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(Su Wen, Chapter on Blood, Qi, Form and Will)
The constant physiological parameters of the human body are as follows: the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel typically has abundant blood but deficient qi; the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) channel typically has deficient blood but abundant qi; the Yangming (Bright Yang) channel typically has abundant qi and abundant blood; the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) channel typically has deficient blood but abundant qi; the Jueyin (Terminal Yin) channel typically has abundant blood but deficient qi; and the Taiyin (Greater Yin) channel typically has abundant qi but deficient blood. These are the innate constants. (The amounts of blood and qi in the twelve channels vary, which constitutes the innate constant endowment. Therefore, when using acupuncture, one should only reduce excesses and never deplete deficiencies. One must carefully examine the state of blood and qi to apply tonification or reduction accordingly. Note: There are three different statements regarding the quantities of blood and qi in two-channel pairs throughout the texts. For instance, in the chapter "Five Tones and Five Flavors," the three Yang channels match this text, while the three Yin channels are opposite; see details in Zangxiang Category, Section 17. Furthermore, in the "Nine Needles" chapter, all channels match this text except for the Taiyin channel, which states abundant blood and deficient qi, contradicting this text. It must be understood that the Ling Shu contains many errors, and this chapter should be regarded as authoritative. The concluding section discussing the release of qi and blood aligns perfectly with this text, leaving no room for doubt. Passages in the Ling Shu's "Nine Needles" chapter that agree with this text are not repeated here.) The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Channel and the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Channel form an exterior-interior relationship; the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel and the Foot-Jueyin Liver Channel form an exterior-interior relationship; the Foot-Yangming Stomach Channel and the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Channel form an exterior-interior relationship. This constitutes the yin-yang relationships of the foot channels. (Foot-Taiyang is the Bladder Channel, and Foot-Shaoyin is the Kidney Channel; this is the first pair. Foot-Shaoyang is the Gallbladder Channel, and Foot-Jueyin is the Liver Channel; this is the second pair. Foot-Yangming is the Stomach Channel, and Foot-Taiyin is the Spleen Channel; this is the third pair. Yang channels belong to Fu organs, and their meridians run along the lateral aspect of the foot. Yin channels belong to Zang organs, and their meridians run along the medial aspect of the foot. This describes the exterior-interior relationship of the foot.) The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Channel and the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Channel form an exterior-interior relationship; the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel and the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Channel form an exterior-interior relationship; the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Channel and the Hand-Taiyin Lung Channel form an exterior-interior relationship. This constitutes the yin-yang relationships of the hand channels. (Hand-Taiyang is the Small Intestine Channel, and Hand-Shaoyin is the Heart Channel; this is the fourth pair. Hand-Shaoyang is the Sanjiao Channel, and Hand-Jueyin [Pericardium] is the Hand Master; this is the fifth pair. Hand-Yangming is the Large Intestine Channel, and Hand-Taiyin is the Lung Channel; this is the sixth pair. Yang channels belong to Fu organs, and their meridians run along the lateral aspect of the hand. Yin channels belong to Zang organs, and their meridians run along the medial aspect of the hand. This describes the exterior-interior relationship of the hand.) Now, knowing the ailments of the hand and foot yin-yang channels, in treating any disease, one must first remove blood stasis, thereby eliminating the source of suffering. Then, observe the preferences of the Zang organ qi, and subsequently reduce excess and tonify deficiency. (Understanding the hand and foot yin-yang channels reveals which meridian is affected and what the specific suffering is. In treatment, at sites where blood vessels are congested and pathology is abnormal, blood stasis should be removed first; once the blood stasis is gone, the suffering is alleviated. This does not mean that every acupuncture session requires bloodletting. After removing stagnant blood, one should then observe the preferences of the Zang organ qi—for example, the Liver desires dispersion, the Heart desires softness/moisture, the Lung desires astringency, the Spleen desires dryness, and the Kidney desires firmness—and regulate them by reducing excess and tonifying deficiency.) Acupuncture at the Yangming channel may release both blood and qi; acupuncture at the Taiyang channel may release blood but should avoid releasing qi; acupuncture at the Shaoyang channel may release qi but should avoid releasing blood; acupuncture at the Taiyin channel may release qi but should avoid releasing blood; acupuncture at the Shaoyin channel may release qi but should avoid releasing blood; and acupuncture at the Jueyin channel may release blood but should avoid releasing qi. (This clarifies the varying amounts of blood and qi in the Three Yin and Three Yang channels and establishes the principles for practitioners regarding whether to release blood or qi. The Hand and Foot Yangming channels have abundant blood and qi, so needling may release both blood and qi. The Hand and Foot Taiyang channels have abundant blood but deficient qi, so needling should release blood but avoid releasing qi. Generally speaking, both Taiyang and Jueyin channels should release blood but avoid releasing qi; Shaoyang, Shaoyin, and Taiyin channels should release qi but avoid releasing blood; only the Yangming channel can release both qi and blood. This aligns perfectly with the principle stated in the opening section. 'E' (avoid/dislike) is pronounced as 'qu' sheng.)