煮令白，细辛水渍使直，黄 蜜蒸为甜，当归酒洒取润，螵蛸胶着桑枝，蜈蚣朱足令赤。诸
有此等，皆非事实，世用既久，转以成法，非复可改，末如之何，又依方分药，不量剥治。
如远志、牡丹，裁不收半；地黄、门冬，三分耗一。凡去皮除心之属，分两皆不复相应，病
家唯依此用，不知更称。又王公贵胜，合药之日，悉付群下。其中好药贵石，无不窃遣。乃
言紫石、丹砂吞出洗取，一片经数十过卖。诸有此等例，巧伪百端，皆非事实。虽复鉴检，
初不能觉。以此治病，理难即效，斯并药家之盈虚，不得咎医人之浅拙也。
本草采药时月，皆在建寅岁首，则从汉太初后所记也。其根物多以二月、八月采者，谓
春初津润始萌，未冲枝叶，势力淳浓故也。至秋则枝叶就枯，又归流于下。今即事验之，春
宁宜早，秋宁宜晚，其花、实、茎、叶，乃各随其成熟耳。岁月亦有早晏，不必都依本文矣。
《经》说阴干者，谓就六甲阴中干之。依遁甲法，甲子旬阴中在癸酉，以药着酉地也。余谓
不必然，正是不露日曝，于阴影处干之耳。所以亦有云曝干故也。若幸可两用，益当为善。
古秤唯有铢两，而无分名。今则以十黍为一铢，六铢为一分，四分成一两，十六两为一斤。
虽有子谷 黍之制，从来均之已久，正尔依此用之。但古秤皆复，今南秤是也。晋秤始后汉
末以来，分一斤为二斤耳，一两为二两耳。金银丝绵，并与药同，无轻重矣。古方唯有仲景
，而已涉今秤，若用古秤作汤，则水为殊少，故知非复秤，悉用今者尔。方有云分等者，非
分两之分也，谓诸药斤两多少皆同耳。先视病之大小轻重所须，乃以意裁之。凡此之类，皆
是丸散，丸散竟便依节度用之。汤酒中，无分等也。
凡散药有云刀圭者，十分方寸匕之一，准如梧子大也。方寸匕者，作匕正方一寸，抄散
取不落为度。钱五匕者，今五铢钱边五字者以抄之，亦令不落为度。一撮者，四刀圭也。十
撮为一勺，十勺为一合。以药升分之者，谓药有虚实轻重，不得用斤两，则以升平之。药升
合方寸作，上径一寸，下径六分，深八分。内散勿案抑，正尔微动令平调耳。而今人分药，
多不复用此。
凡丸药有云如细麻者，即今胡麻也，不必扁扁，但令较略大小相称耳。如黍粟亦然，以
十六黍为一大豆也；如大麻者，即大麻子准三细麻也；如胡豆者，今青斑豆也，以二大麻子
准之。如小豆者，今赤小豆也，粒有大小，以三大麻子准之。如大豆者，二小豆准之。如梧
子者，以二大豆准之。一方寸匕散，蜜和得如梧子，准十丸为度。如弹丸及鸡子黄者，以十
梧子准之。
凡汤酒膏药，旧方皆云 （敷汝反）咀（暴汝反）者，谓秤毕捣之如大豆者，又使吹去
细末，此于事殊不允；药有易碎、难碎，多末、少末，秤两则不复均，今皆细切之，较略令
如咀者，差得无末，而粒片调和，于药力同出，无生熟也。
凡丸、散药，亦先细切曝燥乃捣之。又有各捣者，有合捣者，随方所言。其润湿药，如
门冬、干地黄辈，皆先切曝，独捣令扁碎，更出细擘曝干。值阴雨，亦以微火烘之，既燥，
小停冷仍捣之。
凡润湿药，燥皆大耗，当先增分两，须得屑乃秤为正。其汤酒中不须如此。
凡筛丸药，用重密绢令细，于蜜丸易成熟。若筛散草药，用轻疏绢，于酒服则不泥。其
石药亦用细绢筛如丸者。凡筛丸、散药竟，皆更合于臼中，以杵研之数百过，视色理和同为
佳。
凡汤酒膏中用诸石，皆细捣之如粟米，亦可以葛布筛令调，并以新绵别裹内中。其雄黄、
朱
凡煮汤，欲微火令小沸，其水数依方多少，大略廿两药，用水一斗，煮取四升，以此为
率。然则利汤欲生，少水而多取；补汤欲熟，多水而少取。好详视之，所得宁令多少。用新
布，两人以尺木绞之，澄去泥浊，纸覆令密。温汤勿令铛器中有水气，于热汤上煮令暖亦好。
服汤家小热易下，冷则呕涌。云分再服、三服者，要令力热势足相及。并视人之强羸，病之
轻重，以为进退增减之，不必悉依方说。
凡渍药酒，皆须细切，生绢袋盛之，乃入酒密封，随寒暑日数，视其浓烈，便可沥出，
不必待至酒尽也。滓可曝燥，微捣，更渍饮之；亦可作散服。
凡建中、肾沥诸补汤，滓合两剂，加水煮，竭饮之，亦敌一剂新药，贫人当依此，皆应
先曝令燥。
凡合膏，初以苦酒渍取，令淹，溲浃后，不用多汁，密覆勿泄。云 时者，周时也，从
今旦至明旦。亦有止一宿者。煮膏，当三上三下，以泄其焦势，令药味得出。上之使迎迎沸
仍下之，下之取沸静乃上，宁欲小生。其中有薤白者，以两头微焦黄为候。有白芷、附子者，
亦令小黄色也。猪肪勿令经水，腊月弥佳。绞膏亦以新布绞之。若是可服之膏，膏滓亦堪酒
