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The 120 superior drugs serve as the sovereign (Jun, Monarch) agents to nourish life and correspond to Heaven. They are non-toxic; frequent and long-term use does not harm the human body. Those who desire a light body, increased Qi, longevity, and prevention of aging should base their selection on the Superior Class of the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).

The 120 medium drugs serve as the minister (Chen, Deputy) agents to nourish nature and correspond to Humanity. Some are non-toxic, while others are toxic; their suitability must be carefully considered. Those who wish to suppress disease and tonify deficiency and emaciation should base their selection on the Medium Class of the *Shennong Bencao Jing*.

The 125 inferior drugs serve as the assistant (Zuo, Shi, Envoy) agents to treat disease and correspond to Earth. They are mostly toxic and should not be used for long periods. Those who wish to eliminate cold-heat pathogenic factors, break up accumulations, and cure diseases should base their selection on the Inferior Class of the *Shennong Bencao Jing*.

These three classes total 365 types of drugs, corresponding to the 365 days of a year, with each day representing one drug property, thereby completing a yearly cycle.

Drugs possess sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy relationships to mutually promote and regulate, harmonizing and combining them. The appropriate dosage structure is one sovereign, two ministers, three assistants, and five envoys; alternatively, it may be one sovereign, three ministers, and nine assistants/envoys.

Drugs have Yin-Yang combinations and relationships of son, mother, brother, and sister, encompassing roots, stems, flowers, fruits/seeds, herbs, minerals, bones, and flesh.

There are seven types of drug interactions: independent action (Dan Xing), mutual enhancement (Xiang Xu), mutual assistance (Xiang Shi), mutual fear/restriction (Xiang Wei), mutual aversion/inhibition (Xiang E), mutual opposition/conflict (Xiang Fan), and mutual detoxification/destruction (Xiang Sha).

Regarding these seven emotional/interactive states, when harmonizing for use, one should prefer combinations of mutual enhancement and mutual assistance, as they yield good results. One should avoid combinations of mutual aversion and mutual opposition. If toxic drugs require processing, one may use drugs that induce mutual fear or mutual detoxification to control them; otherwise, do not combine them.

Drugs possess the Five Flavors (Sour, Salty, Sweet, Bitter, Pungent) and the Four Qi (Cold, Hot, Warm, Cool), as well as distinctions between toxic and non-toxic. Furthermore, there are specific methods for drying in shade or sun-drying, timing of collection and preparation, raw versus cooked usage, geographical origin, authenticity, and age (old vs. new), all governed by distinct rules.

Drug properties dictate suitable formulations: some are suitable for pills (Wan), some for powders (San), some for water decoctions (Shui Zhu), some for wine maceration (Jiu Zi), and some for paste/concentrate preparation (Gao Jian). Some drugs suit multiple forms, while others are unsuitable for decoctions or wines. All decisions must follow drug properties without deviation.

To treat disease, one must first investigate the source of the pathology and then examine the disease mechanism. If the Five Zang organs are not yet deficient, the Six Fu organs are not yet exhausted, the blood vessels are not yet disordered, and the spirit has not yet scattered, medication will surely result in recovery. If the disease has already formed, only half recovery may be expected. If the disease momentum has passed, life will be difficult to preserve.

When using toxic drugs to treat disease, start with a dose as small as millet seeds. Stop once the disease is gone. If the disease persists, double the dose. If it still persists, increase to ten times the initial dose. Discontinue once the disease is eliminated.

Treat cold conditions with hot-natured drugs; treat heat conditions with cold-natured drugs; treat indigestion of food with emetic or purgative drugs; treat Gui Zhu (ghostly afflictions) and Gu poison with toxic drugs; treat abscesses, sores, and tumors with external sore medications; treat wind-dampness with wind-damp dispelling drugs. Each should be chosen according to its appropriateness.

For diseases located above the chest and diaphragm, eat first, then take medicine. For diseases located below the heart and abdomen, take medicine first, then eat. For diseases located in the limbs and blood vessels, take medicine on an empty stomach in the morning. For diseases located in the bone marrow, take medicine when full at night.

Major severe diseases include: Wind-stroke (Zhong Feng), Cold Damage (Shang Han), alternating chills and fever, Warm Malaria (Wen Nian), sudden evil attack (Zhong E), Cholera-like disorder (Huo Luan), abdominal edema, intestinal dysentery (Chang Pi), obstruction of urination and defecation, Ran Tan (running piglet sensation), upward rushing Qi, cough and counterflow qi, vomiting, jaundice, Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), retained fluid, Pi Shi (accumulated phlegm-food), hard accumulations, Zheng Jia (masses), fright evil, epilepsy, ghostly afflictions, throat bi (obstruction), toothache, deafness, blindness, metal wounds, fractures, abscesses, malignant sores, hemorrhoids, goiter, and neck swellings.

Men commonly suffer from Five Exhaustions (Wu Lao), Seven Injuries (Qi Shang), deficiency and fatigue, and emaciation. Women commonly suffer from leukorrhea (Dai Xia) and metrorrhagia (Beng Zhong).