《至真要大论》云∶有毒无毒，所治为主。主病者为君，佐君者为臣，应臣者为使。一
法，力大者为君。凡药之所用，皆以气味为主，补泻在味，随时换气。气薄者，为阳中之阴
，气浓者，为阳中之阳；味薄者，为阴中之阳，味浓者，为阴中之阴。辛、甘、淡中热者
，为阳中之阳，辛、甘、淡中寒者，为阳中之阴；酸、苦咸之寒者，为阴中之阴，酸、苦、
咸之热者，为阴中之阳。夫辛、甘、淡、酸、苦、咸，乃味之阴阳，又为地之阴阳也；温、
凉、寒、热，乃气之阴阳，又为天之阴阳也。气味生成，而阴阳造化之机存焉。一物之内，
气味兼有，一药之中，理性具焉，主对治疗，由是而出。假令治表实，麻黄、葛根；表虚，
桂枝、黄 。里实，枳实、大黄；里虚，人参、芍药。热者，黄芩、黄连；寒者，干姜、附
君药，分两最多，臣药次之，使药又次之，不可令臣过于君，君臣有序，相与宣摄，则
可以御邪除病矣。如《伤寒论》云∶阳脉涩，阴脉弦，法当腹中急痛。以芍药之酸，于土中
泻木为君；饴糖、炙甘草甘温补脾养胃为臣。水挟木势亦来侮土，故脉弦而腹痛，肉桂大
辛热，佐芍药以退寒水。姜、枣甘辛温，发散阳气，行于经脉皮毛为使。建中之名，于此见
焉。有缓、急、收、散、升、降、浮、沉、涩、滑之类非一，从权立法于后。
如皮毛肌肉之不伸，无大热，不能食而渴者，加葛根五钱；燥热及胃气上冲，为冲脉
所逆，或作逆气而里急者，加炒黄柏、知母；觉胸中热而不渴，加炒黄芩；如胸中结滞气涩
，或有热病者，亦各加之。如食少而小便少者，津液不足也，勿利之，益气补胃自行矣。
如气弱气短者，加人参，只升阳之剂助阳，尤胜加人参；恶热发热而燥渴，脉洪大，白
虎汤主之；或喘者，加人参；如渴不止，寒水石、石膏各等分，少少与之，即钱氏方中甘露
散，主身大热而小便数，或上饮下溲，此燥热也；气燥，加白葵花；血燥，加赤葵花。
如脉弦，只加风药，不可用五苓散；如小便行病增者，此内燥津液不能停，当致津液，
加炒黄柏、赤葵花。
如心下痞闷者，加黄连一、黄芩三，减诸甘药；不能食，心下软而痞者，甘草泻心汤则
愈（痞有九种，治有仲景汤五方泻心汤）。
如喘满者，加炙浓朴。
如胃虚弱而痞者，加甘草。
如喘而小便不利者，加苦葶苈（小便不利者加之，小便利为禁药也）。
如气短气弱而腹微满者，不去人参，去甘草，加浓朴，然不若苦味泄之，而不令大便行
如腹微满而气不转加之。
中满者，去甘草，倍黄连，加黄柏，更加三味，五苓散少许。
此病虽宜升宜汗，如汗多亡阳，加黄 。
四肢烦热肌热，与羌活、柴胡、升麻、葛根、甘草
如鼻流清涕恶风，或项、背、脊背强痛，羌活、防风、甘草等分，黄 加倍，临卧服之。
如有大热，脉洪大，加苦寒剂而热不退者，加石膏；如脾胃中热，加炒黄连、甘草。
凡治此病脉数者，当用黄柏，或少加黄连，以柴胡、苍术、黄 、甘草，更加升麻，得
汗出则脉必下，乃火郁则发之也。
如证退而脉数不退，不洪大而疾有力者，多减苦药，加石膏。如大便软或泄者，加桔梗
，食后服之。此药若误用，则其害非细，用者当斟酌，旋旋加之。如食少者，不可用石膏。
石膏善能去脉数疾，病退脉数不退者，不可治也。如不大渴，亦不可用。如脉弦而数者，此
阴气也，风药升阳以发火郁，则脉数峻退矣。以上五法，加减未尽，特以明大概耳。
《至真要大论》中说：无论药物是否有毒，治疗都以针对主病为核心。主治疾病的药物称为君药，辅助君药的药物称为臣药，配合臣药发挥作用的药物称为使药。这一法则中，药力强大的作为君药。凡是药物的使用，都以气味为主要依据，补益或泻实取决于味道，顺应时节变化则调整气性。气味清淡的，属于阳中的阴；气味浓烈的，属于阳中的阳；味道清淡的，属于阴中的阳；味道浓烈的，属于阴中的阴。辛、甘、淡味中偏热的，属于阳中的阳；辛、甘、淡味中偏寒的，属于阳中的阴；酸、苦、咸味中偏寒的，属于阴中的阴；酸、苦、咸味中偏热的，属于阴中的阳。辛、甘、淡、酸、苦、咸，是味的阴阳属性，也是地之阴阳；温、凉、寒、热，是气的阴阳属性，也是天之阴阳。气味生成之后，阴阳造化的机理就蕴含其中。每一味药内，都兼具气味；每一剂药中，都具备药性理性，主治对应的疾病，由此产生。
例如治疗表实证，用麻黄、葛根；表虚证，用桂枝、黄芪。里实证，用枳实、大黄；里虚证，用人参、芍药。热证，用黄芩、黄连；寒证，用干姜、附子。君药的用量最大，臣药次之，使药再次之，不能让臣药的药力超过君药。君臣有序，相互协调摄纳，就可以抵御邪气、消除疾病了。如《伤寒论》中说：阳脉涩，阴脉弦，按照法度应当腹中急痛。以芍药的酸味，在土中泻木气作为君药；饴糖、炙甘草甘温补脾养胃作为臣药。水气挟带木势又来侮土，所以脉弦而腹痛，肉桂大辛大热，佐助芍药以退寒水。生姜、大枣甘辛温，发散阳气，行于经脉皮毛作为使药。“建中”的名称，于此可见。有缓、急、收、散、升、降、浮、沉、涩、滑等类别不止一种，权宜立法如下。
如果皮毛肌肉舒展不开，没有大热，不能进食且口渴的，加葛根五钱；燥热及胃气上冲，被冲脉所逆乱，或者出现逆气而里急的，加炒黄柏、知母；感觉胸中热但不口渴的，加炒黄芩；如果胸中气机结滞涩涩不畅，或者有热病的，也分别加入这些药物。如果饮食少且小便少的，是津液不足，不要利小便，益气补胃自然就会通畅。如果气弱气短的，加人参，只用升阳的药剂助阳，胜过加人参；恶热发热且燥渴，脉洪大的，用白虎汤主治；如果有喘息的，加人参；如果口渴不止，用寒水石、石膏各等分，少量多次给予，这就是钱乙方中的甘露散，主治身体大热且小便频数，或者上饮下尿，这是燥热所致；气燥，加白葵花；血燥，加赤葵花。
