宣∶可去壅，姜、橘之属是也。故郁壅不散，宜宣剂以散之。有积痰上壅，有积瘀上壅，
有
积食上壅，有积饮上壅。（宣，涌吐之剂也。经曰∶高者因而越之。又曰∶木郁则达之。以
病在上，而涌吐之也。若瓜蒂散、姜盐汤、人参芦、藜芦之属。）
通∶可去滞，通草、防己之属是也。故留滞不行，宜通剂以行之。（此中有发汗证。）痹
留也
（通，疏通之剂也。如小便滞而不通，宜通草、琥珀、海金砂之属。月经滞而不通，红花、
桃仁、五灵脂之属。凡诸通
窍亦然。）
补∶可去弱，人参、羊肉之属是也。（鹿肉亦可。）故羸弱不足，宜补剂以扶之。有气弱，
有血弱、有气血俱弱。（补，
滋补之剂也。不足为虚，经云∶虚则补之。如气虚用四君子汤，
血虚用四物，气、血俱虚用八珍、十全大补之属。又云∶精不足者，补之以味。盖药味酸、
苦、甘、辛、咸各补其脏，故此为云。虽然善摄生者，使病去而进以五谷，此尤得补之要也
。）
泻∶可去闭，葶苈、大黄之属是也。故闭结有余，宜泻剂以下之。有闭在表，有闭在里，
有
也。有余为实，经曰∶实则泻之，实则散之。如大小承气汤、大柴胡汤之属。）
滑∶可去着，冬葵子、榆白皮之属是也。故涩则气着，宜滑剂以利之。有经涩，有小便
涩，有大便涩。（滑，滑利之
剂也。《周礼》曰∶滑以养窍。如大便结燥、小便淋涩，用火麻仁
之属。）
涩∶可去脱，牡蛎、龙骨之属是也。故滑则气脱，宜涩剂以收之。前脱者遗尿，后脱者
遗屎
。阳脱者自汗，阴脱者失精失血。（涩，收敛之剂也。如大便频泻，宜肉豆蔻、诃子之属。
小水勤通，宜桑螵蛸、益智之属，冷汗不禁，宜黄耆、麻黄根之属。精遗不固，宜龙骨、
牡蛎之属。血崩不止，宜地榆、阿胶之属。
燥∶可去湿，桑根白皮、赤小豆之属是也。（绿豆亦可。）故湿则为重，宜燥剂以除之。
有湿
在上，有湿在中，有湿在下，有湿在经，有湿在皮，有湿在里。（燥，除湿之剂也。如夹食
致泻，停饮成痰，宜白术、苍术、茯苓、半夏之属。肢体浮肿，胸腹胀满，宜桑白皮、大
腹皮、赤小豆之属。又沉寒痼冷，吐利腥秽，宜高良姜、附子、川椒之属。非积寒冷之症
，不可用也。
湿∶可去枯，紫石英、白石英之属是也。故枯则为燥，宜湿剂以润之。有减气而枯，有
减血
而枯。（湿，润燥之剂也。与滑虽类，略有不同。经曰∶辛以润之，盖辛能散气，能化液故
也。若夫硝石性虽咸，本属真阴之水，诚润燥之要药。人有枯涸皴竭之病，匪独金化为然，
亦有火化乘之，非湿剂莫能愈也。
重∶可去怯，磁石、铁粉之属是也。故怯则气浮，宜重剂以镇之。神志失守，惊悸不宁。
（重，镇固之剂也。如小儿
急惊，心神昏冒，宜金银箔、朱砂丸之属。伤寒下利不止，心下痞硬，利在下焦，宜赤石脂、
禹余粮汤之属。
轻∶可去实，麻黄、葛根之属是也。故实而气蕴，宜轻剂以扬之。腠理闭闷，噎塞中蕴。
（轻，散扬之剂也。如寒邪
客于皮肤，头疼身热无汗，宜麻黄汤、升麻葛根汤之属。）
Xuan (Dispersing/Emetic): Capable of removing stagnation; ginger and tangerine peel are examples. Therefore, when there is stagnant obstruction that does not disperse, it is appropriate to use Xuan agents to disperse it. (Xuan refers to emetic formulas. The Classics state: "For those high up, follow the trend and cause them to vomit." It also states: "When Wood Qi is stagnant, make it reach." Since the disease is in the upper jiao, emesis is employed. Examples include Gouti San (Melon Seed Powder), Jiangyan Tang (Ginger-Salt Decoction), Renshenlu (Ginseng Rhizome Stalk), and Lili (Veratrum) species.)
Tong (Unblocking/Dredging): Capable of removing retention; Tongsao (Stephania Tetrandra Stem) and Fangji (Stephania Root) are examples. Therefore, when pathogenic factors remain stagnant and fail to circulate, it is appropriate to use Tong agents to promote circulation. (This category includes sweating indications. "Bi" means retention and blockage. (Tong refers to unblocking agents. For example, if urination is retained and blocked, Tongsao, Hupo (Amber), and Haijinsha (Lygodium Spores) are suitable. If menstruation is retained and blocked, Honghua (Safflower), Taoren (Peach Kernel), and Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung) are suitable. The same applies to opening orifices.)
