《至真要大论》云∶有毒无毒，所治为主。主病者为君，佐君者为臣，应臣者为使。一
法，力大者为君。凡药之所用，皆以气味为主，补泻在味，随时换气。气薄者，为阳中之阴
，气浓者，为阳中之阳；味薄者，为阴中之阳，味浓者，为阴中之阴。辛、甘、淡中热者
，为阳中之阳，辛、甘、淡中寒者，为阳中之阴；酸、苦咸之寒者，为阴中之阴，酸、苦、
咸之热者，为阴中之阳。夫辛、甘、淡、酸、苦、咸，乃味之阴阳，又为地之阴阳也；温、
凉、寒、热，乃气之阴阳，又为天之阴阳也。气味生成，而阴阳造化之机存焉。一物之内，
气味兼有，一药之中，理性具焉，主对治疗，由是而出。假令治表实，麻黄、葛根；表虚，
桂枝、黄 。里实，枳实、大黄；里虚，人参、芍药。热者，黄芩、黄连；寒者，干姜、附
君药，分两最多，臣药次之，使药又次之，不可令臣过于君，君臣有序，相与宣摄，则
可以御邪除病矣。如《伤寒论》云∶阳脉涩，阴脉弦，法当腹中急痛。以芍药之酸，于土中
泻木为君；饴糖、炙甘草甘温补脾养胃为臣。水挟木势亦来侮土，故脉弦而腹痛，肉桂大
辛热，佐芍药以退寒水。姜、枣甘辛温，发散阳气，行于经脉皮毛为使。建中之名，于此见
焉。有缓、急、收、散、升、降、浮、沉、涩、滑之类非一，从权立法于后。
如皮毛肌肉之不伸，无大热，不能食而渴者，加葛根五钱；燥热及胃气上冲，为冲脉
所逆，或作逆气而里急者，加炒黄柏、知母；觉胸中热而不渴，加炒黄芩；如胸中结滞气涩
，或有热病者，亦各加之。如食少而小便少者，津液不足也，勿利之，益气补胃自行矣。
如气弱气短者，加人参，只升阳之剂助阳，尤胜加人参；恶热发热而燥渴，脉洪大，白
虎汤主之；或喘者，加人参；如渴不止，寒水石、石膏各等分，少少与之，即钱氏方中甘露
散，主身大热而小便数，或上饮下溲，此燥热也；气燥，加白葵花；血燥，加赤葵花。
如脉弦，只加风药，不可用五苓散；如小便行病增者，此内燥津液不能停，当致津液，
加炒黄柏、赤葵花。
如心下痞闷者，加黄连一、黄芩三，减诸甘药；不能食，心下软而痞者，甘草泻心汤则
愈（痞有九种，治有仲景汤五方泻心汤）。
如喘满者，加炙浓朴。
如胃虚弱而痞者，加甘草。
如喘而小便不利者，加苦葶苈（小便不利者加之，小便利为禁药也）。
如气短气弱而腹微满者，不去人参，去甘草，加浓朴，然不若苦味泄之，而不令大便行
如腹微满而气不转加之。
中满者，去甘草，倍黄连，加黄柏，更加三味，五苓散少许。
此病虽宜升宜汗，如汗多亡阳，加黄 。
四肢烦热肌热，与羌活、柴胡、升麻、葛根、甘草
如鼻流清涕恶风，或项、背、脊背强痛，羌活、防风、甘草等分，黄 加倍，临卧服之。
如有大热，脉洪大，加苦寒剂而热不退者，加石膏；如脾胃中热，加炒黄连、甘草。
凡治此病脉数者，当用黄柏，或少加黄连，以柴胡、苍术、黄 、甘草，更加升麻，得
汗出则脉必下，乃火郁则发之也。
如证退而脉数不退，不洪大而疾有力者，多减苦药，加石膏。如大便软或泄者，加桔梗
，食后服之。此药若误用，则其害非细，用者当斟酌，旋旋加之。如食少者，不可用石膏。
石膏善能去脉数疾，病退脉数不退者，不可治也。如不大渴，亦不可用。如脉弦而数者，此
阴气也，风药升阳以发火郁，则脉数峻退矣。以上五法，加减未尽，特以明大概耳。
The *Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun* states: Whether a drug is toxic or non-toxic, the treatment focuses on the primary disease. The herb that treats the main disease serves as the **Jun Yao (Monarch Drug)**; the herb that assists the Monarch serves as the **Chen Yao (Minister Drug)**; and the herb that coordinates with the Minister serves as the **Shi Yao (Envoy Drug)**. In this principle, the herb with the greatest potency acts as the Monarch. In the use of all drugs, aroma and flavor are paramount; tonification or purgation depends on flavor, while adjustment for seasonal changes relies on aroma. A light aroma belongs to Yin within Yang; a strong aroma belongs to Yang within Yang. A light flavor belongs to Yang within Yin; a strong flavor belongs to Yin within Yin. Among the Pungent, Sweet, and Bland flavors, those that are warm/hot belong to Yang within Yang; those that are cold/cool belong to Yin within Yang. Among the Sour, Bitter, and Salty flavors, those that are cold/cool belong to Yin within Yin; those that are warm/hot belong to Yang within Yin. The Pungent, Sweet, Bland, Sour, Bitter, and Salty constitute the Yin-Yang of