臣禹锡等谨按徐之才《药对》、孙思邈《千金方》、陈藏器《本草拾遗》序例如后。
夫众病积聚，皆起于虚也。虚生百病。积者，五脏之所积；聚者，六腑之所聚。如斯等
疾，
多从旧方，不假增损。虚而劳者，其弊万端，宜应随病增减。古之善为医者，皆自采药，审
其体性所主，取其时节早晚；早则药势未成，晚则盛势已歇。今之为医，不自采药，且不委
节
气早晚，又不知冷热消息，分两多少；徒有疗病之名，永无必愈之效，此实浮惑，聊更审其
冷热，记增损之主尔。虚劳而头痛复热，加枸杞、萎蕤。虚而欲吐，加人参。虚而不安，亦
加人参。虚而多梦纷纭，加龙骨。虚而多热，加地黄、牡蛎、地肤子、甘草。虚而冷，加当
归、芎 、干姜。虚而损，加钟乳、棘刺、苁蓉、巴戟天。虚而大热，加黄芩、天门冬。虚
而多忘，加茯神、远志。虚而惊悸不安，加龙齿、沙参、紫石英、小草，若冷，则用紫石英
、小草；若客热，即用沙参、龙齿；不冷不热皆用之。虚而口干，加麦门冬、知母。虚而吸
吸，加胡麻、覆盆子、柏子仁。虚而多气兼微咳，加五味子、大枣。虚而身强腰中不利，加
磁石、杜仲。虚而多冷，加桂心、吴茱萸、附子、乌头。虚而劳，小便赤，加黄芩。虚而客
热，加地骨皮、白水黄 （白水，地名。）虚而冷，用陇西黄 。虚而痰、复有气，用生姜、
半夏、枳实。虚而小肠利，加桑螵蛸、龙骨、鸡 虚而小肠不利，加茯苓、泽泻。虚而损
、溺白，加浓朴。诸药无有一一历而用之，但据体性冷热，的相主对，聊叙增损之一隅。夫
处方者宜准此。
凡诸药子仁，皆去皮尖及双仁者，仍切之。
凡乌梅皆去核，入丸散，熬之。大枣擘去核。
凡用麦 、曲、大豆黄卷、泽兰、芜荑、僵蚕、干漆、蜂房，皆微炒。
凡汤中用麝香、犀角、鹿角、羚羊角、牛黄、蒲黄、丹砂，须熟末如粉，临服纳汤中，
搅令
凡茯苓、芍药，补药须白者，泻药唯赤者。
凡石蟹，皆以槌极打令碎，乃入臼；不尔，捣，不可熟。牛膝、石斛等入汤酒，拍碎用
之。
凡菟丝子，暖汤淘汰去沙土，干，漉，暖酒渍，经一宿漉出，曝，微白，皆捣之；不尽
者，更以酒渍，经三、五日乃出，更晒微干，捣之，须臾悉尽，极易碎。
凡斑猫等诸虫，皆去足翅微熬，用牡蛎熬令黄。
凡诸汤用酒者，皆临熟下之。
凡用银屑，以水银和成泥。
凡用钟乳等诸石，以玉槌水研三日三夜，漂炼，务令极细。
诸药有宣、通、补、泄、轻、重、涩、滑、燥、湿，此十种者，是药之大体，而《本经》
都
不言之，后人亦所未述，遂令调合汤丸，有昧于此者。至如宣可去壅，即姜、橘之属是也。
通可去滞，即通草、防己之属是也。补可去弱，即人参、羊肉之属是也。泄可去闭，即葶苈
、大黄之属是也。轻可去实，即麻黄、葛根之属是也。重可去怯，即磁石、铁粉之属是也。
涩可去脱，即牡蛎、龙骨之属是也。滑可去着，即冬葵、榆皮之属是也。燥可去湿，即桑白
皮
、赤小豆之属是也。湿可去枯，即紫石英、白石英之属是也。只如此体，皆有所属。凡用药
者，审而详之，则靡所遗失矣。
凡五方之气，俱能损人，人生其中，即随气受疾。虽习成其性，亦各有所资，乃天生万
物以
与人，亦人穷急以致物。今岭南多毒，足解毒药之物，即金蛇、白药之属是也。江湖多气，
足破气之物，即姜、橘、吴茱萸之属是也。寒温不节，足疗温之药，即柴胡、麻黄之属是也
。
凉气多风，足理风之物，即防风、独活之属是也。湿气多痹，足主痹之物，即鱼、鳖、螺、
蚬之属是也。阴气多血，足主血之物，即地锦、石血之属是也。岭气多瘴，足主瘴之物，即
常山、盐麸、涪醋之属是也。石气多毒，足主毒之物，即犀角、麝香、羚羊角之属是也。水
气多痢，足主痢之物，即黄连、黄柏之属是也。野气多蛊，足主蛊之物，即 荷、茜根之属
是也。沙气多狐，足主短狐之物，即 、 之属是也。大略如此，各随所生，中央气交
，兼有诸病，故医人之疗，亦随方之能；若易地而居，即致乖舛矣。故古方或多补养，或多
导泄，或众味，或单行。补养即去风，导泄即去气，众味则贵要，单行乃贫下。岂前贤之偏
有所好，或复用不遂其宜耳。
Minister Yuxi and others respectfully cite the prefaces and examples from Xu Zhicai's *Yao Dui* (Compendium of Drug Pairings), Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), and Chen Cangqi's *Bencao Shiyi* (Supplement to Materia Medica) as follows.
