【木位之主】 其泻以酸，其补以辛；厥阴之客，以辛补之，以酸泻之，以甘缓之。
【火位之主】 其泻以甘，其补以咸；少阴之客，以甘泻之，以咸收之；少阳之客，以咸
补之，以甘泻之，
以咸软之。
【土位之主】 其泻以苦，其补以甘；太阴之客，以甘补之，以苦泻之，以甘缓之。
【金位之主】 其泻以辛，其补以酸；阳明之客，以酸补之，以辛泻之，以苦泄之。
【水位之主】 其泻以咸，其补以苦；太阳之客，以苦补之，以咸泻之，以苦坚之，以辛
润之。（客胜则泻客补主，主胜则泻主补客，随其缓急以施治之。）
《内经》曰∶天地之气内淫而病，治之奈何？曰∶诸气在泉，风淫于内，治以辛凉，佐以
苦甘，以甘缓之，以辛散之。热淫于内，治以咸寒，佐以甘苦，以酸收之，以苦发之。湿淫于
内，治以苦热，佐以酸淡，以苦燥之，以淡泄之。火淫于内，治以咸冷，佐以苦辛，以酸收之，
以苦发之。燥淫于内，治以苦温，佐以甘辛，以苦下之。寒淫于内，治以甘热，佐以苦辛，以
咸泻之，以辛润之，以苦坚之。
帝曰∶有毒无毒，服有约乎？岐伯曰∶病有新久，方有大小，有毒无毒，固宜当制矣。其
大毒治病，十去其六；常毒治病，十去其七；小毒治病，十去其八；无毒治病，十去其九。谷、
肉、菜、果、食养尽之，无使过之，伤其正也。不尽，行复如法，必先岁气，无伐天和。无代
化，无违时，调养必和，待其来复。又曰∶大积大聚，其可犯也，衰其大半而止，过者死。
[The Ruler of the Wood Position] For the season when Wood Qi governs, its draining method employs Sour substances, and its tonifying method employs Pungent substances. When Jueyin (Liver/Gallbladder) Wind-Moisture acts as a guest pathogen, use Pungent substances to tonify it, Sour substances to drain it, and Sweet substances to relax it.
[The Ruler of the Fire Position] For the season when Fire Qi governs, its draining method employs Sweet substances, and its tonifying method employs Salty substances. When Shaoyin (Heart/Kidney) Ministerial-Fire acts as a guest pathogen, use Sweet substances to drain it, and Salty substances to consolidate it. When Shaoyang (Sanjiao/Gallbladder) Ministerial-Fire acts as a guest pathogen, use Salty substances to tonify it, Sweet substances to drain it, and Salty substances to soften hardness.
[The Ruler of the Earth Position] For the season when Earth Qi governs, its draining method employs Bitter substances, and its tonifying method employs Sweet substances. When Taiyin (Spleen/Stomach) Dampness acts as a guest pathogen, use Sweet substances to tonify it, Bitter substances to drain it, and Sweet substances to relax it.
[The Ruler of the Metal Position] For the season when Metal Qi governs, its draining method employs Pungent substances, and its tonifying method employs Sour substances. When Yangming (Large Intestine/Lung) Dryness acts as a guest pathogen, use Sour substances to tonify it, Pungent substances to drain it, and Bitter substances to purge it.
[The Ruler of the Water Position] For the season when Water Qi governs, its draining method employs Salty substances, and its tonifying method employs Bitter substances. When Taiyang (Bladder/Kidney) Cold acts as a guest pathogen, use Bitter substances to tonify it, Salty substances to drain it, Bitter substances to firm it, and Pungent substances to moisten it. (If the Guest Qi is victorious, drain the Guest and tonify the Host; if the Host Qi is victorious, drain the Host and tonify the Guest. Treat according to the urgency of the condition.)
The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: When the Qi of Heaven and Earth invades internally causing disease, how should it be treated? It is said: Regarding the Six Qi governing from below (Di Qiu), if Wind Yin overflows internally, treat with Pungent-Cold substances, assist with Bitter-Sweet substances, use Sweet substances to relax, and Pungent substances to disperse. If Heat Yin overflows internally, treat with Salty-Cold substances, assist with Sweet-Bitter substances, use Sour substances to collect, and Bitter substances to vent. If Dampness Yin overflows internally, treat with Bitter-Hot substances, assist with Sour-Insipid substances, use Bitter substances to dry, and Insipid substances to drain. If Fire Yin overflows internally, treat with Salty-Cool substances, assist with Bitter-Pungent substances, use Sour substances to collect, and Bitter substances to vent. If Dryness Yin overflows internally, treat with Bitter-Warm substances, assist with Sweet-Pungent substances, and use Bitter substances to purge downward. If Cold Yin overflows internally, treat with Sweet-Hot substances, assist with Bitter-Pungent substances, use Salty substances to purge, Pungent substances to moisten, and Bitter substances to firm.
The Yellow Emperor asked: Is there a regulation for taking toxic or non-toxic medicines? Qibo replied: Diseases vary in being new or chronic, and prescriptions vary in size. Whether toxic or non-toxic, they must be properly regulated. When using Great Toxicity drugs to treat disease, stop when six-tenths of the disease is removed; when using Common Toxicity drugs, stop when seven-tenths are removed; when using Small Toxicity drugs, stop when eight-tenths are removed; when using Non-Toxic drugs, stop when nine-tenths are removed. Use grains, meats, vegetables, and fruits for dietary nourishment to clear the remainder. Do not let treatment go too far, lest it damage Zheng Qi (Upright Qi). If the disease is not fully resolved, repeat the process according to these rules. First, consider the annual Qi, and do not violate the harmony of Heaven and Nature. Do not replace natural transformation, do not go against the seasons, ensure nourishment and regulation are harmonious, and wait for recovery. It is also said: For large accumulations and masses, one may employ aggressive treatments, but stop when more than half of the accumulation has diminished; exceeding this limit leads to death.