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Annotating the *Bencao* (Materia Medica) without discussing methods is equivalent to not annotating it at all. In the *Bencao*, one must have thoroughly memorized the flavors and cold/heat properties of plants, insects, and shellfish, so that one can utilize each material according to its specific characteristics. If one lacks strategies for achieving victory through unexpected means in one's mind, it is like an army without a commander; although one might win temporarily in open battle, defeat may ultimately ensue. Rather than fighting until battered and bruised with total annihilation, would it not be more satisfying to make the enemy surrender upon seeing the banner? This is why the "Seven Forms" (Qi Fang) must be discussed. The Seven Forms refer to Large (Da), Small (Xiao), Slow (Huan), Rapid (Ji), Odd (Qi), Even (Ou), and Compound (Fu). I will first speak of the Large Form. Master Qibo said: "One sovereign drug, three minister drugs, nine assistant drugs—this constitutes the Large Form." Whenever a disease is severe and cannot be treated with a Small Form, a Large Form must be used. Within a Large Form, if the sovereign drug weighs up to one liang, the minister drug should be half that amount, and the assistant drug half again. One must not have the sovereign drug less than the minister drug, nor the minister drug less than the assistant or envoy drugs. If one were to distinguish size by exterior/interior, then interior conditions should be large and exterior conditions small; however, formulas for treating exterior conditions are not necessarily unable to be large. If one were to distinguish size by odd/even numbers, then odd-numbered formulas should be large and even-numbered formulas small; however, even-numbered formulas are not necessarily unable to be large. If one were to distinguish size by distance (depth or duration), then distant conditions should be large and near conditions small; however, formulas for treating near conditions are also not necessarily unable to be large. Therefore, using a Large Form means making it large when appropriate, not making it large arbitrarily.

Someone asks: A Large Form is a potent agent for major diseases, not a light or small medicine. Treating a major disease necessarily requires many drugs, not few. Why does the Large Form consist of one sovereign, three ministers, and nine assistants? This totals only thirteen ingredients, which seems named "Large" but is not actually large. One must understand that the definition of a Large Form does not depend on the quantity of ingredients, but on the strength of the action. Ingredients that are heavy in nature are large; those intense in flavor are large; those tonifying are large; those purgative are large. Is it merely because there are many drugs that it is called large? Although some Large Forms use many ingredients, one cannot simply say that using many drugs makes a Large Form.

Some doubt that a Large Form uses few ingredients and thus hard to justify the name. One must know that the meaning of a Large Form lies in the grandeur of its intent, not solely in the multiplicity of its ingredients. For example, in tonification, the key is to use a large dose of Ginseng as the sovereign drug, rather than using large amounts of Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) and Poria Sclerotium (Fuling) as ministers and envoys. In purgation, the key is to use a large dose of Rheum Palmatum Root and Rhizome (Dahuang) as the sovereign, rather than using large amounts of Magnolia Officinalis Bark (Houpo) and Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi) as ministers and envoys. This logic applies equally to drugs for cold, heat, and dispersing. Where is the greatness found merely in the multitude of ingredients? (Commentary: More comprehensively articulated.)

Some doubt that if the Large Form relies on grand intent, can the sovereign drug still be used in small doses? The answer is: The sovereign drug should originally not be used in small doses, but there are times when it should not be used in large doses, so it is permissible to use a smaller dose. However, one must not conclude that because it is used in a small dose, it ceases to be a sovereign drug, nor doubt that it ceases to be a Large Form.

What is the Small Form? Master Qibo said: "One sovereign, three ministers, five assistants—this is the Medium Form. One sovereign, two ministers—this is the Small Form." The Medium implies the Small. Whenever a disease is mild and small, and cannot be treated with a Large Form, a Small Form must be used. Within a Small Form, if the sovereign drug weighs two qian, the minister drug should be half, and the assistant half again. One must not have the sovereign drug less than the minister, nor the minister less than the assistant. The Small Form treats mild diseases. Mild diseases often reside in the upper body. If a Large Form is used for an upper body condition, the medicinal force becomes too heavy, sinking downward rather than ascending upward. The Small Form treats minor illnesses, which often involve the Yang aspect. If a Large Form is used for a Yang condition, the dispersing action is excessive, damaging the righteous Qi and depleting the pathogen improperly. Therefore, using a Small Form means making it small when appropriate, not making it small arbitrarily. (Commentary: Smallness is valued for appropriateness, not as an excuse for timidity in using larger forms.)