All kinds of disease accumulations originate from deficiency. Deficiency gives rise to a hundred diseases. "Ji" (Accumulation) refers to accumulations formed by the Five Zang organs; "Ju" (Gathering) refers to gatherings formed by the Six Fu organs. For such diseases, one mostly follows old prescriptions without needing to add or subtract herbs. However, for patients with deficiency and exhaustion (Xu Lao), the complications are manifold, and herbs should be added or subtracted according to the specific condition. Ancient skilled physicians all collected herbs themselves, carefully examining their properties and therapeutic targets, and selecting them according to the appropriate seasons and times of day; collecting too early means the medicinal potency has not yet formed, while collecting too late means the peak potency has faded. Modern physicians do not collect herbs themselves, nor do they understand the changes of solar terms and times, nor the hot and cold natures of drugs, nor the correct dosages; they have only the reputation of treating diseases but never achieve certain cures. This is truly frivolous and confused. We merely review the hot and cold natures and record the principles of adding or subtracting herbs. For deficiency-exhaustion with headache and fever, add Gouqi (Lycii Fructus) and Wirui (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma). For deficiency with nausea/vomiting, add Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma). For deficiency with restlessness, also add Renshen. For deficiency with chaotic dreaming, add Longgu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi). For deficiency with excessive heat, add Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Muli (Concha Ostreae), Difuzi (Kochiae Scopariae Herba), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). For deficiency with cold, add Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma). For deficiency with damage/wasting, add Zhongru (Stalactitum), Jici (Tribuli Fructus), Congrong (Cistanches Herba), and Bajitian (Morindae Officinalis Radix). For deficiency with severe heat, add Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Tianmendong (Asparagi Rhizoma). For deficiency with forgetfulness, add Fushen (Poria cum Risso) and Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix). For deficiency with palpitations and restlessness, add Longchi (Dent fossilis), Shashen (Adenophorae Radix), Zi Shiyun (Fluoritum Rubrum), and Xiao Cao (a synonym for Yuanzhi); if cold, use Zi Shiyun and Xiao Cao; if there is "Ke Re" (exogenous/transient heat), use Shashen and Longchi; if neither cold nor hot, use both. For deficiency with dry mouth, add Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). For deficiency with rapid/shallow breathing (Xi Xi), add Huma (Sesami Fructus), Fupenzi (Rubiae Fructus), and Baiziren (Platycladi Semen). For deficiency with excess Qi and slight cough, add Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) and Dazao (Jujubae Fructus). For deficiency with stiff body and lumbar stiffness, add Cishi (Magnetitum) and Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex). For deficiency with excessive cold, add Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and Wutou (Aconiti Radix). For deficiency-exhaustion with red urine, add Huangqin. For deficiency with exogenous heat, add Digupi (Lycii Cortex Radicis) and Baishui Huangqi (Huangqi produced in Baishui). For deficiency with cold, use Longxi Huangqi (Huangqi produced in Longxi). For deficiency with phlegm and Qi stagnation, use Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber), and Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus). For deficiency with small intestine hypermotility/diarrhea, add Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis Oötheca), Longgu, and Jineijin (Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum). For deficiency with small intestine dysfunction/dysuria, add Fuling (Poria) and Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma). For deficiency with wasting and white urine, add Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex). Not all herbs are used in every case; rather, based on the body's hot/cold nature and precise correspondence to symptoms, we briefly describe the cornerstones of adding/subtracting herbs. Prescribers should follow this principle.
For all seeds and kernels of herbs, remove the skin, tips, and double-kernels, then slice them.
For all Wumei (Mume Fructus), remove the pits; when used in pills and powders, roast them. For Dazao, split open and remove the pit.
For Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus), Qu (Medicated Leaven), Daydouhuangjuan (Sojae Semen Praeparatum), Zelan (Lagotis Herba), Wuyi (Madhucae Flos), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Ganqi (Resina Toxicodendri), and Fengfang (Vespa Nidus), lightly stir-fry them.
