阳为气，阴为味；味归形，形归气；气归精，精归化；精食气，形食味；化生精，气生
形；味伤形，气伤精；精化为气，气伤于味。
阴味出下窍，阳气出上窍。味浓者为阴，薄为阴中之阳，浓则泄，薄则通；气浓者为阳
，薄为阳中之阴，薄则发泄，浓则发热。
壮火之气衰，少火之气壮；壮火食气，气食少火；壮火散气，少火生气。天食人以五气
，地食人以五味。五气入鼻，藏于心肺，上使五色修明，音声能彰；五味入口，藏于肠胃，
味有所藏，以养五气，神和而生，津液相成，神乃自生。
大∶君一，臣三，佐九，制之大也。远而奇偶，制大其服也。大则数少，少则二之。
肾肝位远，服汤散，不厌顿而多。
小∶君一，臣二，制之小也。近而奇偶，制小其服也。小则数多，多则九之。心肺位近
，服汤散，不厌频而少。
缓∶补上治上制以缓，缓则气味薄。治主以缓，缓则治其本。
急∶补下治下制以急，急则气味浓。治客以急，急则治其标。
奇∶君一臣二，奇之制也；君二臣三，奇之制也。阳数奇。
偶∶君二臣四，偶之制也；君二臣六，偶之制也。阴数偶。
复∶奇之不去，则偶之。是为重方也。
宣∶可以去壅，姜、橘之属是也。
通∶可以去滞，木通、防己之属是也。
补∶可以去弱，人参、羊肉之属是也。
泻∶可以去闭，葶苈、大黄之属是也。
轻∶可以去实，麻黄、葛根之属是也。
重∶可以去怯，磁石、铁浆之属是也。
滑∶可以去着，冬葵子、榆白皮之属是也。
涩∶可以去脱，牡蛎、龙骨之属是也。
燥∶可以去湿，桑白皮、赤小豆之属是也。
湿∶可以去枯，白石英、紫石英之属是也。
只如此体，皆有所属。凡用药者，审而详之，则靡所失矣。陶隐居云∶药有宣、通、补
、泻、轻、重、滑、涩、燥、湿。此十剂，今详之，惟寒、热二种，何独见遗，今补二种，
以尽厥旨。
寒∶可以去热，大黄、朴硝之属是也。
热∶可以去寒，附子、官桂之属是也。
Yang manifests as Qi (vital energy), and Yin manifests as Flavor (taste). Flavor nourishes the Form (physical body), and the Form relies on Qi. Qi transforms into Essence (Jing, vital essence), and Essence is generated through transformation (Hua, metabolic process). Essence feeds on Qi, and the Form feeds on Flavor. Transformation generates Essence, and Qi generates the Form. Excessive Flavor damages the Form, and excessive Qi damages Essence. Essence can transform into Qi, but Qi is susceptible to damage by Flavor.
Yin-Flavor substances exit through the lower orifices, while Yang-Qi substances exit through the upper orifices. Substances with strong Flavor belong to Yin; those with weak Flavor belong to Yin within Yang. Strong Flavor induces purgation/drainage, while weak Flavor induces unblocking/venting. Substances with strong Qi/Aroma belong to Yang; those with weak Qi/Aroma belong to Yang within Yin. Weak Qi/Aroma induces dispersing/sweating, while strong Qi/Aroma induces heating.
Excessive Fire (Zhuang Huo, hyperactive fire) causes Qi to decline, while Mild Fire (Shao Huo, physiological fire) causes Qi to flourish. Excessive Fire consumes Qi, while Qi depends on Mild Fire. Excessive Fire scatters Qi, while Mild Fire generates Qi. Heaven provides humans with Five Qi (five aromatic vapors), and Earth provides humans with Five Flavors (five tastes). The Five Qi enter through the nose and are stored in the Heart and Lung, enabling lustrous complexion and clear voice above. The Five Flavors enter through the mouth, are stored in the Stomach and Intestines, and their stored flavors nourish the Qi of the Five Zang Organs. When Spirit (Shen) is harmonious, life proceeds; when Fluids (Jinye) are mutually formed, Spirit naturally arises.
Large Formula: One Sovereign herb, three Minister herbs, nine Assistant herbs; this constitutes the largest formulation scale. For distant diseases with complex patterns (odd/even combinations), the dosage should be increased. Large formulas have fewer ingredients, at least two. The Kidney and Liver are located deeply; for decoctions or powders targeting them, single large doses are acceptable.
Small Formula: One Sovereign herb, two Minister herbs; this constitutes the smallest formulation scale. For proximate diseases with simple patterns (odd/even combinations), the dosage should be decreased. Small formulas have more ingredients, up to nine. The Heart and Lung are located superficially; for decoctions or powders targeting them, frequent small doses are acceptable.
Slow/Gentle Formula: Formulas for tonifying or treating the Upper Jiao use a gentle method, resulting in light flavor and aroma. Treating chronic conditions (Main disease) uses a gentle approach to address the root cause.
Urgent/Fast Formula: Formulas for tonifying or treating the Lower Jiao use an urgent method, resulting in strong flavor and aroma. Treating acute conditions (Guest disease) uses an urgent approach to address the branch symptoms.
Odd Formula: One Sovereign and two Minister herbs constitute an Odd formula; two Sovereign and three Minister herbs also constitute an Odd formula. Yang numbers are odd.
Even Formula: Two Sovereign and four Minister herbs constitute an Even formula; two Sovereign and six Minister herbs also constitute an Even formula. Yin numbers are even.
Compound Formula: If the Odd formula fails, then use the Even formula. This is called a Compound Formula (Chong Fang).
Dispersing (Xuan): Can remove obstruction, such as Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Ju Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium).
Unblocking (Tong): Can remove stagnation, such as Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis) and Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix).
Tonifying (Bu): Can treat weakness, such as Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Yang Rou (Ovis Aries Carcass).
Purgative (Xie): Can remove closure/obstruction, such as Ting Li Zi (Lepidii Semen) and Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma).
Light (Qing): Can treat excess syndromes, such as Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) and Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix).
Heavy (Zhong): Can treat timidity/fear, such as Ci Shi (Magnetitum) and Tie Jiang (Ferrum Oxydatum Rubrum).
Slippery (Hua): Can remove adherent pathogens, such as Dong Kui Zi (Abutilonis Semen) and Yu Bai Pi (Ulmus Macrocarpa Cortex).
Astringent (Se): Can treat incontinence/prolapse, such as Mu Li (Ostrea Shell) and Long Gu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi).
Drying (Zao): Can remove dampness, such as Sang Bai Pi (Mori Cortex) and Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean).
Moistening (Shi): Can treat dryness/withering, such as Bai Shi Ying (Quartzum Album) and Zi Shi Ying (Quartzum Roseum).
Merely by understanding these categories, each herb belongs to specific functional types. Practitioners who carefully examine and analyze drugs will make no errors. Tao Hongjing stated: Drugs have ten functions: Dispersing, Unblocking, Tonifying, Purgative, Light, Heavy, Slippery, Astringent, Drying, and Moistening. Regarding these Ten Categories, upon detailed examination, only Cold and Heat were omitted. I now supplement these two to complete the theory.
Cold: Can remove heat, such as Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Po Xiao (Natrii Sulfas).
Hot: Can remove cold, such as Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Guan Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex).