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[Background Information]
Book: Neijing Yao Yue (Clarifications on Medicinals in the Inner Canon)
Author: Zhang Ji (Zhang Ji)
Dynasty: Qing Dynasty
Chapter: Liu Hua Xia (Part 2 of 3)
Category: Materia Medica

When one pathogen cannot dominate another, but rather is overcome by a pathogen that overcomes it, this is considered an "abnormal dominance" (Fan Sheng). Treatment should employ Sour and Warm substances. Sour acts as a guide for Wind-Wood Qi, while Warmth suppresses the abnormal dominance of Clear-Cool Qi. Bitter overcomes Dryness, and Sweet moderates it; therefore, assist with Bitter and Sweet. Pungent can warm Clear-Cool Qi and also tonify Wood; thus, use Pungent to level it. Zhang Zhicong stated: "Abnormal dominance of pathogenic Qi refers to irregular Qi overcoming the ruling Qi of the Year associated with the In泉 (Lower Heaven) position. One must again use flavors and temperatures that overcome the pathogen to level and treat it. When Heavenly Qi deviates from the season, treatment can follow the seasonal norms; this is what is meant." Zhang Jiebin stated: "Abnormal dominance occurs because when Heavenly and Earthly Qi are insufficient, interstitial Qi takes advantage of the deficiency to become pathogenic and dominates abnormally." Ji's commentary: The *Suwen* (Plain Questions), chapter "Six Sections and Zang Image Theory," states: "Excess and deficiency each have their respective dominators." It also states: "Arrival without manifestation indicates deficiency; the element that overcomes it encroaches upon it." The *Wu Yun Xing Da Lun* (Great Treatise on the Movement of the Five Movements) states: "When Qi is deficient, the element that overcomes it insults and attacks it; attacked and receiving pathogenic Qi, it lacks fear." This refers to Clear-Cool overcoming Wind, Cold overcoming Heat, Heat overcoming Dampness, Cold overcoming Fire, Heat overcoming Dryness, and Heat overcoming Cold—all are pathogenic Qi. Hence it is called "abnormal dominance." The *Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun* (Great Treatise on Essential Requirements for the Most Truthful) states: "First determine the five excesses, then drain the pathogenic Qi." The *Bao Ming Quan Jiao Lun* (Treatise on Preserving Life and Completing the Spirit) states: "The five excesses alternate in establishment." The *Wu Shi Nan* (Fifty Difficulties) states: "Pathogenic Qi coming from the element that overcomes [the affected element] is called 'Thief Pathogenic Qi,' which is defined as abnormal dominance of pathogenic Qi." The Classics state: "Where pathogenic Qi gathers, the Healthy Qi must be deficient." Therefore, first treat the excess, then level it to restore the correct Qi.

When Heat governs the Lower Heaven (Di), but Cold abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Sweet and Hot substances, assisted by Bitter and Pungent, leveled with Salty.
Wang Bing stated: "When Shaoyin rules the Lower Heaven, Heat governs the Lower Heaven, referring to years of Wu-Mao and Wu-You. First drain the pathogen, then level the healthy Qi." Wu Kun stated: "Sweet and Hot are both Yang. Treating with Sweet and Hot supports Heat and suppresses Cold. Assisting with Bitter and Pungent: Cold meets Bitter and is directed; meeting Pungent, it disperses. Cold is on the exterior, Heat is on the interior, stifled Heat becomes excess; thus, use Salty to level it."

When Dampness governs the Lower Heaven, but Heat abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Bitter and Cold substances, assisted by Salty and Sweet, leveled with Bitter.
Wang Bing stated: "When Taiyin rules the Lower Heaven, Dampness governs the Lower Heaven, referring to years of Wu-Chen and Wu-Xu. The principles of tonification and draining are the same for the other Qi." Wu Kun stated: "Bitter and Cold are Yin. Treating with Bitter and Cold supports Dampness and suppresses Heat. Assisting with Salty and Sweet: Heat meets Sweet and is moderated; meeting Salty, it is softened. If there remains unresolved aspects, use Bitter to level it."

When Fire governs the Lower Heaven, but Cold abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Sweet and Hot substances, assisted by Bitter and Pungent, leveled with Salty.
Wang Bing stated: "When Shaoyang rules the Lower Heaven, Fire governs the Lower Heaven, referring to years of Ji-Si and Ji-Hai." Wu Kun stated: "It is the same as when Heat rules the Upper Heaven; no further detail is needed."

When Dryness governs the Lower Heaven, but Heat abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Neutral-Cold substances, assisted by Bitter and Sweet, leveled with Sour, aiming for harmony.
Wang Bing stated: "When Yangming rules the Lower Heaven, Dryness governs the Lower Heaven, and Heat abnormally dominates it, referring to years of Geng-Zi and Geng-Wu. The nature of Dryness dislikes Heat but also fears Cold; thus, formulas are prepared using a balance of Cold and Heat." Wu Kun stated: "Treating with Neutral-Cold: Dryness is a harsh and killing Qi; we do not wish to support it, but merely use Neutral-Cold to suppress Heat. Assisting with Bitter and Sweet: Bitter drains Excess Heat, and Sweet drains Deficient Heat. Both Heat and Dryness consume the Five Qi of humans; thus, use Sour to level it. Aiming for harmony means warning against excessiveness."

When Cold governs the Lower Heaven, but Heat abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Salty and Cold substances, assisted by Sweet and Pungent, leveled with Bitter.
Wang Bing stated: "When Taiyang rules the Lower Heaven, Cold governs the Lower Heaven, referring to years of Xin-Chou and Xin-Wei. The treatment methods for these six Qi differ from the previous method of excessive dominance. Guan Yun said: 'Treatment' refers to draining the excessive Qi of the guest pathogen; 'Assist' refers to what is beneficial and appropriate; 'Level' refers to tonifying the already weakened healthy Qi." Wu Kun stated: "Treating with Cold and Salty supports the insufficiency of Cold Qi and suppresses the excess of Heat Qi. Assisting with Sweet and Pungent: Sweet regulates Cold and Heat, and Pungent circulates Salty and Cold. Using Bitter to level it adjusts the remaining pathogenic Qi."

The Emperor asked: "What about abnormal dominance by pathogens when ruling the Upper Heaven?" Qibo replied: "When Wind transformation occurs at the Upper Heaven, but Clear-Cool abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Sour and Warm substances, assisted by Sweet and Bitter."
Wang Bing stated: "This refers to the year of Ji-Hai." Wu Kun stated: "Sour can serve as a guide for Wind transformation; Warmth can level the abnormal dominance of Clear-Cool Qi; Sweet harmonizes it, and Bitter directs it downward." Zhang Zhicong stated: "This discusses the Upper Heaven ruling Six Qi where pathogenic Qi abnormally dominates; one should use the flavors and temperatures of the overcoming element to level it." Ma Shi stated: "This describes the treatment method when the Six Qi ruling the Upper Heaven are defeated by pathogenic Qi." Zhang Jiebin stated: "This speaks of abnormal dominance at the Upper Heaven." Ji's commentary: The above discussed treatment for abnormal dominance at the Lower Heaven; this discusses treatment for abnormal dominance at the Upper Heaven.

When Heat transformation occurs at the Upper Heaven, but Cold abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Sweet and Warm substances, assisted by Bitter, Sour, and Pungent.
Wang Bing stated: "This refers to the years of Zi-Wu." Wu Kun stated: "Sweet and Warm can overcome Cold; Bitter serves as a counter-agent; Sour nourishes Yin, and Pungent disperses Cold."

When Dampness transformation occurs at the Upper Heaven, but Heat abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Bitter and Cold substances, assisted by Bitter and Sour.
Wang Bing stated: "This refers to the years of Chou-Wei." Wu Kun stated: "Bitter and Cold can dispel Heat. When Heat dominates, Yin fluids are lost; thus, assist with Bitter and Sour."

When Fire transformation occurs at the Upper Heaven, but Cold abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Sweet and Hot substances, assisted by Bitter and Pungent.
Wang Bing stated: "This refers to the years of Yin-Shen." Wu Kun stated: "Sweet and Hot can overcome Cold; Bitter serves as a counter-agent; Pungent disperses Cold."

When Dryness transformation occurs at the Upper Heaven, but Heat abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Pungent and Cold substances, assisted by Bitter and Sweet.
Wang Bing stated: "This refers to the years of Mao-You." Wu Kun stated: "Pungent dissipates Heat, Cold overcomes Heat, Bitter directs Heat downward, and Sweet moderates Heat."

When Cold transformation occurs at the Upper Heaven, but Heat abnormally dominates it:
Treatment employs Salty and Cold substances, assisted by Sweet and Pungent.
Wang Bing stated: "This refers to the years of Chen-Xu." Wu Kun stated: "Treating with Salty and Cold utilizes them to dispel Heat; Bitter directs Heat downward, and Pungent dissipates Heat."

The Emperor asked: "How should the mutual dominance of the Six Qi be treated?" Qibo replied: "When Jueyin (Wood) dominates:
Treatment employs Sweet and Clear substances, assisted by Bitter and Pungent, drained with Sour.
When Shaoyin (Fire) dominates:
Treatment employs Pungent and Cold substances, assisted by Bitter and Salty, drained with Sweet.
When Taiyin (Earth) dominates:
Treatment employs Salty and Hot substances, assisted by Pungent and Sweet, drained with Bitter.
When Shaoyang (Fire) dominates:
Treatment employs Pungent and Cold substances, assisted by Sweet and Salty, drained with Sweet.
When Yangming (Metal) dominates:
Treatment employs Sour and Warm substances, assisted by Pungent and Sweet, drained with Bitter.
When Taiyang (Water) dominates:
Treatment employs Sweet and Hot substances, assisted by Pungent and Sour, drained with Salty."
Wang Bing stated: "When the six excesses arrive, one must first trace the cause of the element that does not overcome oneself. The element that does not overcome oneself should first be drained to open its pathway, then the dominating Qi should be drained to make it retreat and release. If treatments for various excesses do not drain and dispatch them, the excessive Qi will gradually increase and generate internal diseases. New Corrections note: Upon detailed examination, all these treatments first drain the non-dominating element before draining the incoming dominant element. Only the treatment for Taiyang dominance using Sweet and Hot is different; it is suspected that 'Sweet' is a typo for 'Bitter.' If it were 'Bitter and Hot,' the treatments for the six excesses would be consistent. Wu Kun stated: "When Wood dominates, Earth fails. Treating with Sweet benefits Earth; treating with Clear levels Wood; assisting with Bitter and Pungent disperses Wind-Heat. When Wood Qi becomes excess, drain it with Sour. When Heat dominates, it overcomes Metal. Treating with Pungent dissipates Heat; treating with Cold levels Heat; assisting with Bitter and Salty directs Heat downward. Sweet can moderate the urgency of Fire, which is how it drains it. When Earth dominates, Dampness dominates. Treating with Salty moistens and directs downward; treating with Hot dries Dampness; assisting with Pungent and Sweet promotes Earth Qi. When Wet-Earth becomes excess, drain it with Bitter. When Fire dominates, it overcomes Metal. Treating