如果脉弦，只加风药，不可用五苓散；如果小便通利后病情反而增重的，这是内燥津液不能停留，应当滋生津液，加炒黄柏、赤葵花。
如果心下痞闷的，加黄连一钱、黄芩三钱，减少各种甘味药；如果不能进食，心下软而痞满的，用甘草泻心汤即可痊愈（痞证有九种，治疗方法有张仲景的五首泻心汤）。
如果喘息胀满的，加炙厚朴。
如果喘息且小便不利的，加苦葶苈（小便不利者加入，小便通利者为禁忌药）。
如果气短气弱且腹部微满的，不去掉人参，去掉甘草，加厚朴，然而不如用苦味药泄降，而不令大便通行，如果腹部微满且气机不转动的，加上厚朴。
中焦满胀的，去掉甘草，加倍黄连，加黄柏，再加这三味药，以及少许五苓散。
如果鼻流清涕恶风，或者项部、背部、脊背强痛，用羌活、防风、甘草等分，黄芪加倍，临睡前服用。
如果有大热，脉洪大，加苦寒剂而热不退的，加石膏；如果脾胃中有热，加炒黄连、甘草。
凡是治疗此病脉数的，应当用黄柏，或少加黄连，用柴胡、苍术、黄芪、甘草，再加升麻，得到汗出则脉必下降，这是火郁则发之的道理。
如果症状消退而脉数不退，不洪大而疾有力者，多减去苦寒药，加石膏。如果大便软或泄泻的，加桔梗，饭后服用。此药如果误用，危害非小，使用者应当斟酌，逐渐增加剂量。如果饮食少的，不可用石膏。石膏善于去除脉数疾，病退而脉数不退的，不可治。如果不明显口渴，也不可用。如果脉弦而数的，这是阴气盛，用风药升阳以发散火郁，则脉数会迅速消退。以上五种方法，加减未尽，特以此阐明大概罢了。
The *Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun* states: Whether a drug is toxic or non-toxic, the treatment focuses on the primary disease. The herb that treats the main disease serves as the **Jun Yao (Monarch Drug)**; the herb that assists the Monarch serves as the **Chen Yao (Minister Drug)**; and the herb that coordinates with the Minister serves as the **Shi Yao (Envoy Drug)**. In this principle, the herb with the greatest potency acts as the Monarch. In the use of all drugs, aroma and flavor are paramount; tonification or purgation depends on flavor, while adjustment for seasonal changes relies on aroma. A light aroma belongs to Yin within Yang; a strong aroma belongs to Yang within Yang. A light flavor belongs to Yang within Yin; a strong flavor belongs to Yin within Yin. Among the Pungent, Sweet, and Bland flavors, those that are warm/hot belong to Yang within Yang; those that are cold/cool belong to Yin within Yang. Among the Sour, Bitter, and Salty flavors, those that are cold/cool belong to Yin within Yin; those that are warm/hot belong to Yang within Yin. The Pungent, Sweet, Bland, Sour, Bitter, and Salty constitute the Yin-Yang of flavors, which also correspond to the Earth's Yin-Yang. The Warm, Cool, Cold, and Hot constitute the Yin-Yang of aromas, which also correspond to Heaven's Yin-Yang. Once aroma and flavor are generated, the mechanism of Yin-Yang creation resides therein. Within each substance, both aroma and flavor coexist; within each prescription, the therapeutic nature is complete. Treatment targeting specific conditions arises from this.
