ZHANG Zhongjing was quite ingenious in using toxic herbs

which could be reflected from the aspects of processing

concerted application

dosage

preparation

decocting

administration methods

recovery

contraindications

etc. In Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Disease

ZHANG Zhongjing reduced the toxic side effects of toxic herbs mostly by decocting earlier

decocting later

decocting longer

putting powder in after decocting

single herb decocting and then mixing

decocting pills

as well as adding honey in the process of decocting

which had important guiding significance on clinical safe medication.