with Pungent and Cold: Pungent disperses Fire, Cold suppresses Fire. Assisting with Sweet and Salty: Sweet moderates the rapidity of Fire Qi, Salty softens the dryness and excess of Fire Qi. Repeating 'drain with Sweet' emphasizes heavy Sweet drainage. When Metal dominates, Dryness dominates. Treating with Sour moistens Dryness; treating with Warm levels Metal; assisting with Pungent and Sweet disperses Clear-Cool. Draining with Bitter directs down Dryness excess. Taiyang is Cold Water. Treating with Sweet benefits Earth to prevent Water invasion; treating with Hot supports Yang and disperses Cold. Assisting with Pungent prevents Sweet from stagnating; assisting with Sour prevents Heat from drying. When Cold Qi enters the interior, transforming into Heat and causing Dryness excess, use Salty to drain it. Zhang Zhicong stated: "To treat various excess Qi: Cold is treated with Heat, Heat with Cold, Warm with Clear, Clear with Warm, Dispersed with Astringent, Suppressed with Dispersing, Dry with Moistening, Urgent with Moderating, Hard with Softening, Brittle with Firming, Weak with Tonifying, Strong with Draining. Each stabilizes its Qi, so pathogenic Qi declines and departs; this is the general principle of treatment." Ji's commentary: "Jueyin dominance means Wind-Wood Qi is excessive and Earth is constrained. Treating with Sweet and Clear: Sweet is the flavor of Earth, Clear is the Qi of Metal. Wood and Earth generate each other; if Wood is controlled, Earth is not overcome. Bitter generates Earth, Pungent levels Wood, hence they are assisted. Wood nature is flexible; drain it with Sour. Shaoyin Lord Fire Qi dominates and Metal is constrained. Pungent is the flavor of Metal, Cold is the Qi of Water. Metal and Water generate each other, so Fire is controlled and Metal is not injured; thus, treat with them. Assisting with Bitter and Salty: Bitter transforms according to Fire to assist Pungent; Salty transforms according to Water to assist Cold. Fire nature is urgent, hence moderate it with Sweet. Taiyin Damp-Earth Qi dominates and Water is constrained. Treating with Salty and Hot: For Wet-Heat, transform with Salty; for Wet-Cold, treat with Hot. If Dampness dominates and Earth is Cold, Pungent warms, Sweet tonifies, hence assist with Pungent and Sweet. If Dampness dominates and Earth is excess, drain with Bitter. The proper flavor of Earth is drained with Bitter. Shaoyang Minister Fire Qi dominates and Metal is constrained; thus treat with Pungent and Cold, drain with Sweet, same as Shaoyin. Assist with Sweet and Salty, different from Shaoyin. Sweet drains Fire, Salty drains Heat. Yangming Dry-Metal Qi dominates and Wood is constrained. Treating with Sour and Warm: Sour is the flavor of Wood, Warm is the Qi of Fire. Wood and Fire generate each other, so Metal is controlled and Wood is not injured. Yangming has Dry-Metal Qi and Clear-Metal Qi. If Dryness Qi is excessive, disperse with Pungent; if Clear Qi is insufficient, nourish with Sweet. Bitter transforms according to Fire and can drain Dryness pathogen. Taiyang Cold-Water Qi dominates and Heart is constrained. Treating with Sweet and Hot: Sweet is the flavor of Earth, Hot is the Qi of Fire. Fire and Earth generate each other, so Water is controlled and Fire does not scatter. Pungent disperses Cold, Sour collects Heart Qi, hence assist with Pungent and Sour. The proper flavor of Water is drained with Salty, hence drain with Salty."

