In traditional Chinese medicine, two or more drugs are selectively combined according to the needs of diseases and the properties of drugs. There will be some interaction between drug compatibility. The predecessors summarized the application of herbs and the compatibility of drugs into seven aspects, which are called seven emotions of drugs, namely, one-way, mutual need, mutual absorption, mutual fear, mutual killing, mutual evil and opposition. Among them, except single line refers to single drug treatment, the rest are drug compatibility. Phase beard refers to the combination of drugs with similar performance and curative effect, which can obviously enhance the original curative effect. For example, gypsum combined with Anemarrhena asphodeloides can enhance the efficacy of clearing heat and purging fire. Matching refers to the matching of main and auxiliary drugs with some common properties and effects, and auxiliary drugs can help the main drugs improve their curative effects. If Astragalus membranaceus and Poria cocos are used together, the diuretic and detumescence effects of Astragalus membranaceus can be enhanced. Mutual fear refers to the synergistic effect of two drugs, and the effects and toxic side effects of one drug can be inhibited by the other. For example, ginger can inhibit the toxic and side effects of raw Pinellia ternata or raw South Star (see 19 fear). Killing each other means that one drug can reduce or eliminate the side effects of another drug. For example, windbreak can reduce and eliminate the toxicity of arsenic. Killing each other and fearing each other are actually two expressions of the same compatibility. Mutual aversion means that the combination of two drugs can contain or destroy each other, reducing or even losing the effect. For example, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi can weaken the warming effect of ginger. On the contrary, it means that the combination of the two drugs will produce toxic and side effects. For example, the compatibility of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch with Kansui will produce side effects (see eighteen contradictions).

Compatibility taboo: eighteen opposites

Eighteen anti-lists three groups of antagonistic drugs, namely: licorice, spurge, seaweed and Daphne genkwa; Radix Aconiti Lateralis (Radix Aconiti Lateralis, Radix Aconiti Lateralis, Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii), Rhizoma Pinelliae, Fructus Trichosanthis (Fructus Trichosanthis, Fructus Trichosanthis), Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae, Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii), Radix Ampelopsis, and Rhizoma Bletillae; Veratrum nigrum, Radix Adenophorae, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Scrophulariae, Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, Asari and Radix Paeoniae Alba.

Nineteen kinds of fear

Nine groups 19 kinds of opposite drugs are listed, specifically: sulfur, arsenic, Euphorbia fischeriana, Petunia, clove, turmeric, aconite, kusnezoff monkshood, rhinoceros horn, saltpeter, turpentine and ginseng.