雷公药性论药之有方，犹乐之有调也。乐备众调，始和其音；药备众方，始和其剂。方剂十
七法如曰炮、曰 、曰爆、曰炙、曰煨、曰炒、曰虾、曰炼、曰制、曰度、曰飞、曰伏、曰镑、
曰、曰 、日曝、曰露是也。然则用者，各尽其宜。
白术 去皮梗，去湿利水，用麸炒微黄色，补中用净土炒黄色，补脾胃制水，其味
甘而气浓，利水燥湿，宜用各处山术，其味淡而能渗，医不可不审也。
苍术 去皮用米泔水浸一宿，切片曝干，淡淡盐水微炒黄色，再曝干贮之，久而不
吐霜汁可美。盐水制过，其 燥之烈性颇纯，不伤真液。出茅山，紧小沉重为佳。
陈皮 消痰理气，用福州红色者，谓之橘红，其味辛而性燥，要去白穣净而力愈大。
若和中补脾胃，不必去白，惟去粗穣而已。用广州者宜，其味甘辛而性温和，所以善和中而益脾
也。今观广皮浓和软润，福皮薄而刚燥，从可知矣。炒则气耗而力微。
青皮 温水浸一时去穣，切片用麸炒。疏肝气积泠用醋炒。
枳壳 热水浸一时取起，壳干，慢火煨透，然即起切片用。破至高之气，消食去积滞用麸炒。不尔，气
刚恐伤元气。
半夏 用滚水入明矾或皮硝同泡，泡之时勿得动，一俟汤冷，又易滚汤泡之，泡五
七次者为佳。切片，仍以生姜捣汁拌，微炒过用。去风痰、湿痰皆用此。若理脾止泻，加六君子
汤。中用者，宜半夏曲，曲之性不甚燥而得中和故也。其造法在后。
天南星 用陈久者，滚汤、明矾同泡，如半夏例，亦以姜汁拌和。其惊风、风痰，小
儿方中用者，以泡过者为末，装入腊月黄牛胆汁中，透风处阴干用之。
人参 去芦，其芦能上涌吐痰。无制，惟用黄亮结实者，其力大，松放轻虚者无力。
辽东本地名清河者，最取好参。
黄 北地如箭干者佳，削皮劈开，用蜜水涂之，慢火炙过，用补中益气如是。苦
实腠理以固表，须酒炒。
当归 去土，劈开用酒浸洗，晒干切片。
生地黄 用无灰酒洗过，晒干。用鲜地黄捣汁，熬膏用木石臼，忌铁器。胃弱者，用
姜汁炒。脾气滞而膈间痞闷不能服阴药者，须用之，以砂仁水湿同生地黄炒，则皆无碍也。
熟地黄 用无灰酒洗，晒干用。若作丸，以酒浸烂，木石臼中捣如泥。若蜜丸，先以
和蜜匀，然后入众药，则不患不均矣。
芍药 热水泡半日，切片酒炒过，则不患酸寒伐生气。行血分，得酒制尤力大。脾
胃不足呕哕者，有用姜炒。
茯苓 无制，惟拣云南结实而雪白者为佳。去皮净，若清浮肿、水肿、肿病不必去
皮，五皮散单用茯苓皮是也。四君子汤中用，必须南苓。五苓散中用，必须西苓方可。论淡渗，西苓尤速也。
猪苓 锋刀削去黑皮，一水泡透，用槌打实，切之成片。
泽泻 削去毛，热水浸半时，切片。
黄连 酒炒，去头目之火。姜汁炒，去痰火、胃火，不伤脾胃，去实火。三黄解毒
汤中用，不必制，只要去毛净。
黄芩 治头目疾，须酒炒。去肺火生用，去虚痰火姜汁炒。治上病用片芩，治下病用条芩。
黄柏 酒炒，肾家用盐水炒。
栀子 破，微炒，去浮火，连壳用，泻小肠火。独用仁，炒过研破煎得味出。凡仁入煎，俱要碎。
知母 治嗽酒炒，入肾盐水炒，去毛皮净。
牛膝 去芦，酒洗，干切。
杜仲 去粗皮切，姜汁炒，断丝，其丝不断又复炒。孕娠用糯米同炒之。
破故纸 微炒香。
巴戟天 煮水泡透，以木槌打碎，擘去心。
小茴香 微炒，入煎药研碎。
滑石 拣去粗者，择细腻者，研为极细末，水飞入药。今粗入煎汤，皆不作效。
石膏 研极细，调入药尤效。作散者， 熟。入煎剂半生半熟。
麦门冬 熟水泡一时，透去心用，如不去心服，反令人心烦躁闷。
天门冬 制同麦门年，入丸药酒浸极烂，捣如泥，调和众药。
浓朴 去粗皮，切片，姜汁炒。
白扁豆 炒熟去壳，微捣碎用。
薏苡仁 炒微黄色。
桃仁 泡去皮尖及双仁者，云双仁能杀人，纵不杀人必有毒。
杏仁 制同上，入煎剂，研如泥用。
栝蒌仁 打去壳，取仁研碎入煎。
大黄 陕西庄南卫者有力，不作腹痛。川者力迟而痛。泻实者生用，虚弱者酒蒸熟用。
朴硝 冬天度一次者尤妙，未度择净，定分两入盏，以热水泡之。同入煎众药，渣中渗去而力不全。
葶苈 纸炒，研碎入煎。
车前子 微炒，研碎入煎。
海藻、海带、昆布、海粉、青盐 之类，俱热水洗冷，晒干入药。
木香 不得见火，惟为末入煎、磨汁，内熟汤中服。
沉香、檀香 同上法。
丁香、砂仁、白豆蔻 俱宜为末，调入汤煎剂，必待煎半熟，方可入也。不尔香气皆泄散去，所以不作效。
三棱 热水泡浸一时，慢火煨透切。
莪术 制同上。
何首乌 干者，米泔水浸透，竹刀刮去皮切片，用黑豆以水浸透，同首乌蒸之，豆熟为度，九次者佳。
白蒺藜 炒研去刺，研碎入煎。
山茱萸 热汤泡软，剥去核。
吴茱萸 热汤泡，去头水，晒干用。
巴豆 去油净。本草云∶生温有毒，熟寒无毒。今之去油，生用为避寒也。殊不知寒不足避，当避其大毒。
况《本经》全无去油之制法。陶氏煮令黄黑，然亦太过，不如去其心膜者，五度换水，各煮一沸
为佳。《局方》化滞丸而巴豆不去油，只以巴豆煮熟用之，深得其性也。
牵牛 微炒，捣取头末有力。
斑蝥 去头足，同糯炒，令黄。有以牡蛎同炒之。
穿山甲 同蛤粉炒黄色，研末调入药。
蜈蚣 慢火炙去头足，研末入汤。
桑螵蛸 当中破，慢火炙之。
甘遂 面包煨熟，去面。
阿胶 打碎如豆大，用蛤粉同炒成珠用，入汤药，不可众药同煎，必药熟起去渣，复以同阿胶入净汤中化清服。
腽肭脐 内滚水泡，去毛净，切片，新瓦上下，慢火炕干，入药。
