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Huangdi asked: What is the condition of excessive evil (Yin Xie) spreading and overflowing? Qibo replied: Correct evil (Zheng Xie) invades from the exterior into the interior without a fixed abode, but instead invades the Zang organs, unable to settle in one place. It travels with Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), and flies together with the Hun (Ethereal Soul) and Po (Corporeal Soul), causing restless sleep and frequent dreaming. When Qi overflows into the Fu organs, one dreams of excess outside and deficiency inside; when Qi overflows into the Zang organs, one dreams of excess inside and deficiency outside. Huangdi asked: Do excess and deficiency have specific manifestations? Qibo said: When Yin is in excess, one dreams of wading through large waters and feeling fear; when Yang is in excess, one dreams of large fires burning; when both Yin and Yang are in excess, one dreams of killing and injuring each other. When Qi is excessive in the upper body, one dreams of flying; when excessive in the lower body, one dreams of falling. When very full, one dreams of giving things away; when very hungry, one dreams of taking things. When Liver Qi is excessive, one dreams of anger. When Lung Qi is excessive, one dreams of crying, fear, and soul flight. When Heart Qi is excessive, one dreams of laughter and terror. When Spleen Qi is excessive, one dreams of singing and joy but feels heavy-bodied, unable to lift hands and feet. When Kidney Qi is excessive, one dreams of the waist and spine being separated and disconnected. For these twelve types of Qi excess, applying draining methods upon manifestation will immediately cure the disease. If Jue Qi (Rebellious Qi) lodges in the Heart, one dreams of hills, mountains, and smoke/fire; if it lodges in the Lung, one dreams of flying, seeing metal/iron objects and strange items; if it lodges in the Liver, one dreams of forests and trees; if it lodges in the Spleen, one dreams of hills, large marshes, ruined houses, wind, and rain; if it lodges in the Kidney, one dreams of approaching abysses or being submerged in water; if it lodges in the urethra (or crossroads), one dreams of fighting, litigation, or self-mutilation; if it lodges in the genitalia, one dreams of sexual intercourse; if it lodges in the neck, one dreams of beheading; if it lodges in the calf, one dreams of being unable to walk forward or residing in deep underground gardens; if it lodges in the thighs and arms, one dreams of performing bows and kneelings; if it lodges in the Bladder, one dreams of smooth urination. For these fifteen types of Qi deficiency, applying tonifying methods upon manifestation will immediately cure the disease.

Huangdi asked: The flavors of grain have five tastes; how do they enter the Zang organs respectively? Qibo replied: The Stomach is the sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs; all food enters the Stomach, and the Five Zang and Six Fu organs all receive nourishment from the Stomach. Each of the five flavors goes to its preferred organ. Therefore, sour-flavored grain first goes to the Liver. The *Jiu Juan* (Nine Volumes) also states: Sour flavor enters the Stomach; its qi is astringent (or has a contracting nature) and cannot move freely. If it does not move out, it remains in the Stomach. Due to the warmth of the Stomach, it flows downward into the Bao (Bladder/Uterus). The Bao is thin and soft; upon encountering sourness, it contracts and curls, becoming constrained and unable to expand, leading to obstruction of the water pathways, thus resulting in Long Bi (difficulty in urination). The Yin organs are where tendons converge and terminate; therefore, sour flavor entering the Stomach moves to the tendons. The *Su Wen* says: Sour flavor moves to the tendons; those with tendon diseases should not eat much sour food. This aligns with the above principle. It also states: The Liver desires pungency; eating too much sour causes muscle calluses and everted lips. This represents Wood overcoming Earth. (Note: "Liver desires pungency" contradicts the *Jiu Juan*; the *Su Wen* text reads "Liver desires sourness".)

