（《素问·藏气法时论》）
黄帝问曰∶合人形以法四时五行而治，何如而从？何如而逆？得失之意，愿闻其事。岐伯对曰∶五行者，金木水火
土也，更贵更贱，以知死生，以决成败，而定五脏之气，间甚之时，死生之期也。帝曰∶愿卒闻之。（五行之道，当其王
则为贵，当其衰则为贱。间甚，即轻重之谓。卒，尽也。）岐伯曰∶肝主春，（木脏也。）足厥阴、少阳主治，（厥阴肝，
乙木也。少阳胆，甲木也。二脏相为表里，故治同。）其日甲乙。（甲为阳木，乙为阴木，皆东方之干，内应肝胆，即年
月日时无不皆然。他彼此。）肝苦急，急食甘以缓之。（肝为将军之官，其志怒，其气急，急则自伤，反为所苦，故宜食
甘以缓之，则急者可平，柔能制刚也。）病在肝，愈于夏；（夏属火，木所生也。肝木畏金，火能平之。子制其鬼，故愈。
余同。）夏不愈，甚于秋；（胜己者也。）秋不死，持于冬；（得母气以养之，生我者也，故可执持无害矣。余持同。）起于
春。（木王之时也。）禁当风。（风气通于肝，故禁之勿犯。）肝病者，愈在丙丁；（同前夏气，能制胜己者也。）丙丁不愈，
加于庚辛；（同前秋气，金伐木也。）庚辛不死，持于壬癸；（同前冬气，得所生也。）起于甲乙。（同前春气，逢其王也。）
肝病者，平旦慧，下晡甚，夜半静。（平旦寅卯，木王时也，故爽慧。下晡申酉，金之胜也，故加甚。夜半亥子，木得生
也，故安静。晡，卑姑切。）肝欲散，急食辛以散之，用辛补之，酸泻之。（木不宜郁，故欲以辛散之。顺其性者为补，
逆其性者为泻，肝喜散而恶收，故辛为补、酸为泻。此下五脏补泻之味，与《至真要大论》主客正味义同，详运气类三
十。）
心主夏，（火脏也。）手少阴、太阳主治，（少阴心，丁火也。太阳小肠，丙火也。二脏表里，故治同。）其日丙丁。（丙
为阳火，丁为阴火，南方之干也。）心苦缓，急食酸以收之。（心藏神，其志喜，喜则气缓而心虚神散，故宜食酸以收之。）
病在心，愈在长夏；（长夏土，火之子也。）长夏不愈，甚于冬；（火不胜水也。）冬不死，持于春；（火得所生也。）起于
夏。（火之王也。）禁温食热衣。（恐助火邪也。）心病者，愈在戊己；（应长夏也。）戊己不愈，加于壬癸；（应冬气也。）
壬癸不死，持于甲乙；（应春气也。）起于丙丁。（应夏气也。）心病者，日中慧，夜半甚，平旦静。（日中巳午，火王时也，
故慧。夜半亥子，水之胜也，故甚。平旦寅卯，火得生也，故静。）心欲 ，急食咸以 之，用咸补之，甘泻之，（心火
太过则为躁越，故急宜食咸以 之，盖咸从水化，能相济也。心欲 ，故以咸 为补。心苦缓，故以甘缓为泻。
、软同）
脾主长夏，（土脏也。）足太阴、阳明主治，（阳明胃，太阴脾，戊己土也。表里治同。）其日戊己。（戊为阳土，己为
阴土，中宫之干也。）脾苦湿，急食苦以燥之。（脾以运化水谷，制水为事，湿胜则反伤脾土，故宜食苦温以燥之。）病在
脾，愈在秋；（秋属金，土之子也。）秋不愈，甚于春；（土不胜木也。）春不死，持于夏；（土得火生也。）起于长夏。（土
之王也。）禁温食饱食，湿地濡衣。（温言非热，防滞也。湿地濡衣，阴寒也。皆能病脾，故当禁之。）脾病者，愈在庚辛；
（应愈在秋也。）庚辛不愈，加于甲乙；（应甚于春也。）甲乙不死，持于丙丁；（应持于夏也。）起于戊己。（应起于长夏
也。）脾病者，日 慧，日出甚，下晡静。（日昃曰 ，未土王也，故慧。日出寅卯，木胜土也，故甚。下晡申酉，其子
乡也，故静。 音迭。）脾欲缓，急食甘以缓之，用苦泻之，甘补之。（脾贵充和温浓，其性欲缓，故宜食甘以缓之。脾
喜甘而恶苦，故苦为泻、甘为补也。）
肺主秋，（金脏也。）手太阴、阳明主治，（太阴肺，辛金也。阳明大肠，庚金也。表里治同。）其日庚辛。（庚为阳金，
辛为阴金，西方之干也。）肺苦气上逆，急食苦以泄之。（肺主气，行治节之令，气病则上逆于肺，故宜急食苦以泄之。）
病在肺，愈在冬，（金之子乡也。）冬不愈，甚于夏；（金所不胜也。）夏不死，持于长夏；（金气得生也。）起于秋。（金气
王也。）禁寒饮食寒衣。（形寒饮冷则伤肺也。）肺病者，愈在壬癸；（应愈在冬也。）壬癸不愈，加于丙丁；（应甚于夏也。）
丙丁不死，持于戊己；（应持于长夏也。）起于庚辛。（应起于秋也。）肺病者，下晡慧，日中甚，夜半静。（下晡金王，故
慧。日中火胜之，故甚。夜半水乡，则子能制邪，故静。）肺欲收，急食酸以收之，用酸补之，辛泻之。（肺应秋，气主
收敛，故宜食酸以收之。肺气宜聚不宜散，故酸收为补，辛散为泻。）
肾主冬，（水脏也。）足少阴、太阳主治，（少阴肾，癸水也。太阴膀胱，壬水也。表里治同。）其日壬癸。（壬为阳水，
癸为阴水，北方之干也。）肾苦燥，急食辛以润之，开腠理，致津液，通气也。（肾为水脏，藏精者也，阴病者苦燥，故
宜食辛以润之。盖辛从金化，水之母也。其能开腠理致津液者，以辛能通气也。水中有真气，惟辛能达之，气至水亦至，