煮稍饮之。可摩之膏，膏滓即宜以薄病上，此盖贫野人欲兼尽其力。
凡膏中有雄黄、朱砂辈，皆别捣细研如面，须绞膏竟乃投中，以物疾搅，至于凝强，勿
使沉聚在下不调也。有水银者，于凝膏中，研令消散。有胡粉亦尔。凡汤酒中用大黄，不须
细锉。作汤者，先水渍，令淹浃，密覆一宿。明旦煮汤，临熟乃以纳中，又煮两三沸，便绞
出，则力势猛，易得快利。丸散中用大黄，旧皆蒸，今不须尔。
凡汤中用麻黄，皆先别煮两三沸，掠去其沫，更益水如本数，乃纳余药，不尔令人烦。
麻黄皆折去节，令理通，寸锉之；有小草、瞿麦五分锉之；细辛、白前三分锉之；丸散膏中，
则
凡汤中用完物，皆擘破，干枣、枝子、括蒌子之类是也。用细核物亦打碎，山茱萸、五
味、蕤核，决明之类是也。细华子物，正尔完用之，旋复花、菊花、地肤子、葵子之类是也。
米、麦、豆辈，亦完用之。诸虫先微炙，亦完煮之。唯螵蛸当中破之。生姜、夜干皆薄切。
芒硝、饴糖、阿胶皆须绞汤竟，纳汁中，更上火两三沸，烊尽乃服之。
凡用麦门冬，皆微润抽去心。杏仁、桃仁汤柔挞去皮。巴豆打破，剥皮，刮去心，不尔
令人闷；石苇、辛夷刮去毛；鬼箭削取羽及皮；藜芦剔取根，微炙；枳实去其核，只用皮，
亦炙之；椒去实，于铛器中微熬，令汗出，则有势力；矾石于瓦上若铁物中熬，令沸，汁尽
即止，二 石皆黄土泥包，使燥，烧之半日，令势热而解散。犀角、羚羊角皆刮截作屑。诸
齿骨并炙捣碎之。皂荚去皮子炙之。
凡汤、丸、散，用天雄、附子、乌头、乌喙、侧子，皆 灰火炮炙，令微坼，削去黑皮
乃秤之。唯姜附子汤及膏酒中生用，亦削去皮乃秤，直理破作七八片，随其大小，但削除外
黑尖处令尽。
凡汤、酒、膏、丸散，用半夏皆且完。以热汤洗去上滑，手 之，皮释随剥去，更复易
汤洗之，令滑尽。不尔，戟人咽。旧方廿许过，今六七过便足。亦可直煮之，沸易水，如此
三过，仍 洗毕便讫，随其大小破为细片，乃秤以入汤。若膏、酒、丸、散，皆须曝燥乃秤
之也
凡丸、散用胶，皆先炙，使通体沸起，燥乃可捣。有不沸处更炙之。丸方中用蜡皆烊，
投少蜜中，搅调以和药。若用熟艾，先细擘，合诸药捣，令散；不可筛者，别捣内散中和之。
凡用蜜，皆先火上煎，料去其沫，令色微黄，则丸经久不坏。克之多少，随蜜精粗。凡丸、
散用巴豆、杏仁、桃仁、葶苈、胡麻诸有膏脂药，皆先熬黄黑，别捣令如膏。指 视泯泯尔，
乃以向成散，稍稍下臼中，合研捣，令消散，乃复都以轻疏绢筛度之，须尽，又纳臼中，依
法治数百杵也。汤膏中用，亦有熬之者，虽生并捣破。
凡用桂、浓朴、杜仲、秦皮、木兰辈，皆削去上虚软甲错，取里有味者秤之。茯苓、猪
苓削除去黑皮。牡丹、巴戟天、远志、野葛等，皆捶破去心。紫菀洗去土皆毕，乃秤之。薤
白、葱白除青令尽。莽草、石南草、茵芋、泽兰剔取叶及嫩茎，去大枝。鬼臼、黄连皆除根
毛。蜀椒去闭口者及目熬之。
凡野狼毒、枳实、橘皮、半夏、麻黄、吴茱萸，皆欲得陈久者。其余唯须新精。
凡方云巴豆如千枚者，粒有大小，当先去心皮竟，秤之。以一分准十六枚。附子、乌头
如干枚者，去皮竟，以半两准一枚。枳实如干枚者，去核竟。以一分准二枚。橘皮一分准三
枚。枣有大小，以三枚准一两。云干姜一累者，以重一两为正。
凡方云半夏一升者，洗竟，秤五两为正。云某子一升者，其子各有虚实轻重。不可通以
秤准。皆取平升为正。椒一升，三两为正；吴茱萸一升，五两为正；菟丝子一升，九两为正；
凡方云用桂一尺者，削去皮竟，重半两为正。甘草一尺者，重二两为正。凡方云某草一束者，
以重三两为正。云一把者，重二两为正。凡方云蜜一斤者，有七合。猪膏一斤者，有一升二
合。
上合药分剂料治法。
又案诸药，一种虽主数病，而性理亦有偏着。立方之日，或致疑混，复恐单行径用，赴
急抄撮，不必皆得研究。今宜指抄病源所主药名，仍可于此处治，若欲的寻，亦兼易解。其
甘苦之味可略，有毒无毒易知，唯冷热须明。今以朱点为热，墨点为冷，无点者是平，以省
于烦注也。其有不入汤酒者，亦条于后也。
（药材经过）煮制使其变白，细辛用水浸泡使其挺直，黄芩用蜂蜜蒸制以增甜，当归洒酒以取润泽，海螵蛸胶着在桑枝上，蜈蚣涂朱砂使足变红。诸如此类的做法，都不是事实，只是世间使用已久，逐渐演变成定法，不再可以更改，无可奈何。又依照处方分药，不衡量剥皮、炮制的损耗。