For Shexiang (Moschus), Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), Lu jiao (Cervi Cornu Degelatinatum), Lingyangjiao (Saigae Tataricae Cornu), Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis), Puhuang (Typhae Pollen), and Dansha (Cinnabaris) used in decoctions, grind them into fine powder thoroughly, and add to the decoction just before administration, stirring well.
For Fuling and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), use the white variety for tonifying formulas, and only the red variety for purging formulas.
For Shi Xie (Crab fossils), pound them extremely finely with a mallet before putting them in the mortar; otherwise, they cannot be ground properly. For Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) and Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), crush them before using in decoctions or wines.
For Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen), wash away sand and soil with warm water, dry it, strain it, soak it in warm wine overnight, strain it out, sun-dry it until slightly white, and then grind it; any remaining pieces, soak in wine again for three to five days, sun-dry until slightly dry, and grind. It will soon all break apart easily.
For Banmao (Mylabris) and other insects, remove legs and wings, lightly roast them, and roast Oyster Shell (Muli) until yellow.
When wine is used in decoctions, add it just before the decoction is finished cooking.
For Yinchen (Silver Powder), mix with Mercury (Shuiyin) to form a paste.
For Zhongru and other minerals, grind with a jade pestle and water for three days and nights, washing and refining until extremely fine.
Herbs possess ten general properties: Xuan (Dispersing), Tong (Unblocking), Bu (Tonifying), Xie (Draining/Purging), Qing (Light), Zhong (Heavy), Se (Astringent), Hua (Slippery), Zao (Drying), and Shi (Moistening). These ten categories represent the main characteristics of drugs, yet the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) does not mention them, nor have later scholars discussed them, causing confusion in compounding decoctions and pills. For instance, Xuan (Dispersing) can remove obstruction, exemplified by Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Ju (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium); Tong (Unblocking) can remove stagnation, exemplified by Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla) and Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix); Bu (Tonifying) can remove weakness, exemplified by Renshen and Yangrou (Sheep Meat); Xie (Draining) can remove closure/constipation, exemplified by Tingli (Descurainiae Semen seu Lepidii Semen) and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma); Qing (Light) can remove excess/fullness, exemplified by Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix); Zhong (Heavy) can remove timidity/fear, exemplified by Cishi and Tielfen (Ferrum); Se (Astringent) can prevent leakage/prolapse, exemplified by Muli and Longgu; Hua (Slippery) can remove sticking/adherence, exemplified by Dongkui (Malvae Semen) and Yupi (Ulmus Cortex); Zao (Drying) can remove dampness, exemplified by Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex) and Chixiaodou (Phaseoli Angularis Semen); Shi (Moistening/Nourishing) can remove dryness/withering, exemplified by Zi Shiyun and Baishi (Quartzum Rubrum et Album). As shown, each property has its corresponding herbs. Physicians must examine and study these details carefully to avoid errors.
The Qi of the Five Directions can all harm humans; living within them, people contract diseases according to the local Qi. Although people adapt to these natures, they rely on local resources. Heaven generates all things for human use, and humans utilize them in times of need. In Lingnan, there are many toxins; antidotes include Jin She (likely a local herb) and Bai Yao (White Medicine). In rivers and lakes, there is much miasma/Qi stagnation; remedies that resolve Qi include Jiang, Ju, and Wuzhuyu. Where cold and warmth are unregulated, herbs that treat warm diseases include Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Mahuang. Where cool Qi brings wind, herbs that regulate wind include Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix). Where dampness causes Bi syndrome (painful obstruction), foods/herbs like fish, turtle, snails, and clams are used. Where Yin Qi affects blood, herbs like Dijin and Shixue are used. In mountain regions where miasma is prevalent, herbs like Changshan (Dichroae Radix), Yanfu (Salicis Cortex), and Fu Cu (Fermented Vinegar) are used. In rocky areas with toxicity, herbs like Xijiao, Shexiang, and Lingyangjiao are used. In watery areas prone to dysentery, herbs like Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) are used. In wild areas with gu poison, herbs like He (Lotus parts) and Qian Gen (Rubiae Radix et Rhizoma) are used. In sandy areas with "fox" spirits (short-arc poisoning), [missing characters] are used. Generally, treatments vary by region due to local environmental factors. The Central Plains, where Qi intersects, sees various diseases, so medical treatment adapts to regional capabilities. If one moves to a different region, previous treatments may fail. Thus, ancient formulas either focus on tonification, or purging, or complex combinations, or single herbs. Tonification removes wind; purging removes Qi stagnation; complex formulas are expensive; single herbs are for the poor. Was this due to the preferences of past sages, or simply because improper usage led to inefficacy?