药有五形。（金木水火土即五行）五气。（香臭臊腥膻）五色。（青赤黄白黑）五味。（酸
苦甘辛
咸）五性。（寒热温凉平）五用。（升降浮沉中）凡使用。别阴阳补泻。酌君臣佐使。不待言
矣
。凡作汤液。用水各别。火欲缓。恒令小沸。利汤欲生。补汤欲热。凡用诸香诸角丹砂芒硝
蒲黄阿胶等。须另研。俟汤熟去 。纳入和服。加酒亦然。凡服药。疾在胸膈以上者。食后
服。在心腹以下者。食先服。在四肢血脉者。宜空服而在旦。在骨髓者。宜饱满而在夜。凡
云等分者。多寡相等。云方寸匕者。匕匙也。匙挑药末。不落为度。正方一寸也。刀圭者。
寸匕十之一也。一钱匕。匕大如钱者。五匕。将五铢钱取药。仅当五字不落。盖一钱之半。
又云一字是也。一撮者。四刀圭也。
兹于解要内药。及制方同用之药。宜音释者。并列之。
何首乌同诸药治血痢。内有草石蚕（见本草纲目菜部。即甘露了。气平。主除风破血。和五
脏。虫部另有石蚕。生溪涧石上。一名石蠹。气寒。主五癃石淋。除热解结。石部又有石蚕
。生海岸。状如蚕。其实石也。气热。主石淋血结。治金疮。三者世皆罕用也。）葳蕤（音威
蕊。）紫菀（宛郁二音。别有白菀。）秦艽（音交。以根作罗纹相交结者良。故名。）柴胡（柴旧
作茈。茈别音紫。在此自读柴也。）硝（入水即消。又能消化诸物。故名。俗作硝。）山楂（俗
作查。）牡荆子（即黄荆。与叶如杏之蔓荆异。）饴（音移。米糖也。）饧（徐盈切。即饴也。
）香薷（音殊。此读柔。本作茅。）茹芦（音如闾。茜草也。）凡使黄柏地黄忌铁器（二味。肾经
药也。钱仲阳曰。肾有补而无泻。又曰。虚者补其母。实者泻其子。肾乃阴中之少阴为涵养
真元之水脏。忌铁。盖防伐木泻肝。恐子能令母虚也。）赝品宜辨 龙骨（古矿灰充。）麝（荔
核搀。）轻粉（石膏搀。）藿香（茄叶搀。）黄精（莱菔搀。）郁金（黄姜充。）防己（木通充。）款
冬（枇杷蕊充。）阿胶（广胶入荞麦面充。）麒麟竭（松脂搀。）龙脑香（番硝搀。）肉苁蓉（盐松
梢充。）虎骨（驴胫充。）元胡索（小半夏煮黄充。）草豆蔻（草仁充。）南木香（西芎充。）钟乳（
煮令白。）细辛（水渍使直。）当归（酒洒取润。）枸杞（蜜拌令甜。）琥珀（旧用鸡子鱼 伪造
令更能吸芥。或云枫脂为之本具粘性也。）人参（赝品不止荠尼。近有首尾真参。中插土参
。曾被欺。咀试味带苦辣也。）此外未易枚举。宜细察之。方免因误致损也。
Medicinal substances possess five forms. (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, i.e., the Five Elements) five odors. (Fragrant, foul, musky, fishy, mutton-like) five colors. (Green, Red, Yellow, White, Black) five flavors. (Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Acrid, Saline) five natures. (Cold, Hot, Warm, Cool, Neutral) five actions. (Ascending, Descending, Floating, Sinking, Central). In general usage, one must distinguish between Yin and Yang tonification and purgation, and carefully consider the roles of Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, and Courier in prescription composition; this need not be elaborated upon.
When preparing decoctions, water selection varies. The fire should be gentle, maintaining a constant slight boil to preserve the vital qi of the decoction; decoctions for tonification should be taken hot. When using various aromatic herbs, horns, Cinnabar (Zhusha), Mirabilite (Mangxiao), Poria cocos sclerotium (Puhuang), Donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao), etc., these must be ground separately. After the decoction is cooked and strained, the powdered ingredients are added and mixed before ingestion. The same applies when adding wine.
Regarding administration timing: if the disease is located above the chest and diaphragm, take medicine after meals; if below the heart and abdomen, take before meals; if in the four limbs and blood vessels, take on an empty stomach in the morning; if in the bone marrow, take after fullness at night.