例如远志、牡丹，裁切后收不到一半；地黄、麦冬，三分中耗损一分。凡是去皮、去心之类的药材，分量都不再相应，病家只依此使用，不知道重新称量。另外王公贵族，配药之日，全部交给下属处理。其中喜好好药贵重矿石的，无不暗中窃取。甚至说紫石英、丹砂吞下洗出，一片经过几十次转卖。诸如此类的例子，巧伪百端，都不是事实。虽然加以检查，起初也不能发觉。以此治病，按理难以立即见效，这都是药商牟利或亏损的结果，不能责怪医生医术浅薄拙劣。
本草记载采药的时间，都在建寅之月（农历正月）岁首，这是从汉代太初历之后所记录的。那些根类药材多在二月、八月采集，是因为春初津液滋润开始萌动，未冲犯枝叶，药力淳厚浓郁；到了秋天则枝叶枯黄，药气又回流于根部。如今根据实际验证，春天宜早采，秋天宜晚采，至于花、果实、茎、叶，则各自随其成熟时节采集即可。岁月也有早晚差异，不必完全依据原文了。
《神农本草经》说“阴干”，是指在六甲遁甲中的阴时干燥。依遁甲法，甲子旬中阴时在癸酉日，将药放在酉地。我认为不一定这样，正是不暴露在日光下曝晒，在阴影处干燥罢了。所以也有说“曝干”的。如果两者都可以通用，那就更好了。
古时的秤只有铢、两，没有“分”这个单位。现在则以十粒黍米为一铢，六铢为一分，四分为一两，十六两为一斤。虽然有子谷黍的度量标准，但长期以来已经统一，就依照此使用。只是古秤已废，现今南方使用的是晋秤。晋秤始于后汉末年以来，将一斤分为二斤（即半斤），一两分为二两（即半两）。金银丝绵，都与药物同重，没有轻重之分了。古方唯有张仲景的方子，已经涉及今秤，如果用古秤煎汤，水量就会大大减少，所以知道不再用古秤，全都用今秤罢了。方剂中说“分等”的，不是指分量的“分”，而是说各种药物的斤两多少都相同。先观察病情的大小轻重所需，然后凭心意裁减。凡此类情况，都是丸散剂，丸散制成后就依节度服用。汤剂和酒剂中，没有“分等”的说法。
凡是散药中有说“刀圭”的，是方寸匕的十分之一，大小如同梧桐子。方寸匕，制作成边长一寸的正方形勺子，舀取散药以不掉落为限度。五钱匕，是用现在五铢钱边缘五个字的钱来舀取，也令不掉落为限度。一撮，是四个刀圭。十撮为一勺，十勺为一合。用“升”来计量药物的，是说药物有虚实轻重，不能用斤两称量，就用升来平量。药升做成方寸大小，上口径一寸，下口径六分，深八分。放入散药不要按压，只需轻微抖动使其平整即可。而今人分药，大多不再使用此法。
凡是丸药中有说“如细麻”的，就是现在的胡麻，不必扁扁的，只要大致大小相称即可。如黍粟也是这样，以十六粒黍米相当于一粒大豆；如大麻者，就是大麻子，相当于三粒细麻；如胡豆者，就是现在的青斑豆，以两粒大麻子相当；如小豆者，就是现在的赤小豆，粒有大小，以三粒大麻子相当；如大豆者，以两粒小豆相当；如梧子者，以两粒大豆相当。一方寸匕的散药，用蜜调和得如梧子大，以十丸为限度。如弹丸及鸡子黄大小的，以十粒梧子相当。
凡是汤、酒、膏、药，旧方都说“㕮咀”（敷汝反，暴汝反），意思是称好后捣碎如大豆大小，又吹去细末，这在操作上很不妥当；药物有的易碎、难碎，产生的粉末多或少，称量就不均匀了。现在都切成细片，大致像㕮咀的样子，差不多没有粉末，而颗粒片状调和，药效同样析出，没有生熟之分。
凡是丸、散药，也先细切晒干后再捣碎。又有分别捣碎的，有混合捣碎的，随处方所说。那些润湿的药，如麦冬、干地黄之类，都先切晒，单独捣令扁碎，再取出细掰晒干。正值阴雨，也用微火烘干，既干燥，稍冷却后再捣碎。
凡是润湿药，干燥后损耗很大，应当先增加分量，必须得到药屑才称重为正。那些用于汤、酒的则不需要这样。
凡是筛丸药，用厚重密实的绢使药粉细腻，对于蜜丸容易成型。若筛草药散，用轻薄疏朗的绢，用酒送服则不粘腻。石药也用细绢筛，像做丸药那样。凡是筛完丸、散药后，都要再合入臼中，用杵研磨几百遍，看色泽纹理和同为佳。
凡是汤、酒、膏中用的各种石药，都细捣如粟米大小，也可以用葛布筛令调和，并用新棉另行包裹放入锅中。雄黄、朱砂……（原文此处似有缺漏，结合上下文推测为处理石药的方法，但按规则不增添内容，故略过缺失部分或理解为继续叙述石药处理，因原文中断，此处仅翻译可见部分）
凡煮汤，要用微火令其小沸，水量依方多少，大概二十两药，用水一斗，煮取四升，以此为率。然而利下的汤剂欲生（保留药性），少水而多取汁；补益的汤剂欲熟（充分煎煮），多水而少取汁。要详细观察，所得药量宁可多些。用新布，两人用尺木绞紧，澄清去除泥浊，用纸覆盖令密闭。温汤不要让锅器中有水汽，在热汤上煮令温暖也好。