Someone asks: A Small Form is a light agent for minor diseases. Yet, with one sovereign, three ministers, and five assistants, the formula is not small. If there is one sovereign and two ministers without assistants/envoys, is it not too small? One must know that the Small Form is defined not by weight or quantity, but by the direction of movement (ascending/descending) and buoyancy/sinking. Floating agents are small; ascending agents are small. It is not about having few ingredients. Although some Small Forms use many ingredients, one cannot define a Small Form simply by having few drugs.

Some doubt that if a Small Form does not reduce ingredient count, it cannot be called Small. One must understand that the essence of a Small Form lies not in the scarcity of ingredients. If a minor disease requires dispersal, why not use many Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root)? If it requires clearing, why not use many Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber)? If it requires lifting, why not use many Jie Geng (Platycodon Root)? If it requires descending, why not use many Hou Po? The key is flexibility within the Small Form, not rigidity. (Commentary: Brilliantly argued.)

Some doubt that flexible use of Small Forms allows them to be used in large doses. Using a Small Form in a large dose makes it effectively a Large Form. The response is: Using a Small Form in a large dose is not comparable to a true Large Form; although many drugs are used, the form remains Small in principle.

What is the Slow Form? Master Qibo said: "Tonifying the upper or treating the upper, the formulation must be slow. 'Slow' refers to delay. To tonify deficiency in the upper jiao, if not formulated slowly, the medicine will tend downward and fail to tonify. To treat disease in the upper, if not formulated slowly, the medicine will flow downward and fail to treat. However, the method of slowing varies. There is the method of using sweet flavors to slow action; sweet substances move slowly. There is the method of lifting to slow descent, raising Qi without allowing it to sink. There is the method of pills to slow transit, making pills instead of decoctions to retain action in the upper jiao. There is the method of pastes to slow transit, making the medicine sticky in the chest and diaphragm. There is the method of using non-toxic drugs to moderate nature, where the drug property is mild and effect is not sudden. With slow-treatment formulas, one can achieve tonifying the upper without tonifying the lower, and treating the upper without treating the lower. (Commentary: Adds to what predecessors left incomplete.)

Someone asks: Slow forms treat urgent conditions, yet many urgent conditions cannot use slow methods. Can they all use slow methods? The answer is: Only use slow methods when appropriate. If universally applied, inappropriate cases will also be slowed.

Some doubt that slow forms are intentionally slow and unsuitable for emergencies. One must know that treating emergencies with slow methods is a general consensus, but slow forms are mostly for chronic/slow conditions. For example, flaccidity syndrome (Wei Syndrome) requires slow treatment; collapse syndrome (Tuo Syndrome) should not be treated urgently. Where do slow forms exclusively treat emergencies?

Someone asks: The discussion on sovereign drugs for slow forms is complete. Are there other methods of slowing? The answer is: The method of slowing lies in the practitioner, not just the formula. Rigidly applying slow methods to suitable diseases limits efficacy; varying slow formulas for extreme slowness has no limit. It depends on the practitioner's adaptability. Why seek specific slow formulas?

What is the Rapid Form? Master Qibo said: "Tonifying the lower or treating the lower, the formulation must be rapid. How can urgent disease be treated slowly?" Generally, treating the root (Ben) suits slow methods, while treating the branch (Biao) suits rapid methods. However, root and branch vary. Some root conditions suit slowness but present urgently; treat the root rapidly. Some branch conditions do not suit urgency but present urgently; treat the branch rapidly. There are methods for rapid forms. There is the method of rapid attack in critical states, where pathogenic qi obstructs the chest, abdomen, intestines, and stomach. There is the method of rapid rescue in critical states, where righteous qi perishes in Yin/Yang, Heart/Kidney. There is the method of rapid strong decoction and large volume drinking, to save from imminent death. There is the method of using extreme cold/heat toxic drugs, causing vomiting or purging for immediate relief. With rapid-treatment formulas, one can save the root without neglecting the branch, and saving the branch is precisely saving the root.

Someone asks: Do rapid forms treat urgent conditions, or can they treat slow conditions? The answer is: Slow forms cannot treat emergencies, but rapid forms are indeed used for slow conditions. When facing an emergency, if one does not use a rapid form to save the dying, waiting until the condition subsides to use slow methods is too late. Thus, rapid forms treating emergencies are essentially treating the underlying slow progression. (Commentary: Treating urgency is truly addressing the root.)