故可以润肾之燥。）病在肾，愈在春；（水之子乡也。）春不愈，甚于长夏；（水不胜土也。）长夏不死，持于秋；（水得生
也。）起于冬。（水所王也。）禁犯 HT 热食温灸衣。 HT ，烧爆之物也。肾恶燥烈，故当禁此。 音翠。HT 音哀。）
肾病者，愈在甲乙；（应愈在春也。）甲乙不愈，甚于戊己；（应甚于长夏也。）戊己不死，持于庚辛；（应持于秋也。）起
于壬癸。（应起于冬也。）肾病者，夜半慧，四季甚，下晡静。（夜半水王，故慧。四季土胜之，故甚。下晡金王，水得所
生，故静。）肾欲坚，急食苦以坚之，用苦补之，咸泻之。（肾主闭藏，气贵周密，故肾欲坚，宜食苦以坚之也。苦能坚，
故为补。咸能 坚，故为泻。）
夫邪气之客于身也，以胜相加，（此下总结上文愈甚持起之由然也。凡内伤外感之加于人者，皆曰邪气。外感六气，
盛衰有持，内伤五情，间甚随藏，必因胜以侮不胜，故曰以胜相加也。）至其所生而愈，（我所生也，以时而言。下同。）
至其所不胜而甚，（我不胜彼，被克者也。）至于所生而持，（生我之时也。）自得其位而起。（自王之时也。）必先定五脏
之脉，乃可言间甚之时，死生之期也。（欲知时气逆顺，必须先察脏气，欲察脏气，必须先定五脏所病之脉，如肝主弦，
心主钩，肺主毛，肾主石，脾主代，脉来独至，全无胃气，则其间甚死生之期，皆可得而知之，如上文所论者是矣。）
肝色青，宜食甘，粳米牛肉枣葵皆甘。（此承上文肝苦急，急食甘以缓之等义，而详言其所宜之味也。）心色赤，宜
食酸，小豆犬肉李韭皆酸。（心苦缓，故宜此酸物以收之也。）肺色白，宜食苦，麦羊肉杏薤皆苦。（肺苦气上逆，故宜此
苦物以泄之也。薤音械，根白如小蒜，《尔雅翼》云∶似韭而无实。）脾色黄，宜食咸，大豆豕肉栗藿皆咸。（咸从水化，
其气入肾，脾宜食咸者，以肾为胃关，胃与脾合，咸能润下，利其关窍，胃关利则脾气运，故宜食之。上文云∶脾苦湿，
急食苦以燥之。此复言咸者，盖咸之利湿，与苦之泻者，各有宜也。故诸脏皆同前，惟此独异耳。藿，豆叶羹也。）肾色
黑，宜食辛，黄黍鸡肉桃葱皆辛。（肾苦燥，故宜此辛物以润之也。黄黍即糯小米，北方谓之黄米。）辛散，酸收，甘缓，
苦坚，咸软。（此总言五味之用，药食皆然也。）毒药攻邪，（药以治病，因毒为能，所谓毒者，以气味之有偏也。盖气味
之正者，谷食之属是也，所以养人之正气。气味之偏者，药饵之属是也，所以去人之邪气。其为故也，正以人之为病，
病在阴阳偏胜耳。欲救其偏，则惟气味之偏者能之，正者不及也。如《五常政大论》曰∶大毒治病，十去其六；常毒治
病，十去其七；小毒治病，十去其八；无毒治病，十去其九。是凡可辟邪安正者，均可称为毒药，故曰毒药攻邪也。）五
谷为养，（养生气也。）五果为助，（助其养也。）五畜为益，（益精血也。）五菜为充，（实脏腑也。）气味合而服之，以补
精益气。（《阴阳应象大论》曰∶阳为气，阴为味。味归形，气归精。又曰∶形不足者温之以气，精不足者补之以味。故
气味和合，可以补精益气。）此五者，有辛酸甘苦咸，各有所利，或散或收，或缓或急，或坚或软，四时五脏，病随五味
所宜也。（此总结上文，五脏之气，四时之用，各有所利；然变出不常，则四时五脏，因病而药，五味当随所宜也。
(Suwen: Treatise on the Laws of the Five Zang Organs and Their Correspondence with Time)
The Yellow Emperor asked, "By combining human physiology with the laws of the Four Seasons and the Five Elements for treatment, how should one act in accordance with these principles? How should one act against them? I wish to hear about the principles behind success and failure."
Qibo replied, "The Five Elements are Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. They alternate in prominence and decline, allowing us to understand life and death, determine the success or failure of treatments, and establish the conditions of the Qi of the Five Zang organs, including the times of remission and exacerbation, and the periods of life and death."
