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The *Neijing* (Inner Canon) states: The Stomach is the official in charge of granaries, from which the Five Flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty) emerge; it also states: The Stomach is referred to as the "Yellow Intestine."

When the Five Flavors enter the mouth, they are stored in the Stomach to nourish the Qi of the Five Zang Organs. The Stomach is the sea of water and grain, and the great source of the Six Fu Organs. Therefore, the qi and flavor of all Zang and Fu Organs originate from the Stomach.

There are forty-five acupoints on the Foot-Yangming Meridian: Touwei (ST8), Xiaguan (ST7), Jiache (ST6) are stationed here; Chengqi (ST1), Sibai (ST2), Juliao (ST3); Dicang (ST4), Daying (ST5) face Shuigu (ST9). Shuigu (ST9) and Qishe (ST11) connect to Quepen (ST12); Qihu (ST15), Kukufang (ST16), Wuyi (ST17) are gathered; Yingchuang (ST18), Ruzhong (ST18), Rugen (ST18) extend; Burong (ST21), Chengman (ST22), Liangmen (ST23) begin; Guanmen (ST24), Taiyi (ST25), Rouhoumen (ST26). Tianshu (ST25), Wailing (ST29), Daju (ST30) exist; Shuidao (ST28), Guilai (ST29), Qichong (ST30) follow sequentially; Biguan (ST31), Futu (ST32) lead to Yinshi (ST33); Liangqiu (ST34), Djubi (ST35), Zusanli (ST36); Shangjuxu (ST37) connects to Tiaokou (ST38); Xiajuxu (ST39) jumps up to Fenglong (ST40); Jiexi (ST41), Chongyang (ST42), Xiangu (ST43); Neiting (ST44), Lidui (ST45) mark the end of the meridian's acupoints (ninety acupoints on both sides).

This meridian starts at Touwei (ST8) and ends at Lidui (ST45). Select Lidui (ST45), Neiting (ST44), Xiangu (ST43), Chongyang (ST42), Jiexi (ST41), and Zusanli (ST36). The meridian originates beside the nose, crosses at the nasal root, binds laterally with the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, descends along the lateral side of the nose, enters the upper teeth, emerges to encircle the lips, intersects below at Chengjiang (CV24), follows the posterior mandible downwards, emerges at Daying (ST5), ascends along Jiache (ST6), passes anterior to the ear at Kongzhu (GB13), follows the hairline to the forehead. A branch descends from the front of Daying (ST5) to Renying (ST9), follows the throat into Quepen (ST12), penetrates the diaphragm, belongs to the Stomach, and connects with the Spleen; its main trunk descends from Quepen (ST12) along the medial aspect of the breast, flanks the umbilicus, and enters Qichong (ST30); another branch originates from the lower opening of the Stomach, runs within the abdomen, descends to merge at Qichong (ST30), then passes through Biguan (ST31), reaches Futu (ST32), descends into the knee patella, follows the lateral aspect of the leg down to the dorsum of the foot, and enters the space between the second and third toes; another branch separates three cun below the knee, descending into the space between the second and third toes; yet another branch separates from the dorsum of the foot, enters the space between the big toe and second toe, emerges at the tip, and connects with the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. This meridian has abundant blood and Qi, receiving Qi and Blood injection during the Chen hour (7-9 AM).

The Stomach is the Fu Organ of Wu Earth, with its pulse located at the right Guan position. When Stomach Qi is balanced and harmonious, the Five Zang Organs are secure. In excess patterns, the pulse is excess, manifesting as dry lips and mouth, and swelling and pain in the axilla; draining Stomach Earth is appropriate. In deficiency patterns, the pulse is deficient, manifesting as abdominal pain with borborygmus, and puffy face and eyes; warming and tonifying herbs should be used. To verify excess heat, there must be internal oral congestion and dryness; Xiehuang San (Drain Yellow Powder) yields results. To examine deficiency cold, bone and joint pain throughout are required; Renshen San (Ginseng Powder) is most miraculous. Jupi Zhuru Tang (Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction) treats heat-thirst with frequent vomiting and hiccups; Wuyao Chenxiang San (Lindera and Amber Powder) treats cold-pain with Xiangfu combined with Wuyao and Chenxiang. Cold Stomach generating phlegm is treated with Banxia and fresh Ginger decocted with raw Fuzi; Cold in the Middle Jiao retaining water is treated with Shenqu Wan combined with Cangzhu and aged Chenpi. Yuanhua eliminates mass accumulations, made into pills with Zhusha; Huanglian treats Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), decocted with Gancao. Liu Huang and Mercury结成 Sandan (Cinnabar-like compound), stopping vomiting immediately; Renshen and Wuzhuyu decocted with Zao and Jiang, relieving sour regurgitation. Huoluan with tendon spasms and cold limbs are treated with Mugua salt-fried with Wuzhuyu; Shi Xia and Jiu Pi causing hypochondriac and chest pain are treated with Ezhu and Yanling boiled with vinegar. Stomach deficiency with cough and rebellion uses Renshen and Gancao doubled with Chenpi; Stomach excess with phlegm-wheezing adds Huoye and Dingpi to Banxia. Tonifying deficiency and descending fire uses Zhuru, Gancao, Chenpi, and Hongshen, or adding Zhishi and Baizhu; Supporting weakness and dispelling cold uses Chenpi, Liangjiang, Ding, and Banxia, plus Renshen, Gancao, Jiang, and Ling. It is heard that having a pulse above but not below indicates food-cold stagnation; probing vomit with salt soup brings relief. If all three positions have rapid pulses and the Renying pulse is surging, it is called internal congestion; taking Ling Wan for purgation is convenient. Medicines to regulate the Spleen and assist the Stomach are hardest to master; heat consumes muscles, requiring Zhonghe Yinzi; methods of variation and addition are difficult; cold reduces dietary intake, requiring Renyi Dantou. If the mind is absent, eating without tasting flavor, Zhengxin is the prescription; if the mouth is not cautious, drinking without moderation, Jiankou is the good formula. Know that taking medicine after illness is inferior to self-prevention before illness.