For example, to treat Exterior Excess Syndrome, use Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Puerariae Radix (Gegen); for Exterior Deficiency Syndrome, use Cinnamon Twig Decoction (Guizhi Tang) and Astragali Radix (Huangqi). For Interior Excess Syndrome, use Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhishi) and Rheum Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang); for Interior Deficiency Syndrome, use Ginseng Radix (Renshen) and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao). For Heat Syndromes, use Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) and Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian); for Cold Syndromes, use Zingiberis Radix Preparata (Ganjiang) and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Fuzi). The dosage of the Monarch drug is the largest, followed by the Minister drug, and then the Envoy drug. The Minister must not overpower the Monarch. With proper order among Monarch, Minister, and Envoy, coordinating and capturing each other, one can repel pathogens and eliminate disease. As stated in the *Shanghan Lun*: If the Yang pulse is choppy and the Yin pulse is taut, according to the method, there should be acute pain in the abdomen. Use the sour flavor of Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao) to drain Wood within Earth as the Monarch; use Maltose (Yitang) and Honey-fried Licorice Root (Zhi Gancao), which are sweet and warm to tonify Spleen and nourish Stomach, as the Minister. Water carrying the force of Wood comes to insult Earth, hence the taut pulse and abdominal pain. Cinnamomi Ramulus (Rougui), being greatly pungent and hot, assists Shaoyao to dispel cold water. Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang) and Jujubae Fructus (Dazao), being sweet, pungent, and warm, disperse Yang Qi and circulate through the meridians and skin/hair as the Envoy. The name "Jian Zhong" (Establish the Middle) is seen here. There are categories such as relaxing, urgent, astringing, dispersing, ascending, descending, floating, sinking, choppy, and slippery, among others. The following principles are established for flexibility.