紫河车 用热米泔水洗净，然后用麝香汤洗，上下新瓦炕干，入药。有鲜煮食，必用椒姜。
使君子 慢火煨香，熟用。
肉豆蔻 面包煨，去油，熟切入药。
茯神 去木，研细，水飞过用。
阳起石 用火 透红，研极细面入药。
硫黄 用芭蕉捣汁煮之，后以甘草汤煮之方无毒。
牡砺 火 淬醋，盘中又 又淬五七次为佳。
蚕白 微炒，研末入药。
皂角 去皮弦，慢火炙黄用。
藿香 洗去土净，晒干用。
干漆 用新瓦上下合定，火 黑烟尽方可用。以其性气大悍，服之大伤血气。若去烟而用之，止破瘀血而
不伤元血，若血晕不醒人事者，即烧烟熏之，立苏，足可以见其悍也。
砒霜 凡入药剂如 喘丸、三品丸、斩儿丹亦不能舍之不用也。用之者不知制度，其不杀人者几希。
每将砒石一两打碎，用明矾一两为末，盖砒上贮罐中，入明火一 ，以矾枯为度，砒之悍气随烟而去。驻形于
矾中者，庶几无毒，用之不伤也。凡用砒霜，即用矾霜是也。
黄丹 凡用丹入药，如生肌膏、生肌散皆必用之。缘丹性寒，得火炼形，而阴中之阳，有坎离之义集之，
生肌去毒者也。今市肆售利，牵假河沙混之，其不飞澄沙石，用之必然无效。凡丹须冷器，以水飞过，仍炒干用入剂。
桑白皮 刮去红皮，切碎用，酒炒微黄色为度。
常山 用酒浸过宿切用则不吐。
大腹皮 擘去垢黑，用温水洗净，又用酒洗用，有用大豆汁洗方可用。孙真人云∶鸠鸟多栖此树，遗屎
在皮上，不净恐有毒。今人用之不制，曾有人服之而致死者，其可忽诸？
青盐 温水洗，去尘土，火 过用。
蛤蚧 用酒洗温净，慢火炙熟，研入药。
白硼砂 用口含过，得温用。
炉甘石 用倾银罐 红，倾出在三黄汤内三五七尤佳。然后用三黄汤悬饴煮干，露一夜焙干用。
珍珠 豆腐内蒸过，铁臼内捣末研用。有用火 ，非其制也。一说入目，贵乎生用。
玛瑙 犬肉内煮之，火 红，醋淬用。
琥珀 用细布包，内豆腐锅中煮之，然后灰火略煨过。一云安心神俱宜生捣，入目制过用。
血竭 用灯草同研则成粉。
磁石 火 淬过。
砂 成块者，槌碎，乳汁浸一宿，瓦器烙干，乳用。
石蟹 火煨，醋淬过。
白丁香 入目者，三黄汤煮，干焙用。
针粉 用隔纸，有用火 黄色。
石燕 火 ，醋淬用。
石决明 火 ，童便淬。
龙胆 水化开点目，焙干研为末入散。
龙骨 火 。
巴豆 去油净，成粉，用白绢包，甘草水煮，焙干用，方可入目。
海螵蛸 用湿纸包，煨过方用。
鹰条 用三黄汤飞，甘草汤煮一次，焙干用。
罂粟壳 用热水泡软擘去筋膜，切成丝。用蜜水微炒，晒干用。忌蒜、醋、胡椒。
蕤仁 去衣，绵纸包，研去油。
花蜘蛛 醋浸死，瓦上烙干，去足用。
翠白 用倾银罐 如膏，醋中淬，焙干。
香附子 舂去毛，用净米、童便浸一宿，取起用净水洗过，炒干用。妇科以醋复燥之。
玄参 用酒洗去尘土，切片晒干用。玄参行表治浮游无根之火，得酒气而力愈健。
运翘 择去枝根及心，研碎火煎。
蔓荆子 舂以酒炒过入煎，今人往往不研不炒而用之，多不作效。
决明子、萝卜子、芥子、苏子、韭子、青葙子 凡药中用子者，俱要炒过研碎，入煎方得味出。
若不碎，如米之在壳，虽煮之终日，米味岂能出哉！
干姜 生用发表汗，炒过温脾而守中，胃间热虚甚者，如补中益气汤中加之，当慢火煨焦黑。
紫菀茸 用酒洗去土，晒干用。
桂 有谓肉桂则浓桂，以滋肾者也。当刮去粗皮，惟存其肉而用之，故曰肉桂。其余行血循经，止用薄桂。
违志 热水泡浸一时，破肉去梗，和甘草煮半伏时，去草不用。
枇杷叶 治咳嗽，去毛，不净反令人嗽。本草云∶四月采叶曝干，用时须火炙，以布拭去毛，
去毛不尽，以栗秆作刷刷之，令尽。有用甘草汤洗，有用姜汤洗，有以酥涂炙用。初采湿者，一
叶重一两，干则三叶重一两方好。
石斛 用酒洗，炙干或蒸过，焙干用俱可。
甘草 凉药中生用，温以补脾，必须炙熟。
仙茅 糯米泔水浸三宿，用竹刀刮去皮，木砧上切片，阴干用。
续断 酒浸一宿，捶碎去筋膜，晒干用。
松香 用明净者，名沥清。入滚水煮三炷香，捞起放凉水缸中拔之一时，复入锅煮三炷香，次
入凉水拔，如此七次。微入灰汤并酒，量水一石，入灰汤、酒各一斗，煮之再拔，便晒干，听用。
此药最要制法极精，稍有不精，服之杀人。《续医说》有人制造不精，服之肠塞而死。然则制药之法，可不慎哉！
雷公《药性论》指出，药物有方制，就像音乐有调式一样。音乐具备各种调式，才能和谐其音律；药物具备各种炮制方法，才能调和其药性。方剂（此处指炮制法）共有十七种，即：炮、煿（bó，一种烘烤法）、爆、炙、煨、炒、虾（此处疑为“醋”或特定技法之误，原文如此）、炼、制、度、飞、伏、镑、錾（zàn，凿削）、碾（niǎn，研磨）、曝、露是也。然而使用这些方法时，应根据具体情况各尽其宜。
白术 去除皮和梗，具有利水祛湿功效。用麸皮炒至微黄色，可补益中气；用净土炒至黄色，可补脾胃并制约水湿。其味甘而气浓，能利水燥湿。宜选用各地出产的山术，其味淡而能渗泄。医者不可不仔细审察。
苍术 去除外皮，用米泔水浸泡一夜，切片后晒干。再用淡淡的盐水微炒至黄色，再次晒干贮存，这样久放也不会吐霜出汁，效果更佳。经盐水炮制后，其燥烈之性变得纯正，且不伤人体真阴津液。产于茅山者，以紧小沉重者为佳。
陈皮 具有消痰理气功效。选用福州产的红色陈皮，称为橘红，其味辛而性燥，需去尽白色瓤络，药效才更强。若用于和中补脾胃，则不必去白，只需去掉粗糙的外皮即可。选用广州产的陈皮适宜，其味甘辛而性温和，善于和中益脾。如今观察，广皮浓厚和软润，福皮薄而刚燥，由此可知区别。炒制则气味耗散而力减弱。
