Library

(Full text of *Xuanming Wuqi Pian* from the *Suwen*)

The five flavors enter corresponding organs: Sour flavor enters the Liver, (Sour transformation belongs to Wood.) Pungent flavor enters the Lungs, (Pungent transformation belongs to Metal.) Bitter flavor enters the Heart, (Bitter transformation belongs to Fire.) Salty flavor enters the Kidneys, (Salty transformation belongs to Water.) Sweet flavor enters the Spleen, (Sweet transformation belongs to Earth.) This is called the "Five Entrances." (Each of the five flavors follows its respective category; like qi seeks like. The *Jiuzhen Lun* also contains a phrase "Bland flavor enters the Stomach.")

Diseases caused by the five organ qi: Disharmony of Heart qi manifests as belching, (Yi refers to belching. A thorough examination of the *Neijing* reveals no specific syndrome dedicated solely to belching, but only mentions "yi," which likely refers to this condition. According to the *Jiuzhen Lun*: "Heart disharmony manifests as yi." The *Cijin Lun* states: "If needling strikes the Heart, death occurs within one day, and the movement is yi." The *Bilun* states: "Patients with Heart Bi suffer from dry throat and frequent belching." All these indicate that yi originates from the Heart. However, the *Zhengyao Jingzhong Lun* states: "When Taiyin qi exhausts, there is frequent belching and vomiting." The *Maixie Pian* explains: "What Taiyin refers to as 'qi moving up to the Heart causing yi' is due to excess Yin moving upward to Yangming; Yangming meridians connect to the Heart, hence 'qi moving up to the Heart causes yi.'" The *Kouwen Pian* states: "Cold pathogen lodges in the Stomach, rebellious qi scatters upward from below and exits through the Stomach, thus causing yi." From this perspective, the Heart, Spleen, and Stomach all present this syndrome, likely due to the stagnation of Fire and Earth qi, preventing smooth flow, thereby causing this condition. Yi is pronounced as Yi or Ai. The *Shiyi* defines it as: "A sigh after a full meal." The commentary on the *Liji* says: "A sound made upon waking." Lung qi disharmony manifests as cough, (The Lungs govern Qi; their element is Metal; pathogens carrying the sound of Metal cause cough. Ke is pronounced Kangyi.) Liver qi disharmony manifests as excessive talking, (The sound of questioning and answering is called Yu; Yu originates from the Liver, symbolizing tree branches that are numerous and winding.) Spleen qi disharmony manifests as swallowing abnormalities, (The Spleen receives the five flavors, thus manifesting as swallowing. It symbolizes Earth's capacity to contain, where all things return.) Kidney qi disharmony manifests as yawning and sneezing, (Qian refers to yawning. Ti refers to sneezing. When Yang is not yet tranquil and is drawn by Yin, yawning occurs. When Yang desires to reach the exterior but is triggered by Yin, sneezing occurs. Yin is abundant below, and qi transformation arises from Water, so both belong to the Kidneys. Therefore, those with excess Yang do not yawn, and those with deficiency below do not sneeze; the cause lies in the Kidneys. The meanings of yawning and sneezing are detailed in the *Kouwen Pian*, specifically in section 79 of this category. Ti is pronounced Di.) Stomach qi disharmony manifests as rebellious Qi, hiccups, and fear, (The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain; if Stomach qi is disharmonious, rebellious Qi arises. Yue refers to hiccups; cold in the Stomach causes hiccups. Fear is the emotion of the Kidneys; the Stomach belongs to Earth, and the Kidneys to Water; when Earth pathogen injures the Kidneys, fear arises, so all involve the Stomach. Yue is pronounced Yujue. Detailed meaning is found in Acupuncture Category 53.) Large Intestine and Small Intestine qi disharmony manifests as diarrhea, (The Large Intestine is the Fu organ of transmission; the Small Intestine is the Fu organ of reception. If the Small Intestine fails to separate clear from turbid, the Large Intestine's transmission becomes unsecured, leading to diarrhea.) Overflow of fluids from the Lower Jiao, (The Lower Jiao is the site of distribution; if Qi does not transform, body fluids do not move, thus overflowing into muscles to form edema.) Inability to urinate (Long) due to Bladder dysfunction, and enuresis due to lack of restraint, (The Bladder is the Fu organ of body fluids; its patency depends on Qi transformation. There are cases of Long due to excess pathogens in the Bladder blocking Qi flow; and cases of Long due to deficiency of Kidney Qi failing to transform fluids; these represent the excess and deficiency aspects of urinary retention. If the Lower Jiao cannot restrain urine leading to enuresis, it indicates Bladder insecurity and deficiency. However, the *Benshu Pian* states: "The Sanjiao is the branch of the Foot-Taiyang bladder meridian, running parallel to the main Taiyang channel, entering and connecting to the Bladder, restraining the Lower Jiao; excess leads to urinary retention, deficiency leads to enuresis." Since the Sanjiao is the Fu organ of waterways, the source of water passage, the Sanjiao is also associated with the Bladder. Long is pronounced Liangzhong. Niao is pronounced Niangliao.) Gallbladder qi disharmony manifests as irritability, (Irritability is the emotion of the Liver, but also applies to the Gallbladder; the Liver and Gallbladder are interior-exterior pairs, both possessing rigid Qi, and the Liver's decision-making depends on the Gallbladder.) This is called the "Five Diseases." (One primary manifestation for each of the five Zang organs.)