Bitter flavor first goes to the Heart. The *Jiu Juan* also states: Bitter flavor enters the Stomach; the qi of the five grains cannot overcome bitter. Bitter flavor enters the Lower Wan (Lower Epigastrium). The Lower Wan is the pathway of the San Jiao (Triple Burner); everything there becomes closed and obstructed, causing qi transformation and vomiting. Teeth are the termination of bones. Therefore, bitter flavor entering the Stomach moves to the bones; entering and then exiting, it inevitably leads to loose teeth, indicating it moves to the bones. Water and Fire mutually restrain each other, and bone qi connects to the Heart. The *Su Wen* says: Bitter flavor moves to the bones; those with bone diseases should not eat much bitter food. This aligns with the above principle. It also states: The Heart desires sourness; eating bitter causes dry skin and falling hair. This represents Fire overcoming Metal. (Note: "Heart desires sourness" contradicts the *Jiu Juan*.)

Sweet flavor first goes to the Spleen. The *Jiu Juan* also states: Sweet flavor enters the Spleen; its qi is weak and scarce, unable to reach the Upper Jiao, remaining in the Stomach with the grain. Sweet flavor makes one soft and moist. If the Stomach becomes soft, it relaxes; relaxation causes parasites to move, and moving parasites cause mental oppression. Its qi connects to the skin, so it is said that sweet flavor moves to the skin. Skin is the surplus of flesh. Although skin belongs to the Lung, it is connected to flesh, so sweet moisture nourishes both muscle and skin. The *Su Wen* says: Sweet flavor moves to the flesh; those with flesh diseases should not eat much sweet food. This aligns with the above principle. It also states: Eating too much sweet causes bone pain and hair loss. This represents Earth overcoming Water. (This does not contradict the *Jiu Juan*.)

Pungent flavor first goes to the Lung. The *Jiu Juan* also states: Pungent flavor enters the Stomach; its qi moves to the Upper Jiao. The Upper Jiao receives various qis and nourishes the Yang meridians. The qi of ginger and leeks熏 (smokes/fumes) to Ying and Wei Qi. If Ying and Wei Qi do not accept it in time, it stays long-term below the heart, causing Dong Xin (hollow heart sensation). Pungent flavor travels with qi; therefore, pungent flavor entering the Stomach exits with sweat. (*Qian Jin Fang* states: Pungent flavor enters the Stomach and moves to qi, exiting with qi, thus dispersing excess qi). The *Su Wen* states: (The Lung desires bitterness, which contradicts the *Jiu Juan*.)

Salty flavor first goes to the Kidney. The *Jiu Juan* also states: Salty flavor enters the Stomach; its qi moves upward to the Middle Jiao and pours into the vessels. Vessels are the pathways of blood. When blood meets saltiness, blood coagulates (or condenses); coagulated blood depletes the Stomach's blood; depletion dries the throat passage, causing a dry tongue and thirst. Blood vessels are the pathways of the Middle Jiao; therefore, salty flavor entering the Stomach moves to the blood. The Kidney harmonizes with the San Jiao; although blood vessels belong to the Liver and Heart, as pathways of the Middle Jiao, salty flavor entering the Stomach moves to the blood. The *Su Wen* says: Salty flavor moves to the blood; those with blood diseases should not eat much salty food. This aligns with the above principle. It also states: Eating too much salt causes blood stagnation and color changes, representing Water overcoming Fire. (Although both mention blood vessels, their meanings differ.)

Grain qi and Ying/Wei Qi travel together; once fluids are circulated and Ying/Wei Qi flow freely, waste materials are transmitted downwards. Huangdi asked: How do Ying and Wei Qi travel together? Qibo said: When grain first enters the Stomach, its essence and fine parts emerge from the two Jiaos of the Stomach to irrigate the Five Zang organs, then branch off again to travel via the Ying and Wei pathways. The large qi that pulses but does not circulate accumulates in the chest, named Qi Hai (Sea of Qi), emerging from the Lung, circulating through the throat, thus exiting on exhalation and entering on inhalation. The essence and qi of Heaven and Earth generally follow the ratio of three out for one in. Therefore, if no grain is ingested, qi declines after half a day and diminishes after one day.