The Emperor asked: "What about the retaliation (Fu) of the Six Qi?" Qibo replied: "When Jueyin retaliates:
Treatment employs Sour and Cold substances, assisted by Sweet and Pungent, drained with Sour, moderated with Sweet."
Wang Bing stated: "If not moderated too much, summer still will not end, and it returns to dominance; thus treat with Pungent and Cold. New Corrections note: According to another version, 'treat with Sour and Cold' is written as 'treat with Pungent and Cold.' Wu Kun stated: "Wind-Wood has ascending and developing nature. Treating with Sour collects it; treating with Cold clears it. Assisting with Sweet and Pungent follows its ascending and reaching body. Drain with Sour to drain excess; moderate with Sweet to relieve excessive urgency." Zhang Jiebin stated: "Retaliation means revenge. The rise and fall of the Six Qi are not constant; when there is dominance, there is retaliation. Wang's theory holds that after any dominance, there must be retaliation. New Corrections cite the meaning of Zhenghua (Correct Transformation) and Duihua (Counter Transformation) from *Xuanzhu*: Correct Si (Ruling) represents the reality of transformation commands; Counter Si represents the deficiency. Counter Transformation dominance has retaliation; Correct Transformation dominance does not. They reverse Wang's note as incorrect. Others say: Jia, Bing, Wu, Geng, Ren (Yang Years) are Excessive, having dominance but no retaliation; Yi, Ding, Ji, Xin, Gui (Yin Years) are Deficient, having dominance and necessarily retaliation. These are all misunderstandings. The way of dominance and retaliation appears according to the rise and fall of Qi, not divided by Correct and Counter. Examining various chapters of the Classic, there is originally no such statement. The saying that deficiency has retaliation and excess does not seems to come from *Qi Jiao Bian Da Lun*, which states that all Excessive movements do not mention retaliation, only Deficient years do. *Liu Yuan Zheng Ji Da Lun* records sixty years of fortune cycles, mentioning retaliation only for Deficient years and not for Excessive years, seemingly suggesting Yang years have dominance but no retaliation. However, *Wu Chang Zheng Da Lun* states: In the Fa Sheng (Generation) cycle, if virtue is not pursued, Recovery Qi retaliates; in the He Xi (Blazing) cycle, if administration is violent, Storage Qi retaliates; in the Dun Fu (Mound-like) cycle, great wind arrives swiftly, harming Spleen; in Jian Cheng (Solid Formation) cycle, Recovery administration changes violently, Long Qi saves; in Liu Yan (Overflowing) cycle, administration exceeds, Transformation Qi rises greatly. All these speak of Excessive years. From this perspective, Yang years certainly have retaliation. Only in Yin years is Qi weak, others come to overcome us, so the child rises to avenge, hence called retaliation. In Yang years, Qi is strong, none overcome us, we only overcome others, so succession follows and controls. However, 'succession' and 'retaliation' are fundamentally the same principle. Successive control is called succession; avenging due to dominance is called retaliation. Dominance and retaliation follow each other without gap. Thus the Classic says: 'There is dominance, then retaliation; no dominance, no retaliation.' 'When dominance arrives, retaliation follows; there is no fixed number.' 'Minor retaliation is minor, major retaliation is major.' Since even the degree of Qi cannot be borrowed, how can there be a principle of Correct/Counter Yin/Yang regarding retaliation or non-retaliation? Therefore, this chapter makes no distinction between Excessive and Deficient years; there are visible excessive dominance, abnormal dominance, and mutual dominance Qi. Yang years are not necessarily fully dominant, yet there are abnormalities; Yin years are not necessarily fully deficient, yet there is excessive dominance. Changes in Heaven and Earth are endless in growth and decline; one should observe the subtle signs of Qi and apply the principles of months and directions to grasp the essence. If one harms the meaning by clinging to words, it is far off." Ji's commentary: "Retaliation is the child avenging the mother. Sour is the flavor of Wood, Cold is the Qi of Water. Sour is the proper flavor of Wood, drained with Sour. Wood and Fire generate each other, suitable to treat with Cold. Wood excess and Earth deficiency: Sweet tonifies Earth, Pungent controls Wood, hence assist with Pungent and Sweet. Sour drains, Pungent moderates; this is the proper treatment for Wood."

When Shaoyin retaliates:
Treatment employs Salty and Cold substances, assisted by Bitter and Pungent, drained with Sweet, collected with Sour. Pungent and Bitter disperse; Salty softens.
Wang Bing stated: "Do not induce heavy sweating; attack with Cold. Holding until mid-autumn, Heat internally re-aggregates causing Heart Heat, shortness of breath, lack of strength, inability to rise. Heat hides and does not disperse, returning to the bones." Wu Kun stated: "Lord Fire governs with Heat. Treating with Salty and Cold uses what overcomes it. Assisting with Bitter and Pungent: Bitter descends, Pungent disperses. Fire meets Sweet and is moderated, which is draining; meets Sour and is collected, which is collecting. Knotted Heat gets Bitter and disperses, which is releasing. Solid hardness gets Salty and resolves, which is softening." Ji's commentary: "Salty is the flavor of Water, Cold is the Qi of Water; Water controls Fire. Release does not stay away from Heat, hence assist with Bitter and Pungent. Sweet and Sour drain Fire and collect floating Heat; Bitter and Cold disperse Fire and resolve knotted Heat."

