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The quantity of the sovereign drug (Jun Yao, 君药) is the largest, that of the minister drug (Chen Yao, 臣药) is next, and that of the assistant drug (Zuo Yao, 佐药) is even less. If the drugs target the same syndrome, their dosages are equal.

For Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), if the disease is located in the head, face, or skin of the fingertips, they must be stir-fried with wine. This utilizes the ascending power of wine to elevate the medicinal efficacy. If the disease is located below the throat and above the umbilicus, they should be washed with wine. If the disease is in the lower part, they should be used raw. Generally speaking, raw herbs tend to ascend, while processed ones tend to descend. Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) must be baked/roasted, lest its cold nature damage the Stomach Qi. As for Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix lateralis preparata) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata), they must be processed (pao zhi, 炮制) to reduce toxicity. Huangbai and Zhimu are herbs for treating lower-jiao diseases. For individuals with chronic weakness who require these herbs, they should be soaked in wine and then dried in the sun, to prevent their cold nature from injuring Stomach Qi. Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) is treated similarly by washing with wine. Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) is soaked in wine and then dried, to impart a dispersing intention.

For roots growing in the soil, the upper half (closer to the surface) has qi and vessels flowing upward, and is called the "root" (gen, 根); the lower half (penetrating into the earth) has qi and vessels flowing downward, and is called the "tip" (shao, 梢). For diseases in the Middle Jiao (Zhong Jiao, 中焦) and Upper Jiao (Shang Jiao, 上焦), the root part is used; for diseases in the Lower Jiao (Xia Jiao, 下焦), the tip part is used. The root tends to ascend, and the tip tends to descend. Generally, the root of an herb can be divided into upper, middle, and lower sections: the area above the human body's midpoint belongs to Heaven's Yang, so the head/top of the herb is used; at the Middle Jiao, the body/middle of the herb is used; below the midpoint, belonging to Earth's Yin, the tip/bottom of the herb is used. This follows the principle of taking categories and imitating forms (shu lei xiang xing, 述类象形).

Zhang Zhongjing stated: "Crush to the size of hemp seeds," which is consistent with the concept of "ju" (zui, 咀). "Ju" is an ancient method. In ancient times, without iron blades, people bit the herbs finely with their mouths until they were the size of hemp seeds, constituting coarse processing. When decocted, this makes the medicinal liquor clear, allowing it to easily ascend and disperse after ingestion into the abdomen. This is what is meant by "ju." Today, people use knives and tools to crush herbs to the size of hemp seeds, which is an easier form of "ju." If all herbs are ground into fine powder, the distinction between clear and turbid substances would be lost. The Classics state: "Clear Yang emerges in the interstices of the skin (Cou Li, 腠理), Turbid Yin enters the Five Zang Organs." What does this mean? It also says: "Clear Yang fills the four limbs, Turbid Yin returns to the Six Fu Organs." Herbs processed by "ju" yield juices that easily circulate through the meridians. If treating diseases in high locations, add wine for decoction. To remove dampness, add fresh ginger (Shengjiang, 生姜); to tonify Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi, 元气), add jujube (Dazao, 大枣); to disperse wind-cold, add scallion white (Congbai, 葱白); to eliminate phlegm above the diaphragm, add honey. Fine powders do not follow the meridians but only remove accumulations in the Stomach and internal organs. Those with strong flavors are mixed with plain boiled water; those with weak flavors are decocted and taken with the dregs. For diseases in the lower part, pills are made very large, smooth, and round; for the Middle Jiao, they are smaller; for the Upper Jiao, they are extremely small. Thick wheat paste is used for pills to take advantage of slow dissolution, ensuring the medicine reaches the Lower Jiao. Alternatively, wine or vinegar may be used as binders to achieve either astringent or dispersing effects. When using Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) or Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma), if the goal is to remove dampness, use fresh ginger juice. Thin paste is used for pills to facilitate easy dissolution; soaked old steamed buns also dissolve easily; water-drop pills also dissolve easily. Honey-processed pills are used because they dissolve slowly and allow the medicinal qi to circulate through the meridians. Wax pills are used because they are difficult to dissolve, providing a gradual therapeutic effect. Generally speaking, Tangji (Decoctions, 汤剂) acts as a "sweeping" agent, used for serious illnesses; Sanji (Powders, 散剂) acts as a "dispersing" agent, used for acute illnesses; Wanji (Pills, 丸剂) acts as a "soothing/slow" agent, unable to quickly eliminate pathogens, reflecting the intent of using gentle medication for treatment.