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。
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，钱氏只有补肾地黄丸，无
泻肾之药。肺乃肾之母，以五味子补肺。
以上五脏补泻，《内经·脏气法时论》中备言之，欲究其精，详看本论。
The Liver fears tension (stiffness and urgency); quickly consume Sweet-flavored herbs to relax it, such as Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). The Liver desires dispersion; quickly consume Acrid-flavored herbs to disperse it, such as Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma). Use Acrid-flavored herbs to tonify the Liver, such as Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma). Use Sour-flavored herbs to drain the Liver, such as Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba). For deficiency, tonify with herbs like Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium). The Classic states: "For deficiency, tonify its mother." Water generates Wood; the Kidney is the mother of the Liver. The Kidney belongs to Water; use Bitter-flavored herbs to tonify the Kidney, such as Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). If there are no other syndromes, Qian's Dihuang Wan (Cistanche Pill) is the primary formula. For excess, drain with Baishaoyao (White Peony Root). If there are no other syndromes, Qian's Xieqing Wan (Drain Green Pill) is the primary formula. For excess, drain its child organ; the Heart is the child of the Liver; drain the Heart with Gancao (Licorice Root).
The Heart fears flaccidity (laxity); quickly consume Sour-flavored herbs to astringe it, such as Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus). The Heart desires softening; quickly consume Salty-flavored herbs to soften hardness, such as Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas). Use Salty-flavored herbs to tonify the Heart, such as Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma). Use Sweet-flavored herbs to drain the Heart, such as Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). For deficiency, tonify with fried salt. For deficiency, tonify its mother; Wood generates Fire; the Liver is the mother of the Heart. The Liver belongs to Wood; tonify the Liver with Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger). If there are no other syndromes, Qian's Anshen Wan (Calming Spirit Pill) is the primary formula. For excess, drain with Gancao (Licorice Root). If there are no other syndromes, in Qian's formulas, for severe cases use Xiexin Tang (Drain Heart Decoction), and for mild cases use Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder).
The Spleen fears dampness; quickly consume Bitter-flavored herbs to dry dampness, such as Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma). The Spleen desires relaxation; quickly consume Sweet-flavored herbs to moderate urgency, such as Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). Use Sweet-flavored herbs to tonify the Spleen, such as Renshen (Ginseng Radix). Use Bitter-flavored herbs to drain the Spleen, such as Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma). For deficiency, tonify with herbs like Gancao (Licorice Root) and Dazao (Jujubae Fructus). If there are no other syndromes, Qian's Yihuang San (Benefit Yellow Powder) is the primary formula. The Heart is the mother of the Spleen; tonify the Heart with fried salt. For excess, drain with Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus). 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 (Mori Cortex). To drain the Lung, use Sangbaipi (Morus Bark). Use Sour-flavored herbs to tonify the Lung, such as Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus). For deficiency, tonify with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus). If there are no other syndromes, tonify with Qian's Ejiao San (Donkey-Hide Gelatin Powder). The Spleen is the mother of the Lung; tonify the Spleen with Gancao (Licorice Root). For excess, drain the Lung with Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex). 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 (Alismatis Rhizoma).
The Kidney fears dryness; quickly consume Acrid-flavored herbs to moisten dryness, such as Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). The Kidney desires firmness; quickly consume Bitter-flavored herbs to consolidate essence, such as Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). Use Bitter-flavored herbs to tonify the Kidney, such as Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). Use Salty-flavored herbs to drain the Kidney, such as Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma). For deficiency, tonify with Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex). The Kidney essentially has no excess conditions and should not be drained; Qian only has Bushen Dihuang Wan (Tonify Kidney Cistanche Pill) and has no herbs to drain the Kidney. The Lung is the mother of the Kidney; tonify the Lung with Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus).
Regarding the tonification and drainage of the Five Zang organs above, these are fully discussed in the *Neijing* chapter "Zang Qi Fa Shi Lun" (Treatise on the Methods and Times of Organ Qi). To investigate their essence, please read this treatise in detail.