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Generally, the use of medicinal materials requires proper methods. Some are moistened with a small amount of water, some are dried with slight fire heat; damp materials are waited until dry, and hard materials are waited until moistened, so as to avoid unsightly fragments. It is still advisable to avoid excessive chopping and long-term storage, lest the medicinal qi dissipate and efficacy be lost. Chopping immediately before use ensures therapeutic effect. The root and tip have distinct therapeutic actions and must not be confused. The part growing upward above ground is called the root (Gen), with medicinal qi moving upward. The part extending downward into the soil is called the tip (Shao), with medicinal qi moving downward. The middle section is called the body (Shen), with medicinal qi staying central. For diseases in the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner), the root is used; for diseases in the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), the body is used; for diseases in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner), the tip is used. This is because roots ascend, tips descend, and the center remains stable.

In general, processing medicinal materials should be moderate; both excess and deficiency lead to similar failures. Fire processing includes four types: calcining (Duan), roasting (Pao), stir-frying with adjuvants (Zhi), and dry stir-frying (Chao). Water processing includes three types: soaking (Ze), steeping (Pao), and washing (Xi). Combined water-fire processing includes two types: steaming (Zheng) and boiling (Zhu). Although other processing methods exist, they generally fall into these two categories, not merely for novelty, but each has specific intent. Wine processing promotes ascending action. Ginger processing promotes dispersing action. Salt processing directs the drug to the Kidney channel and softens hardness. Vinegar processing guides the drug to the Liver channel and alleviates pain. Processing with human urine removes inferior properties and directs action downward. Processing with rice wash water removes dryness and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach. Processing with milk assists in generating Yin blood. Processing with honey tonifies Original Yang. Earth processing tonifies the Middle Jiao. Bran processing protects the upper diaphragm from damage. Soaking in Black Bean Decoction or Licorice Root Decoction followed by sun-drying can detoxify. Coating with Sheep Butter or Pig Lard and then roasting makes them easy to grind finely. Removing the pith prevents abdominal distension. Removing the heart eliminates irritability.

For treating diseases in the highest part of the body, decoct with wine. To dispel dampness, use Fresh Ginger Rhizome as a guiding agent. To tonify Original Qi, use Jujube Fruit as a guiding agent. To disperse Wind-Cold, use Scallion White as a guiding agent. To remove phlegm from the diaphragm, use Honey as a guiding agent. To relieve constipation, use Rust Water as a guiding agent. To restore Stomach Qi, use Old Wall Soil as a guiding agent. Powders are fine particles that do not follow the meridians; they are used only to remove accumulated Qi in the Stomach and Zang-Fu organs. Pills for treating diseases in the lower part of the body are large and smooth. Pills for the Middle Jiao are the size of Sophora seeds. Pills for the Upper Jiao are the size of Mung beans. For dispersing actions, use Wine Paste as a binder. For astringent actions, use Vinegar Paste as a binder. For regulating Spleen and Stomach, use Medicated Leaven Paste as a binder. For dispelling dampness, use Ginger Juice Paste as a binder. Pill-making by dripping water utilizes the property of easy dissolution. Pill-making with refined honey utilizes the property of slow dissolution, allowing the medicinal qi to circulate through the meridians. Wax-coated pills utilize the property of difficult dissolution, ensuring a gradual therapeutic effect.