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Medicines follow the principles of Sovereign (Jun), Minister (Chen), Assistant (Zuo), and Courier (Shi) [hierarchical roles in herbal formulas], while human constitutions vary in strength, weakness, deficiency, and excess. The methods of administration differ in weight and dosage; the approaches for the young and old are distinct, and conditions vary between robust and emaciated individuals. Some require tonification, others purgation; some are suitable as decoctions, others as pills. Adjustments must be appropriate, and when the medicine matches the disease, recovery is certain. If the disease is located above the chest and diaphragm, eat first then take medicine. If the disease is below the heart and abdomen, take medicine first then eat. If the disease is in the limbs and blood vessels, it is suitable to take on an empty stomach in the morning. If the disease is in the bone marrow, it is suitable to take when full at night. Generally, the medicinal force should not clash with food qi; take medicine after food qi has digested, and eat after the medicinal qi has dispersed. Through such regulation, the five Zang organs will be harmonious. It is not merely about the variety of medicinal properties, but also the timing and moderation, which require careful management. The terms "eat first" or "eat later" mentioned here refer to this principle.

When taking decoctions, they should be taken slightly warm to facilitate digestion and downward movement. If cold, they may cause vomiting and fail to go down. If too hot, they will damage the throat and esophagus; attention must be paid. Decoctions must be clear; if turbid, they can cause chest stuffiness and discomfort. There should be an interval equivalent to walking ten li before administering the next dose. If the interval is too short, the previous decoction has not yet digested, and the new one rushes in, inevitably causing vomiting and regurgitation. One must ask the patient whether the medicine in the abdomen has dissipated before administering more.

When taking pill medicines for tonification, they should be made the size of a *Celtis sinensis* seed. Start with twenty pills, gradually increasing from one dose up to a limit of forty pills; excessive amounts will harm the body. When it says "take twice a day," it implies maintaining a long-term, uninterrupted course so that the medicinal power accumulates gradually, steaming and nourishing the five Zang organs. This prolonged approach is best; sudden large doses are not advisable. Merely consuming famous/expensive medicines without proper regimen yields little benefit.

When taking medicinal wines, the wine qi should be continuous and not interrupted. Interruption prevents the medicinal power from taking effect. Drink according to one's tolerance, stopping when the desired effect is achieved. Do not become excessively drunk to the point of vomiting, as this severely harms the body.

When using toxic medicines to treat diseases, start with a small dose like millet grains. Stop when the disease resolves. If unresolved, double the dose; if still unresolved, increase to ten times, until the disease is cured. In current prescriptions, single or dual toxic herbs such as *Crotonis Fructus* (Badou) and *Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix* (Gansui) should not constitute the entire formula. As stated in classics: for one toxic herb, take one pill the size of a fine sesame seed; for two toxic herbs, two pills the size of a large sesame seed; for three, three pills the size of a fava bean; for four, four pills the size of a mung bean; for five, five pills the size of a soybean; for six, six pills the size of a *Celtis sinensis* seed. Formulate into pills based on quantity, noting that toxicity varies. For instance, *Daphne genkwa* (Yelangdu) and *Gelsemium elegans* (Gouwen) are not comparable to *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata* (Fuzi) or *Genkwa Flos* (Yuanhua). All such cases require measured usage.

After taking decoctions, porridges, meats, and vegetables must be thoroughly cooked. Thoroughly cooked food is easy to digest and compatible with the medicine. Raw food is hard to digest and damages medicinal efficacy. Vegetables should be consumed sparingly for optimal effect. Small amounts of salt and vinegar are beneficial. Avoid mental strain, physical exertion, and extreme emotions like anger or joy. Therefore, medicinal power is primary in treating disease, but dietary therapy and nursing care contribute significantly, often surpassing the effect of medicine alone. Thus, patients must focus on recuperation and self-care. Ultimate preservation of health can lead to longevity, far beyond merely curing illness.