上药一百二十种为君，主养命以应天，无毒，多服久服不伤人。欲轻身益气不老延年者，
本上经。
中药一百二十种为臣，主养性以应人，无毒有毒，斟酌其宜。欲遏病补虚羸者，本中经。
下药一百二十五种为佐使，主治病以应地，多毒，不可久服。欲除寒热邪气，破积聚愈
疾者，本下经。
三品合三百六十五种，法三百六十五度，一度应一日，以成一岁。后梁陶隐居又加《名医别
录》亦三百六十五种，倍其数，合七百三十名。《本经》用朱书，《别录》用墨书以别之。
上品药性，亦皆能遗疾，但其势力和浓，不为仓卒之效。然岁月常服，必获大益。
中品药性，疗病之辞渐深，轻身之说渐薄，服之者祛患为速，而延龄为缓。
下品药性，直主攻击，毒烈之气，倾损中和，不可常服。
药品所产，各有风土之宜，必本《图经》取用，方能致效。人参生自上党，黄 产于绵山，
山药、地黄须珍怀庆，玄胡、苍术必羡茅山。舶上茴香坚且实，汉中防己大而圆。广木香、川当
归随土着号，胡黄连、银柴胡因地擅名。若非预求真药，何能奏绩收功？至于草木根 ，收采各
有其时，取根多以二月、八月，斯时气液尚藏。收茎惟在夏末初秋，此际发生正旺。又云春收
宜早，秋采宜迟，大都要因气味盛全采而收之，各当其时可也。蓄藏之法，亦要究心，有宜晒曝、
火烘之不同，又必风吹密固之各异。黄精、二地贮固实则不 霉，
半夏、南星灰汤煨晒方坚实。人参、枸杞遇梅雨必要频烘，薏苡、山药逢温热可将数晒。硼砂收
同绿豆，冰片贮以灯芯之类。若不着意留心，未免噬脐空手。百凡市肆买求，尤宜留神辨认，
或非道地之真，则多莠苗相泥。以西呆为木香，指玄参为续断，明松脂滴作乳香，五灵脂捣充没
药，山栀染黑作砂仁，半夏煮黄为胡索，牛蹄锉为犀角，虎胫假以驴 ，绵花梗形似藿香，土
当归样同独活，川芎杂以 本，马蔺揉于泽兰末，
五灵搀入麝香捶樟脑伪充冰片，锻石和面作成附子，紫皮调土捏作小丁香。巧伪百般，不能枚
举。精详细察，存乎其人。
上药一百二十种作为君药，主要保养生命以顺应天道，没有毒性，长期服用不会伤害人体。想要达到身体轻盈、益气延年益寿效果的人，应当依据上品经（即《神农本草经》的上品部分）来选用。
中药一百二十种作为臣药，主要调养性情以顺应人道，有的无毒，有的有毒，需要斟酌其适宜性使用。想要遏制疾病、补益虚弱消瘦体质的人，应当依据中品经（即《神农本草经》的中品部分）来选用。
下药一百二十五种作为佐使药，主要治疗疾病以顺应地道，大多有毒，不可长期服用。想要去除寒热邪气、破除积聚、治愈疾病的人，应当依据下品经（即《神农本草经》的下品部分）来选用。
三品合计三百六十五种，对应一年三百六十五度（节气/日数），一度对应一日，从而构成一岁。后梁时期的陶弘景又增加了《名医别录》，其中药物也是三百六十五种，数量加倍，合起来共有七百三十种药物。《神农本草经》用红字书写，《名医别录》用黑字书写以示区别。
上品药物的药性，其实也能致病，但其势力温和浓厚，不能产生仓促的疗效。然而如果常年服用，必定能获得巨大的益处。
中品药物的药性，治疗疾病的描述逐渐深入，轻身延年的说法逐渐淡薄，服用者祛病迅速，而延年效果较慢。
下品药物的药性，直接主攻攻伐，具有毒烈之气，会损伤人体的中和之气，不可以经常服用。
药品所产之地，各有风土气候的适宜之处，必须依据《图经》来选取使用，才能奏效。人参生长于上党地区，黄芪产于绵山，山药和地黄必须以怀庆府出产的为珍贵，玄胡索和苍术必须以茅山出产的为优。舶上茴香坚实饱满，汉中产的防己大而圆。广木香、川当归随产地不同而有不同的名称，胡黄连、银柴胡因产地而得名。如果不是预先寻求真正的道地药材，怎么能取得疗效呢？至于草木根茎，采收各有其时，取根多在二月、八月，此时气液尚且收藏。采收茎叶只在夏末初秋，此时植物生长正旺盛。又说春季采收宜早，秋季采收宜迟，大都要根据气味盛全时采收，各自在合适的时机进行即可。贮藏的方法，也要用心研究，有适合日晒、火烘的不同，又必须有风吹密封固藏的差异。黄精、二地（生地黄、熟地黄）贮存在坚固容器中就不会发霉，半夏、南星用灰汤煨制晒干后才坚实。人参、枸杞遇到梅雨季节一定要频繁烘干，薏苡仁、山药遇到温热天气可以多次晾晒。硼砂与绿豆一起收存，冰片用灯芯草贮存之类。如果不留心在意，难免会后悔莫及（噬脐：比喻后悔也来不及）。凡是市场购买求取，尤其应该留心辨认，如果不是道地的真药，则多有杂草苗株混淆。把西呆（一种植物）当作木香，指玄参为续断，明松脂滴落冒充乳香，五灵脂捣碎充作没药，山栀染黑作砂仁，半夏煮黄作郁金，牛蹄锉碎作犀角，虎胫骨假冒驴骨，棉花梗形状似藿香，土当归样同独活，川芎混杂本草药材，马蔺揉碎混入泽兰粉末，五灵脂搀入麝香，捶打樟脑伪充冰片，锻石和面作成附子，紫皮调土捏作小丁香。巧妙的造假手段百般多样，不能一一列举。精细详细地考察，在于人自己。
The 120 superior drugs serve as the sovereign (Jun, monarch) agents, primarily nourishing life to correspond with Heaven. They are non-toxic; taking them in large doses or for a long time does not harm the human body. Those who wish to achieve lightness of body, benefit Qi, and prolong life should base their selection on the Superior Class Scripture (Shangpin Jing).