The Emperor said, "I wish to hear this in detail." (Note: When the Five Elements are in their season of prosperity, they are 'noble'; when declining, they are 'humble'. 'Jian' and 'Shen' refer to mildness and severity, respectively. 'Cu' means 'exhaustively'.)
Qibo said, "The Liver governs Spring. (It is a Wood Zang.) It is primarily treated by the Foot Jueyin (Liver) and Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians. (Jueyin is the Liver, belonging to Yin Wood; Shaoyang is the Gallbladder, belonging to Yang Wood. These two organs are interior-exterior pairs, so their treatment principles are the same.) The corresponding days are Jia and Yi. (Jia is Yang Wood, Yi is Yin Wood; both are Heavenly Stems of the East, internally corresponding to the Liver and Gallbladder. This applies to years, months, days, and hours alike. Other organs follow this pattern.)"
"The Liver suffers from tension/spasm; urgently consume Sweet flavors to relax it. (The Liver is the official of the General; its emotion is anger, and its Qi is rapid/tense. Tension leads to self-injury and suffering, so consuming Sweet flavors is suitable to relax it, thereby calming the tension. Softness overcomes hardness.)"
"In Liver disease, recovery occurs in Summer. (Summer belongs to Fire, which is generated by Wood. Liver Wood fears Metal; Fire controls Metal. The 'child' controls the 'ghost' [the element that controls the parent], hence recovery. The same logic applies to other organs.) If not recovered in Summer, exacerbation occurs in Autumn. (Autumn Metal controls Liver Wood, representing the element that conquers it.) If not fatal in Autumn, stability is maintained in Winter. (Nourished by the generating element [Water generates Wood], so it can remain stable without harm. Stability in other organs follows similarly.) Improvement begins in Spring. (When Wood Qi is prosperous.) Wind exposure is contraindicated. (Wind Qi connects with the Liver, so avoid exposure.)"
