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Qibo said: The five flavors enter the stomach and each returns to its preferred organ. Sourness first enters the Liver, bitterness first enters the Heart, sweetness first enters the Spleen, pungency first enters the Lungs, and saltiness first enters the Kidneys. Long-term consumption increases the Qi of the corresponding organs, which is the normal law of transformation; however, if this excessive Qi persists for a long time, it becomes the cause of premature death.

Wang Bing stated: Entering the Liver manifests as Warmth, entering the Heart as Heat, entering the Lungs as Coolness/Clearness, entering the Kidneys as Cold, and entering the Spleen as Extreme Yin, which combines with the Qi of the four seasons. All these manifest as "flavors" and thus augment their respective organ Qi. Therefore, with long-term administration, each flavor follows the transformation of its associated organ's Qi. For instance, long-term use of Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) or Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), which are bitter, may instead produce Heat because Bitter transforms into Heat following the principle of "congruent transformation." Other flavors follow this pattern. If Qi excess continues unchecked, it will inevitably lead to an excess of one organ's Qi, followed by the exhaustion of that organ's Qi. Once an organ's Qi is exhausted, sudden death ensues. Thus, medicines lacking the complete Five Flavors and Four Qi cannot be taken long-term. Although they may yield temporary benefits, long-term use leads to death. Those who abstain from grains and rely solely on medicinal herbs do not die suddenly because they lack the support of the Five Flavors. The *I Ching* states: "One Yin and one Yang is called the Dao; deviation towards Yin or deviation towards Yang is called disease." Yang-tonifying drugs are rigid and potent; accumulation resembles a raging fire, leading to conditions such as Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), Kuang (Mania), and Yong Ju (Carbuncles and Sores), resulting in the exhaustion of Tian Gui (Heavenly Water/Reproductive Essence) and the drying up of Ying Blood (Nutritive Blood). Yin-tonifying drugs are soft and potent; accumulation resembles congealed water, leading to conditions such as Dong Xie (Profuse Diarrhea) and Han Zhong (Cold Invasion), resulting in the weakening of Zhen Huo (True Fire) and the dispersion of Wei Qi (Defensive Qi). Therefore, drugs that are extremely cold or extremely hot should only be used as a temporary measure (Quan Yong). Once the Qi balances, usage must stop. Any biased assistance that causes organ Qi imbalance is the cause of premature death.

I hold that for various obscure and strange diseases of the human body, the discussions of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo are exhaustive, and Hua Tuo’s Neizhao (Internal Reflection) method leaves nothing out. However, regarding methods to attack pathogens, emphasis is often placed on acupuncture and moxibustion, while little is mentioned about herbal medication. Why? It seems ancient practitioners established laws such that for mild and superficial diseases, pills, powders, drinks, and decoctions were used for treatment. For chronic and entrenched diseases, only acupuncture and moxibustion could resolve them. This is because acupuncture has the power to forcibly remove pathogens, yet few achieve quick results. Moreover, those skilled in acupuncture are rare today. In cases of deficiency and weakness, sudden death due to mismanagement does occur. Conversely, the efficacy of moxibustion in removing disease is countless. Whether dealing with Cold, Heat, Deficiency, or Excess, light or severe, distant or recent, it is suitable in all cases. Generally, Cold diseases are dispersed by Fire, akin to the scorching sun melting ice, embodying the principle of Cold resolving with Warmth; Heat diseases are resolved by Fire, akin to extreme summer heat turning cool, embodying the principle of "releasing Fire stagnation"; Deficiency diseases are strengthened by Fire, akin to fire forcing water vapor upward, embodying the principle of Warming and Tonifying; Excess diseases are resolved by Fire, akin to fire consuming objects, embodying the principle of "draining Excess"; Phlegm diseases are resolved by Fire because Heat promotes Qi movement and facilitates the flow of Jin Ye (Body Fluids). Thus, moxibustion does not harm healthy Qi because it is measured in "Zhuang" (units of moxa cones), standardized according to robust adults. For deep-seated, chronic diseases that herbal medicine cannot eradicate, Fire must be borrowed to extract the pathogen. As the proverb says: "Fire has the strength to pull mountains," is this merely empty talk? To eradicate the root of a disease, one session of moxibustion surpasses the effect of many doses of medicine. However, the physician must be well-versed in meridians and acupoints; otherwise, a slight error leads to a massive mistake, causing harm rather than benefit. How can human life be treated so lightly? Nevertheless, the function of Fire indeed has the miracle of reviving the withered. But the patient must still have some muscle mass, not completely depleted Yuan Qi (Original Qi), and be able to eat, in order to endure this pain. After more than a month of post-moxibustion regulation, the disease will naturally disappear, and the body will recover. Furthermore, through this single moxibustion session, the patient gains awareness and caution, leading to proper self-care, thereby achieving multiple benefits... (Text ends abruptly here) ...if one cannot endure this burning sensation, the disease will surely worsen day by day; if after moxibustion the disease...