青皮 用温水浸泡一个时辰，去瓤，切片后用麸皮炒。疏解肝气郁结积滞时，用醋炒。
枳壳 用热水浸泡一个时辰取出，待壳干，用慢火煨透，然后切片备用。破降上焦之气，消食除积滞时用麸炒。否则，药气刚猛恐伤元气。
半夏 用沸水加入明矾或皮硝同泡，浸泡时不要搅动，等汤冷却后，再换沸水泡，泡五到七次为佳。切片后，仍用生姜捣汁拌和，微炒后使用。治疗风痰、湿痰皆用此法。若用于理脾止泻，可加六君子汤。用于内服者，宜用半夏曲，因为曲的性质不甚燥且得中和之性。其制作方法在后面。
天南星 选用陈久的，用沸水、明矾同泡，如半夏之法，也以姜汁拌和。治疗惊风、风痰，小儿方中使用时，将泡过的药材研末，装入腊月黄牛胆汁中，在通风处阴干后使用。
人参 去除芦头，芦头能引起呕吐。无特殊炮制，只选用黄亮结实者，其力大；松软轻虚者无力。辽东本地名为清河参的，最取好参。
黄芪 北方产地如箭杆般直挺者佳，削皮劈开，用蜜水涂抹，慢火炙过，用于补中益气。苦实腠理以固表，须酒炒。
当归 去除泥土，劈开用酒浸洗，晒干切片。
生地黄 用无灰酒洗过，晒干。用鲜地黄捣汁，熬膏时用木石臼，忌用铁器。胃弱者，用姜汁炒。脾气滞而膈间痞闷不能服用滋阴药者，须用此法，以砂仁水湿同生地黄炒，则皆无碍。
熟地黄 用无灰酒洗，晒干用。若作丸剂，以酒浸烂，在木石臼中捣如泥。若作蜜丸，先与蜜拌匀，然后入众药，则不患不均。
芍药 热水泡半日，切片酒炒过，则不患酸寒伐伤生气。行血分，得酒制尤力大。脾胃不足呕哕者，有用姜炒。
茯苓 无特殊炮制，只拣选云南结实而雪白者为佳。去皮净，若治浮肿、水肿、肿病不必去皮，五皮散单用茯苓皮是也。四君子汤中用，必须南苓。五苓散中用，必须西苓方可。论淡渗，西苓尤速也。
猪苓 锋刀削去黑皮，一水泡透，用槌打实，切之成片。
泽泻 削去毛，热水浸半时，切片。
黄连 酒炒，去头目之火。姜汁炒，去痰火、胃火，不伤脾胃，去实火。三黄解毒汤中用，不必制，只要去毛净。
黄芩 治头目疾，须酒炒。去肺火生用，去虚痰火姜汁炒。治上病用片芩，治下病用条芩。
栀子 破，微炒，去浮火，连壳用，泻小肠火。独用仁，炒过研破煎得味出。凡仁入煎，俱要碎。
牛膝 去芦，酒洗，干切。
杜仲 去粗皮切，姜汁炒，断丝，其丝不断又复炒。孕娠用糯米同炒之。
破故纸 微炒香。
小茴香 微炒，入煎药研碎。
滑石 拣去粗者，择细腻者，研为极细末，水飞入药。今粗入煎汤，皆不作效。
石膏 研极细，调入药尤效。作散者， 熟。入煎剂半生半熟。
天门冬 制同麦门年，入丸药酒浸极烂，捣如泥，调和众药。
浓朴 去粗皮，切片，姜汁炒。
白扁豆 炒熟去壳，微捣碎用。
薏苡仁 炒微黄色。
桃仁 泡去皮尖及双仁者，云双仁能杀人，纵不杀人必有毒。
杏仁 制同上，入煎剂，研如泥用。
栝蒌仁 打去壳，取仁研碎入煎。
大黄 陕西庄南卫者有力，不作腹痛。川者力迟而痛。泻实者生用，虚弱者酒蒸熟用。
朴硝 冬天度一次者尤妙，未度择净，定分两入盏，以热水泡之。同入煎众药，渣中渗去而力不全。
葶苈 纸炒，研碎入煎。
车前子 微炒，研碎入煎。
木香 不得见火，惟为末入煎、磨汁，内熟汤中服。
丁香、砂仁、白豆蔻 俱宜为末，调入汤煎剂，必待煎半熟，方可入也。不尔香气皆泄散去，所以不作效。
三棱 热水泡浸一时，慢火煨透切。
莪术 制同上。
何首乌 干者，米泔水浸透，竹刀刮去皮切片，用黑豆以水浸透，同首乌蒸之，豆熟为度，九次者佳。
白蒺藜 炒研去刺，研碎入煎。
山茱萸 热汤泡软，剥去核。
吴茱萸 热汤泡，去头水，晒干用。
巴豆 去油净。本草云∶生温有毒，熟寒无毒。今之去油，生用为避寒也。殊不知寒不足避，当避其大毒。况《本经》全无去油之制法。陶氏煮令黄黑，然亦太过，不如去其心膜者，五度换水，各煮一沸为佳。《局方》化滞丸而巴豆不去油，只以巴豆煮熟用之，深得其性也。
牵牛 微炒，捣取头末有力。
斑蝥 去头足，同糯炒，令黄。有以牡蛎同炒之。
穿山甲 同蛤粉炒黄色，研末调入药。
蜈蚣 慢火炙去头足，研末入汤。
桑螵蛸 当中破，慢火炙之。
甘遂 面包煨熟，去面。
阿胶 打碎如豆大，用蛤粉同炒成珠用，入汤药，不可众药同煎，必药熟起去渣，复以同阿胶入净汤中化清服。
腽肭脐 内滚水泡，去毛净，切片，新瓦上下，慢火炕干，入药。
紫河车 用热米泔水洗净，然后用麝香汤洗，上下新瓦炕干，入药。有鲜煮食，必用椒姜。
使君子 慢火煨香，熟用。
肉豆蔻 面包煨，去油，熟切入药。
茯神 去木，研细，水飞过用。
阳起石 用火 透红，研极细面入药。
牡砺 火 淬醋，盘中又 又淬五七次为佳。
蚕白 微炒，研末入药。
皂角 去皮弦，慢火炙黄用。
藿香 洗去土净，晒干用。
干漆 用新瓦上下合定，火 黑烟尽方可用。以其性气大悍，服之大伤血气。若去烟而用之，止破瘀血而不伤元血，若血晕不醒人事者，即烧烟熏之，立苏，足可以见其悍也。
砒霜 凡入药剂如 喘丸、三品丸、斩儿丹亦不能舍之不用也。用之者不知制度，其不杀人者几希。每将砒石一两打碎，用明矾一两为末，盖砒上贮罐中，入明火一 ，以矾枯为度，砒之悍气随烟而去。驻形于矾中者，庶几无毒，用之不伤也。凡用砒霜，即用矾霜是也。