"Patients with Liver disease recover on Bing and Ding days. (Corresponding to Summer Qi, which conquers the conquering element.) If not recovered on Bing/Ding days, exacerbation occurs on Geng and Xin days. (Corresponding to Autumn Qi, Metal chopping Wood.) If not fatal on Geng/Xin days, stability is maintained on Ren and Gui days. (Corresponding to Winter Qi, receiving generation.) Improvement begins on Jia and Yi days. (Corresponding to Spring Qi, encountering its prosperous time.)"
"Patients with Liver disease feel clear-headed at dawn (Pingdan), exacerbated in the late afternoon (Xabu), and quiet at midnight. (Dawn corresponds to Yin and Mao hours, when Wood Qi is prosperous, hence clarity. Late afternoon corresponds to Shen and You hours, when Metal's control causes exacerbation. Midnight corresponds to Hai and Zi hours, where Water generates Wood, hence quietness. 'Xabu' refers to late afternoon.)"
"The Liver desires dispersion; urgently consume Pungent flavors to disperse it. Use Pungent as tonification and Sour as sedation. (Wood Qi should not be stagnant, so it desires dispersion via Pungent flavors. Following its nature is tonification; opposing it is sedation. The Liver likes dispersion and dislikes contraction, so Pungent is tonifying and Sour is sedating. The flavors for tonifying/sedating the five Zangs below correspond to the principles of primary and guest flavors in the *Zhizhen Yao Da Lun*, detailed in the Luck Class 30.)"
"The Heart governs Summer. (It is a Fire Zang.) It is primarily treated by the Hand Shaoyin (Heart) and Taiyang (Small Intestine) meridians. (Shaoyin is the Heart, belonging to Yin Fire; Taiyang is the Small Intestine, belonging to Yang Fire. As interior-exterior pairs, their treatment principles are the same.) The corresponding days are Bing and Ding. (Bing is Yang Fire, Ding is Yin Fire; these are the Heavenly Stems of the South.)"
"The Heart suffers from laxity/flaccidity; urgently consume Sour flavors to astringe it. (The Heart houses the Spirit; its emotion is joy. Joy causes Qi to relax, leading to Heart deficiency and spirit scattering, so consuming Sour flavors is suitable to astringe it.)"
"In Heart disease, recovery occurs in Late Summer. (Late Summer belongs to Earth, the child of Fire.) If not recovered in Late Summer, exacerbation occurs in Winter. (Fire cannot overcome Water.) If not fatal in Winter, stability is maintained in Spring. (Fire receives generation from Wood.) Improvement begins in Summer. (When Fire Qi is prosperous.) Warm food and hot clothing are contraindicated. (To avoid aiding Fire pathogenic factors.)"
"Patients with Heart disease recover on Wu and Ji days. (Corresponding to Late Summer.) If not recovered on Wu/Ji days, exacerbation occurs on Ren and Gui days. (Corresponding to Winter.) If not fatal on Ren/Gui days, stability is maintained on Jia and Yi days. (Corresponding to Spring.) Improvement begins on Bing and Ding days. (Corresponding to Summer.)"
"Patients with Heart disease feel clear-headed at noon, exacerbated at midnight, and quiet at dawn. (Noon corresponds to Si and Wu hours, when Fire Qi is prosperous, hence clarity. Midnight corresponds to Hai and Zi hours, where Water controls Fire, hence exacerbation. Dawn corresponds to Yin and Mao hours, where Wood generates Fire, hence quietness.)"
"The Heart desires softening/firmness; urgently consume Salty flavors to soften it. Use Salty as tonification and Sweet as sedation. (Excessive Heart Fire leads to restlessness and hyperactivity, so urgently consuming Salty flavors to soften is appropriate, as Salt transforms into Water, providing mutual balance. Since the Heart desires softening, Salty softening is tonifying. Since the Heart suffers from laxity, Sweet relaxation is sedating. 'Ruan' and 'Ruan' are synonymous.)"