flavors, which also correspond to the Earth's Yin-Yang. The Warm, Cool, Cold, and Hot constitute the Yin-Yang of aromas, which also correspond to Heaven's Yin-Yang. Once aroma and flavor are generated, the mechanism of Yin-Yang creation resides therein. Within each substance, both aroma and flavor coexist; within each prescription, the therapeutic nature is complete. Treatment targeting specific conditions arises from this.
For example, to treat Exterior Excess Syndrome, use Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Puerariae Radix (Gegen); for Exterior Deficiency Syndrome, use Cinnamon Twig Decoction (Guizhi Tang) and Astragali Radix (Huangqi). For Interior Excess Syndrome, use Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhishi) and Rheum Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang); for Interior Deficiency Syndrome, use Ginseng Radix (Renshen) and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao). For Heat Syndromes, use Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian); for Cold Syndromes, use Zingiberis Radix Preparata (Ganjiang) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Fuzi). The dosage of the Monarch drug is the largest, followed by the Minister drug, and then the Envoy drug. The Minister must not overpower the Monarch. With proper order among Monarch, Minister, and Envoy, coordinating and capturing each other, one can repel pathogens and eliminate disease. As stated in the *Shanghan Lun*: If the Yang pulse is choppy and the Yin pulse is taut, according to the method, there should be acute pain in the abdomen. Use the sour flavor of Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao) to drain Wood within Earth as the Monarch; use Maltose (Yitang) and Honey-fried Licorice Root (Zhi Gancao), which are sweet and warm to tonify Spleen and nourish Stomach, as the Minister. Water carrying the force of Wood comes to insult Earth, hence the taut pulse and abdominal pain. Cinnamomi Ramulus (Rougui), being greatly pungent and hot, assists Shaoyao to dispel cold water. Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang) and Jujubae Fructus (Dazao), being sweet, pungent, and warm, disperse Yang Qi and circulate through the meridians and skin/hair as the Envoy. The name "Jian Zhong" (Establish the Middle) is seen here. There are categories such as relaxing, urgent, astringing, dispersing, ascending, descending, floating, sinking, choppy, and slippery, among others. The following principles are established for flexibility.