黄丹 凡用丹入药，如生肌膏、生肌散皆必用之。缘丹性寒，得火炼形，而阴中之阳，有坎离之义集之，生肌去毒者也。今市肆售利，牵假河沙混之，其不飞澄沙石，用之必然无效。凡丹须冷器，以水飞过，仍炒干用入剂。
桑白皮 刮去红皮，切碎用，酒炒微黄色为度。
常山 用酒浸过宿切用则不吐。
大腹皮 擘去垢黑，用温水洗净，又用酒洗用，有用大豆汁洗方可用。孙真人云∶鸠鸟多栖此树，遗屎在皮上，不净恐有毒。今人用之不制，曾有人服之而致死者，其可忽诸？
青盐 温水洗，去尘土，火 过用。
蛤蚧 用酒洗温净，慢火炙熟，研入药。
白硼砂 用口含过，得温用。
炉甘石 用倾银罐 红，倾出在三黄汤内三五七尤佳。然后用三黄汤悬饴煮干，露一夜焙干用。
珍珠 豆腐内蒸过，铁臼内捣末研用。有用火 ，非其制也。一说入目，贵乎生用。
玛瑙 犬肉内煮之，火 红，醋淬用。
琥珀 用细布包，内豆腐锅中煮之，然后灰火略煨过。一云安心神俱宜生捣，入目制过用。
血竭 用灯草同研则成粉。
磁石 火 淬过。
砂 成块者，槌碎，乳汁浸一宿，瓦器烙干，乳用。
石蟹 火煨，醋淬过。
白丁香 入目者，三黄汤煮，干焙用。
针粉 用隔纸，有用火 黄色。
石燕 火 ，醋淬用。
石决明 火 ，童便淬。
龙胆 水化开点目，焙干研为末入散。
龙骨 火 。
海螵蛸 用湿纸包，煨过方用。
罂粟壳 用热水泡软擘去筋膜，切成丝。用蜜水微炒，晒干用。忌蒜、醋、胡椒。
蕤仁 去衣，绵纸包，研去油。
花蜘蛛 醋浸死，瓦上烙干，去足用。
翠白 用倾银罐 如膏，醋中淬，焙干。
香附子 舂去毛，用净米、童便浸一宿，取起用净水洗过，炒干用。妇科以醋复燥之。
玄参 用酒洗去尘土，切片晒干用。玄参行表治浮游无根之火，得酒气而力愈健。
蔓荆子 舂以酒炒过入煎，今人往往不研不炒而用之，多不作效。
决明子、萝卜子、芥子、苏子、韭子、青葙子 凡药中用子者，俱要炒过研碎，入煎方得味出。若不碎，如米之在壳，虽煮之终日，米味岂能出哉！
干姜 生用发表汗，炒过温脾而守中，胃间热虚甚者，如补中益气汤中加之，当慢火煨焦黑。
紫菀茸 用酒洗去土，晒干用。
桂 有谓肉桂则浓桂，以滋肾者也。当刮去粗皮，惟存其肉而用之，故曰肉桂。其余行血循经，止用薄桂。
枇杷叶 治咳嗽，去毛，不净反令人嗽。本草云∶四月采叶曝干，用时须火炙，以布拭去毛，去毛不尽，以栗秆作刷刷之，令尽。有用甘草汤洗，有用姜汤洗，有以酥涂炙用。初采湿者，一叶重一两，干则三叶重一两方好。
石斛 用酒洗，炙干或蒸过，焙干用俱可。
仙茅 糯米泔水浸三宿，用竹刀刮去皮，木砧上切片，阴干用。
续断 酒浸一宿，捶碎去筋膜，晒干用。
松香 用明净者，名沥清。入滚水煮三炷香，捞起放凉水缸中拔之一时，复入锅煮三炷香，次入凉水拔，如此七次。微入灰汤并酒，量水一石，入灰汤、酒各一斗，煮之再拔，便晒干，听用。此药最要制法极精，稍有不精，服之杀人。《续医说》有人制造不精，服之肠塞而死。然则制药之法，可不慎哉！
Lei Gong's *Yao Xing Lun* (Treatise on the Properties of Medicinals) states that medicinals have specific processing methods, just as music has specific modes. When music encompasses all modes, its tones become harmonious; when medicinals encompass all processing methods, their formulations become balanced. There are seventeen processing methods for medicinals, namely: Pao (roasting), Bo (a type of roasting), Bao (bursting/frying), Zhi (roasting with honey or oil), Wei (baking in ashes), Chao (stir-frying), Xia (likely a typo for Cu/acetic acid processing or a specific technique), Lian (refining), Zhi (processing), Du (measuring/assessing), Fei (levigation), Fu (subduing/calming), Bang (slicing/shaving), Zan (chiseling), Nian (grinding), Pu (sun-drying), and Lu (exposing to dew). However, when applying these methods, one should adapt them appropriately to each situation.