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The *Suwen* (Basic Questions), chapter "Generation of the Five Zang Organs," states: The Heart desires bitterness.

Wang Bing explains: This is because the Heart corresponds to Fire, and the bitter flavor harmonizes with Fire. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: In the *Zhou Li* (Rites of Zhou), under the section for physicians treating diseases, the annotation on the five flavors mentions vinegar, wine, malt sugar, honey, ginger, salt, etc. The sub-commentary explains that vinegar is sour, wine is bitter, malt sugar and honey are sweet, ginger is pungent, and salt is salty. These constitute the five flavors: sour, bitter, pungent, salty, and sweet. The annotation states: "To attack excess and nourish deficiency." For those ill in summer, one should consume sweet foods among the five flavors and millet (*Ji*) among the five grains. Sweetness and millet belong to Earth, representing the harmonizing flavor of Earth. Earth controls Water; this is attacking excess (Water). Earth is born from Fire; Earth is the child of Fire. Consuming sweetness and millet follows the principle of "the child nourishing the mother," which is nourishing deficiency (Fire). Excess and deficiency are both pathological conditions, not the natural desire of the organs. What is meant by "desire" here refers to the fundamental nature of the organs. Dietary physicians harmonize food: spring calls for more sour, summer for more bitter, autumn for more pungent, and winter for more salty, adjusted with slippery and sweet flavors. This refers to following their fundamental nature. The sub-commentary explains: Summer calls for more bitter because the South corresponds to Fire, and bitterness belongs to Summer. When harmonizing diet in summer, consuming bitter flavor exceeds other flavors by one part, hence "summer calls for more bitter." Autumn calls for more pungent because Metal flavor corresponds to Autumn. When harmonizing diet in autumn, consuming pungent flavor also exceeds other flavors by one part, hence "autumn calls for more pungent." Spring calls for more sour because the East corresponds to Wood, and sourness belongs to Spring. Harmonization should favor sour flavor exceeding other flavors by one part. "Adjusted with slippery and sweet": The Center corresponds to Earth, and sweetness belongs to late summer. Metal, Wood, Water, and Fire cannot be stored without Earth. Among the Five Elements, Earth is honored; among the five flavors, sweetness is supreme. Therefore, sweetness generally harmonizes the four flavors. "Slippery" facilitates flow and is also used to harmonize the four flavors, hence "adjusted with slippery and sweet." Autumn calls for more pungent because the West corresponds to Metal, and pungency belongs to Autumn. When harmonizing diet in autumn, consuming pungent flavor exceeds other flavors by one part, hence "autumn calls for more pungent." Winter calls for more salty because the North corresponds to Water, and saltiness belongs to Winter. When harmonizing diet in winter, consuming salty flavor also exceeds other flavors by one part, hence "winter calls for more salty." "More" here refers to "desire." Confucian principles and medical principles are closely connected; without understanding Confucian principles, one cannot adequately discuss medicine.

The Lung desires pungency.

Wang Bing explains: This is because the Lung corresponds to Metal, and the pungent flavor harmonizes with Metal.

The Liver desires sourness.

Wang Bing explains: This is because the Liver corresponds to Wood, and the sour flavor harmonizes with Wood.

The Spleen desires sweetness.

Wang Bing explains: This is because the Spleen corresponds to Earth, and the sweet flavor harmonizes with Earth.

This describes the correspondence between the five flavors and the five Zang organs.

Wang Bing explains: Each gathers according to its desire. Ma Shi explains: This means the flavors desired by the five Zang organs are those they correspond to. "Correspondence" implies suitability. The *Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun* (Great Treatise on Yin-Yang Correspondences) states: The South generates heat; heat generates Fire; Fire generates bitterness; bitterness generates the Heart. The West generates dryness; dryness generates Metal; Metal generates pungency; pungency generates the Lung. The East generates wind; wind generates Wood; Wood generates sourness; sourness generates the Liver. The Center generates dampness; dampness generates Earth; Earth generates sweetness; sweetness generates the Spleen. The North generates cold; cold generates Water; Water generates saltiness; saltiness generates the Kidney. Thus, what the Heart desires is only bitterness, what the Lung desires is only pungency, what the Liver desires is only sourness, what the Spleen desires is only sweetness, and what the Kidney desires is only saltiness. This is because the Qi of the five Zang organs corresponds to the five flavors, hence their desires are thus. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: The correspondence of the five flavors refers to the five flavors corresponding to the five Zang organs.

