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1. The primary task of the *Bencao* (Materia Medica) is to distinguish the shape, texture, and flavor/odor of drugs. Secondly, it is necessary to differentiate their meridian tropism and associated Zang-Fu organs. Finally, one must clarify their indicated syndromes and therapeutic functions. A survey of previous texts reveals that all these aspects are invariably recorded. However, if the underlying principles are not clearly explained and meanings are not systematically organized, merely highlighting conspicuous therapeutic effects leaves shallow practitioners unable to discern the subtleties. Moreover, some texts fail to specify the nature of tonification or purgation directly, resorting to far-fetched analogies (e.g., relating to distant organs) or employing clever but vacuous rhetoric. Although such interpretations may seem logically passable, their true intent is difficult to grasp immediately. Therefore, this work carefully examines and corrects past texts. Any unclear meanings or unexplained intents are thoroughly eliminated, and all far-fetched or confused statements are deleted, ensuring that authentic content is fully revealed. We do not blindly follow others or use ambiguous language that might confuse readers.

2. The tonifying or purgating properties of drugs—whether affecting Yin or Yang, Qi or Blood, Dryness or Moisture—have distinct differences. Yet, comprehensive texts rarely record these distinctions accurately. For instance, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), with its bitter taste and drying nature, enters the Spleen to tonify Qi; Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), sweet in taste and neutral in odor, enters the Spleen to tonify Yin; Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix), sweet and warm, enter the Lung to tonify Qi; Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), sweet and slightly cool, enter the Lung to tonify Yin; Longyanrou (Longan Arillus), sweet and warm, enters the Heart to tonify Qi; Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Baiziren (Biota Seed), pungent, sweet, and moist-warm, enter the Heart to nourish Blood; Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) and Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), pungent-warm and sour-warm, enter the Liver to tonify Qi; Shouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix) and Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla), sweet, neutral, and slightly warm, enter the Liver to nourish Blood; Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), pungent and hot, enter the Kidney to tonify Yang; Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) and Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus), sweet, moist, and warm, enter the Kidney to tonify Yin. This applies similarly to purgative agents. Previous texts often confuse tonification and purgation. In this work, discussions on tonification and purgation are strictly differentiated by Yin/Yang and Qi/Blood, avoiding vague excuses, so that readers can understand clearly without error upon opening the book.

3. The medicinal properties of herbs should be explained concretely, without any forced associations. For example, while texts state that Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex) enters the Lung to drain Fire, implying it has no tonifying effect on Qi, they confusingly mix in references to benefiting Qi. Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) and Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Viridis) are potent for directing Qi downward, yet texts erroneously attribute benefits to benefiting Qi and brightening the eyes. Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) naturally ascends Qi, yet some expand its meaning to include descending. Xiaochidou (Vigna Semen Rubrum) is not a hot herb, yet some describe it as drying. Zi Yanshi (Fluorite) and Bai Yanshi (Quartz), being sweet and warm, are not dampening, yet some incorrectly label them as such. Only wise individuals can comprehend these profound meanings; coarse and shallow practitioners cannot grasp them. This work explains every obscure point in detail, leaving no ambiguity.

4. Regarding Meridians and Zang-Fu organs, other texts record which drugs primarily enter specific meridians or secondarily enter others. However, these texts are complex and inconsistent. For instance, Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), pungent and bitter, with sinking-floating and descending-ascending properties, naturally clears the Lung to calm the Kidney. Yet, some texts omit its ability to moisten the Lung, mentioning only its fluid-nourishing properties, leading to forced and confusing explanations. This work clarifies such ambiguities based on reality, ensuring clear primary and secondary indications, thereby preventing errors in using drugs for meridians, Fu organs, and Zang organs.

5. Discussions on symptoms, treatments, and efficacy in this work are deduced from the four aspects of drug characteristics: Flavor (Wei), Shape (Xing), and Texture (Zhi). Thus, when a drug is applied to a disease, there is a logical cause; and when it proves effective, there is a rational basis. For example, Liuji nu (Artemisiae Annuae Herba) breaks stasis, unblocks collaterals, and moves blood, yet also stops bleeding instantly in traumatic injuries. These actions—moving versus astringing—seem contradictory. Other texts merely record effects without explanation, forcing readers to infer. This work investigates and elucidates such cases thoroughly, providing a clear path for students.

6. Many drugs share similar shapes, textures, and flavors. If annotated separately without comparative classification, confusion arises. Examples include: Hezi (Terminaliae Fructus) and Yingkesu (Papaveris Pericarpium) as astringents; Baokou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) and Sharen (Amomi Fructus) as stomach-drying agents; Zhuling (Polyporus) and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) as damp-draining agents; Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) and Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) as wind-dispelling agents; Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix) and Gansui (Kansui Radix) as water-purging agents; Zhike and Zhishi as Qi-breaking agents; Fuzi and Rougui as fire-tonifying agents; Dihuang and Gouqizi as water-nourishing agents; Niuhuang (Bovis Calculus) and Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus) as heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving agents; Rushi (Olibanum) and Moyao (Myrrha) as blood-moving and stasis-breaking agents; Renshen and Huangqi as Lung-Qi tonifying agents. While separate discussions are numerous, combined discussions are few. This work discusses flavors, addressing identical flavors at the beginning of sections and differentiating similar ones within categories, preventing minor discrepancies from leading to major errors.

7. Drugs have appropriate uses and contraindications. Appropriate ones can be used; contraindicated ones must not. This work repeatedly emphasizes appropriate uses and warns against contraindications, ensuring practitioners know both preferences and taboos, thus avoiding fatal clinical errors.

8. Traditional Materia Medica often categorizes drugs by botanical or mineral type (plants, insects, metals, stones) for ease of reference. However, if drugs with similar forms but different flavors are not grouped together, their properties become scattered and disconnected. This work groups drugs by similar flavors/properties. For example, fire-tonifying drugs are grouped together; water-nourishing drugs are grouped together. If a drug has multiple properties, it is listed in relevant categories to avoid redundancy. This is a limitation of editorial structure. Additionally, under each flavor category, we note whether the drug is plant-based (grass/tree) or mineral (metal/stone), allowing both flavor-based and form-based classification, ensuring clarity and preventing student confusion.

9. The *Bencao Jing* (Classic of Materia Medica) is attributed to Shennong, and its principles are considered immutable. However, claims in the text regarding drugs calming the Five Zang organs, stabilizing the spirit, extending life, lightening the body, blackening hair, or Tonifying Middle and Benefiting Qi (e.g., Sangbaipi, Zicao) appear superficial and questionable. Given that writing was undeveloped during Shennong’s time, knowledge was likely transmitted orally. Furthermore, many place names mentioned correspond to the Han Dynasty, leading scholars like Kou Zongshi, Tao Hongjing, and Zhang Yuxi to date the text to the Han period. The *Huainanzi* mentions Shennong tasting herbs but does not name the *Bencao*. References to Tongjun and Leigong align with the *Suwen*, suggesting later embellishments. Some suspect it was authored by others and modified over generations, distorting original truths. Li Shizhen included *Bencao Jing* indications but offered little commentary, possibly due to doubts about its authenticity, preserving it cautiously rather than equating it with the *Suwen*. This is not to favor modern over ancient views, but because the language is too vague to treat as canonical truth. Zhang Lu of Changzhou revered it but forced connections. I seek practical understanding, neither clinging to antiquity nor dismissing it, aiming for alignment between theory, disease, and drug, honoring Shennong’s intent through rigorous analysis. This is my sincere aspiration.