The 120 medium drugs serve as the minister (Chen, deputy) agents, primarily nurturing nature to correspond with Humanity. Some are non-toxic, while others are toxic; their suitability must be carefully weighed. Those who wish to suppress diseases and tonify deficiency and emaciation should base their selection on the Medium Class Scripture (Zhongpin Jing).
The 125 inferior drugs serve as the assistant (Zuo, envoy) agents, primarily treating diseases to correspond with Earth. They are mostly toxic and should not be taken for a long time. Those who wish to eliminate cold-heat pathogenic factors, break up accumulations, and cure illnesses should base their selection on the Inferior Class Scripture (Xiapin Jing).
The three classes total 365 types, corresponding to the 365 degrees (solar terms/days) of a year, where one degree corresponds to one day, thus completing a year. Tao Hongjing of the Later Liang Dynasty added the *Bie Lu* (Separate Records of Famous Physicians), which also contained 365 types, doubling the number to a total of 730 names. The *Ben Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) was written in vermilion ink, while the *Bie Lu* was written in black ink to distinguish them.
The properties of superior class drugs can also cause disease, but their power is mild and concentrated, lacking immediate effects. However, if taken regularly over years, they will surely yield great benefits.
The properties of medium class drugs have deeper descriptions regarding disease treatment, while claims of lightening the body become thinner. For those who take them, removing illness is fast, but extending lifespan is slow.
The properties of inferior class drugs directly focus on attack and expulsion. Their toxic and fierce qi damages the harmonious balance of the body and cannot be taken frequently.
Drugs produced in different regions have specific climatic and geographical preferences. One must refer to the *Tu Jing* (Illustrated Canon) for selection to ensure efficacy. Ginseng grows in Shangdang, Astragalus (Huangqi) in Mianshan, Dioscorea (Shanyao) and Rehmannia (Dihuang) from Huaiqing are highly prized, Corydalis (Yanhusuo) and Atractylodes (Cangzhu) from Maoshan are superior. Fennel imported by ship is firm and solid, Stephania (Fangji) from Hanzhong is large and round. Agarwood (Muxiang) from Guangxi and Angelica sinensis (Danggui) from Sichuan bear names according to their origin, Picrorhiza (Huhuanglian) and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium (Yinchaihu) gain fame due to their location. Unless one pre-sources authentic drugs, how can one achieve therapeutic results? As for roots and stems of herbs, harvesting times vary. Roots are mostly harvested in February and August, when qi and fluids are stored. Stems and leaves are harvested only at the end of summer and beginning of autumn, when growth is vigorous. It is said that spring harvesting should be early, and autumn harvesting late. Generally, one should harvest when the aroma and potency are full, each at its appropriate time. Storage methods also require attention. There are differences between sun-drying and fire-baking, and ventilation and sealing vary. Polygonatum (Huangjing) and Dihuang stored in sealed containers will not mold. Pinellia (Banxia) and Arisaema (Nanxing) become firm after being baked in ash water and dried. Panax ginseng and Lycium (Gouqi) must be frequently dried during the plum rain season. Coix seed (Yiyi) and Dioscorea (Shanyao) can be sun-dried multiple times during warm weather. Borax is stored with mung beans; borneol is stored with rush pith. If one does not pay close attention, regret will come too late (like biting one's navel). When buying in markets, one must be especially vigilant in identification. If not authentic regional drugs, weeds and impostors often confuse them. Mistaking Xidai for agarwood, identifying Scrophularia (Xuanshen) as Pericallis (Xuduan), using pine resin drops as frankincense, grinding Dysosma (Wulingzhi) to pass off as myrrh, dyeing Gardenia (Shanzhi) black to mimic Amomum (Sharen), boiling Pinellia (Banxia) yellow to act as Curcuma (Jinshu), grinding ox hooves to simulate rhino horn, passing off tiger tibia as donkey bone, cotton stalks resembling Agastache (Huoxiang), wild Angelica looking like Peucedanum (Duhuo), Ligusticum (Chuanxiong) mixed with Ligusticum chuanxiong (Bencao), crushing Iris (Malin) into Ziziphora (Zelan) powder, mixing Dysosma (Wulingzhi) with musk, pounding camphor to fake borneol, mixing calcined iron ore (Duanshi) with flour to make Aconite (Fuzi), mixing purple skin with soil to shape small cloves (Xiao Dingxiang). Deceptive tricks are countless and cannot be listed one by one. Careful and detailed observation depends on the individual.