When Taiyin retaliates:
Treatment employs Bitter and Hot substances, assisted by Sour and Pungent, drained with Bitter, dried, and purged.
Wang Bing stated: "If not dried and purged, over time it becomes body swelling, abdominal fullness, joint stiffness, and swelling in the thigh (Futu), boiling fullness, internal waist and knee pain, and inner calf swelling disease." Wu Kun stated: "Taiyin governs with Dampness. Treating with Bitter dries Dampness; treating with Hot removes Dampness. Assisting with Sour and Pungent: Sour transforms according to Wood, able to level the sweetness of Wet-Earth; Pungent transforms according to Metal, able to scatter the stagnation of Wet-Earth. Drain with Bitter to seize it. Dampness excess is not suitable for moistening, hence dry it; Dampness excess is not suitable for blocking, hence purge it." Ma Shi stated: "Taiyin retaliation: Treat with Bitter and Hot, assist with Sour and Pungent. Internally using Bitter is to drain, dry, and purge it." Ji's commentary: "Bitter is the flavor of Fire, Hot is the Qi of Fire. Bitter drains Earth, Hot dries Dampness. Assisting with Sour and Pungent: Wood generates Fire; if Fire is insufficient, assist with Sour; Metal generates Water; if Fire is excessive, assist with Pungent. The master of Earth position, its drain is Bitter, draining to seize its excess; dry to overcome its Dampness, purge to benefit its Dampness."

When Shaoyang retaliates:
Treatment employs Salty and Cold substances, assisted by Bitter and Pungent, softened with Salty, collected with Sour. Pungent and Bitter disperse. Release does not stay away from Heat; do not violate Warm and Cool. Same method as Shaoyin.
Wang Bing stated: "If not inducing sweat to drain Excess Yang, Heat internally floods the four limbs, causing 'Jie Mai' (loosening tendons), indescribable. Meaning heat is not severe, cold is not severe, strength is not extreme, weakness is not extreme, cannot be named verbally, hence called 'Jie'. Crude doctors call it Ghost Qi or Evil Disease. If long-lasting and unhealed, bone heat, marrow exhaustion, dry teeth, becoming Bone Heat Disease. Inducing sweat drains Yang, hence no lingering Heat. Thus, those inducing sweat, even if suffering from Heat disease, in summer or after recovery, also use Hot medicines to induce it. During spring and autumn, even if Fire-Heat dominates, one must not use Hot medicine to induce sweat. If sweat is not released and medicine Heat becomes internal excess, it aids disease becoming Malaria, reversely attacking the Spirit, hence 'do not violate Warm and Cool.' Shaoyin Qi Heat treatment is the same, hence 'same as Shaoyin.' Frequent loss of sweat leads to fluid exhaustion, hence collect with Sour, moisten with Salty. New Corrections note: According to *Liu Yuan Zheng Ji Da Lun*, 'Release does not stay away from Heat.' Wu Kun stated: "Shaoyang is Minister Fire. Treating with Salty and Cold uses what overcomes it. Assisting with Bitter and Pungent: Bitter can descend Fire, Pungent can scatter Fire. For firmness caused by Fire, soften with Salty; for Yin injury caused by Fire, collect with Sour; for depression/stifling caused by Fire, disperse with Pungent and Bitter. Generally, release does not stay away from Heat, but do not violate Warm and Cool. Heat is more than Warm, hence Warm is not used because it only warms the middle, cannot reach the exterior to scatter pathogen, and instead nourishes internal Heat. Cool is not used because Yangming Cool overcomes, so Shaoyang retaliation again violating Cool goes against Heaven, which is incomprehensible. Same as Shaoyin." Ji's commentary: "Salty is the flavor of Water, Cold is the Qi of Water; Water can overcome Fire. Bitter transforms according to Fire; if Fire Qi is deficient, assist with Bitter; Pungent transforms according to Metal; if Fire Qi is excessive, assist with Pungent. Furthermore, soften with Salty to resolve Heat knots, collect with Sour to gather floating Heat. Refer to Shaoyin section."