Colors and flavors should correspond to the five Zang organs: White corresponds to the Lung and pungency; Red corresponds to the Heart and bitterness; Green corresponds to the Liver and sourness; Yellow corresponds to the Spleen and sweetness; Black corresponds to the Kidney and saltiness.

Wang Bing explains: Each corresponds to its appropriate color and flavor. Wu Kun explains: "Dang" means harmony. Zhang Zhicong explains: "Dang" means succession or value. It means colors and flavors correspond to the five Zang organs; color is external, flavor is internal. Hence, white corresponds to Lung and pungency, meaning pungency generates the Lung, and the Lung generates white. This concludes with the colors of life and death of the five Zang organs, which arise from the divine Qi of the five Zang organs, which in turn arises from the five flavors. Ma Shi explains: This pairs the five colors and five flavors with the five Zang organs. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: The *Shangshu Hongfan Zhuan* lists the flavors of the Five Elements as salty, bitter, sour, pungent, and sweet. The Five Elements have sound, color, Qi, and flavor; only flavor is discussed because it is most relevant to people's daily use. The *Zhou Li* annotation on the five colors of physicians mentions the green, red, yellow, white, and black of the face. The sub-commentary states: The five directions: East Wood is green, South Fire is red, Center Earth is yellow, West Metal is white, North Water is black.

The *Suwen*, chapter "Fa Shi Lun of the Zang Organs," states: The Liver suffers from tension (urgency); urgently consume sweet flavors to relax it.

Wang Bing explains: Sweetness has a mild and relaxing nature. New correction notes: According to Quan Yuanqi's text, "Liver suffers from tension" means excess Qi. Wu Kun explains: The Liver is the official of the General, associated with anger. Tension leads to self-injury and suffering. Zhang Zhicong explains: The Liver governs the Qi of spring growth and angry eruption. Ma Shi explains: The Liver pulse is wiry; it suffers most from tension. Tension causes Liver disease; softness can treat hardness. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Tangye Bencao* states: Liver suffers from tension, urgently consume sweetness, e.g., Licorice (*Gancao*). Heart suffers from laxity, urgently consume sourness, e.g., Schisandra (*Wuweizi*). Spleen suffers from dampness, urgently consume bitterness, e.g., Atractylodes (*Baizhu*). Lung suffers from rebellious Qi, urgently consume bitterness, e.g., Terminalia (*Heqizi Pi*, alternatively Scutellaria (*Huangqin*)). Kidney suffers from dryness, urgently consume pungency, e.g., Anemarrhena (*Zhimu*), Phellodendron (*Huangbai*). Tension implies a sense of crushing; relaxing allows the nature to follow its course.

The Heart suffers from laxity; urgently consume sour flavors to gather it.

Wang Bing explains: Sourness has an astringent nature. New correction notes: According to Quan Yuanqi's text, "Heart suffers from laxity" means deficiency of Heart Qi. Wu Kun explains: The Heart governs nourishment and is associated with joy. Laxity leads to scattering of Heart Qi and self-injury to the Spirit. Ma Shi explains: The pulse is surging; it suffers most from laxity. Laxity leads to Heart deficiency. Zhang Jiebin explains: The Heart stores the Spirit; its emotion is joy. Joy leads to Qi relaxation, causing Heart deficiency and Spirit dispersion. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: The Heart governs the Divine Spirit; joy gathers and collects, allowing it to follow its nature.

The Spleen suffers from dampness; urgently consume bitter flavors to dry it.