服用汤剂，稍热容易咽下，冷则呕吐涌逆。说分两次服、三次服的，要令药力热力足够衔接。并视人的强弱、病的轻重，作为进退增减的依据，不必完全依从方说。
凡是浸制药酒，都必须细切，用生绢袋盛装，然后入酒密封，随寒暑天数，看其浓烈，便可滤出，不必等到酒尽。药渣可晒干，微捣，再次浸饮；也可作散剂服用。
凡是建中、肾沥等补汤，药渣合并两剂，加水煮，喝尽，也抵得上一剂新药，穷人应当依此，都应先晒干。
凡是合膏，起初用苦酒（醋）浸泡，令淹没，湿润透彻后，不用多汁，严密覆盖勿泄漏。说“一宿”时，是一周的意思，从今天早晨到明天早晨。也有只过一夜的。煮膏，应当三上三下，以泄去焦势，令药味得出。加热使其微微沸腾仍放下，放下取沸静后再加热，宁可稍微生一点。其中有薤白的，以两头微焦黄为候。有白芷、附子的，也令微黄色。猪脂勿令接触生水，腊月更佳。绞膏也用新布绞。如果是可内服的膏，膏渣也可以酒煮稍饮之。如果是外摩的膏，膏渣就宜贴在薄病之处，这大概是贫野之人想兼尽其力。
凡是膏中有雄黄、朱砂之类，都别捣细研如面粉，须绞膏结束后乃投入，用物快速搅拌，直到凝强，勿使沉聚在下不调和。有水银的，在凝膏中，研令消散。有胡粉的也是如此。凡是汤酒中用大黄，不需要细锉。作汤者，先用水浸泡，令淹没，密闭一宿。明晨煮汤，临熟乃放入其中，又煮两三沸，便绞出，则药力猛，容易得快利。丸散中用大黄，旧法都蒸，现在不需要这样。
凡是汤中用麻黄，都先别煮两三沸，掠去其沫，再加水如原本数量，乃纳余药，不然令人烦闷。麻黄都折断去节，令纹理通畅，寸截之；有小草、瞿麦五分截之；细辛、白前三分截之；丸散膏中，则……（原文此处似有缺漏，按规则不增添）
凡是汤中用完整物品，都掰破，干枣、栀子、瓜蒌子之类是。用细核物也打碎，山茱萸、五味子、蕤仁核，决明子之类是。细华子物，正尔完用之，旋覆花、菊花、地肤子、葵子之类是。米、麦、豆辈，也完用之。诸虫先微炙，也完煮之。唯海螵蛸当中破之。生姜、干姜都薄切。芒硝、饴糖、阿胶都须绞汤结束，纳汁中，更上火两三沸，烊尽乃服之。
凡用麦门冬，都微润抽去心。杏仁、桃仁汤柔挞去皮。巴豆打破，剥皮，刮去心，不然令人闷；石苇、辛夷刮去毛；鬼箭削取羽及皮；藜芦剔取根，微炙；枳实去其核，只用皮，也炙之；椒去实，于铛器中微熬，令汗出，则有势力；矾石于瓦上若铁物中熬，令沸，汁尽即止，二石皆黄土泥包，使燥，烧之半日，令势热而解散。犀角、羚羊角都刮截作屑。诸齿骨并炙捣碎之。皂荚去皮子炙之。
凡汤、丸、散，用天雄、附子、乌头、乌喙、侧子，都灰火炮炙，令微坼，削去黑皮乃秤之。唯姜附子汤及膏酒中生用，也削去皮乃秤，直理破作七八片，随其大小，但削除外黑尖处令尽。
凡汤、酒、膏、丸散，用半夏都且完。以热汤洗去上滑，手揉之，皮释随剥去，更复易汤洗之，令滑尽。不然，戟人咽。旧方二十许过，今六七过便足。也可直煮之，沸易水，如此三过，仍洗毕便讫，随其大小破为细片，乃秤以入汤。若膏、酒、丸、散，都须曝燥乃秤之也。
凡丸、散用胶，都先炙，使通体沸起，燥乃可捣。有不沸处更炙之。丸方中用蜡都烊，投少蜜中，搅调以和药。若用熟艾，先细擘，合诸药捣，令散；不可筛者，别捣内散中和之。
凡用蜜，都先火上煎，料去其沫，令色微黄，则丸经久不坏。克之多少，随蜜精粗。凡丸、散用巴豆、杏仁、桃仁、葶苈、胡麻诸有膏脂药，都先熬黄黑，别捣令如膏。指视泯泯尔，乃以向成散，稍稍下臼中，合研捣，令消散，乃复都以轻疏绢筛度之，须尽，又纳臼中，依法治数百杵也。汤膏中用，亦有熬之者，虽生并捣破。
凡用桂、浓朴、杜仲、秦皮、木兰辈，都削去上虚软甲错，取里有味者秤之。茯苓、猪苓削除去黑皮。牡丹、巴戟天、远志、野葛等，都捶破去心。紫菀洗去土皆毕，乃秤之。薤白、葱白除青令尽。莽草、石南草、茵芋、泽兰剔取叶及嫩茎，去大枝。鬼臼、黄连都除根毛。蜀椒去闭口者及目熬之。
凡是野狼毒、枳实、橘皮、半夏、麻黄、吴茱萸，都欲得陈久者。其余唯须新精。
凡是方说巴豆如千枚者，粒有大小，当先去心皮竟，秤之。以一分准十六枚。附子、乌头如干枚者，去皮竟，以半两准一枚。枳实如干枚者，去核竟。以一分准二枚。橘皮一分准三枚。枣有大小，以三枚准一两。云干姜一累者，以重一两为正。
凡是方说半夏一升者，洗竟，秤五两为正。云某子一升者，其子各有虚实轻重。不可通以秤准。皆取平升为正。椒一升，三两为正；吴茱萸一升，五两为正；菟丝子一升，九两为正；
