使 黄芩为之使无所畏之
大黄，味苦性寒无毒。其性沉而不浮，其用走而不守。夺土郁而通壅滞，定祸乱而致太
平，因名之曰将军。
玄明粉，味辛甘酸。性微温无毒。沉也，阴也。其用有二∶去胃中之实热；荡肠中之宿
垢，其效不可尽述。大抵用此而代盆硝也。
君 苍者米泔水浸白者陈壁土炒服二术忌食桃李雀蛤。
白术，味甘性温无毒。可升可降，阳也。其用有四∶利水道有除湿之功；强脾有进食之
效；佐黄芩有安胎之能；君枳实有消痞之妙。
君 茯苓为之使反藜芦恶咸卤凡使净去芦头
人参，味甘性温无毒。升也，阳也。其用有三∶止渴生津液；和中益元气；肺寒则可服，
肺热还伤肺。
恶龟甲白藓皮蜜炒用。
黄 ，味甘性温无毒。升也，阳也。其用有四∶温肉分而实腠理；益元气而补三焦；内
托阴证之疮疡；外固表虚之盗汗。
君 恶远志反大戟芫花甘遂海藻用宜去节服此忌猪肉及松菜。
甘草，味甘平，无毒。生之则寒。炙之则温。生则分身梢而泻火。炙则健脾胃而和中。
解百毒而有效，协诸药而无争，以其甘能缓急，故有国老之称。
使 畏皂夹恶雄黄生姜干姜秦皮龟甲反乌头。
半夏，味辛平。生寒熟温，有毒。降也，阳也。其用有四∶除湿化痰涎；大和脾胃气；
痰厥及头痛，非此莫能治。
大黄，味苦，性寒，无毒。其性质沉降而不浮散，作用趋向走窜而不固守。它能破除土气的郁结并疏通壅滞，平定祸乱而致太平，因此得名“将军”。
玄明粉，味辛、甘、酸。性微温，无毒。质地下沉，属阴。它的作用主要有两点：清除胃中的实热；涤荡肠道中积存的污垢，其疗效无法详尽叙述。大致上是用它来代替朴硝。
【君药】白术需用米泔水浸泡，苍术需用陈壁土炒制后服用。使用二术（白术、苍术）时忌食桃李、雀肉和蛤蜊。
白术，味甘，性温，无毒。既能升提又能下降，属阳。它的作用有四个方面：通利水道并有除湿的功效；强健脾胃并有增进食欲的效果；配合黄芩具有安胎的能力；作为枳实的君药具有消除痞满的奇妙功效。
【君药】茯苓作为人参的使药。人参反藜芦，恶咸卤（盐分重的环境或食物）。使用时需洗净并去除芦头。
人参，味甘，性温，无毒。性质上升，属阳。它的作用有三个：止渴并生成津液；调和中焦并补益元气；肺寒时可以服用，但肺热时服用反而会损伤肺部。
【臣药/佐药】恶龟甲、白鲜皮，用蜜炒后使用。
黄芪，味甘，性温，无毒。性质上升，属阳。它的作用有四个方面：温暖肌肉腠理并使其致密；补益元气并滋养三焦；内托治疗阴证疮疡；外固表虚引起的盗汗。
【君药】恶远志，反大戟、芫花、甘遂、海藻。使用时宜去除节部。服用此药忌食猪肉及松菜。
甘草，味甘，性平，无毒。生用时性寒，炙用时性温。生用时分根梢不同部位以泻火，炙用时能健脾胃并调和中气。它能解百毒且有效，协调诸药而无冲突，因为其甘味能缓解急迫，所以被称为“国老”。
半夏，味辛，性平。生用性寒，熟用性温，有毒。性质下降，属阳。它的作用有四个方面：除湿化痰涎；极大调和脾胃之气；对于痰厥及头痛，非此药不能治愈。
[Shi Yao (Minister Drug)] Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) serves as the Shi Yao for Dahuang and Banxia; neither herb has any substances they fear.
Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Its nature is sinking rather than floating, its action moves rather than stays fixed. It breaks the stagnation of Earth Qi and unblocks obstructions, quelling chaos to bring peace, hence named "General" (Jiangjun).
Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite, refined), pungent, sweet, and sour in taste. Slightly warm in nature, non-toxic. It sinks and belongs to Yin. Its uses are twofold: clearing excess heat in the Stomach; sweeping away accumulated filth in the intestines, its effects cannot be fully described. Generally, it is used to substitute Puxiao (Natrii Sulfas crude).
[Jun Yao (Sovereign Drug)] Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) should be soaked in rice wash water; Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) should be stir-fried with aged wall soil before use. When using Er Shu (Baizhu and Cangzhu), avoid eating peaches, plums, sparrow meat, and clams.
Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It can ascend and descend, belonging to Yang. Its functions are fourfold: promoting water passage with dampness-dispelling efficacy; strengthening the Spleen with appetite-stimulating effects; assisting Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) with fetal-anchoring ability; serving as the Sovereign drug for Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) with remarkable efficacy in dissipating epigastric fullness.
[Jun Yao (Sovereign Drug)] Fuling (Poria) serves as the Shi Yao for Renshen. Renshen is contrary to Libai (Veratrum Nigrum) and dislikes salty brine. When used, clean it thoroughly and remove the rhizome head.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It ascends and belongs to Yang. Its functions are threefold: stopping thirst and generating body fluids; harmonizing the Middle Jiao and benefiting primordial Qi; suitable for consumption when Lung Cold is present, but consuming it when Lung Heat exists will further injure the Lung.
[Chen/Zuo Yao] Dislikes Guijia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) and Baixianpi (Dictamni Cortex); use after honey-frying.
Huangqi (Astragali Radix), sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It ascends and belongs to Yang. Its functions are fourfold: warming the muscle layer and consolidating the interstices; benefiting primordial Qi and tonifying the Three Jiao; internally supporting sores and ulcers of Yin syndrome; externally securing spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency.
[Jun Yao (Sovereign Drug)] Dislikes Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix); contrary to Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix), Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos), Gansui (Kansui Radix), and Haizao (Sargassum). When used, it is advisable to remove the nodes. Avoid pork and pine vegetables when taking this herb.
Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), sweet in taste, neutral in nature, non-toxic. Raw Gancao is cold; roasted Gancao is warm. Raw Gancao distinguishes between root and tip to clear fire; roasted Gancao strengthens the Spleen and Stomach and harmonizes the Middle Jiao. It resolves hundred toxins effectively and coordinates other herbs without conflict. Because its sweetness can relieve urgency, it is known as "Guolao" (Old Statesman).
[Shi Yao (Minister Drug)] Feared by Zaojia (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina); dislikes Xionghuang (Realgar), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Qinpi (Fraxini Cortex), Guijia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum); contrary to Wutou (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata).
Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), pungent in taste, neutral in nature. Raw Banxia is cold, cooked Banxia is warm, toxic. It descends and belongs to Yang. Its functions are fourfold: dispelling dampness and resolving phlegm-saliva; greatly harmonizing Spleen and Stomach Qi; for Phlegm-Jue and headache, no other herb can treat them as effectively.