Wang Bing explains: Bitterness has a drying nature. Wu Kun explains: The Spleen manages water control; it prefers dryness and dislikes dampness. Excess dampness injures Spleen Earth. Zhang Zhicong explains: The Spleen belongs to Yin Earth, preferring dryness and disliking dampness. Bitterness is the flavor of Fire, so consuming bitterness is suitable. Zhang Erzhong explains: Preferring dryness means preferring the Qi of bitterness to aid generation; suffering from dampness means disliking the invasion of the controlling element. Ma Shi explains: The Spleen is Taiyin Damp Earth; it suffers most from dampness. Dampness causes Spleen disease. Zhang Jiebin explains: The Spleen transforms and transports grain and water, managing water control. Excess dampness反而 injures Spleen Earth. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: The Spleen governs healthy transport; drying restores its nature.

The Lung suffers from rebellious Qi; urgently consume bitter flavors to drain it.

Wang Bing explains: Bitterness has a draining and dispersing nature, suited for Lung function. New correction notes: According to Quan Yuanqi's text, "Lung Qi rebels upward" indicates excess Qi. Wu Kun explains: The Lung is a clear and empty organ, governing descending functions. If Qi rebels upward, the Lung suffers. Zhang Jiebin explains: The Lung governs Qi and the regulation of governance. Disease of Qi causes rebellion upward in the Lung. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: The Lung is the master of Qi; normally smooth, when changed, it rebels. Draining makes it smooth and non-rebellious.

The Kidney suffers from dryness; urgently consume pungent flavors to moisten it, opening the interstices, delivering body fluids, and promoting Qi circulation.

Wang Bing explains: Pungency has a moistening nature. However, when interstices open and body fluids reach, Lung Qi flows downward, connecting the Kidney and Lung, hence "promoting Qi circulation." Wu Kun explains: The Kidney is the Water Organ, preferring moisture and disliking dryness. Dryness causes loss of moistening quality and suffering. Pungency is the flavor of Metal; it opens interstices and vents dryness, treats body fluids to make them moist, and promotes Qi circulation to enable transformation. Ma Shi explains: Consuming pungency to moisten, such as Phellodendron (*Huangbai*), allows interstices to open naturally, body fluids to arrive naturally, and the Qi of the five Zang organs to connect. Zhang Jiebin explains: Pungency transforms via Metal, the mother of Water. Its ability to open interstices and deliver fluids is due to promoting Qi circulation. There is true Qi in Water, reachable only by pungency. Where Qi arrives, Water also arrives, thus moistening Kidney dryness. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: The Kidney stores Essence and Will, governs the five fluids, is naturally moist but dislikes dryness, hence pungent moistening is suitable.

The Liver desires dispersion; urgently consume pungent flavors to disperse it.

Wang Bing explains: Since the Zang Qi should disperse, pungency is used to disperse. The *Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun* states: Pungency disperses the Liver, belonging to Yang. The *Ping Ren Qi Xiang Lun* states: The True Qi of the Zang disperses in the Liver, indicating it should disperse. Wu Kun explains: Wood of the Liver prefers free flow and dislikes depression; dispersing leads to free flow. Zhang Zhicong explains: When Liver Qi is affected by pathogenic factors, Wood becomes depressed and desires dispersion. Ma Shi explains: Since the Liver is diseased, treatment should follow its nature. Thus, what the Liver suffers from is tension, so what it desires is dispersion. Pungent flavors govern dispersion. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Tangye Bencao* states: Liver desires dispersion, urgently consume pungency to disperse. Ligusticum (*Chuanxiong*) tonifies with pungency; Asarum (*Xixin*) drains with sourness; Peony (*Shaoyao*) tonifies deficiency with Ginger (*Shengjiang*) and Tangerine Peel (*Chenpi*). The Classic states: Deficiency tonifies the mother. Water generates Wood; the Kidney is the mother of the Liver. Bitterness tonifies the Kidney; Rehmannia (*Dihuang*) and Phellodendron (*Huangbai*) are examples. Without other symptoms, Qian's Dihuang Pill is indicated. Excess drains with White Peony (*Baishaoyao*); without other symptoms, Qian's Xieqing Pill is indicated. Excess drains the child; the Heart is the child of the Liver. Draining the Heart with Licorice (*Gancao*). Also, lush branches symbolize Wood's free flow; rising and developing is the function of the Hun. Dispersing pungency resolves depression, which is tonification.