Convergence of the five essences: Essence Qi converging in the Heart leads to joy, (Bing means gathering; essence Qi is stored in each Zang organ. Convergence in the Heart represents Fire Qi. When Qi converges in the Heart, Shen is in excess, thus the emotion is joy. However, the *Benshen Pian* states: "Excessive joy injures the Po of the Lungs." This is because Heart Fire excess overacts on Lung Metal.) Convergence in the Lungs leads to sorrow, (Qi convergence in the Lungs overacts on Liver Wood causing sorrow, indicating Liver deficiency. The *Benshen Pian* states: "Sorrow and grief moving internally injure the Hun of the Liver.") Convergence in the Liver leads to worry, (Qi convergence in the Liver overacts on Spleen Earth causing worry, indicating Spleen deficiency. The *Benshen Pian* states: "Unresolved worry injures the Yi of the Spleen.") Convergence in the Spleen leads to apprehension, (Qi convergence in the Spleen makes Spleen excess overact on Kidney Water, thus manifesting as apprehension. The *Benshen Pian* states: "Unresolved fear injures the Jing.") Convergence in the Kidneys leads to fear, (Qi convergence in the Kidneys overacts on Heart deficiency, thus manifesting as fear. The *Benshen Pian* states: "Startled fright and overthinking injure the Shen; when Shen is injured, one loses oneself in fear.") This is called the "Five Converences," resulting from Zang Qi deficiency allowing conquering Qi to converge. (When Zang Qi is deficient, conquering Qi converges upon it. The *Jiuzhen Lun* states: "The five essence Qi converge in the Zang organs.")

What the five Zang organs dislike: The Heart dislikes heat, (The Heart belongs to Fire; excessive heat causes disease, thus it dislikes heat.) The Lungs dislike cold, (The Lungs belong to Metal and govern skin and hair; Metal cold causes disease, thus they dislike cold.) The Liver dislikes wind, (The Liver belongs to Wood, corresponds to wind; contracting wind injures sinews, thus it dislikes wind.) The Spleen dislikes dampness, (The Spleen belongs to Earth, corresponds to dampness; excess dampness injures muscles, thus it dislikes dampness.) The Kidneys dislike dryness, (The Kidneys belong to Water and store Essence; excess dryness injures Essence, thus they dislike dryness.) This is called the "Five Dislikes."

The five fluids transformed by the Zang organs: The Heart transforms sweat, (The Heart governs Blood; sweat is the surplus of Blood.) The Lungs transform nasal mucus, (Nasal mucus exits from the nose, the orifice of the Lungs.) The Liver transforms tears, (Tears exit from the eyes, the orifice of the Liver.) The Spleen transforms saliva, (Saliva exits from the mouth, the orifice of the Spleen.) The Kidneys transform thick saliva, (Thick saliva is produced under the tongue; the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian runs along the throat and flanks the root of the tongue.) This is called the "Five Fluids."

Prohibitions regarding the five flavors: Pungent flavor moves Qi; for Qi disorders, do not consume much pungent flavor; (Pungent flavor disperses Qi.) Salty flavor moves Blood; for Blood disorders, do not consume much salty flavor; (Blood coagulates and stops flowing when exposed to salt. The *Wuwei Lun* states: "When Blood meets salt, it coagulates. See Flavor and Property Category 3.") Bitter flavor moves to Bones; for Bone disorders, do not consume much bitter flavor; (Bitter nature is sinking and descending, belonging to Yin; Bones belong to the Kidneys, also Yin. When Bones receive Bitter, Yin sinks further, making bones heavy and difficult to lift, so bone patients should avoid bitter. The *Wuwei Lun* states: "Bitter moves to Bones; consuming too much causes vomiting." Regarding the previous two sections, the *Jiuzhen Lun* states: "Bitter moves to Blood; for Blood disorders, do not eat bitter; Salty moves to Bones; for Bone disorders, do not eat salty." This differs slightly from the current text, likely because Fire transforms Bitter, so it moves to Blood, and Water transforms Salty, so it moves to Bones; the logic is consistent.) Sweet flavor moves to Flesh; for Flesh disorders, do not consume much sweet flavor; (Sweet relaxes the center and easily causes distension, so flesh patients should not eat much sweet. The *Wuwei Lun* states: "Sweet moves to Flesh; consuming too much causes heart vexation. Mei, pronunciation Benqie.") Sour flavor moves to Sinews; for Sinew disorders, do not consume much sour flavor; (Sour contracts, so for sinew disorders, do not eat much sour. The *Wuwei Lun* states: "Sour moves to Sinews; consuming too much causes urinary retention.") This is called the "Five Prohibitions"; do not allow excessive consumption. (The *Jiuzhen Lun* states: "Even if the mouth craves food, one must not eat too much; self-restraint is required. This is called the Five Restraints.")

Onset of the five diseases: Yin diseases originate in Bones, (Bones belong to the Kidneys, the Yin within Yin.) Yang diseases originate in Blood, (Blood belongs to the Heart, the Yang within Yang.) Yin diseases originate in Flesh, (Flesh belongs to the Spleen, the Ultimate Yin within Yin.) Yang diseases originate in Winter, (Yin excess causes Yang disease.) Yin diseases originate in Summer, (Yang excess causes Yin disease.) This is called the "Five Onsets." (Note: The *Jiuzhen Lun* also has "Flavors originate in Qi," implying that food entering the Yin nourishes Yang, thus flavors originate in Qi.)

Disorder caused by the five evils: Pathogens entering the Yang level cause mania, (Pathogens entering the Yang level become Yang pathogens; intense heat causes mania. The *Shengqi Tongtian Lun* states: "If Yin cannot overcome Yang, pulses flow rapidly and violently, leading to mania.") Pathogens entering the Yin level cause Bi syndrome, (Pathogens entering the Yin level become Yin pathogens; Yin excess causes blood vessels to congeal and block, leading to Bi. The *Shouyao Gangrou Pian* states: "Disease in Yin is called Bi. The *Jiuzhen Lun* states: 'Pathogens entering Yin cause Blood Bi.') Pathogens clashing with Yang cause Dian disease, (Bo means strike. Dian refers to epilepsy/manic depression. Pathogens clashing with Yang injure Yang Qi, causing Dian disease. The earlier statement "pathogens entering Yang cause mania" refers to pathogens assisting Yang, an excess condition. Here, "clashing with Yang causes Dian" refers to pathogens attacking Yang, a deficiency condition. Hence the difference between mania and Dian. The *Jiuzhen Lun* states: "Pathogens entering Yang turn into Dian disease," meaning turning into the Yin level causes Dian.) Pathogens clashing with Yin cause aphonia, (Pathogens clashing with Yin injure Yin Qi, causing hoarseness/aphonia. Yin refers to the Yin of the five Zang organs. The Heart governs the tongue, and the Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridian ascends to the throat and ties to the tongue root; the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian circulates along the throat; the Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridian ascends to bind at the pharynx, connects to the tongue root, and spreads under the tongue; the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian circulates behind the throat and enters the epiglottis, with sinew networks tying to the tongue root; the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian circulates along the throat and ties to the tongue root; thus all govern aphonia. The *Jiuzhen Lun* states: "Pathogens entering Yin turn into aphonia," meaning turning into the Yang level causes Qi disease, hence aphonia. Note: The *Nanjing* states: "Double Yang is mania, double Yin is epilepsy." Chao Yuanfang states: "Pathogens entering Yin cause epilepsy." Wang Shuhe states: "Yin attaching to Yang is mania, Yang attaching to Yin is epilepsy." Sun Simiao states: "Pathogens entering Yang cause mania, pathogens entering Yin cause Blood Bi. Pathogens entering Yang transmit to cause Dian spasms; pathogens entering Yin transmit to cause pain and aphonia." Although these experts' views seem different, their meanings are close and can be cross-referenced.) Yang entering Yin leads to calmness, (Yang收敛 implies storage, thus calm.) Yin emerging from Yang leads to anger, (Yin emergence implies agitation, thus anger.) This is called the "Five Disorders."

Visual signs of the five evils: Autumn pulse in Spring, Winter pulse in Summer, Spring pulse in Late Summer, Summer pulse in Autumn, Late Summer pulse in Winter, (The five pulses conquer each other; disease conquers the Zang, hence called Five Evils.) Named "Yin emerging from Yang," the patient is prone to anger and is incurable, (The *Yinyang Bie Lun* states: "What is called Yin is the True Zang pulse. What is called Yang is the Yang of the stomach cavity." For all these five evils, the appearance of the True Zang pulse indicates the exhaustion of Stomach Qi, hence "Yin emerging from Yang." Yin excess and Yang decline, Earth failure and Wood attack, so the patient is prone to anger and incurable. The meaning of True Zang pulse is detailed in Pulse and Color Category 26-27.) This is called the Five Evils being identical; death is inevitable and untreatable. (This clarifies that all five pulses are alike.)

What the five Zang organs store: The Heart stores Shen (Spirit), (The spiritual clarity of essence and Qi. The *Benshen Pian* states: "The interaction of two essences is called Shen.") The Lungs store Po (Corporeal Soul), (The material quality of essence and Qi. The *Benshen Pian* states: "That which emerges and enters with essence is called Po.") The Liver stores Hun (Ethereal Soul), (The assistant to Shen. The *Benshen Pian* states: "That which accompanies Shen coming and going is called Hun.") The Spleen stores Yi (Intent), (Where Shen focuses. The *Benshen Pian* states: "Memory in the Heart is called Yi.") The Kidneys store Zhi (Will), (Focused Intent. The *Benshen Pian* states: "What remains in Intent is called Zhi. The *Jiuzhen Lun* states: 'The Kidneys store Jing and Zhi.'") This is called what the five Zang organs store. (All five meanings are detailed in Zang-Xiang Category 9.)

What the five Zang organs govern: The Heart governs vessels, (The Heart governs blood vessels, responding to the movement of Fire to circulate throughout the body.) The Lungs govern skin, (The Lungs govern skin and hair, responding to the firmness of Metal to protect the whole body and defend against pathogens.) The Liver governs sinews, (The Liver governs tendons and ligaments, responding to the flexibility of Wood to connect joints.) The Spleen governs flesh, (The Spleen governs muscles, responding to the richness of Earth to nourish all things.) The Kidneys govern bones, (The Kidneys govern bone marrow, responding to the depth of Water and Stone to serve as the pillar of the body and the origin of all transformations.) This is called the "Five Governance."

Damage caused by the five labors: Prolonged viewing injures Blood, (Prolonged viewing fatigues Shen, thus injuring Blood. The *Yingweishenghui Pian* states: "Blood is the spirit energy.") Prolonged lying down injures Qi, (Prolonged lying down prevents Yang Qi from extending, thus injuring Qi.) Prolonged sitting injures flesh, (Prolonged sitting causes blood stasis in the four limbs, thus injuring flesh.) Prolonged standing injures bones, (The labor of standing lies in the bones.) Prolonged walking injures sinews, (The labor of walking lies in the sinews.) This is called damage from the five labors.

Correspondence of the five pulses to phenomena: Liver pulse is Xian (Wiry), (Soft and slippery, straight and long, corresponding to Spring.) Heart pulse is Gou (Hooked), (Strong arrival and weak departure, solid outside and empty inside, corresponding to Summer.) Spleen pulse is Dai (Intermittent/Changing), (Dai means changing. The Spleen pulse is harmonious and soft, ruling each season; in Spring it is soft with a hint of Wiry, in Summer soft with Hooked, in Autumn soft with Hairy, in Winter soft with Stony; changing with time, hence Dai. This does not mean stopping. Detailed analysis is in Pulse and Color Category 4.) Lung pulse is Mao (Hairy), (Floating and empty, light as feathers, corresponding to Autumn.) Kidney pulse is Shi (Stony), (Deep and firm like stone, corresponding to Winter.) This is called the pulses of the five Zang organs. (Note: The *Jiuzhen Lun* has some differences from this chapter, which have been collected and attached to previous notes; identical texts are not repeated.)