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1. The ancients formulated prescriptions based on specific conditions; the modifications and additions of herbs within them carried profound significance. If one does not understand the etiology of the disease, nor the rationale behind why a specific prescription can cure it, but instead rigidly adheres to established formulas for treatment, few would avoid harming patients and misleading the world. This collection elucidates the relationship between clinical manifestations and prescription principles to facilitate practical application. Explaining every single prescription would be repetitive and tedious, potentially causing aversion. Therefore, the explanations vary in detail and brevity throughout the text; some clarify the intent behind formulating a prescription, while others propose methods for modification.

2. The human body is a microcosm of the universe. At the beginning of creation, when Qi transformation was dense and vigorous, humans generally received strong Qi. As time passed, Qi transformation gradually became thinner, and humans generally received weaker Qi. Historical records indicate that the lifespan of the Five Emperors exceeded one hundred years, whereas after the Three Kings, very few reached that age. Thus, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing prescribed dosages measured in *liang* (taels). From the Song and Yuan dynasties onward, physicians like Li Dongyuan and Zhu Danxi used dosages measured in *qian* (mace). Is this not evidence of their deep understanding of natural transformations and their ability to adapt to changing times? Since the Song and Yuan dynasties have long passed, human primordial Qi has become even more deficient. Consequently, clinical treatments today often focus on nourishment and support, carefully avoiding harsh purgatives or draining methods, favoring warming and tonifying approaches, and strictly cautioning against cold and cool herbs. This represents the adaptive evolution of therapeutic methods in contemporary practice. However, if one rigidly clings to established formulas, boasts of secret family recipes, ignores the consumption of dosage without regard for the root vitality, relies solely on ancient methods without assessing current circumstances, mild illnesses will become severe, and severe illnesses may lead to death. Those with a heart to save lives should remain vigilant and cautious.

3. Cheng Wuji’s commentary on Zhang Zhongjing’s prescriptions merely followed the text for exegesis. In recent times, scholars such as Fang Zhongxing, Yu Jiayan, and Zhou Yangjun have made significant contributions to the interpretation of Zhang Zhongjing’s *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders), with Yu Jiayan particularly excelling in elucidating its profound principles. Therefore, this collection incorporates his works extensively.

4. Wu Hegao’s *Yifang Kao* (Investigation of Medical Prescriptions) divides topics into seventy categories, which seems excessive; it contains seven hundred prescriptions, yet only a few per condition, which seems insufficient. Notable formulas such as Wujisan (Five Accumulations Powder) and Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) were excluded, resulting in omissions. Recently, Wang Ang’s *Yifang Jijie* (Collected Explanations of Medical Prescriptions) organizes content into twenty-one categories, including over three hundred main prescriptions and numerous supplementary ones. This comprehensively covers medical methods. Should any gaps remain, students should strive to comprehend them profoundly and apply them flexibly through analogy and skillful usage.

5. The categorization in this collection begins with the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), hence the first section lists prescriptions from the *Neijing* (Inner Canon). Human life depends entirely on Qi; therefore, treating Qi is addressed first. Blood serves to complement Qi, so regulating Blood follows next. Given that many people today suffer from Qi and Blood deficiency, nourishing and tonifying are discussed subsequently. For cases of extreme deficiency where collapse must be prevented, astringent and consolidating methods are covered next. Regarding external pathogenic factors, sweating, vomiting, and purging are the three primary methods, so releasing the exterior, inducing vomiting, and purging the interior follow. For conditions requiring gentle resolution, resolving stagnation and guiding out accumulation are discussed. When pathogens reside at the half-exterior, half-interior level, harmonizing methods are appropriate. If exterior symptoms persist while interior symptoms are urgent, simultaneous treatment of both exterior and interior is required. Pathogenic causes often stem from the Six Evils (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire), so these are addressed next. Diseases caused by Phlegm are treated with methods to resolve Phlegm, and those caused by parasites are treated with vermifuge methods. Specialized fields exist for gynecology, pediatrics, sores and ulcers, and eye diseases. To facilitate practical use, this collection selects a few representative prescriptions from each specialty for reference. Emergency prescriptions are also included to address sudden crises.