As a core foundation of Chinese materia medica

the nature theory is generated from the clinical practice and is further modified and developed in its clinical guidance. Processing can change the nature

and the nature of processed medicinal products can help improving the rational use of drugs. The current problems of describing the nature of processed Chinese medicinal products were mainly manifested as the inaccuracy reporting in changes of the four qi（i.e. four natures）

the five flavors

channel entry

functions

and toxicity

which can be explained by the lack of transformation from processing theory to medicinal nature theory

poor standardization of the terminology

weak foundation of laboratory researches

and insufficient translation of clinical achievements. Quantitative classification is recommended in future studies on the nature of Chinese materia medica

to improve the standardization and objectivity of traditional nature theory and to promote the rational use of drugs as well as the inheritance and innovation of Chinese medicinal processing theory system.