When Yangming retaliates:
Treatment employs Pungent and Warm substances, assisted by Bitter and Sweet, drained with Bitter, directed downward with Bitter, supplemented with Sour.
Wang Bing stated: "Drain refers to seeping/drainage, sweat, urination, and hot baths. Around Autumn Equinox, also induce sweat. If Spring had dominance, follow dominance method; if not resolved, also use hot infusion to harmonize inside and outside. After anger retaliation, Qi is all deficient, hence supplement to secure Qi; other retaliation treatments are similar." Wu Kun stated: "Yangming governs with Clear-Cool. Treating with Pungent and Warm uses what overcomes it. Assisting with Bitter and Sweet: Bitter overcomes Dryness, Sweet overcomes urgency. Drain with Bitter to surge it; direct downward with Bitter to seize it. Dryness injures fluids, Sour generates them, this is called supplementation." Ji's commentary: "Pungent is the flavor of Metal, Warm is the Qi of Fire. Drain Metal with Pungent, overcome Clear-Cool with Warm, hence treat with Pungent and Warm. Bitter controls Metal, Sweet generates Metal, hence assist with Bitter and Sweet. Furthermore, drain with Bitter to open Dryness knots, supplement with Sour to collect Jin-Ye (fluids), direct downward drainage."

When Taiyang retaliates:
Treatment employs Salty and Hot substances, assisted by Sweet and Pungent, firm with Bitter.
Wang Bing stated: "If not firm, Cold Qi changes internally, stops and recurs, recurs and stops, spanning many years, generating Great Cold Disease." Wu Kun stated: "Taiyang is Cold Water. Treating with Salty is following treatment; treating with Hot is direct treatment. Assisting with Sweet and Pungent uses dispersion; using Bitter to firm uses retention." Zhang Jiebin stated: "Cold Water connects to Kidney; if Kidney is not firm, Cold easily arises." Ji's commentary: "Salty is the flavor of Water, Hot is the Qi of Fire. Drain Water with Salty, treat Salty with Hot, hence treat with Salty and Hot. Sweet controls Water, Pungent disperses Cold, hence treat with Sweet and Pungent. The Classic says: 'Kidney desires firmness; urgently eat Bitter to firm it.'"

To treat various dominance and retaliation:
Cold is treated with Heat, Heat with Cold, Warm with Clear, Clear with Warm, Dispersed with Astringent, Suppressed with Dispersing, Dry with Moistening, Urgent with Moderating, Hard with Softening, Brittle with Firming, Weak with Tonifying, Strong with Draining. Each stabilizes its Qi, must be clear and quiet, then pathogenic Qi declines and departs, returning to its origin; this is the general principle of treatment.
Wang Bing stated: "Taiyang Qi is Cold, Shaoyin and Shaoyang Qi are Hot, Jueyin Qi is Warm, Yangming Qi is Clear, Taiyin Qi is Damp. With retaliation and dominance, multiply each Qi to regulate it, thus making it level. 'Zong' means belonging/regulating. If regulation does not lose reason, remaining Qi naturally returns to its belonging, deficient Qi naturally settles in its place. When dominance and retaliation decline, each is nourished and stabilized. Must be clear and quiet, do not recklessly disturb, so Six Qi cycle, Five Spirits are peaceful. If fortune Qi Cold and Heat are treated and leveled, they also return to governing Heaven and Earth Qi respectively." Wu Kun stated: "Master/Origin. Means pathogenic Qi declines, returning according to the Six Qi masters, with no partial dominance causing harm." Zhang Zhicong stated: "Among the Five Flavors and Six Qi: Pungent and Sweet disperse and spread are Yang; Sour and Bitter surge and drain are Yin; Salty surges and drains is Yin; Dan (bland) seeps and drains is Yang. The six either collect or disperse, moderate or urgent, dry or moisten, soften or firm, have tonification or draining, opposition or following, each following the suitability of Five Elements and Six Qi, stabilizing dominance and retaliation Qi, making them clear and quiet, so pathogenic Qi obtains and returns to its original position; this is the general principle of treatment." Ma Shi stated: "This summarizes the general principle of treating dominance and retaliation."