Tonify with pungency, drain with sourness.

Wang Bing explains: Pungency disperses, hence tonifies; Sourness gathers, hence drains. New correction notes: According to Quan Yuanqi's text, "Tonify with sourness, drain with pungency" presents a different meaning. Wu Kun explains: Following nature is tonification; opposing nature is drainage. Zhang Zhicong explains: According to annual movements, Jueyin excess is drained with sourness; Shaoyin excess is drained with sweetness; Taiyin excess is drained with bitterness. Also: For the primary of the Wood position, drain with sourness, tonify with pungency; for Fire, drain with bitterness, tonify with saltiness; for Earth, drain with bitterness, tonify with sweetness; for Metal, drain with pungency, tonify with sourness; for Water, drain with saltiness, tonify with bitterness. The yin-yang use of the five flavors: Pungent and sweet disperse and belong to Yang; sour and bitter induce vomiting/drain and belong to Yin; bland flavors渗泄 and belong to Yang. These six may gather, disperse, relax, tense, dry, moisten, soften, or harden. Act according to benefit, regulate Qi to achieve balance. Liver disease is Jueyin excess; pathogen excess leads to righteous deficiency. Thus, use pungent dispersion to scatter Wood depression, pungent moistening to tonify Liver Qi, and sour drainage to drain residual pathogens. This is acting according to benefit to regulate Qi and achieve balance. Other organs follow this pattern. Ma Shi explains: Nature desires dispersion, and pungency disperses; this is why pungency is used for tonification. Nature suffers from tension, and sourness gathers; this is why sourness is used for drainage. Zhang Jiebin explains: Wood cannot be depressed, hence desires pungent dispersion. The Liver likes dispersion and dislikes gathering; thus, pungency is tonification, sourness is drainage. The flavors for tonifying and draining the five Zang organs below are consistent with the main and guest correct flavors in the *Zhi Yao Yao Da Lun*.

The Heart desires softness; urgently consume salty flavors to soften it.

Wang Bing explains: Since the Zang Qi likes softness, saltiness is used to soften. The *Ping Ren Qi Xiang Lun* states: The True Qi of the Zang connects with the Heart, indicating it constantly desires softness. Wu Kun explains: All living things are soft at heart; thus the Heart desires softness. Heart disease causes rigidity and dryness; consuming saltiness is suitable because saltiness transforms via Water, balancing rigidity and dryness to induce softness. Zhang Zhicong explains: Softness relates to the Heart. The Heart is a Fire Organ; Heart disease causes rigidity and dryness, so consuming saltiness to soften is suitable. Ma Shi explains: The Heart desires softness; only saltiness can soften hardness. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Tangye Bencao* states: Heart desires softness, urgently consume saltiness to soften. Mirabilite (*Mangxiao*) tonifies with saltiness; Alisma (*Zexie*) drains with sweetness. Ginseng (*Renshen*), Astragalus (*Huangqi*), and Licorice (*Gancao*) tonify deficiency with fried salt. Deficiency tonifies the mother; Wood generates Fire; the Liver is the mother of the Heart. Tonify Liver Wood with Ginger; without other symptoms, Qian's Anshen Pill is indicated. Excess drains with Licorice; without other symptoms, in Qian's formulas, severe cases use Xixin Decoction (*Xie Xin Tang*), mild cases use Daochi San. Also, the Heart is originally peaceful; pathogenic heat causes agitation. Softening restores the agitated and rigid Qi to peace, communicating downward with the Kidney, achieving mutual intersection, hence tonification.

Tonify with saltiness, drain with sweetness.