Huangdi asked: May I hear about the five flavors of grain? Qibo said: Five Grains: Rice is sweet, Hemp seeds (Millet in *Su Wen*) are sour, Soybeans are salty, Wheat is bitter, Yellow Millet is pungent. Five Fruits: Dates are sweet, Plums are sour, Chestnuts are salty, Apricots are bitter, Peaches are pungent. Five Livestock: Beef is sweet, Dog meat is sour, Pork is salty, Mutton is bitter, Chicken is pungent. Five Vegetables: Malva is sweet, Leeks are sour, Broad beans are salty, Shallots are bitter, Scallions are pungent. Five Colors: Yellow suits sweet, Green suits sour, Black suits salty, Red suits bitter, White suits pungent. For Spleen disease, one should eat rice, beef, dates, and malva; sweet flavor enters the Spleen for use. For Heart disease, one should eat wheat, mutton, apricots, and shallots; bitter flavor enters the Heart for use. For Kidney disease, one should eat soybeans, pork, chestnuts, and broad beans; salty flavor enters the Kidney for use. For Lung disease, one should eat yellow millet, chicken, peaches, and scallions; pungent flavor enters the Lung for use. For Liver disease, one should eat hemp seeds, dog meat, plums, and leeks; sour flavor enters the Liver for use. Liver disease prohibits pungent food; Heart disease prohibits salty food; Spleen disease prohibits sour food; Lung disease prohibits bitter food; Kidney disease prohibits sweet food.

The Liver is governed by the Foot Jueyin and Foot Shaoyang meridians. The Liver suffers from urgency (spasm); eat sweet to relieve it. The Heart is governed by the Hand Shaoyin and Hand Taiyang meridians. The Heart suffers from flaccidity; urgently eat salty to astringe it, and urgently eat bitter to firm it.

Poisonous drugs attack pathogens; five grains provide nourishment; five fruits provide assistance; five livestock provide benefits; five vegetables provide satiety. Consuming flavors and aromas in combination replenishes essence and boosts qi. These five flavors each have specific benefits: Pungent disperses, Sour astringes, Sweet moderates, Bitter firms, Salty softens.

Lung disease manifests as pain under the lateral hypochondrium radiating to the lower abdomen, causing irritability. Deficiency presents as blurred vision, deafness, fearfulness, and the sensation of being hunted. Treat by bleeding the Hand Jueyin and Hand Shaoyang meridians. If qi rebels, causing headache, deafness, and cheek swelling, bleed the relevant points. Also: Dizziness, vertigo, eye closure, and deafness indicate excess below and deficiency above, affecting the Foot Shaoyang and Foot Jueyin meridians; severe cases involve the Liver.

Heart disease manifests as chest pain, flank distension, bilateral hypochondriac pain, pain between the sternum, back, and scapula, and pain in the inner arms. Deficiency presents as abdominal distension and pulling pain between the flanks and waist. Treat by bleeding the Hand Shaoyin and Hand Taiyang meridians (or sublingual veins per *Su Wen*); for altered conditions, bleed the Wei Zhong (BL40) vein. Also: Pathology involves the Hand Taiyang and Hand Shaoyin meridians.

Spleen disease manifests as heavy body, easy hunger, muscle atrophy, inability to hold the legs, cramping while walking, and foot pain. Deficiency presents as abdominal fullness, borborygmus, undigested stool diarrhea, and poor digestion. Treat by bleeding the Hand Taiyin, Hand Yangming, and Hand Shaoyin meridians. Also: Abdominal fullness, flank distension, lower coldness with upper dizziness affects the Foot Taiyin and Foot Yangming meridians.

Liver disease manifests as wheezing, coughing, rebellious qi, shoulder/back pain, sweating, spasms of the buttocks, genitals, thighs, knees, and pain in the thighs and calves. Deficiency presents with shortness of breath, inability to take deep breaths, deafness, and dry throat. Treat by bleeding the Hand Taiyin, Foot Taiyang, Outer Jueyin, and Inner Shaoyin meridians. Also: Coughing and rebellious qi with pathology in the chest affect the Hand Yangming and Hand Taiyin meridians.

Kidney disease manifests as abdominal swelling, leg pain and swelling, coughing/wheezing, heavy body, night sweats, and aversion to wind. Deficiency presents as chest pain, lower abdominal pain, cold extremities, and unhappiness. Treat by bleeding the Foot Shaoyin and Foot Taiyang meridians. Also: Headache and epilepsy with excess below and deficiency above affect the Foot Shaoyin and Foot Taiyang meridians; severe cases involve the Kidney.