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Heaven is Yang: formless, round, Qi (vital energy), upward, outward, ascending, generating, floating, daytime, active, light, dry, corresponding to the Six Fu Organs.
Earth is Yin: formed, square, Blood, downward, inward, descending, destroying, sinking, nighttime, static, heavy, damp, corresponding to the Five Zang Organs.

In treating diseases, one must understand the relationship between Root (Ben) and Branch (Biao). Speaking of the human body, the exterior is the Branch, the interior is the Root; Yang is the Branch, Yin is the Root. Therefore, the Six Fu Organs, belonging to Yang, are the Branch, and the Five Zang Organs, belonging to Yin, are the Root; this is the Root-Branch relationship of the Zang-Fu organs. Furthermore, the Zang-Fu organs located inside are the Root, while the meridians and collaterals of each Zang-Fu organ located on the exterior are the Branch; this is the Root-Branch relationship of the Zang-Fu organs and their meridians. Moreover, the Yin-Yang, Qi-Blood, and meridians-collaterals within the human body each have their own Root and Branch distinctions. Speaking of disease, the initially affected site is the Root, and the subsequently transmitted or spreading pathology is the Branch. In general, when treating a disease, one must first treat the Root, then treat the Branch. If one treats the Branch first and the Root later, the pathogenic factors will become more vigorous, and the disease will accumulate further. If one treats the Root first and the Branch later, even if there are ten or more symptoms, they will all be eliminated. For example, if a mild illness occurs first, followed by the development of a severe illness, one should still treat the mild illness first and the severe illness later, so that the pathogenic factors will subside. This is likely due to the principle of treating the Root first. However, in cases of abdominal fullness (Zhongman), regardless of the Root-Branch relationship, one must treat the abdominal fullness first because it is urgent. If after abdominal fullness there is difficulty in urination and defecation, regardless of the Root-Branch relationship, one must first promote urination and defecation, and then treat the abdominal fullness, as this is even more urgent. Except for these three conditions—difficulty in urination/defecation and abdominal fullness—one must always treat the Root and exercise caution.

Pathogenic factors coming from the Mother organ constitute Excess Pathogens (Shi Xie), while those coming from the Child organ constitute Deficiency Pathogens (Xu Xie); this corresponds to the principle that "the Child can cause the Mother to be Excess, and the Mother can cause the Child to be Deficient." The treatment method states: "For deficiency, tonify the Mother; for excess, drain the Child." Suppose the Liver receives pathogenic heat-fire from the Heart; this comes from the preceding source (Mother to Child via generation cycle context here implies direct influence or specific meridian interaction described as 'from front'), constituting an Excess Pathogen, and one should drain its Child, which is Fire. However, this does not mean literally draining Fire everywhere, but rather recognizing that within the twelve meridians, each has Metal-Wood-Water-Fire-Earth attributes. When dealing with Wood (Liver), one drains Fire (its Child). Thus, the *Treatise on Root and Branch* states: "Root then Branch," meaning treat the Root first, then the Branch. Since the Liver has received Fire pathogen, one first drains the Ying-Spring fire points in the five acupoints of the Liver Meridian, such as Xingjian (LR2). Then, to treat the Branch, one drains the Ying-Spring fire points in the five acupoints of the Heart Meridian, such as Shaofu (HT8). From a pharmacological perspective, using herbs entering the Liver Meridian as guiding agents, and employing herbs that drain Heart Fire as the Sovereign drug, constitutes the treatment for Excess Pathogen diseases. Suppose the Liver receives pathogenic Water (Kidney) influence; this comes from the subsequent source (Child to Mother), constituting a Deficiency Pathogen, and deficiency requires tonifying the Mother. Thus, the *Treatise on Root and Branch* states: "Branch then Root," meaning treat the Branch first, then the Root. Having received Water pathogen, one first tonifies Wood (Liver) at Yongquan (KI1) in the Kidney Meridian; this is treating the Branch first. Then, one drains Water (Kidney) at Ququan (LR8) in the Liver Meridian; this is treating the Root later. This method of treating the Branch first, upon deeper analysis of its logic, is essentially also treating the Root first. From a pharmacological perspective, using herbs entering the Kidney Meridian as guiding agents, and employing herbs that tonify the Liver Meridian as the Sovereign drug, applies here.