Some doubt that rapid forms saving emergencies seem appropriate, but saving slow conditions with rapid forms seems mismatched. One must know that combining slow and rapid treatments makes medication divine.

Some doubt that balancing slow and rapid is a good method, but isn't it distinct from true rapid forms? The answer is: Using rapid for rapid is due to the urgency of the disease; using rapid for slow is because the slow disease is actually critical, hence treated rapidly. Thus, balancing slow and rapid is still treating urgency, not slowness.

Some doubt that starting emergencies with rapid forms proves rapid forms shouldn't use slow methods. Yet ancients treated emergencies slowly. Does this mean rapid forms don't save emergencies? The answer is: If rapid forms don't save emergencies, what do they save? Treating emergencies slowly doesn't mean using slow drugs. It means adding a small amount of slow-acting drugs to a rapid form to moderate its excessive intensity, not replacing the rapid form entirely with slow drugs.

What is the Odd Form? Master Qibo said: "One sovereign, two ministers; two sovereigns, three ministers—this is the Odd Form." The term "Odd" refers to the number. Essentially, the Odd Form is a single-drug formula. Using one ingredient to achieve surprise, without needing multiple ingredients. Many ingredients cause mutual restriction, preventing direct action. For diseases confined to one meridian/organs, using a single ingredient in increased dosage reaches the diseased site directly, breaking stagnation with miraculous effect.

Someone asks: Odd forms use one ingredient, but which ones? The *Bencao* cannot list all. I will mention the most important. Use Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) alone to drain dampness in the waist/navel; use Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui) alone for blood-deficiency dizziness; use Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong) alone for wind-headache; use Ginseng Radix (Renshen) alone for collapse/rescue; use Poria Sclerotium (Fuling) alone for diarrhea; use Cuscuta Seed (Tusizi) alone for nocturnal emission; use Eucommia Bark (Duzhong) alone for back pain; use Gardenia Fruit (Shanzhizi) alone for hypochondriac pain; use Licorice Root (Gancao) alone for detoxification; use Rheum Palmatum Root and Rhizome (Dahuang) alone for hardness/stagnation; use Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) alone for vomiting; use Cornus Fruit (Shanzhuyu) alone for essence/kidney leakage; use Rehmannia Root (Shengdi) alone for bleeding; use Chrysanthemum Flower (Ganjuhua) alone for stomach fire; use Coix Seed (Yiren) alone for gouty arthritis; use Chinese Yam (Shanyao) alone for essence; use Cistanche Stem (Rongshu) alone for constipation; use Psoralea Fruit (Buguzhi) alone for warming Mingmen; use Plantago Seed (Cheqianzi) alone for watery diarrhea; use Tribulus Fruit (Jili) alone for eyesight; use Honeysuckle Vine (Jinyinteng) alone for abscesses; use Morinda Root (Bajitian) alone for strengthening yang; use Schizonepeta Spike (Jingjie) alone for bleeding/dizziness; use Cnidium Fruit (Shechuangzi) alone for strengthening yang; use Scrophularia Root (Xuanshen) alone for floating fire; use Artemisia Annua Herba (Qinghao) alone for summerheat; use Aconite Lateral Root (Fuzi) alone for yin-deficiency sore throat; use Mugwort Leaf (Aiye) alone for warming spleen; use Sanguisorba Root (Diyu) alone for hematochezia; use Dandelion (Pugongying) alone for breast sores; use Eclipta Herb (Hanliancao) alone for darkening hair; use Soap Pod (Zaojia) alone for opening orifices; use Quisqualis Seed (Shijunzi) alone for parasites; use Adzuki Bean (Chixiaodou) alone for dampness; use Flower Rhodochrosite (Huaruishi) alone for resolving blood stasis. All these achieve success with one ingredient; expanding on this depends on the practitioner's insight.

Some doubt that Odd Forms using one ingredient are effective but risk bias. However, all drugs have biased properties. Illness arises from bias in Yin/Yang/Qi/Blood. Using biased drugs to counter biased diseases restores balance. Thus, the miracle of Odd Forms lies in their bias; without bias, disease cannot be removed.

Some doubt that one-ingredient formulas are specialized but weak, whereas multi-ingredient formulas are stronger. One must know that biased diseases require biased drugs to succeed. The ease of success is due to the concentrated power. Who says one-ingredient formulas are weak?