If the skin and muscles fail to extend, without high fever, inability to eat, and thirst, add Puerariae Radix (Gegen) 5 qian. If there is dry-heat and Stomach Qi rushing upward, reversed by the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), or manifesting as rebellious Qi with interior urgency, add Stir-fried Phellodendri Cortex (Chao Huangbai) and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu). If heat is felt in the chest but without thirst, add Stir-fried Scutellariae Radix (Chao Huangqin). If there is stagnation and涩 (roughness/stagnation) of Qi in the chest, or if there is a heat disease, add these respectively. If food intake is low and urine output is low, it indicates insufficiency of Body Fluids; do not promote urination. Tonifying Qi and supplementing the Stomach will restore flow naturally. If Qi is weak and shortness of breath occurs, add Ginseng Radix (Renshen); using only Qi-ascending agents to assist Yang is superior to adding Renshen. If there is aversion to heat, fever, dry-thirst, and a flooding pulse, Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is the primary treatment. If wheezing occurs, add Renshen. If thirst persists, use Hydroarctii Arsenitas (Han Shui Shi) and Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) in equal parts, administered in small amounts frequently. This is the Ganlu San (Sweet Dew Powder) from Qian Yi’s formulas, treating severe body heat and frequent urination, or drinking much yet urinating much, indicating dry-heat. For Qi dryness, add White Hibiscus Flower (Bai Kuihua); for Blood dryness, add Red Hibiscus Flower (Chi Kuihua).
If the pulse is taut, only add Wind-dispelling herbs; Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) must not be used. If symptoms worsen after urination becomes free, this indicates internal dryness where fluids cannot remain; one must generate fluids by adding Stir-fried Huangbai and Chi Kuihua.
If there is epigastric fullness and oppression, add 1 qian of Huanglian and 3 qian of Huangqin, reducing various sweet herbs. If unable to eat, with soft epigastric fullness, Ganxiao Xiexin Tang (Licorice Decoction for Draining the Epigastrium) will cure it (There are nine types of Pi [fullness], treated by Zhang Zhongjing’s five Xiexin Tang formulas).
If there is wheezing and distension, add Honey-fried Magnoliae Officinalis Fructus (Zhi Houpo).
If the Stomach is weak with fullness, add Gancao.
If there is wheezing and difficulty in urination, add Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae (Kutingli) (Add if urination is difficult; contraindicated if urination is normal).
If there is shortness of breath, Qi weakness, and slight abdominal fullness, do not remove Renshen, remove Gancao, and add Houpo. However, it is better to use bitter herbs to drain downward rather than allowing stool to pass. If there is slight abdominal fullness and stagnant Qi, add Houpo.
For central fullness, remove Gancao, double the amount of Huanglian, add Huangbai, add these three herbs, and a small amount of Wu Ling San.
Although this disease is suitable for ascending and sweating, if excessive sweating leads to collapse of Yang, add Huangqi.
For vexatious heat in the four limbs and muscle heat, use Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma), Puerariae Radix (Gegen), and Gancao.
If there is clear nasal discharge, aversion to wind, or stiffness and pain in the neck, back, and spine, use equal parts of Qianghuo, Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and Gancao, with double the amount of Huangqi, taken before bed.
If there is severe heat and a flooding pulse, and heat does not subside with bitter-cold agents, add Shigao. If there is heat in the Spleen and Stomach, add Stir-fried Huanglian and Gancao.
In treating this disease with a rapid pulse, Huangbai should be used, or a small amount of Huanglian added. Using Chaihu, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Cangzhu), Huangqi, and Gancao, plus Shengma, will induce sweating, causing the pulse to descend. This is the principle of "draining fire by dispersing."
If symptoms subside but the rapid pulse remains, and it is not flooding, rapid, and forceful, reduce bitter herbs significantly and add Shigao. If stools are soft or loose, add Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) and take after meals. Misuse of this medicine causes significant harm; users must exercise caution and increase dosage gradually. If food intake is low, Shigao must not be used. Shigao effectively removes rapid pulses. If the disease subsides but the rapid pulse remains, it is incurable. It must not be used if there is no significant thirst. If the pulse is taut and rapid, this indicates excess Yin. Using Wind herbs to ascend Yang and disperse Fire stagnation will cause the rapid pulse to decline sharply. The above five methods cover most additions and subtractions; this is merely to illustrate the general principles.