不欲 甲、黄连、麦
句
姜）
白石英（恶马目毒公）
赤石脂（恶大黄，畏芫花）
黄石脂（曾青为使，恶细辛，畏蜚蠊、扁青、附子）
白石脂（燕粪为使，恶松脂，畏黄芩）
太一余粮（杜仲为使，畏铁落、菖蒲、贝母）
The Superior Medicinals (Shangyao) number one hundred and twenty, serving as the Sovereign (Jun), primarily nourishing life to correspond with Heaven. They are non-toxic; taking them in large doses or over a long period does not harm the human body. To lighten the body, augment qi, prevent aging, and prolong life, one refers to the *Classic of the Superior* (Shangjing).
The Medium Medicinals (Zhongyao) number one hundred and twenty, serving as the Minister (Chen), primarily nurturing nature to correspond with Humanity. Whether toxic or non-toxic, their suitability must be carefully considered. To suppress diseases and tonify deficiency and emaciation, one refers to the *Classic of the Medium* (Zhongjing).
The Inferior Medicinals (Xiayao) number one hundred and twenty-five, serving as the Assistant and Envoy (Zuo-Shi), primarily treating diseases to correspond with Earth. They are mostly toxic and should not be taken for a long time. To eliminate cold-heat pathogenic factors, break up accumulations and masses, and cure illnesses, one refers to the *Classic of the Inferior* (Xiajing).
The three categories combined total three hundred and sixty-five kinds, mirroring the three hundred and sixty-five degrees of heaven (Tian Du). Each degree corresponds to one day, thereby completing one year. Doubling this number results in seven hundred and thirty names.
Generally, medicines have roles of Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, and Envoy, interacting through mutual guidance and retention, combining and harmonizing. The appropriate ratio is one Sovereign, two Ministers, three Assistants, and five Envoys; alternatively, one Sovereign and three Ministers. There are also combinations of Yin and Yang, parent-child relationships, and distinctions among roots, stems, flowers, fruits, herbs, stones, flesh, and bones. Some are used singly (Dan Xing); some mutually enhance each other's efficacy (Xiang Xu); some mutually assist the principal drug (Xiang Shi); some mutually inhibit toxicity or side effects (Xiang Wei); some mutually reduce efficacy (Xiang E); some mutually produce severe toxic reactions (Xiang Fan); and some mutually eliminate the toxicity of another drug (Xiang Sha). Regarding these Seven Emotions (Qi Qing), when combining and harmonizing, one must pay close attention. It is advisable to use those that are Xiang Xu or Xiang Shi, and avoid those that are Xiang E or Xiang Fan. If toxic drugs require restraint, those that are Xiang Wei or Xiang Sha can be used to control them; otherwise, they should not be combined.
There are also the Five Flavors: Sour, Salty, Sweet, Bitter, and Pungent; the Four Natures: Cold, Hot, Warm, and Cool; as well as distinctions regarding toxicity, drying methods (shade-dried or sun-dried), harvesting times, raw versus processed states, geographical origin, and authenticity.
Yu Quan (Jade Spring) dreads Kuandonghua (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus).
Yu Xie (Jade Dust) dislikes Lujiao (Cervi Cornus Degelatinatum).
Dansha (Cinnabar) dislikes Cishi (Magnetitum) and dreads Xianshui (Salty Water).
Zengqing (Chrysocolla) dreads Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen).
Shidan (Chalcanthite) uses Shuiying (likely a typo for a specific mineral or water source, contextually 'Water Essence') as an Envoy; it dreads Mugui (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Jungui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos), Xinyi (Magnoliae Flos), and Baiwei (Clerodendri Rhizoma).
Yunmu (Muscovite) uses Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) as an Envoy; it dreads Jiaji Liushui (uncertain term, possibly referring to certain minerals/water) and dislikes Xuchangqing (Polygala sibirica).
Zhongru (Stalactite) uses Shechuangzi (Cnidii Fructus) and Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) as Envoys; it dislikes Mudan (Moutan Cortex), Xuan Shi (Haematitum), Mumeng (uncertain term), and dries Zhi Yanshi (Fluoritum) and a certain grass.
Puxiao (Mirabilite) dreads Maijujiang (uncertain herb).
Xiaoshi (Niter) uses Fire as an Envoy; it dislikes Kushen (Sophorae Radix) and Kucailai (uncertain herb), and dreads Nuwan (uncertain herb).
Mangxiao (Glauber's Salt) uses Shiwei (Pyrosiae Folium) as an Envoy; it dislikes Maijujiang (uncertain herb).
Fanshi (Alumen) uses Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) as an Envoy; it dislikes Muli (Ostreae Concha).
Huashi (Talcum) uses Shiwei (Pyrosiae Folium) as an Envoy; it dislikes Zengqing (Chrysocolla).
Zhi Yanshi (Fluoritum) uses Changshi (uncertain mineral) as an Envoy; it dreads Bianqing (uncertain mineral), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and dislikes Jia (uncertain substance), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Maijujiang (uncertain herb).
Bai Yanshi (White Fluorite) dislikes Mamudugong (uncertain insect/poison).
Chishizhi (Red Halloysitum) dislikes Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and dreads Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos).
Huangshizhi (Yellow Halloysitum) uses Zengqing (Chrysocolla) as an Envoy; it dislikes Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) and dreads Feileng (Blatta Orientalis), Bianqing (uncertain mineral), and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata).
Baishizhi (White Halloysitum) uses Yanfen (Avian Excrement) as an Envoy; it dislikes Songzhi (Pinus Resin) and dreads Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix).
Taiyi Yuliang (Taiyi Residual Grain) uses Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex) as an Envoy; it dries Tielluo (Iron Filings), Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), and Beimu (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus).