大椎、哑门，至风府入脑，循脑户、强间、后顶上巅，至百会、前顶、囟会、上星、神庭，循额至
鼻柱，经素 、水沟、兑端，至 交而终焉。云阳脉
之海者，以人之脉络周流于诸阳之分，譬犹水也，而督脉则为之都纲，故曰阳脉之海。
任脉 任之为言，妊也。行腹部中行，为妇人生养之本，奇经之一脉也。
任脉者，起于中极之下以上毛际，循腹里，上关元，至喉咙，属阴脉之海也。
任与督，一源而二岐，督则由会阴而行背，任则由会阴而行腹。夫人身之有任督，犹天地之有子
午也。人身之任督，以腹背言，天地之子午；以南北言，可以分，可以合者也。分之以见阴阳之不杂
，合之以见浑沦之无间，一而二，二而一者也。任脉起于中极之下，会阴之分也，由是循曲骨，上毛
际，至中极，行腹里，上循关元、石门、气海、阴交、神阙、水分、下脘、建里、中脘、上脘、巨阙、
鸠尾、中庭、膻中、玉堂、紫宫、华盖、璇玑、天突、廉泉、上颐，循承浆，环唇上，至 交分行，
系两目下之中央，会承泣而终焉。云阴脉之海者，亦以人之脉络周流于诸阴之分，譬犹水也，而任脉
则为之总会焉，故曰阴脉之海。
肝苦急 急食甘以缓之，甘草；欲散，急食辛以散之，川芎；以辛补之，细辛；以酸泻之，芍药。虚，
以生姜、陈皮之类补之。经曰∶“虚则补其母”，水能生木，肾乃肝之母，肾水也，苦以补肾，
熟地黄、黄柏是也。如无他证，钱氏地黄丸主之。实则白芍药泻之，如无他证，钱氏泻青丸主之
。“实则泻其子”，心乃肝之子，以甘草泻心。
心苦缓 急食酸以收之，五味子；欲软，急食咸以软之，芒硝；以咸补之，泽泻；以甘
泻之，人参、黄 、甘草。虚，以炒盐补之。“虚则补其母”，木能生火，肝乃心之母，肝木也，
以生姜补肝，如无他证，钱氏安神丸主之。实则甘草泻之，如无他证，钱氏方中重则泻心汤，轻
则导赤散。
脾苦湿 急食苦以燥之，白术；欲缓，急食甘以缓之，甘草；以甘补之，人参；以苦泻之，
黄连。虚，则以甘草、大枣之类补之，如无他证，钱氏益黄散主之。心乃脾之母，以炒盐补心。
实，则以枳实泻之，如无他证，以泻黄散泻之。肺乃脾之子，以桑白皮泻肺。
肺苦气上逆 急食苦以泻之，诃子皮；一作黄芩。欲收，急食酸以收之，白芍药∶以辛泻之
，桑白皮；以酸补之，五味子。虚，则五味子补之，如无他证，钱氏阿胶散补之。脾乃肺之母，
以甘草补脾。实，则桑白皮泻之，如无他证，以泻白散泻之。肾乃肺之子，以泽泻泻肾。
肾苦燥 急食辛以润之，知母、黄柏；欲坚，急食苦以坚之，知母；以苦补之，黄柏；以
咸泻之，泽泻。
虚，则熟地黄、黄柏补之。肾本无实，不可泻，钱氏止有补肾地黄丸，无泻肾之药。肺乃肾之母，以
五味子补肺。
以上五脏补泻，《内经·藏气法时论》中备言之，欲究其精，详看本论。
The Dazhui (GV14), Yamen (GV15) acupoints ascend to the Fengfu (GV16) acupoint, enter the brain, and follow the Naohu (GV17), Qiangjian (GV18), and Houding (GV20) acupoints to reach the Baihui (GV20) acupoint at the vertex of the head. From there, they pass through the Qian Ding (GV21), Xinhui (GV22), Shangxing (GV23), and Shenting (GV24) acupoints, descend along the forehead to the nasal bridge, pass through the Suliao (N29), Shuigou (GV26, Renzhong), and Duanduan (CV15) acupoints, and terminate at the Yinjiao (CV24) acupoint. It is called the "Sea of Yang Meridians" because the human meridians circulate throughout the regions of all yang meridians, similar to water flow, while the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) serves as their chief guideline; hence, it is termed the Sea of Yang Meridians.
The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel): The character "Ren" implies pregnancy or gestation. It runs along the midline of the abdomen and is the foundation for female reproduction and nourishment, belonging to one of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels.
The Ren Mai originates below the Zhongji (CV3) acupoint, ascends to the pubic hairline, travels within the abdominal cavity, passes through the Guanyuan (CV4) acupoint, reaches the throat, and belongs to the Sea of Yin Meridians.
The Ren Mai and Du Mai share a common source but branch into two paths: the Du Mai travels posteriorly along the back from the Huiyin (CV1) acupoint, while the Ren Mai travels anteriorly along the abdomen from the Huiyin acupoint. The presence of the Ren and Du vessels in the human body is analogous to the Zi (Rat hour) and Wu (Horse hour) in heaven and earth. Speaking of the abdomen and back in relation to the human body corresponds to north and south in relation to heaven and earth; the Ren and Du vessels can be viewed separately or together. Viewing them separately reveals the non-mixing of yin and yang; viewing them together reveals their seamless integration into a whole. They are one divided into two, and two united as one. The Ren Mai originates below the Zhongji acupoint, at the Huiyin region, then follows the Qugu (CV2) acupoint, ascends to the pubic hairline, reaches the Zhongji acupoint, travels within the abdominal cavity, and ascends sequentially through the Guanyuan (CV4), Shimai (CV5), Qihai (CV6), Yinjiao (CV7), Shenque (CV8), Shuifen (CV9), Xiawan (CV10), Jianli (CV11), Zhongwan (CV12), Shangwan (CV13), Juque (CV14), Jiutui (CV15), Zhongting (CV16), Danzhong (CV17), Yutang (CV18), Zigong (CV19), Huagai (CV20), Xuanji (CV21), Tiantu (CV22), Lianquan (CV23), ascends to the chin, follows the Chengjiang (CV24) acupoint, circles above the lips, reaches the Yinjiao acupoint where it branches, connects to the center below the eyes, converges with the Chengqi (ST1) acupoint, and terminates. It is called the "Sea of Yin Meridians" because the human meridians circulate throughout the regions of all yin meridians, similar to water flow, while the Ren Mai serves as their general gathering point; hence, it is termed the Sea of Yin Meridians.
When the Liver suffers from tension/spasms (Ji), urgently consume sweet-flavored herbs to relax it, such as Gancao (Licorice Root); when the Liver desires dispersion, urgently consume pungent-flavored herbs to disperse it, such as Chuanxiong (Szechwan Lovage Rhizome); use pungent herbs to tonify the Liver, such as Xixin (Asarum); use sour herbs to drain the Liver, such as Shaoyao (Peony Root). If deficient, tonify with herbs like Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel). The Classic states: "Deficiency should be treated by tonifying its mother." Water generates Wood; the Kidney is the mother of the Liver. Since the Kidney belongs to Water, use bitter herbs to tonify the Kidney, such as Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) and Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark). If there are no other syndromes, treat primarily with Qian Shi's Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill). If excess, drain with Baishaoyao (White Peony Root). If there are no other syndromes, treat primarily with Qian Shi's Xieqing Wan (Drain Green Pill). "Excess should be treated by draining its child." The Heart is the child of the Liver; use Gancao to drain the Heart Fire.
When the Heart suffers from flaccidity/relaxation (Huan), urgently consume sour-flavored herbs to astringe it, such as Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry); when the Heart desires softening, urgently consume salty-flavored herbs to soften it, such as Mangxiao (Mirabilite); use salty herbs to tonify the Heart, such as Zexie (Alisma Rhizome); use sweet herbs to drain the Heart, such as Renshen (Ginseng Root), Huangqi (Astragalus Root), and Gancao. If deficient, tonify with fried salt. "Deficiency should be treated by tonifying its mother." Wood generates Fire; the Liver is the mother of the Heart. Since the Liver belongs to Wood, use Shengjiang to tonify the Liver. If there are no other syndromes, treat primarily with Qian Shi's Anshen Wan (Calm Spirit Pill). If excess, drain with Gancao. If there are no other syndromes, for severe cases use Xixin Tang (Drain Heart Decoction), and for mild cases use Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder).
When the Spleen suffers from dampness (Shi), urgently consume bitter-flavored herbs to dry it, such as Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome); when the Spleen desires relaxation, urgently consume sweet herbs to moderate it, such as Gancao; use sweet herbs to tonify the Spleen, such as Renshen; use bitter herbs to drain the Spleen, such as Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome). If deficient, tonify with herbs like Gancao and Dazao (Jujube Fruit). If there are no other syndromes, treat primarily with Qian Shi's Yihuang San (Benefit Yellow Powder). The Heart is the mother of the Spleen; tonify the Heart with fried salt. If excess, drain with Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange). If there are no other syndromes, drain with Xiehuang San (Drain Yellow Powder). The Lung is the child of the Spleen; drain the Lung with Sangbaipi (Mulberry Root Bark).
When the Lung suffers from rebellious Qi (Qi Shangni), urgently consume bitter herbs to drain it, such as Heqipi (Persimmon Sepal); alternatively, Huangqin (Scutellaria Root). When the Lung desires astringency, urgently consume sour herbs to astringe it, such as Baishaoyao; use pungent herbs to drain the Lung, such as Sangbaipi; use sour herbs to tonify the Lung, such as Wuweizi. If deficient, tonify with Wuweizi. If there are no other syndromes, tonify with Qian Shi's Ejiao San (Donkey-hide Gelatin Powder). The Spleen is the mother of the Lung; tonify the Spleen with Gancao. If excess, drain with Sangbaipi. If there are no other syndromes, drain with Xiebai San (Drain White Powder). The Kidney is the child of the Lung; drain the Kidney with Zexie.
When the Kidney suffers from dryness (Zao), urgently consume pungent herbs to moisten it, such as Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) and Huangbai; when the Kidney desires firmness, urgently consume bitter herbs to firm it, such as Zhimu; use bitter herbs to tonify the Kidney, such as Huangbai; use salty herbs to drain the Kidney, such as Zexie. If deficient, tonify with Shudihuang and Huangbai. The Kidney fundamentally has no excess conditions and should not be drained; Qian Shi only provided Bushen Dihuang Wan (Tonify Kidney Rehmannia Pill) and had no formulas to drain the Kidney. The Lung is the mother of the Kidney; tonify the Lung with Wuweizi.
The above methods for tonifying and draining the Five Zang Organs are fully detailed in the *Neijing* chapter "Zang Qi Fa Shi Lun" (Treatise on the Laws of Organ Times). To investigate their essence, please read the original text of that chapter in detail.