黄帝问于少俞曰。五味入于口也。各有所走。各有所病。酸走筋。多食之令人癃。咸走血。多食之令人渴。辛走气。
多食之令人洞心。苦走骨。多食之令人变呕。甘走肉。多食之令人 心。余知其然也。不知其何由。愿闻其故。少俞答
曰。酸入于胃其气涩以收。上之两焦弗能出入也。不出即留于胃中。胃中和温则下注膀胱。膀胱之胞薄以懦。得酸则缩
绻。约而不通。水道不行。故癃。阴者。积筋之所终也。故酸入而走筋矣。黄帝曰。咸走血。多食之令人渴。何也。少
俞曰。咸入于胃。其气上走中焦。注于脉。则血气走之。血与咸相得则凝。凝则胃中汁注之。注之则胃中竭。竭则咽路
焦。故舌本干而善渴。血脉者。中焦之道也。故咸入而走血矣。黄帝曰。辛走气。多食之令人洞心。何也。少俞曰。辛
入于胃其气走于上焦。上焦者。受气而营诸阳者也。姜韭之气熏之。营卫之气。不时受之。久留心下。故洞心。辛与气
俱行。故辛入而与汗俱出。黄帝曰。苦走骨。多食之令人变呕。何也。少俞曰。苦入于胃五谷之气。皆不能胜苦。苦入
下脘。三焦之道皆闭而不通。故变呕。齿者骨之所终也。故苦入而走骨。故入而复出。知其走骨也。黄帝曰。甘走肉。
多食之令人 心。何也。少俞曰。甘入于胃。其气弱小不能上。至于上焦而与谷留于胃中者。令人柔润者也。胃柔则缓。
缓则虫动。虫动则令人 心。其气外通于肉。故甘走肉。
思清笔健不染纤尘。
Huangdi asked Shaoyu, saying: "When the five flavors enter the mouth, each has its specific pathway and can induce specific pathologies. Sourness (Suan) travels to the sinews; excessive consumption causes urinary retention (Long). Saltness (Xian) travels to the blood; excessive consumption causes thirst. Pungency (Xin) travels to the Qi; excessive consumption causes a hollow feeling in the heart (Dong Xin). Bitterness (Ku) travels to the bones; excessive consumption causes vomiting. Sweetness (Gan) travels to the flesh; excessive consumption causes a sense of restlessness or discomfort in the heart (Dan Dan Ran). I know these phenomena occur, but I do not understand their underlying mechanisms. I wish to hear the explanation."
Shaoyu replied, "When sourness enters the stomach, its Qi is astringent and contracting. When it ascends to the Upper Jiao and Middle Jiao, it cannot circulate freely. If it does not exit, it remains in the stomach. The warm Qi of the stomach directs it downward into the bladder. The wall of the bladder's sac is thin and soft; upon contact with sourness, it contracts and curls, leading to obstruction and blockage of the water passages. Thus, urinary retention (Long) occurs. The Yin regions are where the sinews converge and terminate; therefore, sourness travels to the sinews."
Huangdi said, "Saltness travels to the blood, and excessive consumption causes thirst. Why is this?"
Shaoyu replied, "When saltness enters the stomach, its Qi ascends to the Middle Jiao and enters the vessels, causing the Blood and Qi to flow with it. When Blood combines with saltness, it becomes coagulated. This coagulation draws gastric fluids into the vessels to dilute it. As these fluids are drawn in, the stomach's fluids become depleted. Depletion leads to dryness in the throat and swallowing passages; thus, the root of the tongue becomes dry and thirst ensues. The blood vessels are the pathways of the Middle Jiao; therefore, saltness travels to the blood."
Huangdi said, "Pungency travels to the Qi, and excessive consumption causes a hollow feeling in the heart. Why is this?"
Shaoyu replied, "When pungency enters the stomach, its Qi travels to the Upper Jiao. The Upper Jiao receives Qi and nourishes the Yang meridians. The fumes of ginger and leeks熏 (xun - fumigate/irritate) this area. The Ying (Nutrient) Qi and Wei (Defensive) Qi are frequently subjected to this stimulation. Over time, it lingers below the heart, causing a hollow sensation (Dong Xin). Pungency moves together with Qi; therefore, when pungency enters the body, it exits along with sweat."
Huangdi said, "Bitterness travels to the bones, and excessive consumption causes vomiting. Why is this?"
Shaoyu replied, "When bitterness enters the stomach, the Qi of the five grains cannot overcome its heavy, sinking nature. When bitterness reaches the lower epigastrium, the pathways of the Three Jiao become closed and obstructed, resulting in vomiting. The teeth are the termination point of the bones; therefore, bitterness travels to the bones. Because it enters and then re-emerges, we know it travels to the bones."
Huangdi said, "Sweetness travels to the flesh, and excessive consumption causes a sense of restlessness in the heart. Why is this?"
Shaoyu replied, "When sweetness enters the stomach, its Qi is weak and small, unable to ascend. If it remains in the stomach along with food, it makes the stomach soft and moist. A soft stomach becomes lax; laxity leads to intestinal movement or parasitic activity (Chong Dong), which causes a sense of restlessness or discomfort in the heart (Dan Dan Ran). Its Qi extends outward to the flesh; therefore, sweetness travels to the flesh."