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Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shudihuang), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuannan), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo) (equal parts).
Crush the above ingredients into powder, mix with honey to form pills, sized like Sophora japonica seeds. Take on an empty stomach with wine; the number of pills should be adjusted as appropriate. *Lie Xian Zhuan* (Biographies of Immortals) records a man named Shan Tu who broke his leg while gathering herbs in the mountains. An immortal taught him to take these four substances, after which he recovered. Due to long-term consumption, he eventually attained immortality. Recently, I asked the famous physician Kang Shimeng about this. Kang was greatly surprised and said, "Many physicians use these drugs." However, no one has exclusively used these four ingredients in such a specific manner as this prescription. Kang thus named it "Si Shen Dan" (Four Divine Pills). The nobles, officials, scholars, and commoners in Luoyang competed to take it, and various diseases were cured. The medicinal nature is mild and harmonious, suitable for regular consumption. Its general effects are tonifying deficiency and benefiting blood, treating wind-pathogens, and it can also be called "Cao Huan Dan" (Herb Returning Pill). Written by Dongpo Jushi in Dan'er in November of the Jimo year.

The widely circulated "Si Wei Wu Li Tianma Jian Fang" (Four-Ingredient Five-Day Gastrodia Decoction). This is an ancient prescription, originally modified according to the four seasons, but only the herbal materials have been transmitted. In spring, when Liver Qi is vigorous and wind is prevalent, double the amount of Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma); in summer, when Yin is latent, double the amount of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Wutou); in autumn, when diarrhea is common, double the amount of Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu); in winter, when Yang is latent, double the amount of Scrophulariae Radix (Yuannan). When used, the bark should be removed and taken raw; through proper processing, the toxicity of Wutou is eliminated. Regular consumption of this not only cures diseases but also preserves true Qi and prolongs life, rivaling Zhang Zhongjing's Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill).

Treating hemiplegia, stroke-induced paralysis, gouty arthritis, and other ailments.
Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo) (1 liang), Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) (devoid of joints, boiled briefly to remove foam, 2 liang), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) (3 fen), Costi Rhizoma (Muxiang), Arecae Semen (Binglang), Aconiti Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) (processed and devoid of skin), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Aconiti Radix (Chuanwutou) (processed and devoid of skin), Cardamomi Fructus (Caoudoukou) (used with skin), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi) (soaked in wine overnight), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren) (raw, devoid of skin and tip), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) (soaked in wine overnight), Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Poria (Fuling), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) (roasted), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guangui) (must not touch fire, each half liang).
The above eighteen ingredients are chopped like hemp seeds. For each dose, take 1 liang, add one bowl of water and seven slices of ginger. Decoct until reduced to one bowl, strain, and take 70% of the liquid warm. If large bowel obstruction occurs, add Powder of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang), taking 1 qian per dose. Adjust based on age and constitution. If chronic, increasing to 3–5 qian is harmless. If there is abdominal distension and fullness, add Semen Lepidii et Descurainiae (Tingli) and Talcum (Huashi) powder, taking 1 qian of each per dose, delivered with Huashi decoction. If there is upper jiao stagnation, phlegm-cough, and shortness of breath, add Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia), Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma), Asparagi Radix (Tianmendong), and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu) powder, 2 qian of each, decocted together. Combine the dregs from two doses, add one and a half bowls of water, decoct to one bowl, and consume this medicine. Mr. Chen from Futang sold it to support himself, and the locals considered it miraculous. No one had obtained the formula until one day his relative stole it and gave it to me. While serving as an official, I prepared it to distribute to people. Boil and take as directed...