典藏书目

Whenever preparing and mixing decoctions, one must strive for precision and specialization. One must distinguish between new and old materials, identify their geographical origins, ensure processing conforms to standards, maintain exact weights without error, and apply them appropriately; thus, diseases will invariably be cured.

The methods for treating illnesses are not singular, and there are many instances where the unit of "liang" (a traditional Chinese weight) is employed. The nature of diseases may vary or depend upon each other, necessitating adherence to specific prescriptions.

When boiling decoctions, one should use well-water drawn at dawn (Jinghua water), ensuring it is extremely clean. The quantity of water must strictly follow the prescription, allowing for no deviation. Maintain a gentle simmer with low heat to allow the medicinal flavors to extract.

When pounding and sifting ingredients for pills, use heavy, fine silk gauze to achieve a fine powder; mixing this with honey facilitates easier cooking. If sifting herbal medicines into powders, use light, fine silk gauze; mixing with wine for administration prevents caking. Mineral drugs should also be sifted through fine silk gauze before being ground, repeated hundreds of times, until the color and texture appear harmonious, which indicates quality.

For any decoctions or wines containing mineral drugs, these must be finely pounded and sifted to the size of millet grains. They can also be blended using a kudzu sieve, wrapped in new cotton, and boiled together within the decoction or wine.

When macerating medicinal wines, herbs must be finely chopped and placed in raw silk bags. These are then submerged in wine and sealed tightly. Depending on the seasonal temperature (cold or hot), observe the duration required for the desired potency, then strain out the liquid. It is not necessary to wait until all the wine has been consumed. The dregs can be dried, slightly crushed, and re-macerated for further drinking, or they can be used as a powder.

When preparing ointments, initially soak the ingredients in wine or vinegar until fully saturated, using minimal liquid. Cover tightly to prevent leakage. Soak from morning until the next morning, or sometimes just overnight. Simmer over low heat, employing a technique of bringing it to a boil three times and removing it from heat three times to dissipate excessive heat and release medicinal properties. When it boils, remove it; let it settle quietly before reheating. The goal is to achieve slight bubbling. For ingredients like Allium macrostemon (Xiebai), look for the ends turning slightly yellow-brown; for Angelica dahurica (Baizhi) and Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi), aim for a slight yellow hue. Lard (Zhufang) must never come into contact with water; lard prepared in the twelfth lunar month is superior. Strain the ointment using fresh cloth. If the ointment is intended for internal use, the residue may be boiled in wine and drunk; if for external application, the residue should be applied to the affected area. This ensures the full utilization of the medicinal power. Minerals such as Realgar (Xionghuang), Cinnabar (Zhusha), and Moschus (Shexiang) used in ointments must be separately ground into powder. After straining the ointment base, add these powders and stir vigorously with a utensil until the mixture becomes firm and cohesive, preventing sedimentation at the bottom. If Mercury (Shuiyin) or Lead carbonate (Hufen) are involved, grind them into the solidified ointment until dissolved.

For preparing elixirs and powders for longevity and spiritual cultivation, the room must first be cleaned, incense burned, and swept. Silence must be maintained; do not engage in idle chatter. Young boys should perform the pounding, ensuring the material is thoroughly fine and cooked; otherwise, efficacy will not be achieved. However, urgent minor decoctions and powders are exempt from these strict requirements.