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Huang Gongxiu notes: The arrangement of this book follows the classification of drug properties and flavors. For instance, drugs that tonify fire are grouped together; those that nourish water are grouped together; those that disperse cold are grouped together; and those that purge heat are grouped together, for ease of reference. However, if one is unfamiliar with drug properties, or in a hurried situation where it is difficult to check the sequence of drugs, the ancient method of categorizing them into herbs (Cao), trees (Mu), metals and stones (Jin Shi), birds (Niao), and beasts (Shou) is retained, with separate chapters appended at the end of the volume. Sequential numbers are noted under each drug to facilitate cross-referencing.

The human body is a microcosm of heaven and earth. Heaven and earth rely on Yin and Yang and the Five Elements (Wu Xing) for their vigorous and compliant operations. The human body relies on Water and Fire, as well as Qi and Blood, for nourishment and growth. Generally, if one's innate constitution is unbalanced, Water attaches to Fire, and Fire generates Water. When Water and Fire are sufficient, Qi and Blood are supported, leaving no room for deficiency or imbalance. However, due to differences in innate endowment, some may suffer from blood deficiency due to Water decline, or Qi deficiency due to Fire decline. Therefore, medicinal tonification is necessary to correct these imbalances, allowing Qi, Blood, Water, and Fire to nurture themselves without disease. Since diseases vary in depth and symptoms in severity, within tonifying formulas, one must distinguish the properties and flavors to ensure precision and avoid confusion in clinical practice. For example, tonics suitable for the primordial True Fire (Xian Tian Zhen Huo) must be drying and acrid, representing the flavor of tonifying Fire. Tonics suitable for primordial True Water (Xian Tian Zhen Shui) must be moistening and lubricating, representing the flavor of nourishing Water. Tonics suitable for balancing Water and Fire, avoiding extreme flavors, must be warm and moist, representing the flavor of warming the Kidney (Wen Shen). Tonics suitable for balancing Qi and Blood, avoiding single-sided bias, must be sweet and warm, representing the flavor of warming the Middle Jiao (Wen Zhong). Tonics suitable for Qi and Blood, avoiding overly strong tonification, must be neutral and bland, representing the flavor of gentle tonification (Ping Bu). By distinguishing these various tonifying methods, the general principles of tonification are understood; further excessive differentiation is unnecessary. Furthermore, all things grow through warmth, so tonification primarily utilizes warm agents. All things regard Earth as their mother, and Sweetness belongs to Earth, so tonification values Sweetness above all. If Earth Qi is deficient, things lack support; thus, nothing surpasses Atractylodis Rhizoma (Baizhu, 白术) for tonifying Spleen Qi. Nothing surpasses Chicken Meat (Ji Rou, 鸡肉) for tonifying Liver Qi. Nothing surpasses Ginseng Radix (Renshen, 人参) and Astragali Radix (Huangqi, 黄芪) for tonifying Lung Qi. Nothing surpasses Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 当归) for tonifying Heart Blood. These all obtain the sweetness of flavor while maintaining the orthodoxy of tonification. Secondly, for tonifying the Spleen, there are Beef (Niurou, 牛肉), Jujubae Fructus (Dazao, 大枣), Maltose (Yitang, 饴糖), Honey (Fengmi, 蜂蜜), Longan Aril (Longyan, 龙眼), Litchi Fruit (Lizhi, 荔枝), and Crucian Carp (Jiyu, 鲫鱼), all belonging to Sweet and Warm. Although their qi nature is slightly less pure than Baizhu, Honey and Maltose also tonify the Lung and moisten dryness; Longan also tonifies the Heart and calms the Spirit; Litchi also tonifies Ying (Nutritive) Qi and benefits Blood. Only Beef can tonify the Spleen and secure the Middle Jiao; Dazao can tonify the Spleen and assist the Stomach; Jiyu can tonify Earth to control Water. Moreover, Huang Gongxiu once reflected on Spleen tonification: when Earth Qi is stagnant and uneven, one must rely on Baizhu for tonification. If the Earth becomes dry and arid, does it not require moistening? This calls for drugs such as Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao, 山药), Human Milk (Renru, 人乳), Polygonati Rhizoma (Huangjing, 黄精), and Pork (Zhurou, 猪肉). If the Earth is damp and congealed, does it not require drying and refreshing? This calls for drugs such as Amomi Fructus Rotundus (Baiko, 白蔻) and Amomi Fructus (Sharen, 砂仁). If the Earth is moist and slippery, does it not require astringency and consolidation? This calls for drugs such as Nelumbinis Semen (Lianzi, 莲子), Euryales Semen (Qianshi, 芡实), and Arecae Semen Preparatum (Roukou, 肉蔻). If the Earth is depressed and knotted, does it not require dispersal and awakening? This calls for drugs such as Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang, 木香), Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma (Gansong, 甘松), Pogostemonis Herba (Huoxiang, 藿香), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Changpu, 菖蒲), Coriandri Fructus (Huisui, 胡荽), and Allium Sativum Bulb (Dasuan, 大蒜). If the Earth is inundated and collapsing, does it not require leaching and draining? This calls for drugs such as Poria (Fuling, 茯苓), Dolichos Lablab Seed (Baidou, 扁豆), Shanyao, and Jiyu. If the Earth is depressed and steaming, does it not require clearing and draining? This calls for drugs such as Coicis Semen (Yiyiren, 薏苡仁), Chaenomelis Fructus (Mugua, 木瓜), Dictamni Cortex (Baixianpi, 白鲜皮), Lumbricus (Qiuyin, 蚯蚓), Concha Tridacnae (Zibei), Gleditsiae Spina (Zaocys, 皂 - likely referring to Gleditsia sinensis thorn here contextually or similar), Alum (Bai Fan, 白矾), Phytolaccae Radix (Shanglu, 商陆), and Prunus Armeniaca Seed (Yuli, 郁李). If the Earth is cold and frozen, does it not require warming and dispersing? This calls for drugs such as Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang, 干姜) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi, 附子). If the Earth is thick and congested, does it not require unblocking and purging? This calls for drugs such as Natrii Sulfas (Xiaoshuang, 硝), Rheoi Radix et Rhizoma (Huanglian/Huangqin contextually usually Huanglian but here likely Da Huang given 'Xiao Huang' pairing often implies Xiao Ming Fan/Da Huang, strictly 'Xiao Huang' refers to Glauber's salt and Rhubarb), Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Zhishi, 枳实). If the Earth collapses and sinks, does it not require ascending and raising? This calls for drugs such as Renshen, Huangqi, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 甘草). All these belong to Spleen-tonifying flavors, yet none are as orthodox as Sweet and Warm Spleen tonification.