甘温微苦，大补肺中元气，其性主气，凡脏腑之有气者皆能补之。生阴血亦泻虚火，凡
服参不投者服山楂可解，一补气一破气也。按∶老山真参近时绝少，惟行条参其性味与人参
虽同而力极薄，出关东，不论大小，但须全糙白皮为上，半糙者次之，若皮色微黄虽糙难辨
红熟者多伪，不可用。修条力甚薄，而其性横行手臂，指臂无力者服之有效。参须与修条相
同，其力尤薄。参芦能涌吐痰涎，虚者用之以代瓜蒂，然亦能补气，未见其尽吐也。
气味略似人参，而性较温。初服似有力，数日后便不觉矣。野者不可得，种者愈大
愈佳。东洋参 野者皮白，状类西洋参而色香味无异人参，性则微凉，近皆种者，形似人参
而性温，闻种时皆用硫黄故也。若以之代党参，较为轻清，非可代人参也。
甘平，补气血而润安五脏，益脾胃润心肺，填精髓助筋骨，除风湿。
甘温，补中益气，滋脾土润心肺，调营卫通九窍，助十二经，和百药，脾病患宜食之
。加入补剂与姜并行，能发脾胃升腾之气。风疾痰疾俱非所宜。红枣功用相仿，而力稍逊。
南枣不入药。生枣甘辛，多食生寒热。
（人参）味甘、性温，略带苦味，能大补肺中的元气。它的药性主要作用于气分，凡是脏腑中有气的地方都能得到补益。它既能生阴血，又能清泻虚火。凡是不适合服用人参的人，服用山楂可以缓解这种不适，因为人参补气而山楂破气。按：老山产的真人参近来极少见，只有行条参，其性味与人参相同但效力极弱，产自关东。不论大小，以全须且保留粗糙白皮的为上品，半保留的次之；如果皮色微黄，虽然粗糙也难以辨别，其中红熟的多为伪品，不可使用。修条参效力很弱，但其药性横行于手臂，对于手指和手臂无力者服用有效。参须与修条参性质相同，效力尤其薄弱。参芦能涌吐痰涎，体虚者可用它代替瓜蒂催吐，但它也能补气，未见其完全吐出痰涎的情况。
（羊肉）气味略似人参，但药性较温。初服时似乎有力，几天后便感觉不到了。野生的羊肉已不可得，人工养殖的越大越好。东洋参：野生者皮白，形状类似西洋参，但色香味与人参无异，药性则微凉。现在多为种植者，形状像人参但药性温，听说种植时都使用了硫磺。如果用东洋参代替党参，较为轻清，但不能代替人参。
（大枣）味甘、性平，能补气血并滋润安养五脏，有益脾胃、滋润心肺、填补精髓、助强筋骨、祛除风湿。
（羊肉）味甘、性温，能补中益气，滋养脾土、滋润心肺、调和营卫、通畅九窍、辅助十二经脉、调和各种药物，脾病患者适宜食用。加入补剂中与生姜并行，能激发脾胃升腾之气。风疾和痰疾均不适宜食用。红枣功用相似，但效力稍逊。南枣不入药。生枣味甘辛，多吃会引发寒热症状。
（小麦）味甘、性温，能补虚养气，帮助五脏浓稠肠胃。北地产的陈麦好，新麦性热，南产的容易壅滞气机并助长湿热。
（羊肉）味甘、性热，属火，能补虚劳、益气力、开胃壮阳，能诱发旧疾及疮疡。羊腹中结成的结石（羊宝），治疗反胃。羊角明目杀虫。生羊血治血晕，解一切毒。
(Renshen / Ginseng Root) Sweet, warm, slightly bitter. Greatly tonifies the primordial Qi of the Lung. Its nature primarily governs Qi; it can tonify any Zang-Fu organ that possesses Qi. It generates Yin and Blood while draining deficient Fire. For those who do not tolerate Renshen (Ginseng Root), Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit) can resolve the discomfort, as one tonifies Qi while the other breaks Qi. Note: Authentic Lao Shan Renshen is extremely rare nowadays. Only Xing Tiao Shen (a specific grade/type of Ginseng Root) is available; its nature and flavor are similar to Renshen but its efficacy is very weak. Produced in Guandong, regardless of size, those with complete roots and rough white skin are superior, followed by those with half-skin. If the skin color is slightly yellow, although rough, it is difficult to distinguish; those with reddish-ripe hues are often counterfeit and should not be used. Xiu Tiao Shen has very weak efficacy, but its action moves horizontally through the arms; it is effective for weakness in the fingers and arms. Shen Xu (Ginseng Rootlets) is similar to Xiu Tiao Shen but even weaker. Shen Lu (Ginseng Stem) can induce vomiting of phlegm and saliva. It can replace Gou Ti (Melon Seed) for deficiency patients, yet it also tonifies Qi, so it is rarely seen to completely expel phlegm.
(Mouton / Sheep Meat) The aroma and flavor are slightly similar to Renshen, but the nature is warmer. Initially, it seems to provide strength, but after a few days, this effect disappears. Wild Mouton is unavailable; cultivated ones are better if larger. Dong Yang Shen (Korean Ginseng): Wild varieties have white skin, resembling Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng) in shape, but their color, aroma, and flavor are indistinguishable from Renshen; however, their nature is slightly cool. Currently, most are cultivated; they resemble Renshen in shape but are warm in nature, reportedly due to the use of Sulfur during cultivation. If used to replace Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root), it is relatively light and clear, but it cannot replace Renshen.
(Dazao / Jujube Fruit) Sweet, neutral. Tonifies Qi and Blood, moistens and calms the Five Zang organs, benefits the Spleen and Stomach, moistens the Heart and Lungs, fills Essence and Marrow, assists sinews and bones, and dispels Wind-Dampness.
(Mouton / Sheep Meat) Sweet, warm. Tonifies the Middle and supplements Qi, nourishes Spleen Earth, moistens the Heart and Lungs, regulates Ying and Wei, unblocks the Nine Orifices, assists the Twelve Meridians, harmonizes various herbs. It is suitable for patients with Spleen disorders. When added to tonic formulas alongside Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), it can stimulate the ascending Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. It is not suitable for Wind diseases or Phlegm diseases. Hong Zao (Red Date/Jujube) has similar functions but slightly weaker efficacy. Nan Zao (Southern Jujube) is not used in medicine. Raw Zao is sweet and pungent; excessive consumption causes Cold and Heat symptoms.
(Xiaomai / Wheat Grain) Sweet, warm. Tonifies deficiency and nourishes Qi, helps thicken the intestines and stomach. Aged wheat from the North is good; new wheat is hot. Wheat from the South tends to stagnate Qi and assist Damp-Heat.
(Yang Zhi / Sheep Fat) Sweet, warm. Tonifies the Middle, strengthens the Five Zang organs, unblocks vessels, and supplements Qi and strength.
(Mouton / Sheep Meat) Sweet, hot. Belongs to Fire. Tonifies deficiency-wasting conditions, supplements Qi and strength, opens the appetite, strengthens the Yang pathway, and can trigger chronic diseases and sores. Yang Bao (Stone in Sheep's Abdomen/Gallstone), formed in the sheep's abdomen, treats Fan Wei (Regurgitation). Yang Jiao (Sheep Horn) brightens the eyes and kills parasites. Raw Yang Xue (Sheep Blood) treats Xue Yun (Blood Syncope) and resolves all toxins.