"The Spleen governs Late Summer. (It is an Earth Zang.) It is primarily treated by the Foot Taiyin (Spleen) and Yangming (Stomach) meridians. (Yangming is the Stomach, Taiyin is the Spleen, belonging to Wu and Ji Earth. Interior-exterior treatment principles are the same.) The corresponding days are Wu and Ji. (Wu is Yang Earth, Ji is Yin Earth; these are the Heavenly Stems of the Central Palace.)"
"The Spleen suffers from dampness; urgently consume Bitter flavors to dry it. (The Spleen is responsible for transforming and transporting grain and water, managing water control. Excess dampness damages Spleen Earth, so consuming Bitter-Warm flavors is suitable to dry dampness.)"
"In Spleen disease, recovery occurs in Autumn. (Autumn belongs to Metal, the child of Earth.) If not recovered in Autumn, exacerbation occurs in Spring. (Earth cannot overcome Wood.) If not fatal in Spring, stability is maintained in Summer. (Earth receives generation from Fire.) Improvement begins in Late Summer. (When Earth Qi is prosperous.) Warm food, overeating, sleeping on wet ground, and wearing damp clothes are contraindicated. ('Warm' here implies non-hot, preventing stagnation. Wet ground and damp clothes are Yin-Cold. All can cause Spleen disease, so they must be avoided.)"
"Patients with Spleen disease recover on Geng and Xin days. (Corresponding to Autumn recovery.) If not recovered on Geng/Xin days, exacerbation occurs on Jia and Yi days. (Corresponding to Spring exacerbation.) If not fatal on Jia/Yi days, stability is maintained on Bing and Ding days. (Corresponding to Summer stability.) Improvement begins on Wu and Ji days. (Corresponding to Late Summer improvement.)"
"Patients with Spleen disease feel clear-headed in the afternoon (Yi), exacerbated at sunrise, and quiet in the late afternoon. (Afternoon 'Yi' corresponds to Wei Earth prosperity, hence clarity. Sunrise corresponds to Yin and Mao hours, where Wood controls Earth, hence exacerbation. Late afternoon corresponds to Shen and You hours, the location of its child element, hence quietness. 'Yi' is pronounced dié.)"
"The Spleen desires relaxation; urgently consume Sweet flavors to relax it. Use Bitter as sedation and Sweet as tonification. (The Spleen values fullness, harmony, warmth, and richness; its nature desires relaxation, so consuming Sweet flavors is suitable. The Spleen likes Sweet and dislikes Bitter, so Bitter is sedating and Sweet is tonifying.)"
"The Lung governs Autumn. (It is a Metal Zang.) It is primarily treated by the Hand Taiyin (Lung) and Yangming (Large Intestine) meridians. (Taiyin is the Lung, belonging to Xin Metal; Yangming is the Large Intestine, belonging to Geng Metal. Interior-exterior treatment principles are the same.) The corresponding days are Geng and Xin. (Geng is Yang Metal, Xin is Yin Metal; these are the Heavenly Stems of the West.)"
"The Lung suffers from rebellious Qi ascending; urgently consume Bitter flavors to drain/descend it. (The Lung governs Qi and executes regulatory commands. In Qi pathology, Qi rebels upward in the Lung, so urgently consuming Bitter flavors to drain/descend is appropriate.)"
"In Lung disease, recovery occurs in Winter. (The location of Metal's child element.) If not recovered in Winter, exacerbation occurs in Summer. (The element Metal cannot overcome.) If not fatal in Summer, stability is maintained in Late Summer. (Metal Qi receives generation.) Improvement begins in Autumn. (When Metal Qi is prosperous.) Cold food and cold clothing are contraindicated. (Cold form and cold drinks damage the Lung.)"
"Patients with Lung disease recover on Ren and Gui days. (Corresponding to Winter recovery.) If not recovered on Ren/Gui days, exacerbation occurs on Bing and Ding days. (Corresponding to Summer exacerbation.) If not fatal on Bing/Ding days, stability is maintained on Wu and Ji days. (Corresponding to Late Summer stability.) Improvement begins on Geng and Xin days. (Corresponding to Autumn improvement.)"
