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The Yellow Emperor asked: There is a disease where the patient has a sweet taste in the mouth. What is this disease called? How does it arise? Qibo replied: This is an overflow of the essence of the five Zang organs, named Pi Dan (Spleen Heat Disease). (Dan refers to heat diseases. The five Qi refers to the essence transformed from the five flavors.)

When various flavors enter the mouth, they are stored in the Stomach, and the Spleen distributes their essential Qi. If fluids remain in the Spleen, it causes a sweet taste in the mouth. (The Spleen's function is to transport fluids for the Stomach; thus, when flavors enter the Stomach, fluids accumulate in the Spleen. The Spleen belongs to Earth, its flavor is Sweet, and its Qi connects to the mouth, hence causing a sweet taste.) This arises from excessive consumption of rich and sweet foods. (Excessive intake of rich and sweet flavors leads to pathology.) Such individuals must frequently consume sweet and fatty foods. Fatty foods generate internal heat, while sweet foods cause fullness in the middle Jiao. Consequently, the Qi overflows upward, transforming into Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst Disease). (Fatty substances have strong flavors that assist Yang, thereby generating heat. Sweet substances have a slow nature that does not disperse easily, thus tending to remain in the Middle Jiao. When heat remains stagnant for a long time, it inevitably damages Yin. With Qi overflowing upward, it transforms into Wasting-Thirst Disease.) Treatment involves using Lan Cao (Lantana Herb) to eliminate stale accumulated heat. (Lan Cao has a sweet and cold nature, can promote urination, dispel turbidity, remove phlegm and fluid retention in the chest, possesses a fresh fragrance, generates fluids, relieves thirst, moistens muscles, and thus can eliminate stale, accumulated heat.)

The Yellow Emperor asked: There is a disease with a bitter taste in the mouth, treated by needling Yanglingquan (GB34). What is this disease called? How does it arise? Qibo replied: This disease is named Dan Dan (Gallbladder Heat Disease). (Yanglingquan is an acupoint of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. A bitter taste indicates the disease is in the Gallbladder, hence named Dan Dan.) The Liver is the General within, relying on the Gallbladder for decision-making, and the Pharynx serves as its conduit. (The Liver is the organ of the General, where strategy originates. The Gallbladder is the organ of uprightness, where judgment originates. Strategy lies in the Liver, but without the Gallbladder's judgment, it cannot be executed; thus, the Liver acts as the General within and depends on the Gallbladder. Furthermore, the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian ascends along both sides of the pharynx, and the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian follows behind the throat and enters the nasopharynx; since both Liver and Gallbladder meridians converge at the pharynx, the pharynx serves as their conduit. 'Shi' is pronounced with the falling tone.) Such individuals often deliberate without making decisions, leading to Gallbladder deficiency and upward overflow of Qi, causing a bitter taste. Treatment should target the Front-Mu and Back-Shu points of the Gallbladder. (Frequent deliberation without decision exhausts both the Liver and Gallbladder. Exhaustion leads to deficiency. Deficiency results in insecure Qi, causing Gallbladder Qi to overflow upward and create a bitter taste. The Gallbladder's Front-Mu point is located in the hypochondrium, specifically Riyue (LR24); the Gallbladder's Back-Shu point is on the back, belonging to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Together with Yanglingquan (GB34) mentioned previously, these six points can all be used for treatment.) The therapeutic principle is discussed within the context of the mutual interaction of the twelve Zang-Fu organs. ('Zhi' [treatment] should be read as 'Lun' [discussion], referring to the Linglan Midian Lun [Treatise on the Secret Canon of Spiritual Orchids]. See detailed discussion in Zangxiang Category I.)