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The way to aid the world is nothing greater than medicine; the merit of removing disease is nothing prior to herbs. Humans exist within the changes of Five Phases (Wu Xing) and Four Qi (Si Qi), while diseases arise from pathogenic factors such as Summerheat, Dampness, Wind, and Cold. Herbs are classified into Three Grades (Shang Pin, Zhong Pin, Xia Pin) and Seven Relationships (Qi Qing). Their properties include Warm, Neutral, Cool, and Cold. In all applications, there must be no deviation; otherwise, when establishing a formula, one must have a basis. If treatment is reasonable, diseases will invariably recover. If one fails to distinguish between new and old herbs, or genuine and fake ones, uses them narrowly and improperly, resulting in sparse efficacy, yet claims alias names and seeks novelty without understanding their nature and essence, rashly discussing functions based on personal opinion, this is highly precipitous. Thus, it is said, "If a physician has not practiced for three generations, do not take his medicine." This statement is indeed credible; should it not be deeply pondered?

Furthermore, one must not use herbs unavailable in the local region, those with exorbitant prices difficult to purchase, precious gems like pearls, or rare items seldom heard of. Even if wealthy, there may be no place to seek them; if poor, financial constraints may prevent acquisition. Seeking herbs from distant lands or rigidly adhering to ancient formulas without flexibility delays diagnosis and differentiation. When the disease is deep-seated, how can herbs cure it! Therefore, physicians must discard shortcomings and follow strengths, eliminate complexity for simplicity, act freely according to circumstances, adjust dosage flexibly, weigh appropriateness, add or subtract judiciously, observe the severity of the disease, and use herbs with precision. This can be called the work of an excellent physician.

All herbs possess Sovereign (Jun), Minister (Chen), Assistant (Zuo), and Envoy (Shi) roles to mutually guide, absorb, harmonize, and combine. It is appropriate to use one Sovereign, two Ministers, three Assistants, and five Envoys, or alternatively, one Sovereign, three Ministers, and nine Assistants/Envoys. There are also Yin-Yang combinations (Zhang Yuxi et al., commenting on the Shu edition note: "All things in heaven and earth possess Yin and Yang, with sizes and categories. Investigating their principles reveals symbolic correspondences. Thus, creatures with fur and feathers originate from Yang but belong to Yin. Creatures with scales and shells originate from Yin but belong to Yang. Therefore, Kongqing (Azurite) corresponds to Wood, hence its green color and affinity for the Liver. Cinnabar (Dansha) corresponds to Fire, hence its red color and affinity for the Heart. Mica (Yunmu) corresponds to Metal, hence its white color and affinity for the Lungs. Orpiment (Cihuang) corresponds to Earth, hence its yellow color and affinity for the Spleen. Magnetite (Cishi) corresponds to Water, hence its black color and affinity for the Kidneys. The rest can be deduced similarly."), mother-son relationships (Zhang Yuxi et al., commenting on the Shu edition note: "For example, Ulmus Cortex (Yupi) as Mother, and Magnolia Bark (Houpo) as Son"), roots, stems, flowers, fruits, grasses, trees, bones, and meats. Some are used alone (Dan Xing), some mutually dependent (Xiang Xu), some mutually promoting (Xiang Shi), some mutually inhibiting (Xiang Wei/Xiang Sha), some mutually conflicting (Xiang E), and some mutually neutralizing (Xiang Fan). These are examined when combined. There are also Sour, Salty, Sweet, Bitter, and Pungent Five Flavors (Wu Wei), Cold, Hot, Warm, and Cool Four Qi (Si Qi), toxic and non-toxic distinctions, methods of drying in shade (Yin Gan) or sun (Pu Gan), timing of collection, raw or processed states, origin authenticity, and newness or age, all having specific rules.

The timing for collecting herbs begins in the first month of the year (Jian Yin month, i.e., the first lunar month), recorded since the Taichu calendar of the Han Dynasty. Root herbs are mostly collected in the second and eighth months because in early spring, sap moisture begins to sprout without rushing into branches and leaves, making the potency rich and concentrated; by autumn, branches and leaves dry up, and moisture flows back to the roots. Practical verification shows that in spring, it is better to collect early, and in autumn, later. Flowers, fruits, stems, and leaves should be collected according to their respective maturity. Years vary in early or late seasons, so one need not strictly follow the text.

When Materia Medica mentions "drying in shade," it refers to drying during the Yin days of the Six Jia cycles. According to Dunjia method, in the Jiazi cycle, the Yin position is Guiyou, placing herbs at the You position. However, this is not necessarily true; it simply means avoiding direct sunlight and drying in shaded areas, which is why some texts mention sun-drying. (Currently, regarding herb drying in Materia Medica, most dislike sun exposure. For instance, Deer Antler Glue (Lurong), the classic states: drying in shade causes rotting and spoilage; fire-drying is easier and yields better quality. Grass and tree roots and shoots dislike sun exposure; those collected before the ninth month should be sun-dried, while those collected after the tenth month are better dried in shade.) If one happens to use it this way, it is even more advisable...