"Equal parts" means equal quantities. "Square-inch bi" refers to a spoon-like measure; filling it with powdered herb without spilling defines the limit, square at one inch. "Dao gui" is one-tenth of a square-inch bi. "One-qian bi" is a spoon as large as a coin; taking herb with a Wu-zhu coin covers five characters without falling, approximately half a qian, also called "one zi." "One tuo" equals four dao gui.
Herein are listed medicinal items requiring phonetic explanation or clarification, along with those commonly used together in prescriptions.
Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu) combined with other herbs treats bloody dysentery. Included is Grass Silkworm Bean (Caoshican) (see *Bencao Gangmu*, Vegetable Section, also known as Ganluzi; nature neutral; governs dispelling wind and breaking blood stasis, harmonizing the five Zang organs. Another Shicao in the Insect Section grows on stream rocks, named Shidu; nature cold; governs five types of strangury and lithiasis, clears heat and resolves nodules. Another Shicao in the Stone Section grows on coasts, resembling a silkworm but is stone; nature hot; governs lithiasis and blood stasis, treats traumatic injuries. These three are rarely used today.) Ophiopogon japonicus (Weirui, pronounced Wei-rui). Aster tataricus (Ziwan, pronounced Wan-yu; there is also Baiwan). Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao, pronounced Jiao; best when roots show cross-grained patterns, hence the name). Bupleurum chinense (Chaihu; ancient character was Zi, pronounced Zi, here read as Chai). Natrii Sulfas (Xiao, dissolves in water and digests other substances, hence the name; vulgarly written as Xiao). Crataegus pinnatifida (Shanzha, vulgarly written as Cha). Vitex rotundifolia seed (Mujingzi, i.e., Huangjing, distinct from Vitex agnus-castus leaves which resemble apricot). Malt syrup (Yi, pronounced Yi, rice sugar). Starch syrup (Xing, pronunciation Xu-ying, i.e., Yi). Elsholtzia splendens (Xiangru, pronounced Shu, here read Rou; originally Mao). Rubia cordifolia (Luru, pronounced Ru-lv, i.e., Qiancao). When using Phellodendron amurense (Huangbai) and Rehmannia glutinosa (Dihuang), avoid iron vessels (These two are Kidney channel herbs. Qian Zhongyang stated: The Kidney has tonification but no purgation. Also: Tonify the mother when deficient, purge the son when excess. The Kidney is the Lesser Yin within Yin, the water organ nurturing true Yuan Qi. Avoid iron to prevent damaging Wood and purging Liver, lest the son cause the mother to become deficient.)
Counterfeits should be identified: Rhinocerotis Cornu (Longgu) filled with ancient mine ash. Moschus (She) adulterated with lychee seeds. Calomelas (Qingfen) adulterated with Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao). Agastache rugosa (Huoxiang) adulterated with eggplant leaves. Polygonatum sibiricum (Huangjing) substituted with Radish (Laifu). Curcuma wenyujin (Yujin) substituted with Turmeric (Huangjiang). Stephania tetrandra (Fangji) substituted with Akebia quinata stem (Mutong). Farfarae Flos (Kuandong) substituted with Loquat flower bud (Pipa rui). Ejiao made with Guang glue and buckwheat flour. Dracaena cochinchinensis (Qilinjie) adulterated with Pine resin (Songzhi). Borneolum Syntheticum (Longnao) adulterated with saltpeter (Fanxiao). Cistanches deserticola (Roucongrong) substituted with salted pine tips. Panthera tigris bone (Hugu) substituted with donkey shin bone. Corydalis yanhusuo (Yuanhusuo) substituted with boiled and yellowed Pinellia ternata (Xiaobanxia). Broussonetia papyrifera fruit? No, Cardamomum tsao-ko (Caodoukou) substituted with grass kernels. Costus root (Nanmuxiang) substituted with Ligusticum chuanxiong (Xixiong). Halloysitum (Zhongru) boiled until white. Asarum heterotropoides (Xixin) soaked in water to straighten. Angelica sinensis (Danggui) sprinkled with wine to moisten. Lycium barbarum (Gouqi) mixed with honey to sweeten. Succinum (Hupo) formerly forged with chicken eggs/fish to mimic static attraction of mustard seeds; some say maple resin, which is naturally sticky. Ginseng (Renshen) counterfeits include not only Shepherd's purse (Jini); recently, genuine ginseng ends with earth-filled middle inserted; chewing reveals bitter-spicy taste. Other instances are too numerous to list; careful inspection is advised to avoid harm from misuse.