"Patients with Lung disease feel clear-headed in the late afternoon, exacerbated at noon, and quiet at midnight. (Late afternoon is when Metal Qi is prosperous, hence clarity. Noon is when Fire controls Metal, hence exacerbation. Midnight is the Water phase, where the 'child' controls the pathogen, hence quietness.)"
"The Lung desires contraction/astringency; urgently consume Sour flavors to astringe it. Use Sour as tonification and Pungent as sedation. (The Lung corresponds to Autumn, where Qi governs convergence, so consuming Sour flavors to astringe is suitable. Lung Qi should gather, not scatter, so Sour astringency is tonifying and Pungent dispersion is sedating.)"
"The Kidney governs Winter. (It is a Water Zang.) It is primarily treated by the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) and Taiyang (Bladder) meridians. (Shaoyin is the Kidney, belonging to Gui Water; Taiyang is the Bladder, belonging to Ren Water. Interior-exterior treatment principles are the same.) The corresponding days are Ren and Gui. (Ren is Yang Water, Gui is Yin Water; these are the Heavenly Stems of the North.)"
"The Kidney suffers from dryness; urgently consume Pungent flavors to moisten it, opening the interstices, distributing body fluids, and promoting Qi circulation. (The Kidney is a Water Zang storing Essence. In Yin diseases, dryness is suffered, so consuming Pungent flavors to moisten is suitable. Pungent transforms into Metal, the mother of Water. Its ability to open interstices and distribute fluids is because Pungent promotes Qi circulation. There is true Qi within Water, reachable only by Pungent. When Qi arrives, Water arrives, thus moistening Kidney dryness.)"
"In Kidney disease, recovery occurs in Spring. (The location of Water's child element.) If not recovered in Spring, exacerbation occurs in Late Summer. (Water cannot overcome Earth.) If not fatal in Late Summer, stability is maintained in Autumn. (Water receives generation from Metal.) Improvement begins in Winter. (When Water Qi is prosperous.) Contact with roasted/explosive foods, warm foods, and moxibustion clothing is contraindicated. 'Fan' refers to roasted/explosive items. The Kidney detests dryness and heat, so these must be avoided. 'Ruò' is pronounced cuì; 'Fan' is pronounced āi.)"
"Patients with Kidney disease recover on Jia and Yi days. (Corresponding to Spring recovery.) If not recovered on Jia/Yi days, exacerbation occurs on Wu and Ji days. (Corresponding to Late Summer exacerbation.) If not fatal on Wu/Ji days, stability is maintained on Geng and Xin days. (Corresponding to Autumn stability.) Improvement begins on Ren and Gui days. (Corresponding to Winter improvement.)"
"Patients with Kidney disease feel clear-headed at midnight, exacerbated during the four seasons (Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei hours/months), and quiet in the late afternoon. (Midnight is when Water Qi is prosperous, hence clarity. The four seasons are when Earth controls Water, hence exacerbation. Late afternoon is when Metal Qi is prosperous, and Water generates Metal, hence quietness.)"
"The Kidney desires firmness/stability; urgently consume Bitter flavors to firm it. Use Bitter as tonification and Salty as sedation. (The Kidney governs closure and storage; Qi values secrecy and completeness, so the Kidney desires firmness, making Bitter flavors suitable for firming. Bitter firms, so it is tonifying. Salty softens, so it is sedating.)"
"When pathogenic Qi invades the body, it acts through mutual overcoming. (This summarizes the reasons for recovery, exacerbation, stability, and improvement mentioned above. All internal injuries and external infections affecting humans are called pathogenic Qi. External invasion by the Six Qi has fluctuations in prosperity and decline; internal injury by the Five Emotions varies in severity according to the Zang. It inevitably involves overcoming to insult the unconquerable, hence 'acting through mutual overcoming.') Recovery occurs when reaching the element one generates. (That which one generates, stated temporally. Same below.) Exacerbation occurs when reaching the element one cannot overcome. (One cannot overcome the other; being controlled.) Stability is maintained when reaching the element that generates one. (Time of generation.) Improvement begins when arriving at one's own position. (Time of one's own prosperity.) One must first ascertain the pulses of the Five Zang before discussing the times of remission/exacerbation and periods of life/death. (To know the reversal/compliance of seasonal Qi, one must first examine Zang Qi. To examine Zang Qi, one must first fix the pulse of the diseased Zang. For example, the Liver governs the Wiry pulse, the Heart the Hook pulse, the Lung the Floating/Hair pulse, the Kidney the Stone pulse, and the Spleen the代为 Pulse. If the pulse arrives exclusively without Stomach Qi, then the times of remission/exacerbation and life/death can all be known, as discussed above.)"