凡是方说用桂一尺者，削去皮竟，重半两为正。甘草一尺者，重二两为正。凡是方说某草一束者，以重三两为正。云一把者，重二两为正。凡是方说蜜一斤者，有七合。猪膏一斤者，有一升二合。
以上是合药分剂量治法。
又考察诸药，一种虽主数病，而性理亦有偏着。立方之日，或致疑混，复恐单行径用，赴急抄撮，不必皆得研究。今宜指抄病源所主药名，仍可于此处治，若欲的寻，亦兼易解。其甘苦之味可略，有毒无毒易知，唯冷热须明。今以朱点为热，墨点为冷，无点者是平，以省于烦注也。其有不入汤酒者，亦条于后也。
(When decocting) boil until white; soak *Radix Asari* (Xixin, 细辛) in water to make it straight; steam *Radix Scutellariae* (Huangqin, 黄芩) with honey to make it sweet; sprinkle wine on *Radix Angelicae Sinensis* (Danggui, 当归) to obtain moisture; adhere *Os Sepiae* (Piaoxiao, 螵蛸) to mulberry branches; coat *Scolopendra* (Wugong, 蜈蚣) with cinnabar to make its feet red. All such practices are not factual; they have become established methods through long-term usage and can no longer be changed, which is helpless. Furthermore, when dividing medicines according to prescriptions, the loss from peeling and processing is not weighed.
For example, for *Radix Polygalae* (Yuanzhi, 远志) and *Radix Moutan* (Mudanpi, 牡丹), less than half is retained after trimming; for *Radix Rehmanniae* (Dihuang, 地黄) and *Tuber Ophiopogonis* (Mendong, 门冬), one-third is lost. For all herbs requiring peeling or removal of the heart, the weights no longer correspond; patients use them as is, unaware that re-weighing is necessary. Additionally, nobles and high officials entrust all medicine preparation to their subordinates. Those who favor good medicines and expensive minerals steal them secretly. Some even claim to swallow purple quartz or cinnabar, wash them out, and sell the same piece dozens of times. Such examples of cunning fraud are numerous and not factual. Even with inspection, these cannot be detected initially. Using such medicines for treatment makes immediate efficacy unlikely; this is due to the profit or loss of apothecaries, and doctors should not be blamed for shallow or clumsy skills.
The *Bencao* records herb collection times at the beginning of the year in the month of Jianyin (the first lunar month); this was recorded after the Han Taichu calendar. Root herbs are mostly collected in February or August because in early spring, sap moisture begins to sprout without damaging branches and leaves, resulting in rich and concentrated medicinal power; by autumn, branches and leaves wither, and energy returns to the roots. Current practical verification shows that spring collection should be early, and autumn collection late; flowers, fruits, stems, and leaves should be collected according to their respective maturity. Years may vary in timing, so one need not strictly follow the original text.
The *Classic* states "dry in shade," meaning drying during Yin hours of the Six Jia cycle. According to Dunjia method, in the Jiazi cycle, the Yin hour is Guiyou; place the medicine in the You direction. I believe this is not necessarily so; it simply means not exposing to sun but drying in shadow. Hence, some also say "sun-dry." If both methods are usable, it would be better.
Ancient scales only had Zhu and Liang units, without Fen. Now, ten grains of millet equal one Zhu; six Zhu equal one Fen; four Fen equal one Liang; sixteen Liang equal one Jin. Although there is a standard using millet seeds, it has been unified for a long time, so we use this standard. However, ancient scales are obsolete; the current Southern scale is used. The Jin scale started since the end of the Later Han, dividing one Jin into two (half-Jin) and one Liang into two (half-Liang). Gold, silver, silk, and cotton weigh the same as medicine, lacking weight distinction. Ancient prescriptions only include Zhang Zhongjing's formulas, which already involve current scales. If ancient scales were used for decoctions, the water amount would be significantly less; thus, it is known that ancient scales are no longer used, and current scales are adopted entirely. When prescriptions mention "equal parts" (Fen Deng), it does not refer to the unit Fen, but that the weight of various herbs is the same. First, observe the size and severity of the disease required, then adjust by intention. Such cases apply to pills and powders; after preparation, take according to dosage. Decoctions and wines do not have "equal parts."
For powders mentioned as "Dao Gui," it is one-tenth of a Fang Cun Bi, equivalent in size to a Sophora seed (Wu Zi). A Fang Cun Bi is a square spoon one inch on each side, scooping powder without dropping. Five-Qian Bi uses the five characters on the edge of current Wuzhu coins to scoop, also ensuring no drop. One Cuo equals four Dao Gui. Ten Cuo equal one Shao; ten Shao equal one He. When measuring herbs by Sheng (cup), it is because herbs vary in density and weight, making Liang/Jin unsuitable; thus, volume is used. The herb Sheng is made square like a Cun, with an upper diameter of one inch, lower diameter of six fen, and depth of eight fen. Do not press the powder; just gently shake to level it. Nowadays, people rarely use this method.
For pills mentioned as "like fine sesame," it refers to current Sesame seeds; they need not be flat, just roughly similar in size. Like millet and broomcorn millet, sixteen millet seeds equal one soybean. Like hemp seeds, three fine sesame seeds equal one hemp seed. Like broad beans, current green mottled beans, two hemp seeds equal one broad bean. Like small beans, current adzuki beans, varying in size, three hemp seeds equal one small bean. Like large beans, two small beans equal one large bean. Like Sophora seeds, two large beans equal one Sophora seed. One Fang Cun Bi of powder mixed with honey to form Sophora seed-sized pills counts as ten pills. Like bullet pellets or egg yolks, ten Sophora seeds equal one.
Old prescriptions for decoctions, wines, and plasters mention "Fu Ju" (chewing/masticating), meaning crushing after weighing to soybean size, then blowing off fine dust. This is impractical; herbs vary in fragility, producing different amounts of dust, making weighing uneven. Now, all are finely cut to roughly resemble masticated pieces, minimizing dust, ensuring particle harmony, and allowing uniform extraction without raw/cooked differences.
For pills and powders, herbs are finely cut and dried before grinding. Some are ground separately, some together, depending on the prescription. Moist herbs like *Tuber Ophiopogonis* (Mendong, 门冬) and dried *Radix Rehmanniae* (Dihuang, 地黄) are first cut and dried, then individually pounded flat, removed, finely torn, and dried again. In rainy weather, dry with mild fire; once dry, cool slightly before pounding.
Moist herbs lose significant weight when dried; initial weight must be increased to account for this, weighing only the final crumbs. This is not needed for decoctions and wines.
For sifting pill powders, use heavy, fine silk for smoothness, aiding honey-pill formation. For herbal powder, use light, loose silk to prevent sticking when taken with wine. Mineral drugs are also sifted with fine silk for pills. After sifting pills and powders, return to the mortar and pound hundreds of times until color and texture are uniform.
