Ashtangasamgraha 23.7

23.7

And one should examine an appropriate medicine in this way:

Having such-and-such taste, potency, post-digestive effect, having such qualities, such substance, such action, such specific effect, grown in this region, gathered in this season in this manner, stored thus, prepared thus, contraindicated thus, processed thus, combined thus, applied thus in this dose, for a person of such type at such a time, does it extract or pacify this much doṣa?

And was there another medicine of such kind, or applied in this measure or specific manner, which accomplished this?

For subtle are the varying states of the doṣas, medicines, affected tissues, regions, times, strength, digestive fire, diet, tastes, suitability, mental fortitude, constitution, and ages;

which, if not reflected upon, would kill the patient;

and when being reflected upon, they might confound even a physician of vast intellect,

how much more one of little intellect!

Therefore, one should constantly cultivate understanding through regular study of the texts and their application.

Moreover,

there are diseases whose treatments are laid down in the treatises by general rules and exceptions;

there, only a wise physician can rightly decide on one of the determinations based on the relative heaviness or lightness of the doṣas and other factors.

For waste matter accumulated by unctuous, sour, salty, and hot foods

obstructs the bodily channel and blocks wind; therefore, one should direct it downward.

Sweetness in the mouth, itching, and an unctuous, white discharge of kapha [occur].