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Decoctions (Tangji), powders (Sanji), and pills (Wanji) each have their appropriate indications. In ancient prescriptions, decoctions were used most frequently, while the use of pills and powders was quite rare. The method of "boiled powder" (Zhusan) was not employed in ancient prescriptions; it is a practice introduced only in recent times. Generally speaking, if the aim is to allow medicinal efficacy to reach the five zang organs and four limbs, nothing is superior to decoctions. If the aim is for the medicine to remain in the epigastrium and stomach, nothing is better than powders. For effects that are slow and sustained, nothing is more suitable than pills. Furthermore, non-toxic herbs are best suited for decoctions, slightly toxic herbs for powders, and highly toxic herbs for pills. Additionally, for rapid action, use decoctions; for moderate slowness, use powders; for very slow action, use pills. This is the general principle. In recent times, the use of decoctions has become extremely rare; almost all cases requiring decoctions are now treated with boiled powder methods. Generally, the therapeutic momentum and potency of decoctions are complete and robust, being several times greater than those of pills or powders. With boiled powder, the maximum single dose rarely exceeds three to five qian. Comparing Efficacy

Ancient prescriptions for collecting herbal medicines mostly specified the second and eighth lunar months, which is actually inappropriate. By the second month, grasses have already sprouted; by the eighth month, the plants have not yet withered. This timing merely makes it easier for collectors to identify them, but it is not the optimal time for medicinal quality. Generally, for roots, if they possess persistent roots (Suogen), they should be harvested when there are no stems or leaves, so that the vital fluids and essence accumulate in the root. To verify this, one may observe radishes (Lufu) or rehmannia (Dihuang): when harvested before sprouting, they are solid and heavy; when harvested after sprouting, they are hollow and light. For plants without persistent roots, harvest when the seedlings have grown but have not yet flowered, ensuring the root is fully formed and not yet depleted, as seen with lithospermum (Zicao). Harvesting before flowering yields roots with fresh and lustrous color; harvesting after flowering results in dark and poor-quality roots. This demonstrates the effect. For leaves, harvest when they have just fully expanded; (for buds, follow the same principle); for flowers, harvest when they have just begun to bloom; for fruits, harvest when they are mature. None of these can be strictly limited to specific months. This is because the qi of herbs varies in timing, and seasonal weather patterns fluctuate. For example, flowers that bloom in March on flatlands may not bloom until April in deep mountains. As Bai Juyi wrote in his poem "Visiting Dalin Temple": "In the human world, all fragrances have faded by April, / While peach blossoms at the mountain temple are just beginning to bloom." This is a common phenomenon caused by differences in elevation. Consider bamboo shoots: some emerge in February, others in March or April, and some not until May, known as late shoots. Rice varieties mature in July, August-September, or even October, known as late rice. Even within the same plot, there are variations in timing due to inherent differences in the nature of the plants. In Lingqiao, small herbs do not wither even through winter; in Bingfen, large trees shed their leaves early in autumn. In Yue regions, peaches and plums bear fruit in summer; in northern deserts, they flourish in summer. These differences arise from variations in local climate (Diqi). Crops on the same field germinate earlier if fertilized and irrigated; grains on the same hill produce fruit later if sown later. These differences result from human intervention. How can one rigidly adhere to fixed months for collection?