Wang Bing explains: Saltiness tonifies by taking softness; sweetness drains by taking relaxation. Wu Kun explains: Heart Fire likes softness and dislikes laxity. Zhang Zhicong explains: Salty flavor drains downward and surges upward, transforming via Water. It drains Heart Qi to communicate downward and surges Water Qi to nourish upward. When Water and Fire mutually intersect, Heart Qi benefits. Fire desires inflammation and dispersion; drain it with sweet dispersion. Ma Shi explains: Only when the desire is softness is saltiness considered tonification; only when the suffering is laxity is sweetness considered drainage. Zhang Jiebin explains: Excessive Heart Fire causes agitation and overflow, so urgently consuming saltiness is necessary. Saltiness transforms via Water and can balance it. Thus, softening with saltiness is tonification, relaxing with sweetness is drainage.

The Spleen desires relaxation; urgently consume sweet flavors to relax it.

Wang Bing explains: Sweetness is mild and relaxing, following relaxation. Wu Kun explains: The Spleen possesses warm, thick, and harmonious virtue, hence desires relaxation. Disease causes loss of relaxation. Zhang Zhicong explains: Earth's virtue is harmonious and thick, hence desires relaxation. Ma Shi explains: The Spleen desires relaxation; only sweetness can relax. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Tangye Bencao* states: Spleen desires relaxation, urgently consume sweetness to relax. Licorice (*Gancao*) tonifies with sweetness; Ginseng (*Renshen*) drains with bitterness. Coptis (*Huanglian*) tonifies deficiency with Licorice and Jujube (*Dazao*). Without other symptoms, Qian's Yihuang San is indicated. The mother of Heart and Spleen is tonified with fried salt; Heart excess is drained with Immature Bitter Orange (*Zhishi*); without other symptoms, Xiehuang San is used to drain. The Lung is the child of the Spleen; drain Lung with Mulberry Root Bark (*Sangbaipi*). Also, Earth cultivates crops; crops produce sweetness, hence it can tonify.

Drain with bitterness, tonify with sweetness.

Wang Bing explains: Bitterness drains by taking hardness and dryness; sweetness tonifies by taking stability and relaxation. Wu Kun explains: The Spleen likes sweetness and dislikes bitterness. Zhang Zhicong explains: Spleen disease causes Earth depression, so use bitter flavors' inducing and draining action to drain, and sweet relaxation to tonify. *Jinkui Yaolue* states: Diseases of the five Zang organs heal when they obtain what they like; they suffer from what they dislike. Follow what they do not like as disease; thus, follow their desired flavors for tonification. Ma Shi explains: Only sweetness can relax; this is why sweetness is tonification. Only bitterness has hardness and dryness; this is why bitterness is drainage. Zhang Jiebin explains: The Spleen values fullness, harmony, warmth, and thickness. Its nature desires relaxation, likes sweetness, and dislikes bitterness.

The Lung desires gathering; urgently consume sour flavors to gather it.

Wang Bing explains: Because sourness has an astringent nature. Wu Kun explains: The Lung possesses the virtue of gathering, governs the Autumn command, hence desires gathering. Zhang Zhicong explains: The Lung governs the gathering command of Autumn. Ma Shi explains: The Lung desires gathering; only sourness can gather. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Tangye Bencao* states: Lung desires gathering, urgently consume sourness to gather it. White Peony (*Baishaoyao*) drains with pungency; Mulberry Root Bark (*Sangbaipi*) tonifies with sourness; Schisandra (*Wuweizi*) without other symptoms, Qian's Ejiao San tonifies. The Spleen is the mother of the Lung; tonify Spleen with Licorice; excess drains Lung with Mulberry Root Bark; without other symptoms, Xiebai San drains. The Kidney is the child of the Lung; drain with Alisma (*Zexie*). Also, the Lung governs the astringent and肃 (solemn) policy of the Upper Jiao. Sourness can astringe the Lung; if affected by heat pathogen, pungency can drain. If not gathered, Qi has no restraint, meaning the Lung loses its duty. If gathered, its nature follows and its duty is performed; thus, sourness can also tonify.

Tonify with sourness, drain with pungency.

