The "nature" of traditional Chinese medicine refers to the bias of the medicine. It summarizes the various properties and effects of the medicine in treating diseases, including nature and taste, meridians, ascending and descending, toxic and non-toxic, etc., collectively referred to as For the bias of the drug. The theory of medicinal properties is the theory that studies the partial properties of medicines and their application rules, that is, the pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicines.

The "flavor" refers to the "five flavors", which refers to the pungent, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty properties of the medicine. The determination of the five flavors depends on two aspects, one is related to the actual taste and feeling, and the other is the induction and summary of the clinical application of drugs. Therefore, the understanding of the five flavors as medicinal properties goes far beyond the concept of taste, and is closely related to the application of medicinal efficacy. Therefore, the taste described in herbal books may not match the actual taste. Different flavors have different effects, and medicines with the same flavor have similar or identical effects. Its functions are as follows: pungent, has the functions of dispersing, promoting qi and promoting blood circulation, and is commonly used to treat superficial syndromes or qi and blood blockage syndromes. Sweet, it has tonic, neutralizing, and soothing effects. It is commonly used to treat deficiency syndrome, relieve tension and pain, reconcile medicinal properties, and antidote food poisoning. Acid, has astringent and astringent effects. It is mostly used to treat symptoms such as sweating and diarrhea. Bitter, has purgative and drying effects. Catharsis, including catharsis, such as rhubarb, is suitable for constipation caused by heat; catharsis, such as almonds, is suitable for asthma and cough caused by ascending lung qi; clearing, such as gardenia, is suitable for symptoms such as excessive heat and upset. Dryness refers to dryness and dampness, and is used for dampness syndrome, which can be divided into bitter and cold, dryness and dampness-heat, bitterness, warmth, dryness and cold-dampness. There is also the theory that suffering can strengthen yin. Salty, has the effect of softening and dispersing stagnation and purging. It is mostly used for scrofula, gall tumors, phlegm nuclei, and other syndromes. It is light and has dampness and diuretic effects. It is often used to treat edema, dysuria and other symptoms. Every medicine has its own properties and taste. The properties and taste explain the effects of the medicine from different angles. Only by combining the two can we understand the effects and properties of the medicine more comprehensively. Both nature and taste belong to the category of performance, which only reflect the specificity and basic characteristics of the drug's action. Therefore, not only the nature and taste must be combined with the specific effects of the drug, in order to obtain a more comprehensive and accurate understanding, which is convenient for guide clinical application.