For stones used in decoctions, wines, and plasters, crush finely to millet size, sieve with kudzu cloth for uniformity, and wrap separately in new cotton before adding to the pot. Realgar (Xionghuang, 雄黄) and Cinnabar (Zhusha, 朱砂)... [Text fragment]
To boil decoctions, use low heat to maintain a gentle boil. Water quantity follows the prescription: roughly one Dou (10 liters) of water for twenty Liang of herbs yields four Sheng (approx. 0.8 liters). This is the ratio. Purgative decoctions should be less cooked (raw), using less water to extract more; tonic decoctions should be well-cooked (ripe), using more water to extract less. Observe carefully; the yield should be sufficient. Use new cloth, wring tightly with a wooden stick, clarify to remove mud, cover tightly with paper. Warm the decoction to avoid condensation in the vessel; heating over hot water is also acceptable.
Take decoctions slightly warm for easy swallowing; cold causes vomiting. Dividing doses into two or three servings ensures continuous potency and heat. Adjust based on patient strength and disease severity, not strictly following the prescription.
For medicinal wines, herbs must be finely cut, placed in raw silk bags, sealed in wine, and left for days depending on temperature until strong enough to strain. Do not wait until wine is exhausted. Residues can be dried, lightly crushed, and re-steeped or made into powder.
Residues from tonics like Jianzhong Tang or Shenli Tang can be combined from two doses, boiled with added water, and consumed, equivalent to a new dose. Poor people should follow this, drying residues first.
For preparing plasters, initially soak in vinegar to moisten thoroughly, cover tightly to prevent leakage. "One night" means from morning to next morning, or sometimes just overnight. Boil plaster with three cycles of heating and cooling to release焦 (scorching) energy and extract flavors. Heat until simmering, then cool; repeat. Aim for slight undercooking. For Allium tuberosum (Xiebai, 薤白), look for slightly scorched yellow ends. For Angelica dahurica (Baizhi, 白芷) and Aconite (Fuzi, 附子), aim for slight yellow. Lard should not contact water; winter lard is best. Strain plaster with new cloth. Internal plaster residues can be boiled in wine and drunk; external plaster residues can be applied to lesions, maximizing utility for the poor.
Realgar and Cinnabar in plasters are finely ground separately and added after straining the plaster base, stirring rapidly until thickened to prevent settling. Mercury is dissolved in the thickened plaster. Lead carbonate (Hufen, 胡粉) is treated similarly. Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) in decoctions need not be finely cut. Soak in water overnight, add near the end of boiling, boil 2-3 times, then strain for potent purgative effect. In pills/powders, Rhubarb is no longer steamed as in old methods.
Ephedra (Mahuang, 麻黄) in decoctions must be boiled separately for 2-3 boils, skim foam, replenish water to original amount, then add other herbs to avoid irritability. Break Mahuang, remove nodes, cut into inches; Erigeron (Xiaocao, 小草) and Knotweed (Qumai, 瞿麦) cut into five-fen pieces; Asarum (Xixin, 细辛) and Peucedanum (Baiqian, 白前) cut into three-fen pieces... [Text fragment]
Whole items in decoctions should be broken: dried dates, Gardenia (Zhizi, 栀子), Trichosanthes fruit (Gualouzi, 括蒌子). Fine-seeded items should be crushed: Cornus (Shanzhuyu, 山茱萸), Schisandra (Wuweizi, 五味), Prunus mume kernel (Ruiren, 蕤核), Cassia seed (Juemingzi, 决明). Small-flowered items used whole: Inula flower (Xuanfuhua, 旋覆花), Chrysanthemum (Juhua, 菊花), Kochia fruit (Difuzi, 地肤子), Okra seed (Kuizi, 葵子). Grains and beans used whole. Insects lightly roasted and boiled whole. Sepia (Piaoxiao, 螵蛸) split in middle. Ginger (Shengjiang, 生姜) and dried ginger (Ganjiang, 夜干/干姜) thinly sliced. Sodium sulfate (Mangxiao, 芒硝), maltose (Yitang, 饴糖), and Donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao, 阿胶) are added after straining the decoction, boiled 2-3 times until melted, then taken.
Ophiopogon (Maimendong, 麦门冬) is moistened and heart removed. Almond (Xingren, 杏仁) and Peach kernel (Taoren, 桃仁) skin removed by soaking in hot water and rubbing. Croton (Badou, 巴豆) cracked, skin peeled, heart scraped out to avoid stuffiness; Pyrostegia venusta (Shiwei, 石苇) and Magnolia bud (Xinyi, 辛夷) hairs scraped; Arisaema (Guijian, 鬼箭) feathers and skin shaved; Veratrum (Lilu, 藜芦) roots extracted and lightly roasted; Immature bitter orange (Zhishi, 枳实) pith removed, peel roasted; Sichuan pepper (Jiao, 椒) seeds removed, pan-roasted until sweating to enhance potency; Alum (Fanshi, 矾石) roasted on tile or iron until boiling and dry, wrapped in yellow clay and calcined for half day to disperse heat energy. Rhino horn (Xijiao, 犀角) and Antelope horn (Lingyangjiao, 羚羊角) scraped into shavings. Teeth and bones roasted and crushed. Gleditsia sinensis (Zaojia, 皂荚) skin and seeds removed, roasted.
