（素问至真要大论）
帝曰∶病生于本，余知之矣；生于标者，治之奈何？（病之先受者为本，病之后变者为标。生于本者，言受病之原
根。生于标者，言目前之多变也。）岐伯曰∶病反其本，中标之病；治反其本，中标之方。（谓病有标本，但反求其所致
之本，则见在之标病，可得其阴阳表里之的矣。治有本末，但反求其拔本之道，则治标之运用，可得其七方十剂之妙矣。
此无他，亦必求于本之意。）
（素问标本病传论）
黄帝问曰∶病有标本，刺有逆从奈何？（逆者，谓病在本而刺其标，病在标而刺其本。从者，病在本而刺其本，病
在标而刺其标也。）岐伯对曰∶凡刺之方，必别阴阳，（阴阳二字，所包者广，如经络时令气血疾病，无所不在。）前后相
应，逆从得施，标本相移。（取其前则后应，取其后则前应，故或逆或从，得施其法，而在标在本，可相移易矣。）故曰
有其在标而求之于标，有其在本而求之于本；（当从取者若此。）有其在本而求之于标，有其在标而求之于本。（当逆取者
若此。）故治有取标而得者，有取本而得者，有逆取而得者，有从取而得者。（各有所宜也。）故知逆与从，正行无问，知
标本者，万举万当，不知标本，是谓妄行。（既知标本逆从之道，尚何疑问，又何不当，此甚言标本之不可不知也。当，
去声。）
The Yellow Emperor asked: I understand that diseases originate from the root (Ben, 本); but if they originate from the branch (Biao, 标), how should they be treated? (The initial cause of the disease is the root; the subsequent changes are the branch. "Originating from the root" refers to the original source of the pathology. "Originating from the branch" refers to the current manifold manifestations.) The Qi Bo replied: The clinical presentation may appear as a branch manifestation, but it stems from the root; the treatment may seemingly target the branch, but the prescription actually addresses the root. (Although diseases have both root and branch aspects, by tracing back to the underlying cause—the root—one can identify the precise nature of the current branch symptoms in terms of Yin-Yang, exterior-interior. Treatment has its fundamental and secondary aspects; by seeking the method to eradicate the root, one can master the subtleties of treating branch symptoms using the Seven Formulas and Ten Categories of medicines. This is nothing other than the principle of "seeking the root.")
The Yellow Emperor asked: Diseases have distinctions between root and branch, and acupuncture techniques involve either contrary (Ni, 逆) or following (Cong, 从) approaches. How is this so? (Contrary means treating the branch when the disease is rooted in the root, or treating the root when the disease manifests at the branch. Following means treating the root when the disease is rooted in the root, or treating the branch when the disease manifests at the branch.) Qi Bo answered: In all acupuncture methods, one must distinguish Yin and Yang, (The term Yin-Yang encompasses a wide range, including meridians, seasons, Qi and Blood, and diseases, which are ubiquitous.) ensure anterior-posterior correspondence, apply contrary and following approaches appropriately, and allow for the interchangeability of root and branch. (Selecting the anterior point elicits a response from the posterior, and vice versa; thus, whether applying contrary or following methods, the technique is properly executed, allowing the focus to shift between branch and root.) Therefore, it is said: For some conditions manifesting at the branch, seek treatment at the branch; for some conditions rooted in the root, seek treatment at the root. (This applies to cases requiring the following approach.) For some conditions rooted in the root, seek treatment at the branch; for some conditions manifesting at the branch, seek treatment at the root. (This applies to cases requiring the contrary approach.) Thus, there are cures achieved by treating the branch, cures achieved by treating the root, cures achieved by contrary treatment, and cures achieved by following treatment. (Each has its appropriate indication.) Therefore, those who understand contrary and following approaches can practice correctly without doubt; those who understand root and branch will succeed in every attempt; those who do not understand root and branch are said to act recklessly. (Having understood the principles of root/branch and contrary/following, what doubts remain? What failures could occur? This emphasizes that understanding root and branch is indispensable.)