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma): Remove the skin and root neck. It promotes urination and dispels dampness. Stir-fry with bran until slightly yellow to tonify the Middle Jiao; stir-fry with purified soil until yellow to tonify the Spleen and Stomach and control water retention. Its flavor is sweet and qi is rich, promoting urination and drying dampness. It is advisable to use mountain Bai Zhu from various regions, which has a lighter taste and penetrating properties. Physicians must examine this carefully.
Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma): Remove the skin, soak in rice washing water overnight, slice, and sun-dry. Then stir-fry lightly with light salt water until yellow, and sun-dry again for storage. This prevents it from exuding frosty juice over time, enhancing its quality. Processed with salt water, its drying and harsh nature becomes pure without damaging true body fluids. Those from Maoshan, which are tight, small, and heavy, are considered superior.
Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium): Resolves phlegm and regulates Qi. Use red Chen Pi from Fuzhou, known as Ju Hong. Its flavor is pungent and nature is dry; removing the white pith completely increases its efficacy. If used to harmonize the Middle and tonify the Spleen and Stomach, there is no need to remove the white pith, only the rough outer layer. Guang Chen Pi (from Guangzhou) is suitable; its flavor is sweet and pungent, and its nature is mild and warm, making it excellent for harmonizing the Middle and benefiting the Spleen. Observing current materials, Guang Pi is thick, soft, and moist, while Fu Pi is thin and rigid/dry, indicating the difference. Stir-frying dissipates the aroma and weakens the potency.
Qing Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride): Soak in warm water for one shichen (2 hours), remove the pith, slice, and stir-fry with bran. For soothing Liver Qi stagnation and accumulation, stir-fry with vinegar.
Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus): Soak in hot water for one shichen, remove, let the peel dry, bake thoroughly over slow fire, then slice for use. To descend excessive upper Qi and eliminate food stagnation, stir-fry with bran. Otherwise, the strong Qi may damage Yuan Qi (original Qi).
Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma): Soak in boiling water with Ming Fan (Alumen) or Pi Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) together. Do not stir during soaking. When the liquid cools, replace with fresh boiling water. Soaking five to seven times is ideal. Slice, mix with juice extracted from crushed Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), stir-fry lightly, and use. This method is used for Wind-Phlegm and Damp-Phlegm. To regulate the Spleen and stop diarrhea, add Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction). For internal use, Ban Xia Qu (Pinellia Fermented Paste) is preferred because its nature is not overly drying and achieves balance. Its preparation method is described later.
Tian Nan Xing (Arisaematis Rhizoma): Use aged specimens. Soak in boiling water with Ming Fan, similar to Ban Xia, and mix with Jiang Zhi (Ginger Juice). For treating convulsions and Wind-Phlegm in pediatric formulas, grind the soaked material into powder, fill it into the gallbladder of a yellow cow collected in the twelfth lunar month, and dry it in a ventilated place.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma): Remove the rhizome (Lu), as it can induce vomiting. Without special processing, select those that are yellow, bright, and solid, as they are potent; loose, light, and hollow ones are ineffective. Qing He Ren Shen from Liaodong is highly regarded.
Huang Qi (Astragali Radix): Specimens from the North resembling arrow shafts are best. Peel and split, coat with honey water, roast slowly over low fire for tonifying the Middle and augmenting Qi. To secure the exterior by consolidating the interstices, stir-fry with wine.
Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix): Remove soil, split, wash with wine, sun-dry, and slice.
Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix): Wash with unadulterated wine, sun-dry. To make paste from fresh Sheng Di Huang, crush and extract juice, boil in wooden or stone mortars; avoid iron vessels. For weak Stomachs, stir-fry with Jiang Zhi. For patients with Spleen Qi stagnation, chest fullness, and inability to take Yin-nourishing herbs, process with Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus) and water, stir-fried with Sheng Di Huang, to ensure compatibility.
Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata): Wash with unadulterated wine, sun-dry. For pills, soak in wine until soft, pound into paste in a wooden/stone mortar. For honey pills, mix evenly with honey first, then add other herbs to ensure uniformity.
Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix): Soak in hot water for half a day, slice, and stir-fry with wine to prevent sour-cold from damaging vital Qi. For moving Blood, wine-processing enhances potency. For Spleen/Stomach deficiency with vomiting/hiccups, stir-fry with ginger.
Fu Ling (Poria): No special processing required; select solid, snow-white specimens from Yunnan. Remove skin for general use. For edema/swelling, do not remove the skin; Wu Pi San (Five-Peel Powder) uses only Fu Ling Pi (Poria with Cortex). Si Jun Zi Tang (Four-Gentlemen Decoction) requires Nan Ling (Southern Poria). Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) requires Xi Ling (Western Poria). Regarding leaching dampness, Xi Ling acts faster.
Zhu Ling (Polyporus): Scrape off black skin with a sharp knife, soak in one portion of water until permeable, beat solid with a mallet, and slice.
Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma): Scrape off hairs, soak in hot water for half an hour, and slice.
Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma): Stir-fry with wine to clear Fire from head and eyes. Stir-fry with Jiang Zhi to clear Phlegm-Fire and Stomach-Fire without damaging Spleen/Stomach, clearing Excess Fire. In San Huang Jie Du Tang (Three-Yellow Detoxification Decoction), no processing is needed, just clean off hairs.
Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix): For head/eye diseases, stir-fry with wine. For Lung-Fire, use raw; for Deficiency Phlegm-Fire, stir-fry with Jiang Zhi. For upper body diseases, use Pian Qin (slice); for lower body diseases, use Tiao Qin (strip).
Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex): Stir-fry with wine; Kidney practitioners stir-fry with salt water.
Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus): Break, stir-fry lightly to remove floating Fire, use with shell to drain Small Intestine Fire. If using only the seed, stir-fry, crush, and decoct to release flavor. Seeds must be crushed before decoction.
Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma): For cough, stir-fry with wine; for Kidney, stir-fry with salt water; remove hairs and skin.
Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix): Remove rhizome, wash with wine, cut when dry.
Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex): Remove coarse bark, slice, stir-fry with Jiang Zhi until fibers break. If fibers remain, stir-fry again. For pregnant women, stir-fry with sticky rice.
Po Gu Zhi (Cibotii Rhizoma): Stir-fry until fragrant.
Ba Ji Tian (Morindae Officinalis Radix): Boil and soak until permeable, crush with wooden mallet, split, and remove heart.
Xiao Hui Xiang (Foeniculi Fructus): Stir-fry lightly, crush before decoction.
Hua Shi (Talcum): Select fine particles, grind to extremely fine powder, levigate with water for medicinal use. Coarse particles added to decoctions are ineffective.
Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum): Grind to extremely fine powder; mixing into medicine is effective. For powders, calcine thoroughly. For decoctions, use half raw, half calcined.
Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix): Soak in cooked water for one shichen, permeate, and remove heart. If not removed, it causes irritability and restlessness.
Tian Men Dong (Asparagi Radix): Processing same as Mai Men Dong. For pills, soak in wine until very soft, pound into paste, and mix with other herbs.
Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex): Remove coarse bark, slice, stir-fry with Jiang Zhi.
Bai Bian Dou (Phaseoli Semen Album): Cook熟, remove shell, crush slightly.
Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen): Stir-fry until slightly yellow.
Tao Ren (Persicae Semen): Soak, remove skin and tips, and twin kernels. Twin kernels are said to be poisonous/deadly; even if not deadly, they are toxic.
Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum): Processing same as above. For decoctions, grind into paste.
Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthis Semen): Crush to remove shell, take seeds, grind, and add to decoction.
Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma): Specimens from Zhuangnanwei, Shaanxi are potent and do not cause abdominal pain. Sichuan specimens act slowly and cause pain. For purging Excess, use raw; for deficiency, steam with wine and use cooked.
Pu Xiao (Natrii Sulfas): Winter-harvested crystals processed once are best. Clean unprocessed crystals, measure weight into a cup, soak in hot water. Adding directly to decoction results in incomplete extraction from dregs.
Ting Li (Lepidii Semen): Stir-fry on paper, grind, and add to decoction.
Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen): Stir-fry lightly, grind, and add to decoction.
Hai Zao (Sargassum), Hai Dai (Laminaria), Kun Bu (Ecklonia), Hai Fen (Sargassum Powder), Qing Yan (Halitum): Wash with hot water, cool, sun-dry, and use.
Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix): Avoid fire. Grind into powder for decoction or grind into juice, add to cooked soup for consumption.
Chen Xiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), Tan Xiang (Santal Albae Lignum): Same method as Mu Xiang.
Ding Xiang (Caryophylli Flos), Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus), Bai Dou Kou (Cardamomi Fructus): Best ground into powder, mixed into decoction halfway through cooking. Otherwise, aroma dissipates, reducing efficacy.
San Leng (Sparganii Rhizoma): Soak in hot water for one shichen, bake thoroughly over slow fire, and slice.
E Zhu (Curcumae Rhizoma): Processing same as San Leng.
He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix): Dry specimen, soak in rice washing water until permeable, scrape skin with bamboo knife, slice. Steam with黑豆 (Black Soybeans) soaked in water until beans are cooked. Nine cycles are ideal.
Bai Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus): Stir-fry, grind, remove spines, crush, and add to decoction.
Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus): Soak in hot water until soft, peel off pit.
Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus): Soak in hot water, discard initial water, sun-dry, and use.
Ba Dou (Crotonis Fructus): Remove oil completely. Materia Medica states: Raw is warm and toxic; cooked is cold and non-toxic. Current oil removal aims to avoid cold nature, but actually aims to avoid major toxicity. *Ben Jing* does not mention oil removal. Tao Hongjing boiled until yellow-black, which is excessive. Better to remove heart membrane, change water five times, boil once each time. *Ju Fang* Huazhi Wan uses cooked Ba Dou without oil removal, deeply grasping its nature.
Qian Niu (Pharbitidis Semen): Stir-fry lightly, pound to obtain the finest powder, which is most potent.
Ban Mao (Mylabris): Remove head and feet, stir-fry with glutinous rice until yellow. Some stir-fry with Oyster Shell.
Chuan Shan Jia (Manis Squama): Stir-fry with Ge Fen (Clay) until yellow, grind into powder, mix into medicine.
Wu Gong (Scolopendra): Roast slowly over low fire, remove head and feet, grind into powder, add to soup.
Sang Piao Xiao (Mantis Ootheca): Split in middle, roast slowly over low fire.
Gan Sui (Kansui Radix): Wrap in dough, bake熟, remove dough.
E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini): Crush into bean-sized pieces, stir-fry with Ge Fen until forming pearls. For decoctions, do not cook with other herbs. Remove dregs after other herbs are cooked, then dissolve E Jiao in the clear liquid.
Tan Na Qi (Viverrinae Testiculus): Soak in boiling water, remove hair, slice, dry between new tiles over low fire, and use.
Zi He Che (Placenta Humana): Wash with hot rice washing water, then wash with She Xiang (Musk) soup, dry between new tiles, and use. Fresh ones must be boiled with Pepper and Ginger.
Shi Jun Zi (Quisqualis Fructus): Roast slowly over low fire until fragrant, use cooked.
Rou Dou Kou (Myristicae Semen): Wrap in dough, bake, remove oil, slice cooked, and use.
Fu Shen (Poria cum Radice): Remove wood, grind finely, levigate with water, and use.
Yang Qi Shi (Actinolite): Heat until red, grind to extremely fine powder, and use.
Liu Huang (Sulfur): Boil in juice extracted from Banana Stem, then boil in Licorice soup to render non-toxic.
Mu Li (Ostrea Concha): Heat and quench in vinegar, repeat five to seven times in a plate for best results.
Can Bai (Bombyx Batryticatus): Stir-fry lightly, grind into powder, and use.
Zao Jiao (Gleditsiae Spina): Remove skin and strings, roast slowly over low fire until yellow, and use.
Huo Xiang (Agastaches Herba): Wash to remove soil, sun-dry, and use.
Gan Xi (Resina Commiphora): Seal between new tiles, heat until black smoke ceases. Its nature is fierce; ingestion damages Blood and Qi significantly. If smoke is removed, it breaks Blood stasis without damaging original Blood. For syncope due to Blood stasis, smoke inhalation revives immediately, demonstrating its fierceness.
Pi Shuang (Arsenici Trioxidum): Essential in formulas like Chuan Chuan Wan, San Pin Wan, Zhan Er Dan. Unknowing users risk death. Process 1 liang Arsenical Stone, crush, mix with 1 liang Alum powder, cover arsenic, store in jar, expose to open fire until alum dries. Arsenic's fierce energy leaves with smoke. What remains in alum is nearly non-toxic. Using Pi Shuang means using Fan Shuang (Alum-Arsenic compound).
Huang Dan (Minii Rubrum): Used in Sheng Ji Gao/Powder. Nature is cold; fire refining transforms it into Yang within Yin, embodying Kan-Li symbolism, generating flesh and removing toxicity. Market adulteration with sand renders it ineffective. Must use cold vessel, levigate with water, dry, and add to formula.