Bu (Tonifying/Nourishing): Capable of removing weakness; Renshen (Ginseng Root) and mutton are examples. (Deer meat is also acceptable.) Therefore, when the body is emaciated and deficient, it is appropriate to use Bu agents to support it. There is Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, and combined Qi and Blood deficiency. (Bu refers to nourishing agents. Deficiency implies emptiness; the Classics state: "If deficient, tonify it." For example, for Qi deficiency, Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) is used; for Blood deficiency, Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) is used; for combined Qi and Blood deficiency, Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction) or Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Significant Great Tonifying Decoction) are used. It also states: "Those whose essence is insufficient should be supplemented with flavor." This is because the sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty flavors of herbs each tonify specific Zang organs. Nevertheless, those skilled in health preservation, after eliminating disease, advance their diet with the five grains; this is especially the essence of tonification.)
Xie (Purging/Draining): Capable of removing closure/blockage; Tinglizi (Descurainia Seed) and Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) are examples. Therefore, when there is closure and excess solidity, it is appropriate to use Xie agents to purge downward. There is exterior closure, interior closure... (Excess implies excess syndrome; the Classics state: "If excess, purge it; if excess, scatter it." Examples include Da Chengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction), Xiao Chengqi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction), and Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction).)
Hua (Slippery/Lubricating): Capable of removing adhesion/sticking; Dongkuizi (Malva Seed) and Yubaipi (Elm Bark) are examples. Therefore, when astringency causes Qi to stick, it is appropriate to use Hua agents to facilitate flow. There is meridian astringency, urinary astringency, and fecal astringency. (Hua refers to lubricating agents. The Rites of Zhou states: "Slipperiness nourishes the orifices." For example, for dry constipation or dysuria, Huomaren (Hemp Seed) is suitable.)
Se (Astringent/Consolidating): Capable of preventing leakage/prolapse; Muli (Oyster Shell) and Longgu (Fossilized Bone) are examples. Therefore, when slipping leads to Qi collapse, it is appropriate to use Se agents to consolidate. Anterior leakage manifests as enuresis; posterior leakage manifests as fecal incontinence. Yang collapse manifests as spontaneous sweating; Yin collapse manifests as loss of essence or blood. (Se refers to consolidating agents. For frequent diarrhea, Roudoukou (Nutmeg) and Hezi (Chebula Fruit) are suitable. For frequent clear urination, Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis Egg Case) and Yizhi (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) are suitable. For uncontrollable cold sweat, Huangqi (Astragalus Root) and Mahuanggen (Ephedra Root) are suitable. For insecure seminal emission, Longgu and Muli are suitable. For unstoppable metrorrhagia, Diyü (Sanguisorba Root) and Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin) are suitable.)
Zao (Drying): Capable of removing dampness; Sangbaipi (Mulberry Root Bark) and Chixiaodou (Adzuki Bean) are examples. (Green bean is also acceptable.) Therefore, dampness causes heaviness, so it is appropriate to use Zao agents to eliminate it. There is dampness in the upper jiao, middle jiao, lower jiao, meridians, skin, and interior. (Zao refers to dampness-eliminating agents. For diarrhea caused by food stagnation, or phlegm formed by fluid retention, Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Cangzhu (Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome), Fuling (Poria), and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) are suitable. For limb edema and chest/abdominal fullness, Sangbaipi, Dafupi (Areca Peel), and Chixiaodou are suitable. For deep-seated cold and chronic chill, vomiting and diarrhea with foul odor, Gaoliangjiang (Galangal Rhizome), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), and Chuanjiao (Sichuan Pepper) are suitable. These should not be used unless the condition is due to accumulated cold and coagulation.)
Shi (Moistening/Humidifying): Capable of removing withering/dryness; Zi Shiyin (Purple Quartz) and Bai Shiyin (White Quartz) are examples. Therefore, withering manifests as dryness, so it is appropriate to use Shi agents to moisten it. There is withering due to reduced Qi, and withering due to reduced Blood. (Shi refers to drying-moistening agents. Although similar to slippery agents, they differ slightly. The Classics state: "Pungency moistens," because pungency can disperse Qi and transform fluids. Nixiao (Saltpeter), although salty in nature, belongs to true Yin water and is indeed an essential herb for moistening dryness. Diseases of withering, cracking, and exhaustion are not solely caused by Metal (Dryness); Fire (Heat) may also attack. Without moistening agents, recovery is impossible.)
Zhong (Heavy/Sedating): Capable of removing timidity/fear; Cishi (Magnetite) and Tie Fen (Iron Powder) are examples. Therefore, timidity causes Qi to float upward, so it is appropriate to use Zhong agents to sedate and anchor it. Loss of spiritual control, palpitations, and restlessness. (Zhong refers to sedating and consolidating agents. For pediatric acute convulsions with clouded spirit, Jin Yin Bo (Gold Leaf) and Zhusha Wan (Cinnabar Pill) are suitable. For Taiyang disease with incessant diarrhea, epigastric hardness, and pathology in the lower jiao, Chishizhi Yuyuliang Tang (Red Clay and Illite Decoction) is suitable.)
Qing (Light/Affirming): Capable of dispersing excess/solidity; Mahuang (Ephedra Herb) and Gegen (Kudzu Root) are examples. Therefore, when excess causes Qi accumulation, it is appropriate to use Qing agents to raise and scatter it. Closed and stifled pores, choking and internal stagnation. (Qing refers to scattering and uplifting agents. For example, when cold pathogens lodge in the skin causing headache, fever, and absence of sweat, Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) or Shengma Gegen Tang (Cimicifuga and Kudzu Decoction) are suitable.)