High is suppressed, Low is lifted, Excess is broken, Deficiency is supplemented. Assist with what is beneficial, harmonize with what is appropriate. Must stabilize Master and Guest, adapt to Cold and Warm. Same is opposed, Different is followed.
Wang Bing stated: "High is suppressed to control its dominance; Low is lifted to aid its weakness; Excess is broken to curb its sharpness; Deficiency is supplemented to complete its Qi. Although controlling dominance and supporting weakness, Master and Guest must be stable. If one Qi loses its place, contradictions arise again, thorns grow mutually, each waiting for opportunity, not getting along, internal flooding and external merging, leading to danger and failure. 'Same' refers to Cold, Heat, Warm, Clear Qi being harmonious; 'Different' refers to Water, Fire, Metal, Wood, Earth not being harmonious. If Qi agrees, oppose it; treat with the dominating Qi. If Qi does not agree, follow it; treat with the non-dominating Qi. To treat Fire dominance/submission, if wishing to benefit, use its flavor; if wishing to drain, also use its flavor. Dominance and non-dominance both break their Qi. Why? Because their nature is restless and moving. Treating Heat is the same." Zhang Zhicong stated: "High is suppressed refers to Master Qi reversing upward; Low is lifted refers to Guest Qi attacking downward. Excess is Dominant Qi; Deficiency is Non-Dominant Qi causing disease. Assist with what is beneficial means benefiting its desire. Like Liver desires dispersion, urgently eat Pungent to disperse, hence Jueyin dominance assists with Pungent; Heart desires softening, urgently eat Salty to soften, hence Shaoyin dominance assists with Salty; Spleen desires moderation, urgently eat Sweet to moderate, hence Taiyin dominance assists with Pungent and Sweet; Lung desires collection, urgently eat Sour to collect, hence Dryness flooding dominance assists with Pungent and Sour; Kidney desires firmness, urgently eat Bitter to firm, hence Cold flooding dominance assists with Sweet and Bitter. Harmonize what is appropriate means benefiting the suitability of the Five Flavors. Like Jueyin color Green, suitable to eat Sweet; Shaoyin and Shaoyang color Red, suitable to eat Sour; Taiyin color Yellow, suitable to eat Salty; Yangming color White, suitable to eat Bitter; Taiyang color Black, suitable to eat Pungent. Stabilize Master and Guest means letting each guard its original position. Adapt to Cold and Warm means treating Cold with Heat, Heat with Cold, Warm with Cool, Cool with Warm. 'Same is opposed' means when Qi agrees, it should be treated oppositely. Like Master and Guest both governing Fire-Heat, Heat should be treated with Salty-Cold; like both governing Cold-Water, should be treated with Pungent-Hot. Warm and Cool are the same. This is the Opposite Treatment method. 'Different is followed' means when Qi does not agree, it should be treated followingly. Like Cold-Water ruling Heaven descending on two Fires Master Qi, Guest dominance should follow two Fires' Heat to treat Cold; Master dominance should follow Ruling Heaven's Cold to treat Heat. Other Qi are the same. This is the method to level Different Qi." Ma Shi stated: "Generally, disease in high places is suppressed and directed down; disease in low places is lifted and directed up..."