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The first method of treatment is "Harmonizing" (He). For example, in a disease with slight heat, one should use cool-natured medicines to harmonize it. If harmonization fails, the next step is "Taking" (Qu). The second method of treatment is "Taking". When the heat pathogen is slightly more intense, cold-natured medicines should be used to purge and clear it. If purging fails, the next step is "Following" (Cong). The third method of treatment is "Following". When the pathological condition is already severe, warm-natured medicines should be used to follow the false signs (treating heat with warmth). Since the medicinal nature is warm, the flavor varies according to the situation. Sometimes cold medicines are administered hot (cold administered as hot), allowing the flavor to reach the targeted area; sometimes cold medicines are used in conjunction with warm methods; or diaphoresis (sweating) is employed. If still ineffective, "Breaking" (Zhe) is applied again. The fourth method of treatment is "Breaking". When the pathological condition is extremely severe, counteracting measures should be used to restrain it. If counteraction fails, "Downward Expulsion" (Xia Duo) should be used. If downward expulsion fails, the method of "Belonging" (Shu) is employed. The fifth method of treatment is "Belonging". This involves seeking medicines that share the same nature as the root cause to weaken the disease. Because the heat pathogen has sunk deep into the marrow, there is no way for it to exit, and neither acupuncture nor medicine can easily reach it. Therefore, one seeks to weaken it by targeting its belonging nature. The principle of "Belonging" is like sounds resonating with each other due to similarity, and qi attracting similar qi. The Classic states: "For conditions characterized by sinking, promote decline." The method of weakening heat is as previously described, such as Fire declining in Xu months and Metal declining in Chen months. If these methods remain ineffective, one must broaden the therapeutic approach. This is akin to Sun Tzu's use of military strategy: if in valleys, block the abyss and springs; at water-land junctions, guard the ferry crossings; on flat plains, face the thousand miles of green fields. Blocking abysses and springs corresponds to needling Shu points; guarding ferry crossings corresponds to intercepting the disease when it manifests; facing the thousand miles of green fields corresponds to cases of emaciation and weakness, where extensive use of potent tonifying medicines is appropriate to nourish Zheng Qi (Upright Qi). Diseases have locations inside and outside; treatments have缓 (moderate) and 急 (urgent) distinctions. For diseases inside, use internal treatment methods to harmonize them. If Qi is slightly disordered, use Qi-regulating methods to adjust them. For diseases outside, use external treatment methods to harmonize them. For larger conditions, use Qi-leveling methods to pacify them. If excess is extreme and unyielding, seize the pathogenic Qi to make it decline. Thus, the Classic states: "Formulas for regulating Qi must distinguish Yin and Yang, determine whether the location is internal or external, and adhere strictly to their respective domains." Internal diseases are treated internally; external diseases are treated externally; mild conditions are regulated; moderate conditions are pacified; severe excess conditions are expelled; those requiring sweating are induced to sweat; those requiring purgation are purged.

Observe facial colors and divide by positions: Kun corresponds to Stomach (death if color scatters to Kidney); Dui corresponds to Lung; Qian corresponds to Large Intestine (death if color scatters to Liver); Forehead corresponds to Heart; Kan corresponds to Kidney; Chin corresponds to Mingjing (Acuity/Vision); Five Colors correspond to Xun (Gallbladder, death if color scatters to Spleen); Zhen corresponds to Liver; Gen corresponds to Small Intestine (death if color scatters to Lung).