Wang Bing explains: Sourness gathers, hence tonifies; Pungency disperses, hence drains. Zhang Zhicong explains: Use sour gathering to tonify righteousness; use pungent dispersion to drain pathogens. Ma Shi explains: Only when the desire is gathering is sourness considered tonification; only when the suffering is dispersion is pungency considered drainage. Zhang Jiebin explains: The Lung corresponds to Autumn Qi, governs gathering; Lung Qi should gather, not disperse.

The Kidney desires firmness; urgently consume bitter flavors to firm it.

Wang Bing explains: Because bitterness has a hardening and drying nature. Wu Kun explains: The Kidney takes Cold Water as its image; firmness and strength are its virtue. Zhang Zhicong explains: The Kidney's body is heavy like stone; its virtue is firm and condensed. Disease causes loss of normalcy. Ma Shi explains: The Kidney desires firmness; only bitterness can firm. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Tangye Bencao* states: Kidney desires firmness, urgently consume bitterness to firm it. Anemarrhena (*Zhimu*) drains with bitterness; Phellodendron (*Huangbai*) drains with saltiness. Alisma (*Zexie*) tonifies deficiency with Prepared Rehmannia (*Shudihuang*) and Phellodendron. The Kidney originally has no excess and cannot be drained; Qian's formulas only include Kidney-Tonifying Dihuang Pill, with no Kidney-Draining drugs. The Lung is the mother of the Kidney; tonify Kidney with Schisandra (*Wuweizi*). Also, if the Kidney is not firm, it cannot fulfill the role of strengthening bones and sinews. It becomes soft when exposed to dampness and firm when exposed to cold. Schisandra becomes soft with saltiness and firm with bitterness. Firmness is tonification.

Tonify with bitterness, drain with saltiness.

Wang Bing explains: Bitterness tonifies by taking firmness; Saltiness drains by taking softness. Softness is controlled by damp Earth, hence drainage is used. Wu Kun explains: Bitterness can firm, hence called tonification; Saltiness can soften hardness, hence called drainage. Zhang Zhicong explains: The above discusses diseases of the five Zang organs suitable for medicinal and dietary treatments, where each of the five flavors has its suitability. Ma Shi explains: Only when the desire is bitterness is bitterness considered tonification; only when the suffering is softness is saltiness considered drainage. Zhang Jiebin explains: The Kidney governs closure and storage; Qi values secrecy and integrity, hence the Kidney desires firmness. Bitterness firms, hence is tonification; Saltiness softens hardness, hence is drainage.

The Liver color is green; it is suitable to consume rice (*Jingmi*), beef, dates, and mallow (*Kui*), all sweet.

Wang Bing explains: The Liver nature likes tension, hence consuming sweet substances takes their widening and relaxing effect. Zhang Zhicong explains: Clarity and the five colors are the brilliance of Qi. The Liver color is green, meaning its Qi suffers from tension, hence sweetness is suitable. The five flavors nourish the Qi of the five Zang organs. Ma Shi explains: The East is Jia-Yi Wood, its color is green. The Liver belongs to Wood, hence its color is also green. The Liver suffers from tension; only sweetness can relax, hence suitable to consume sweetness. All rice, beef, dates, and mallow are sweet and edible. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: Rice (*Jingmi*) is paddy; paddy and glutinous rice are general names for grain. Shengzhi says: Paddy and glutinous rice. Paddy planted in March, glutinous rice planted in April. Paddy and glutinous rice are both paddy. Confucius said: "Eat paddy." The *Zhou Li* has the office of Rice Person; Han dynasty established the Rice Field Envoy. The distinction between indica and japonica rice is detailed in *Neijing Fang Jishi - Tangye Laoli Pian*; this likely refers to glutinous rice. Sun Simiao said: "Glutinous rice is sweet, the grain of the Spleen. Suitable for Spleen disease, boosts Qi and stops diarrhea." *Shiyi Xinjing*: "Glutinous rice is the master of diet, warms the middle." Chen Cangqi said: "Beef is neutral, reduces edema, removes dampness, nourishes the uterus, strengthens sinews and bones." *Shiyi Xinjing*: "One jin of beef, steamed cooked, eaten hollow-stomached with ginger and vinegar." *Zhou Li - Shi Yi*: "Beef suits paddy (*Tu*)." Annotation: "Beef is sweet and neutral; paddy is bitter. Sweet and bitter complement each other, hence beef suits paddy." *Benjing*: "Dates are sweet and neutral, mainly calm the middle, nourish the Spleen, and level Stomach Qi." *Wushi Bencao*: "Mainly harmonize the middle, benefit the Spleen, consumption generates Qi and produces fluids." Mallow includes Nightshade (*Longkui*) and Hollyhock (*Shukui*); this likely refers to Winter Mallow (*Dongkui*). *Benjing*: "Winter mallow is sweet and cold, mainly treats cold-heat and emaciation of the five Zang and six Fu organs, promotes urination, long-term consumption strengthens bones and grows muscles." *Bielu*: "Mallow is the chief of hundred vegetables; its heart harms people." *Yaoxing Lun*: "Slippery." *Rihuazi*: "Long-term consumption strengthens sinews and bones." Autumn mallow is early-planted, commonly called vegetable mallow. *Tangben Zhu*: "This is the root of commonly eaten mallow." *Zuo Zhuan*: "Mallow can guard the foot." Wind month seven cooks mallow and soybeans. Annotation: "Vegetable name, large stem small leaves, purple-yellow flowers, edible." The Liver suits sweet consumption...

