君为主。臣为辅。佐为助。使为用。置方之规也。逆则攻。从则顺。反则异。正则宜。治症之要也。必热必寒。必
散必收者。君之主也。不宜不明。不授不行者。臣之辅也。能受能令。能合能分者。佐之助也。或击或发。或劫或
开者。使之用也。破寒必热。逐热必寒。去燥必润。除湿必泄者。逆则攻也。治惊须平。治损须温。治留须收。治
坚须溃者。从则顺也。热病用寒药。而导寒攻热者必热。阳明病发热。大便硬者。大承气汤。酒制大黄热服
之类也。寒病用热药。而导热去寒者必寒。少阴病下利。服附子干姜不止者。白通汤加人尿猪胆之类也。
塞病用通药。而导通除塞者必塞。胸满烦惊。小便不利者。柴胡加龙骨牡蛎汤之类也。通病用塞药。而导
塞止通者必通。太阳中风下利。心下痞硬者。十枣汤之类也。反则异也。治远以大。治近以小。治主以缓。治
客以急。正则宜也。至真要论曰。辛甘发散为阳。酸苦涌泄为阴。咸味涌泄为阴。淡味渗泄为阳。六者或收
或散。或缓或急。或燥或润。或软或坚。所以利而行之。调其气而使平。故味之薄者。阴中之阳。味薄则通。酸
苦咸平是也。气之浓者。阳中之阳。气浓则发热。辛甘温热是也。气之薄者。阳中之阴。气薄则泄。辛甘淡平
寒凉是也。味之浓者。阴中之阴。味浓则泄。酸苦咸气寒是也。易曰。同声相应。同气相求。水流湿。火就燥。云
从龙。风从虎。圣人作而万物睹。本乎天者亲上。本乎地者亲下。物各从其类也。故置方治病如后。
The Sovereign (Jun, 君药) acts as the principal agent. The Minister (Chen, 臣药) acts as the assistant. The Assistant (Zuo, 佐药) acts as the helper. The Envoy (Shi, 使药) acts as the guide and executor. This is the principle for formulating prescriptions. Adverse treatment (Ni Zhi, 逆治) is used to attack pathogens; following treatment (Cong Zhi, 从治) is used to follow the disease trend; contrary treatment (Fan Zhi, 反治) is used for special circumstances; and regular treatment (Zheng Zhi, 正治) is suitable for standard therapy. This is the key to treating symptoms. The necessity of using hot or cold herbs, or dispersing or astringing agents, lies in the principal role of the Sovereign herb, which must not be misunderstood. The inability to independently bear the medicinal force or execute orders characterizes the assisting role of the Minister herb. The ability to accept commands and to combine or separate medicinal effects characterizes the helping role of the Assistant herb. The actions of striking, stimulating, purging, or opening characterize the functional role of the Envoy herb. To break cold, heat must be used; to drive out heat, cold must be used; to remove dryness, moistening is required; to eliminate dampness, draining is necessary. These constitute the attacking aspect of adverse treatment. To treat palpitations/fright, pacification is required; to treat deficiency/damage, warming is required; to treat stagnation/retention, astringency is required; to treat induration/masses, dissipation is required. These constitute the following aspect of following treatment. In heat diseases, cold herbs are used, but to guide cold and attack heat, hot administration may be employed. For example, in Yangming disease with fever and hard stools, Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order of the Gallbladder Decoction) is used, such as Rhubarb processed with wine taken while hot. In cold diseases, hot herbs are used, but to guide heat and dispel cold, cold administration may be employed. For example, in Shaoyin disease with diarrhea uncontrolled by Fuzi Ganjiang Tang (Aconite and Ginger Decoction), Baitong Tang (White Tongue Decoction) with human urine and pig gallbladder bile is added. In obstructive diseases, unblocking herbs are used, yet to guide unblocking and remove obstruction, a "blocking" approach (contextually referring to complex regulation) is implied. For chest fullness, vexation, fright, and difficult urination, Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Tang (Bupleurum plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction) is used. In unblocking diseases, astringent herbs are used, yet to guide astringency and stop excessive unblocking, an "unblocking" approach is implied. For Taiyang wind-strike with diarrhea and epigastric hardness, Shizao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction) is used. Contrary treatment means different treatment. Treat chronic diseases (far) with large formulas; treat acute/recent diseases (near) with small formulas; treat primary diseases with mild agents; treat secondary/urgent diseases with rapid agents. This is the appropriateness of regular treatment. The *Suwen: Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun* states: Pungent and sweet flavors that disperse belong to Yang; sour and bitter flavors that induce vomiting and purging belong to Yin; salty flavor that induces vomiting and purging belongs to Yin; bland flavor that渗s and purges belongs to Yang. These six flavors either astringe or disperse, either moderate or accelerate, either dry or moisten, either soften or harden. They are used to facilitate flow and harmonize Qi to achieve balance. Therefore, thin-flavored substances are Yin within Yang; thin flavor leads to unblocking, exemplified by sour, bitter, salty, and neutral tastes. Strong-aroma substances are Yang within Yang; strong aroma generates heat, exemplified by pungent, sweet, warm, and hot tastes. Thin-aroma substances are Yang within Yin; thin aroma leads to draining, exemplified by pungent, sweet, bland, neutral, cold, and cool tastes. Strong-flavor substances are Yin within Yin; strong flavor leads to purging, exemplified by sour, bitter, salty, and cold qi. The *I Ching* says: Like sounds resonate with each other; like energies seek each other. Water flows to wet places; fire moves toward dryness. Clouds follow dragons; wind follows tigers. When the Sage arises, all things become visible. That which originates from Heaven tends upward; that which originates from Earth tends downward. All things follow their own kind. Thus, the principles for formulating prescriptions to treat diseases are as follows.