"Attaching formulas to material medica" refers to the phenomenon that the Chinese medicinal herbs in the material medical classics are usually followed by the formulas which contain this certain herb. By tracing the development history and considering the relationship between the formula effect and the herbal effect

the value of "attaching formulas to material medica" is mainly to promote the combination of medicinal herbs as well as to "demonstrate the herbal effect through established formulas". As the effects of established formulas are referred to

the effect of a herb contains not only the experience accumulation of single herb use

but also the effect of this herb when combined with other herbs in a certain formula

leading to the generalization of the herbal function. Therefore

it is critical to clarify the different effect of a herb when used alone or combined with other drugs in a formula; and further comparative researches are needed to promote the rational use of Chinese herbal medicine.