雷公云∶凡使，勿误用野狼毒，缘真似防葵，而验之有异，效又不同，切须审之，恐误疾
人。其防葵在蔡州沙土中生，采得二十日便 ，用之唯轻为妙。
凡欲使，先须拣去 末，后用甘草汤浸一宿，漉出，曝干，用黄精自然汁一、二升拌，
了，土器中炒令黄精汁尽。
雷公云∶凡使，茎长软、皮赤、黄髭须。出在平州平县，即今银州银县也。西畔生处，
多有白鹤、绿鹤于此翔处，是柴胡香直上云间，若有过往闻者，皆气爽。
凡采得后，去髭并头，用银刀削上赤薄皮少许，却，以粗布拭了，细锉用之。
勿令犯火，立便无效也。
雷公云∶凡使，采得后，细锉，拌淫羊藿， 二日后，曝干，去淫羊藿用。免烦人心。
雷公云∶凡使，采得了，刀刮上粗皮一重了，用黄精自然汁浸一宿，出，曝干，细锉，
蒸，了，曝干用之。
雷公云∶凡使，须一窠有九叶，内有蕊茎，可长一尺二寸者。和蕊、叶、根，去土了，
称有一镒者，力全，堪用。使叶，勿使蕊茎。
夫使叶，锉，于新瓦上摊干用之。
雷公云∶凡使，其香是芦蔓根条，左盘旋。采得二十九日，方硬如朽骨，硬碎。其有芦
头丁盖子色青者，是木香神也。
雷公云∶凡使，勿用平田生二、三纪内者，要经十纪者，山中生，皮赤，四面有髭生者
妙。
若采得，用铜刀削去上赤皮，洗去涎，蒸用。
Lei Gong said: When using Fangkui (Adenophorae Radix), do not mistakenly use Yelangdu (Stellerae Chamaejasmi Radix), as the genuine and fake varieties resemble each other, but their verification methods differ, and their therapeutic effects are distinct. One must examine them carefully to avoid misdiagnosing or mistreating patients. Fangkui grows in the sandy soil of Caizhou. After harvesting, it should be dried for twenty days; when used, those with a lighter texture are superior.
When preparing Fangkui, first remove the fine rootlets. Then, soak it in Gancao Tang (Licorice Decoction) overnight, drain, and dry in the sun. Mix it with 1–2 sheng of Huangjing natural juice (Rhizoma Polygonati Juice), and stir-fry in an earthenware vessel until the Huangjing juice is fully absorbed.
Lei Gong said: When using Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), the stem is long and soft, the skin is red, and there are yellow rootlets. It originates from Pingzhou Pingxian, which is now Yinxian in Yinzhou. In areas where it grows on the western side, white cranes and green cranes often fly and roost there. The fragrance of Chaihu rises straight into the clouds; anyone passing by who smells it will feel refreshed and clear-headed.
After harvesting Chaihu, remove the rootlets and the head. Use a silver knife to shave off a small amount of the thin red skin. Then, wipe it clean with coarse cloth, finely slice it, and use it. Do not allow it to come into contact with fire, or it will lose its efficacy immediately.
Lei Gong said: When preparing Yin Yang Huo (Epimedii Folium), after harvesting, finely slice it, mix it with Yin Yang Huo (note: text implies mixing with itself or a specific preparation method, literally "mix with Epimedii Folium"), leave it for two days, then dry in the sun and remove the Yin Yang Huo (note: contextually ambiguous, likely referring to removing the processing medium or specific parts) before use. This prevents causing mental restlessness.
Lei Gong said: When preparing Shuyu (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), after harvesting, scrape off one layer of the rough outer skin with a knife. Soak it overnight in Huangjing natural juice (Rhizoma Polygonati Juice). Take it out, dry in the sun, finely slice it, steam it, and then dry it in the sun for use.
Lei Gong said: When using Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), select a plant that has nine leaves per cluster, with a flower stalk that can grow up to one chi two cun long. Weigh the whole plant including the flower stalk, leaves, and roots after cleaning off the soil. If it weighs one yi, its medicinal power is complete and suitable for use. When using the leaves, do not use the flower stalks.
If using the leaves, finely slice them, spread them out on a new tile to dry, and then use them.
Lei Gong said: When using Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), its aroma comes from the reed-like vine roots that spiral to the left. After harvesting, let it age for twenty-nine days until it becomes hard like rotten wood and brittle. Those with a blue-green color at the "reed head" cap are considered high-quality Muxiang (Shen).
Lei Gong said: When using a certain herb (name omitted in source, likely referring to a root growing in plains vs. mountains), do not use plants grown in flat fields for only two to three ji (decades). Select those that have grown for ten ji (sixty years), preferably grown in the mountains, with red skin and rootlets growing all around.
If harvested, use a copper knife to peel off the red outer skin, wash away the saliva-like mucus, steam it, and then use it.