The Center is Earth; among the Five Elements, Earth is honored; among the five flavors, sweetness is supreme. *Zhou Li - Shi Yi*: "Adjust with slippery and sweet." Annotation: "Ginger, elm, [unclear], marrow to make slippery; dates, chestnuts, syrup, malt sugar to make sweet." Also: "Beef suits paddy." Paddy is the grain of the Spleen; beef is the meat of Earth. Liver consumes Spleen flavor; Wood and Earth do not conflict. *Jinkui*: "In Liver disease, first solidify the Spleen."

The Heart color is red; it is suitable to consume sour adzuki beans (*Xiaodou*).

New correction notes: *Jiayi Jing* and *Tai Su* read adzuki beans as hemp seed. Ma Shi explains: The South is Bing-Ding Fire, its color is red. The Heart belongs to Fire, hence its color is also red. The Heart suffers from laxity; only sourness can gather, hence suitable to consume sourness. All adzuki beans, dog meat, plums, and leeks are sour and edible. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Bielu*: "Large and small beans are linked, similar to scallion and garlic meanings." Soybeans become Huangjuan; adzuki beans remove irritability. *Shiliao*: "Removes joint irritability, opens heart pores." Green and red ones can both be eaten; this refers to red...

Dog meat, plums, and leeks are all sour.

Wang Bing explains: The Heart nature likes laxity, hence consuming sour substances takes their gathering effect. Zhang Zhicong explains: The Heart will likes joy; joy leads to Qi relaxation; relaxation leads to slackening of Heart Spirit and mind. Hence, suitable to consume the sourness of adzuki beans and large plums to nourish and collect Heart Qi. Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Zhou Li - Shi Yi*: "Dog suits millet." Annotation: "Dog meat is sour and warm, heals severe injuries, lightens the body, and boosts Qi." *Rihuazi*: "Sour tonifies Stomach Qi, strengthens yang, nourishes waist and knees, tonifies deficiency and labor, boosts Qi." *Shiyi Xinjing*: "For cold weakness of Spleen and Stomach, cook with rice, salt, and fermented soybeans; for edema and scanty urination, steam cooked and eat hollow-stomached. For qi-water distension, cook porridge or soup with rice; eating is good." Tao Hongjing's alternative annotation: "Plums have many types: green, yellow, purple, raw, water plums, all edible, hot taste and sweet." *Shiyi Xinjing*: "Plum is sour, mainly removes chronic heat and harmonizes the middle." The Yellow Emperor said: "Plums should not be eaten with honey; doing so damages the five Zang organs." This refers to sourness. *Bielu*: "Leek is pungent, slightly sour, and warm; enters the Heart and calms the five Zang organs." *Shuowen*: "Vegetable name. One type lasting long, hence called leek. Cut three or four times a year without damaging roots; winter mound soil; regrows before spring. Truly one type lasting long. Among vegetables, this is warmest and beneficial; suitable for regular consumption. However, this vegetable is particularly pungent and smelly, unlike scallions and garlic; cooked, it has no odor, which is taboo for nurturing life." The Yellow Emperor said: "Do not eat in May." Also, *Zhou Li* seven pickles, first is leek pickle, also considering leek as sour. The Heart suits sour consumption because Wood and Fire generate each other.

