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According to Xu Zhicai, medicines possess ten major properties: Xuan (dispersing), Tong (unblocking), Bu (tonifying), Xie (draining), Qing (light), Zhong (heavy), Hua (slippery), Se (astringent), Zao (drying), and Shi (moistening). These constitute the general framework of medicinal properties. However, this was not mentioned in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), nor has it been elaborated upon by later scholars. Therefore, those who use medicines must examine them carefully and in detail to avoid any omissions. This statement is indeed true. The *Neijing Fahui* (Elaborations on the Inner Canon) also expounded on the meanings of Xuan, Tong, etc., quite timely.

There are times when heat syndromes cannot be treated with cold-natured herbs, and there are times when cold syndromes cannot be treated with hot-natured herbs. Some criticized Tao Hua (Tao Jie'an) for being contradictory because he removed the "Cold" and "Heat" categories and added "Ascending" and "Descending" categories. Regarding Miao Xiyong (Zichun) criticizing Tao Hua, his reasoning is sound. However, if we deduce from the principles of "Ascending" and "Descending," within the Ten Categories, "Xuan" and "Qing" incorporate the meaning of Ascending, while "Xie" and "Hua" incorporate the meaning of Descending. Moreover, the nature of all herbs is either ascending or descending; some can ascend or descend, some ascend more than they descend, and some descend more than they ascend. There are no herbs that neither ascend nor descend but specifically possess only the properties of Xuan, Tong, etc. Thus, the terms "Ascending" and "Descending" can encompass all herbs, and there is no need to establish two separate categories following the Ten Categories. Xu Zhicai regarded the Ten Categories as the general framework of medicines, leaving nothing out. Since Shennong wrote the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, successive materia medica books have arranged herbs according to categories such as plants, minerals, and metals. Readers have almost forgotten the significance of the "Ten Characters" (referring to the ten properties) and forgotten that herbs possess these ten natures. No wonder their prescription formulation and herb usage often appear contradictory, chaotic, and inconsistent. I compiled this book using the Ten Categories as a classification system, not to show off novelty, but to make readers clearly understand that each herb has its own specific nature and thus its own specific application, so that in clinical practice, one may avoid violating these principles.

Preface by Shen Jin'ao.

1. "Essential Herbs" refers to medicines commonly required in daily life, distinguishing them from dangerous or eccentric substances. The ancients said, "Good medicines cure eight or nine out of ten cases; toxic medicines cure rarely." This shows that the use of medicine must be cautious. This compilation records only over four hundred items, generally excluding those with slightly dangerous or eccentric properties.

2. This compilation follows the classification of the Ten Categories, aiming to make clear that each herb has its own nature, namely: Xuan (dispersing), Tong (unblocking), Bu (tonifying), Xie (draining), Qing (light), Zhong (heavy), Hua (slippery), Se (astringent), Zao (drying), and Shi (moistening).

3. For each herb, the primary indications are stated first to show that a herb's functions are diverse. Next, the Meridian Tropism (Gui Jing) is detailed to show that herbs enter specific meridians without overlapping indiscriminately. Then, discussions from predecessors are listed to demonstrate that the flavor, nature, and application of herbs are appropriately matched. Next, contraindications are marked to emphasize the need for careful examination of symptoms before prescribing. Finally, processing methods (Pao Zhi) are included to show that since herbs have biased flavors and natures, their mutual remediation and restraint through processing cannot be overlooked.

4. Predecessors stated, "Using herbs according to the treatments specified in the *Bencao Jing* will rarely lead to major errors." Therefore, for all herbs recorded in this book that appear in the *Bencao Jing*, they are listed first. As for the *Mingyi Bielu* (Record of Famous Physicians), which supplements the deficiencies of the *Bencao Jing*, it is also fully included. Furthermore, the functional discoveries by sages of subsequent dynasties, which compensate for the gaps in the *Mingyi Bielu*, are also comprehensively recorded.

5. Treatments described in texts ranging from the *Bencao Jing* down to works like *Bencao Gangmu Beiyao*, if they do not align with the properties of the herbs in this book, are deleted; or if they contradict each other, they are handled accordingly.

6. Quotations from predecessors are included only if they precisely elucidate the herb's function and its relation to diseases treated in the *Bencao Jing*, maintaining a consistent theme. Those that do not meet these criteria are not recorded.

7. Primary indications and predecessor discussions are quoted directly without alteration, as these words are deemed irreplaceable and highly appropriate. Their names or courtesy names are noted subsequently without omission.

8. Under the section "Enters Which Meridian," a descriptive phrase characterizing the herb's nature is always provided. These few characters either summarize the herb's entire nature or focus on its most critical application. The rationale is self-evident.

9. Liu Zhongchun's (Liu Xiyong) *Bencao Jing Shuluo* (Clarifications on the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) is considered the most meticulous materia medica work to date. Its section on identifying errors and oversights is particularly rigorous. Therefore, the "Contraindications" section in this book strictly adheres to his standards.

10. Some herbs in this book do not list processing methods because either they require no special processing or the processing methods are universally known, thus avoiding redundancy.