上药一百二十种为君，主养命以应天，无毒，多服久服不伤人，欲轻身益气，不老延年者，本上经。中药一百二十种为臣，主养性以应人，无毒有毒，斟酌其宜，欲遏病补虚羸者，本中经。下药一百二十五种为佐使，主治病以应地，多毒，不可久服，欲除寒热邪气，破积聚，愈疾者，本下经。
今译上品药一百二十种作为君药，主在养生命以应天道，无毒，长期服用不伤人，适用于希望强身延年者。中品药一百二十种作为臣药，主在调养性情以应人事，有毒无毒须斟酌使用，适用于祛病补虚者。下品药一百二十五种作为佐使药，主在治病以应地道，多有毒性，不可久服，适用于驱除寒热邪气、消除积聚之实证。
人参条
Ren Shen (Ginseng) Entry
上品 · 草部
人参，味甘微寒。主补五脏，安精神，定魂魄，止惊悸，除邪气，明目，开心益智。久服轻身延年。
今译人参，味甘，性微寒。主要功效：补益五脏，安定精神，镇摄魂魄，止惊悸，驱除邪气，明目，开启心智使人聪慧。长期服用可使身体轻健、延年益寿。
Ren Shen: sweet in flavor, slightly cold in nature. It primarily tonifies the five zang organs, calms the spirit, settles the ethereal and corporeal souls, stops palpitations and fright, dispels pathogenic qi, brightens the eyes, opens the heart, and sharpens the intellect. Prolonged use lightens the body and prolongs years.
甘草条
Gan Cao (Licorice) Entry
上品 · 草部
甘草，味甘平。主五脏六腑寒热邪气，坚筋骨，长肌肉，倍力，金创，解毒。久服轻身延年。
今译甘草，味甘，性平。主治五脏六腑的寒热邪气，能坚固筋骨，增长肌肉，加倍气力，治疗金属创伤，解百毒。长期服用可使身体轻健、延年益寿。
Gan Cao: sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. It governs cold and heat pathogenic qi of the five zang and six fu, strengthens sinew and bone, builds muscle, doubles strength, treats metal-inflicted wounds, and resolves toxins. Prolonged use lightens the body and prolongs years.
黄连，味苦寒。主热气目痛，眦伤泣出，明目，肠澼腹痛下利，妇人阴中肿痛。久服令人不忘。
今译黄连，味苦，性寒。主治热邪引起的目痛，眼角损伤流泪，能明目；治疗肠中痢疾、腹痛腹泻；治疗妇人阴部肿痛。长期服用使人记忆力增强。
Huang Lian: bitter in flavor, cold in nature. It governs eye pain from heat qi, injury at the canthus with tears flowing, brightens the eyes; it treats intestinal dysentery with abdominal pain and diarrhea, and treats swelling and pain of the female genitals. Prolonged use prevents forgetfulness.
大黄条
Da Huang (Rhubarb) Entry
下品 · 草部
大黄，味苦寒。主下瘀血，血闭寒热，破癥瘕积聚，留饮宿食，荡涤肠胃，推陈致新，通利水谷，调中化食，安和五脏。
今译大黄，味苦，性寒。主要功效：攻下瘀血，通闭经与寒热，破除癥瘕积聚，去除留饮和宿食，荡涤肠胃，推陈致新，通利水谷，调和中焦，消化饮食，安抚五脏。
Da Huang: bitter in flavor, cold in nature. It purges static blood, opens blood-closure with alternating cold and heat, breaks masses and accumulations, eliminates lodged fluids and stagnant food, washes out the stomach and intestines, pushes out the old to bring forth the new, frees the passage of water and grain, harmonizes the middle, digests food, and pacifies the five zang.