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Article 1: Commentators on Materia Medica should first clarify the reasons for the therapeutic indications of each herb and the rationale for its application, so that readers may find profound meaning to ponder. This collection elucidates the properties of herbs in relation to pathological conditions to facilitate practical reference. If every instance were explained individually, it would become repetitive and tedious, leading to reader fatigue. Therefore, relevant discussions are interspersed throughout the text; readers are advised to synthesize and comprehend them holistically.

Article 2: From the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) up to Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), there has been continuous recording of substances. However, since the *Bencao Gangmu*, new additions have been scarce. Examples include foods like bird's nest.

Article 3: Substances mentioned in ancient and recent materia medica texts that no longer exist or are unavailable today, such as Yuzhizi (Fructus Preoculis), have been omitted.

Article 4: Regarding therapeutic indications, previous works often provide generalizations rather than specific analyses. For instance, regarding phlegm-resolving herbs, some treat damp-phlegm while others treat dry-phlegm, yet many texts simply categorize them under "resolving phlegm." Similarly, for headache remedies, some address internal injury-induced headaches while others address external contraction-induced headaches, yet texts merely state "treats headache." These represent contradictory syndromes and must not be confused or applied indiscriminately. By citing these two examples, one can infer the rest. Furthermore, stating which diseases a herb is suitable for without mentioning contraindications is an omission. This collection provides detailed annotations to prevent medical errors.

Article 5: For each herb, its flavor and nature, shape, and color are analyzed first, followed by its meridian tropism. Its functions are then expounded, and its therapeutic indications are listed subsequently. The rationale for its efficacy is inherent in the description of its functions; thus, item-by-item annotation is not feasible. Readers are urged to study carefully.

Article 6: Xu Zhicai stated that drugs fall into ten categories: Xuan (Dispersing/Ascending-Descending), Tong (Unblocking), Bu (Tonifying), Xie (Draining), Se (Astringing), Hua (Slippening), Zao (Drying), Shi (Moistening/Lubricating), Qing (Light), and Zhong (Heavy). These constitute the general framework of pharmacology, though they are not explicitly detailed in the *Bencao Jing* nor fully elaborated by later authors. Practitioners must examine these categories meticulously to avoid omissions. This collection elucidates these ten categories, placing them above each relevant herb. (Note: These correspond to the "Ten Categories" or *Shi Ji*. Tao Hongjing largely categorized them into Cold and Heat. In this collection, the "Zao" (Drying) category corresponds to Tao's "Heat" category, while the "Tong" (Unblocking) category corresponds to Xu Zhicai's "Zao" (Drying) category.)

Article 7: If a herb's indication already specifies a particular Zang or Fu organ, its meridian tropism is not repeated to avoid redundancy.

Article 8: Theories of Yin/Yang, Ascending/Descending, and Floating/Sinking are detailed in the "General Principles of Herb Properties"; therefore, redundant notes are omitted for individual herbs.

Article 9: Sources from various texts are cited with their names to attribute them to past sages and allow for verification. Occasional deletions of several lines or sentences are due to space constraints. Additions or modifications of words or sentences are made to ensure clarity and coherence. Extensive research was conducted to integrate principles, select essentials, eliminate verbosity, and refine the language to elegance.

Article 10: Adulterated drugs must be identified. For example, Huacaozi is used to fake Shayuan Jili (Astragali Complanati Semen), and Xiangluan is used to fake Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) and Zhike (Aurantii Fructus). Initially, this deceives through substitution... [Text incomplete in source].

Article 11: Herbs sharing the same name may vary significantly in potency and quality of nature/flavor. For example, wild Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) differs from cultivated Baizhu, and varieties from Jiangxi differ from others... [Text incomplete in source].

Article 12: Contamination of a primary herb with other species renders it ineffective. For instance, Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) sold in pharmacies may be adulterated with Baitouweng (Pulsatillae Radix), Xiao Qianhu, Yuanzhi Miao (Polygalae Herba), or Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). Failure to carefully sort and remove these impurities not only fails to produce therapeutic effects but may cause harm. Such practices must be strictly corrected.

Article 13: Processing and preparation of herbs must follow proper methods. Current practices in pharmacies, such as boiling Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) or adding flour to Tusibing (Cuscutae Semen Praeparatum), deviate from standard processing and are unacceptable. These have been corrected in this text.

Article 14: Foods useful for famine relief are included more extensively because they serve the practical purpose of sustaining life.

Article 15: The suitability of food for health preservation versus disease treatment is of significant importance. Therefore, entries regarding dietary therapy are recorded comprehensively.