"Complementing each other" and "opposing each other" are two basic thoughts in the combination of Chinese herbs in formulae. "Complementing each other" is to combine the herbs with same or similar properties or functions

to achieve the following results

firstly

strengthening some properties or therapeutic effects of the formula

secondly

complementing the lack of a certain effect

and thirdly reducing the amount of some strong herbs

to avoid the potential adverse reactions. "Opposing each other" is to combine the herbs with opposite properties or functions

to achieve some expected effects by mutual restraint such as reducing some biases or toxic effects of the drugs

helping the formula mainly play a specific therapeutic role

and getting a new function that a single herb or complementing method cannot obtain. Due to the various properties or functions of a single herb

"complementing each other" and "opposing each other"cannot be separated in clinical practice most of the time.