The Lung color is white; it is suitable to consume bitter wheat, mutton, apricots, and wild onion (*Xie*), all bitter.

Wang Bing explains: The Lung suffers from Qi rebellion, hence consuming bitter substances takes their draining and dispersing effect. Wu Kun explains: The Lung suffers from rebellious Qi; urgently consume bitterness to drain it. Zhang Zhicong explains: The Lung color is white; its Qi governs the descending command of Autumn Metal, yet suffers from upward rebellion. Ma Shi explains: The West is Geng-Xin Metal, its color is white. The Lung also belongs to Metal, hence its color is also white. Zhang Jiebin explains: *Xie* sounds like 'xie'; root is white like small garlic. *Erya Yi* says: "Looks like leek but not, no fruit." Zhang Ji's commentary notes: *Tujing*: "Wheat has large wheat, small wheat, large wheat, buckwheat." *Bielu*: "Small wheat is sweet and slightly cold; large wheat is salty, warm, and slightly cold; large wheat is sweet and slightly cold; buckwheat is sweet and flat-cold." Mutton: *Zhou Li - Shi Yi*: "Sheep suits millet." Annotation: "Sheep meat is sweet and hot; millet is bitter and warm. Sweet and bitter complement each other." *Bielu*: "Sweet, very hot, non-toxic." *Tangben Zhu*: "Consuming after illness recovery causes fever and death." *Benjing*: "Apricot kernel is bitter and warm, mainly treats cough and rebellious Qi." *Bielu*: "Fruit is sour; do not eat too much, damages sinews and bones." *Shiyi Xinjing*: "Mainly treats asthma and急促 (rapid breathing)." *Shengjin Fang*: "Treats long-term lung asthma and rapid breathing." *Bielu*: "*Xie* is pungent, bitter, and warm; removes cold-heat and wind-cold." *Shiliao*: "Treats wind-heat." *Shiyi Xinyi*: "Mainly treats dysentery with red and white discharge." All are Lung-related diseases. Only wheat and mutton are not bitter; doubt remains pending examination.

The Spleen color is yellow; it is suitable to consume salty soybeans, pork, chestnuts, and broad bean leaves (*Huo*), all salty.

Wang Bing explains: Investigating this sweet food is the meaning of harmonizing mechanisms. The Kidney is the gate of the Stomach; the Spleen combines with the Stomach. Hence,借用 (borrow) saltiness to soften and benefit the gate. When the gate is open, Stomach Qi flows; when Stomach Qi flows, Spleen Qi transforms. Hence, the Spleen suits flavors different from others. New correction notes: According to the above text: "Liver suffers from tension, urgently consume sweetness to relax it; Heart suffers from laxity, urgently consume sourness to gather it; Spleen suffers from dampness, urgently consume bitterness to dry it; Lung suffers from rebellious Qi, urgently consume bitterness to drain it; Kidney suffers from dryness, urgently consume pungency to moisten it." The dietary suitability for Liver, Heart, Lung, and Kidney all match the previous text. Only the Spleen suits saltiness and should not use bitterness, hence Wang Shi specially annotates its meaning. Zhang Zhicong explains: The reason Earth of the Spleen irrigates the four Zang organs is mainly to seep upward to Heart and Lung, and drain downward to Liver and Kidney. If the Spleen suffers from dampness, it cannot seep upward; if Earth Qi is thick and high, it cannot drain downward. The Classic states: "Sour and bitter induce vomiting and drain, belonging to Yin; salty flavor渗泄 and belongs to Yin." Hence, suitable to consume bitterness to take its drying of Earth Qi to...