"The Liver color is Green;适宜 eating Sweet flavors. Glutinous rice, beef, dates, and Malva verticillata leaves are all Sweet. (This continues the meaning of 'Liver suffers from tension, urgently consume Sweet to relax,' detailing the suitable flavors.)"
"The Heart color is Red;适宜 eating Sour flavors. Adzuki beans, dog meat, plums, and leeks are all Sour. (Heart suffers from laxity, so these Sour items are suitable to astringe it.)"
"The Lung color is White;适宜 eating Bitter flavors. Wheat, mutton, apricots, and Chinese chives (Xie) are all Bitter. (Lung suffers from rebellious Qi, so these Bitter items are suitable to drain/descend it. 'Xie' is pronounced xiè; the root is white like small garlic. *Erya Yi* states: Resembles leek but bears no fruit.)"
"The Spleen color is Yellow;适宜 eating Salty flavors. Soybeans, pork, chestnuts, and soybean leaves (Huo) are all Salty. (Salt transforms into Water, its Qi entering the Kidney. The Spleen适宜 Salty because the Kidney is the gate of the Stomach, and the Stomach combines with the Spleen. Salty moistens downward, benefiting the gate openings. When the Stomach gate benefits, Spleen Qi transports, so it is适宜. The text above says: 'Spleen suffers from dampness, urgently consume Bitter to dry.' Here it mentions Salty again because Salty's benefit against dampness and Bitter's draining action each have their specific applications. Thus, while other Zangs follow the previous rules, this one is unique. 'Huo' refers to soybean leaf soup.)"
"The Kidney color is Black;适宜 eating Pungent flavors. Yellow millet, chicken, peaches, and green onions are all Pungent. (Kidney suffers from dryness, so these Pungent items are suitable to moisten it. Yellow millet is glutinous millet, called Huangmi in the North.)"
"Pungent disperses, Sour astringes, Sweet relaxes, Bitter firms, and Salty softens. (This summarizes the uses of the Five Flavors, applicable to both medicine and food.)"
"Toxic drugs attack pathogenic factors. (Medicine treats disease, relying on toxicity. 'Toxicity' refers to the bias in flavor and aroma. Pure flavors/aromas belong to grains and foods, nourishing righteous Qi. Biased flavors/aromas belong to medicines, removing pathogenic Qi. This is because human disease lies in the excess or deficiency of Yin and Yang. To correct the bias, only biased flavors/aromas can achieve this; pure ones cannot. As stated in *Wuchang Zheng Da Lun*: Drugs with great toxicity remove 60% of disease; common toxicity removes 70%; slight toxicity removes 80%; non-toxic removes 90%. Therefore, anything that can dispel evil and stabilize righteousness can be called toxic drug, hence 'toxic drugs attack pathogenic factors.')"
"The Five Grains nourish. (Nourishing vital Qi.) The Five Fruits assist. (Assisting nourishment.) The Five Livestock benefit. (Benefiting essence and blood.) The Five Vegetables fill. (Filling the Zang-Fu organs.) Consuming flavors and aromas in combination supplements essence and promotes Qi. (*Yinyang Yingxiang Dalun* states: Yang is Qi, Yin is Flavor. Flavor returns to Form, Qi returns to Essence. It also states: For deficiency of Form, warm with Qi; for deficiency of Essence, tonify with Flavor. Thus, harmonizing flavors and aromas can supplement essence and promote Qi.)"
"These five categories—Pungent, Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Salty—each have their benefits, whether dispersing, astringing, relaxing, hastening, firming, or softening. Diseases of the Four Seasons and Five Zangs are treated according to the suitability of the Five Flavors. (This summarizes the preceding text: The Qi of the Five Zangs and the use of the Four Seasons each have their benefits. However, changes are unpredictable, so for the Four Seasons and Five Zangs, medication depends on the disease, and the Five Flavors should follow what is suitable.)