Heavenly雄 (Tianxiong, 天雄), Aconite (Fuzi, 附子), Aconite root (Wutou, 乌头), Aconite lateral root (Wuhui, 乌喙), and Aconite side-root (Cezi, 侧子) in decoctions/pills/powders are fire-roasted with ash until slightly cracked, black skin scraped off, then weighed. Except in Ginger-Aconite decoction or raw in plasters/wines, where skin is scraped, broken into 7-8 pieces, and black tips removed.
Pinellia (Banxia, 半夏) in decoctions/wines/plasters/pills is kept whole. Wash with hot water to remove slime, rub by hand, peel off skin, rinse repeatedly until slime is gone (otherwise it irritates the throat). Old prescriptions required ~20 washes; now 6-7 suffice. Alternatively, boil, change water, repeat 3 times, then slice and weigh for decoction. For plasters/wines/pills/powders, dry before weighing.
Gelatin (Jiao, 胶) in pills/powders is roasted until bubbling throughout, dried, then pounded. Wax in pills is melted and mixed with honey to blend with herbs. Prepared Artemisia argyi (Shuai Ai, 熟艾) is finely torn, pounded with herbs; if not sievable, grind separately and mix. Honey is boiled to remove foam until slightly yellow to preserve pills; quantity depends on purity. Croton, Almond, Peach kernel, Lepidium, Sesame, and other oily herbs in pills/powders are fried yellow-black, ground into paste, mixed with prepared powder, ground hundreds of times, sifted through fine silk, and returned to mortar for further grinding. In decoctions/plasters, some are fried, others raw and crushed.
Cinnamon (Gui, 桂), Bark of Magnolia officinalis (Houpo, 浓朴), Eucommia bark (Duzhong, 杜仲), Bark of Privet (Qinpi, 秦皮), and Magnolia flower (Mulan, 木兰) have soft, scaly outer layers scraped off; inner flavorful part is weighed. Poria (Fuling, 茯苓) and Polyporus (Zhu Ling, 猪苓) black skin removed. *Radix Moutan*, Morinda (Bajitian, 巴戟天), *Radix Polygalae*, and wild Kadsura (Yege, 野葛) are pounded to remove hearts. Aster (Ziwan, 紫菀) washed clean of soil, then weighed. Leek white (Xiebai, 薤白) and Scallion white (Congbai, 葱白) green parts removed. Matricaria (Mangcao, 莽草), Nandina (Shinancao, 石南草), Typhonium (Yinyu, 茵芋), and Eupatorium (Zelan, 泽兰) leaves and tender stems selected, large branches removed. Podophyllum (Guijiu, 鬼臼) and Coptis (Huanglian, 黄连) root hairs removed. Sichuan pepper closed-mouth ones and eyes removed, roasted.
Wild Euphorbia (Yelangdu, 野狼毒), Immature bitter orange, Tangerine peel, Pinellia, Ephedra, and Evodia (Wuzhuyu, 吴茱萸) should be aged. Others should be fresh and refined.
Prescriptions mentioning "thousand Badou seeds": remove heart and skin, weigh. One Fen equals 16 seeds. Prescriptions mentioning "thousand Fuzi/Wutou": remove skin, half Liang equals one seed. Prescriptions mentioning "thousand Zhishi": remove pith, one Fen equals two seeds. Tangerine peel: one Fen equals three seeds. Dates: three seeds equal one Liang. Dried ginger "one lei": one Liang is standard.
Prescriptions mentioning "one Sheng Banxia": after washing, five Liang is standard. Prescriptions mentioning "one Sheng seeds": seeds vary in density; use leveled Sheng as standard. Pepper: one Sheng equals three Liang; Evodia: one Sheng equals five Liang; Dodder seed: one Sheng equals nine Liang.
Prescriptions mentioning "one Chi Cinnamon": after peeling, half Liang is standard. Licorice: one Chi equals two Liang. Prescriptions mentioning "one bundle of grass": three Liang is standard. "One handful": two Liang is standard. Prescriptions mentioning "one Jin honey": seven He. "One Jin lard": one Sheng two He.
These are the methods for weighing and processing medicines.
Furthermore, although one herb treats multiple diseases, its nature and properties may be biased. When forming prescriptions, confusion may arise, fearing single-use for emergencies without thorough research. It is advisable to list the main herb names for each disease source here for easy reference. Sweet/bitter tastes can be omitted; toxicity is easy to know; only cold/hot nature needs clarification. Red dots indicate Hot, Black dots indicate Cold, no dot indicates Neutral, to simplify notes. Herbs not suitable for decoctions/wines are listed below.