What is the Even Form? Master Qibo said: "Two sovereigns, four ministers; two sovereigns, six ministers—this is the Even Form." Also: "Distant conditions use Even forms; lower conditions do not use Even forms." Even forms also refer to numbers. An Even Form involves double ingredients, named by the combination of two. If pathogenic qi is strong and a single drug fails to remove it, do not continue with one drug; add another to attack together. If righteous qi is weak and a single tonic fails to restore it, do not continue with one tonic; add another to tonify together. This is not combining two formulas into one, nor is it defining Odd as three sweating drugs and Even as four purgative drugs.

Someone asks: Odd forms use one ingredient for surprise, Even forms use two for victory. I suspect two-ingredient combinations are rare. Actually, two-ingredient combinations are numerous. Instead of listing old formulas, let's discuss new ones. Ginseng and Angelica combined treat Qi and Blood deficiency. Astragalus Membranaceus Root (Huangqi) and Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome combined treat Spleen/Stomach weakness. Ginseng and Cinnamon Bark (Rougui) combined treat Heart/Kidney cold. Ginseng and Coptis Rhizome combined treat Heart/Stomach issues. Ginseng and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome combined eliminate headache instantly. Ginseng and Cuscuta Seed combined stop nocturnal emission instantly. Astragalus and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome taken together boost Qi and generate Blood rapidly. Astragalus and Poria Sclerotium combined promote urination without depleting Qi. Astragalus and Saposhnikovia Root (Fangfeng) combined dispel wind without causing distension. These are newly created formulas, serving as proofs of Even Forms. As for old formulas, such as Ginseng-Aconite pair, Ginger-Aconite pair, Cinnamon-Aconite pair, Atractylodes-Poria pair, Angelica-Euphorbia pair (Note: Text says Gui Xiong, likely Angelica-Chuanxiong), Angelica-Ligusticum pair, Licorice-Paeonia pair, are they not all two-ingredient combinations? Application depends on the practitioner. (Commentary: Opens many pathways, delightful.)

Some doubt that Even Forms combine two ingredients for synergy, but ask if there is distinction between Sovereign/Minister and Assistant/Envoy. The answer is: Only Odd Forms lack Sovereign/Minister/Assistant/Envoy structure. Even Forms naturally have clear Sovereign/Minister distinctions and varied Assistants/Envoys. There is only one sun in the sky; there cannot be two sovereign drugs in a formula. Even Forms have inherent Sovereign/Minister meanings and Assistant/Envoy principles. How can one ignore differences in weight and dosage? (Commentary: Without Sovereign/Minister, there is no formula; why discuss Even/Odd?)

What is the Compound Form? Master Qibo said: "If Odd Form fails, use Even Form. Even Form is called Heavy Form. Heavy Form is Compound Form." One may attack within tonification, or tonify within attack. Attack more and tonify less, or vice versa. Balance between attack and tonification, deliberate on quantity. Combine several formulas for success, add other drugs for effect. Weights and measures may be precise, or ingredients balanced yet varied. Divine and intelligent application reveals the Compound Form without appearing compound. This is skillful use of Compound Forms.

Someone asks: Compound Forms combine many formulas, so they need not follow strict rules? The answer is: Drugs must not be mixed杂乱ly; how can formulas be mixed杂乱ly? Mixing formulas creates Mixed Forms (Za Fang), not Compound Forms. Ancients combined two formulas without showing difference, perceiving similarity. This is the divinity of Compound Forms. Otherwise, any formula could be modified; why insist on combining two? (Commentary: Precise and clear.)

Some doubt that Compound Forms combine many formulas, becoming too complex. With the previous six forms, why add Compound Forms, risking failure by unskilled practitioners? The answer is: If Compound Forms could be deleted, predecessors would have done so. There are indispensable elements. However, only those who deeply understand drug properties can combine Compound Forms. Otherwise, reckless use risks adverse interactions and harm. (Commentary: Divine application depends on the person; relying on cleverness is inadvisable.)

Some doubt that Compound Forms should not be used lightly; better to modify a single formula. Even if ineffective, it won't fail. The answer is: This reflects your caution. However, Compound Forms are indispensable. One who studies the subtleties of *Bencao* and profundities of *Neijing* can treat any disease and use any method. Insisting on avoiding Compound Forms lightly invites ridicule for mere book learning.