If the skin and muscles fail to extend, without high fever, inability to eat, and thirst, add Puerariae Radix (Gegen) 5 qian. If there is dry-heat and Stomach Qi rushing upward, reversed by the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), or manifesting as rebellious Qi with interior urgency, add Stir-fried Phellodendri Cortex (Chao Huangbai) and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu). If heat is felt in the chest but without thirst, add Stir-fried Scutellariae Radix (Chao Huangqin). If there is stagnation and涩 (roughness/stagnation) of Qi in the chest, or if there is a heat disease, add these respectively. If food intake is low and urine output is low, it indicates insufficiency of Body Fluids; do not promote urination. Tonifying Qi and supplementing the Stomach will restore flow naturally. If Qi is weak and shortness of breath occurs, add Ginseng Radix (Renshen); using only Qi-ascending agents to assist Yang is superior to adding Renshen. If there is aversion to heat, fever, dry-thirst, and a flooding pulse, Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is the primary treatment. If wheezing occurs, add Renshen. If thirst persists, use Hydroarctii Arsenitas (Han Shui Shi) and Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) in equal parts, administered in small amounts frequently. This is the Ganlu San (Sweet Dew Powder) from Qian Yi’s formulas, treating severe body heat and frequent urination, or drinking much yet urinating much, indicating dry-heat. For Qi dryness, add White Hibiscus Flower (Bai Kuihua); for Blood dryness, add Red Hibiscus Flower (Chi Kuihua).
If the pulse is taut, only add Wind-dispelling herbs; Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) must not be used. If symptoms worsen after urination becomes free, this indicates internal dryness where fluids cannot remain; one must generate fluids by adding Stir-fried Huangbai and Chi Kuihua.
If there is epigastric fullness and oppression, add 1 qian of Huanglian and 3 qian of Huangqin, reducing various sweet herbs. If unable to eat, with soft epigastric fullness, Ganxiao Xiexin Tang (Licorice Decoction for Draining the Epigastrium) will cure it (There are nine types of Pi [fullness], treated by Zhang Zhongjing’s five Xiexin Tang formulas).
If there is wheezing and distension, add Honey-fried Magnoliae Officinalis Fructus (Zhi Houpo).
If the Stomach is weak with fullness, add Gancao.
If there is wheezing and difficulty in urination, add Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae (Kutingli) (Add if urination is difficult; contraindicated if urination is normal).
If there is shortness of breath, Qi weakness, and slight abdominal fullness, do not remove Renshen, remove Gancao, and add Houpo. However, it is better to use bitter herbs to drain downward rather than allowing stool to pass. If there is slight abdominal fullness and stagnant Qi, add Houpo.
For central fullness, remove Gancao, double the amount of Huanglian, add Huangbai, add these three herbs, and a small amount of Wu Ling San.
Although this disease is suitable for ascending and sweating, if excessive sweating leads to collapse of Yang, add Huangqi.
For vexatious heat in the four limbs and muscle heat, use Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma), Puerariae Radix (Gegen), and Gancao.
If there is clear nasal discharge, aversion to wind, or stiffness and pain in the neck, back, and spine, use equal parts of Qianghuo, Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and Gancao, with double the amount of Huangqi, taken before bed.
If there is severe heat and a flooding pulse, and heat does not subside with bitter-cold agents, add Shigao. If there is heat in the Spleen and Stomach, add Stir-fried Huanglian and Gancao.
In treating this disease with a rapid pulse, Huangbai should be used, or a small amount of Huanglian added. Using Chaihu, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Cangzhu), Huangqi, and Gancao, plus Shengma, will induce sweating, causing the pulse to descend. This is the principle of "draining fire by dispersing."
If symptoms subside but the rapid pulse remains, and it is not flooding, rapid, and forceful, reduce bitter herbs significantly and add Shigao. If stools are soft or loose, add Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) and take after meals. Misuse of this medicine causes significant harm; users must exercise caution and increase dosage gradually. If food intake is low, Shigao must not be used. Shigao effectively removes rapid pulses. If the disease subsides but the rapid pulse remains, it is incurable. It must not be used if there is no significant thirst. If the pulse is taut and rapid, this indicates excess Yin. Using Wind herbs to ascend Yang and disperse Fire stagnation will cause the rapid pulse to decline sharply. The above five methods cover most additions and subtractions; this is merely to illustrate the general principles.