Sang Bai Pi (Mori Cortex): Scrape off red skin, chop, stir-fry with wine until slightly yellow.
Chang Shan ( Dichroae Radix): Soak in wine overnight, slice to prevent vomiting.
Da Fu Pi (Arecae Pericarpium): Split, remove dirt/black spots, wash with warm water, then wash with wine. Some use Soybean juice wash. Sun Simiao noted pigeons roost here, leaving droppings; impurities may be toxic. Unprocessed use has caused death; caution is advised.
Qing Yan (Halitum): Wash with warm water, remove dust, heat and use.
Ge Jie (Gekko Gecko): Wash with wine, roast slowly until cooked, grind, and use.
Bai Peng Sha (Borax): Use after being held in mouth to warm.
Lu Gan Shi (Calamina): Heat in silver pot until red, pour into San Huang Tang three to seven times. Then suspend in San Huang Tang with maltose, boil dry, expose overnight, bake dry, and use.
Zhen Zhu (Margarita): Steam in tofu, grind in iron mortar. Calcination is incorrect. For eyes, raw is preferred.
Ma Nao (Sardonyx): Boil in dog meat, heat until red, quench in vinegar.
Hu Po (Electrum): Wrap in fine cloth, boil in tofu pot, then simmer in ash fire. For calming Spirit, raw grind is best; for eyes, processed is used.
Xue Jie (Dragonii Resina): Grind with Rush Pith to form powder.
Ci Shi (Magnetitum): Heat and quench.
She Chuang Zi (Cnidii Fructus): Crush lumps, soak in milk overnight, bake in earthenware, use milk.
Shi Xie (Crab Shell): Bake, quench in vinegar.
Bai Ding Xiang (Stercus Domesticum): For eyes, boil in San Huang Tang, bake dry, and use.
Zhen Fen (Iron Filings): Use paper barrier, or heat until yellow.
Shi Yan (Bat Fossil): Heat, quench in vinegar.
Shi Jue Ming (Haliotidis Concha): Heat, quench in child's urine.
Long Dan Cao (Gentianae Radix): Dissolve in water for eye application, bake dry, grind for powder.
Gu Long (Fossilia Ossis Maxillaris): Calcine.
Ba Dou (Crotonis Fructus): Remove oil, powder, wrap in white silk, boil in Licorice water, bake dry, for eye use.
Hai Piao Xiao (Sepiae Endoconcha): Wrap in wet paper, bake before use.
Ying Tiao (Eagle Strip): Levigate in San Huang Tang, boil in Licorice soup once, bake dry, and use.
Ying Su Ke (Papaveris Capsula): Soak in hot water until soft, split, remove membranes, slice. Stir-fry with honey water, sun-dry. Avoid Garlic, Vinegar, Pepper.
Rui Ren (Pruni Armeniacae Semen): Remove coat, wrap in cotton paper, grind to remove oil.
Hua Zhi Zhu (Spider): Soak in vinegar until dead, bake on tile, remove legs, and use.
Cui Bai (Bird Dropping?): Heat in silver pot until paste-like, quench in vinegar, bake dry.
Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma): Pound to remove hair, soak in clean rice and child's urine overnight, wash with clean water, stir-fry dry. Gynecology uses vinegar to enhance drying.
Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix): Wash with wine to remove dust, slice, sun-dry. Xuan Shen treats floating Rootless Fire; wine enhances potency.
Yun Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus): Remove branches, roots, and heart, grind, decoct.
Man Jing Zi (Viticis Fructus): Pound, stir-fry with wine, decoct. Modern neglect of grinding/frying reduces efficacy.
Jue Ming Zi, Luo Bo Zi, Jie Zi, Su Zi, Jiu Zi, Qing Xiang Zi: Seeds must be stir-fried and crushed before decoction to release flavor. Whole seeds are like rice in husk; boiling all day yields no flavor.
Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma): Raw for releasing exterior/sweating; stir-fried for warming Spleen/maintaining Middle. For severe Stomach heat-deficiency (e.g., in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang), bake slowly until charred black.
Zi Wan Rong (Asteris Radix et Rhizoma): Wash with wine to remove soil, sun-dry, and use.
Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex): Rou Gui (thick bark) nourishes Kidney; scrape coarse bark, use only inner bark. Thin Gui moves Blood along meridians.
Wei Zhi (Likely a typo or obscure term, possibly referring to a specific herb or part): Soak in hot water for one shichen, break flesh, remove stem, boil with Licorice for half a shichen, remove Licorice.
Pi Pa Ye (Loquats Leaf): Treats cough. Remove hairs; residual hairs induce cough. Harvest in April, sun-dry. Before use, roast and wipe hairs with cloth. If incomplete, brush with栗秆 (chestnut stalk). Some wash with Licorice or Ginger soup, or apply butter and roast. Fresh leaf weighs 1 liang; dried requires 3 leaves for 1 liang.
Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis): Wash with wine, roast dry, steam, or bake dry; all acceptable.
Gan Cao (Licorice Root): Raw in cooling formulas; roasted for warming/Spleen-tonifying. Must be fully roasted.
Xian Mao (Curculiginis Rhizoma): Soak in glutinous rice washing water for three nights, scrape skin with bamboo knife, slice on wooden board, dry in shade.
Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix): Soak in wine overnight, pound to remove membranes, sun-dry.
Song Xiang (Rosin): Use clear variety, named Li Qing. Boil in rolling water for three incense sticks' time, remove, soak in cold water for one shichen, repeat boiling and soaking seven times. Add ash water and wine (1 dou each per 1 dan water), boil, soak again, sun-dry. Processing must be precise; impurity causes fatal intestinal blockage (*Xu Yi Shuo*). Caution is essential.