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(After the Chapter on Five Prohibitions)

Sour flavor enters the stomach. Its qi is astringent and contracting. Due to its astringent and knotted nature, it cannot ascend to the middle and upper jiao (Middle and Upper Burners), thus failing to disperse outward. It remains in the stomach. If the stomach environment is warm, it flows downward into the bladder. The bladder's sac (pāo, referring to the urinary bladder) has thin and soft walls; upon contact with sourness, it contracts and curls, leading to obstruction and constriction. Consequently, the water pathways fail to flow, resulting in strangury (lóng, difficulty in urination). [Quǎn means indistinct/separated; yuē means binding/constricting.] The yin organs (external genitalia) are the termination point where sinews converge. Therefore, when sour flavor enters the stomach, its qi travels to the sinews.

Salty flavor enters the stomach. Its qi ascends to the middle jiao and pours into the vessels, causing blood and qi to circulate. When blood combines with saltiness, it coagulates. This coagulation causes the fluids of the stomach to be poured in to dilute it. As these fluids are continuously added, the stomach's fluids become depleted. Depletion leads to dryness in the throat passage; thus, the root of the tongue becomes dry and thirst ensues. Blood vessels are the pathways of the middle jiao. Therefore, when salty flavor enters the stomach, its qi travels to the blood.

Pungent flavor enters the stomach. Its qi travels to the upper jiao. The function of the upper jiao is to receive qi and nourish all yang meridians. The fumes of ginger and leeks熏 (xūn,熏蒸/irritate) the upper jiao, causing the Ying (Nutrient) and Wei (Defensive) qi to be frequently disturbed. This disturbance lingers in the epigastrium, resulting in "hole-heart" (dòng xīn, a sensation of emptiness penetrating the heart). Pungency moves together with qi; therefore, when pungent flavor enters the stomach, it exits along with sweat.

Bitter flavor enters the stomach. The qi of the five grains cannot overcome the bitter quality. Bitter flavor descends to the lower wan (lower part of the stomach), causing the pathways of the three jiao to close and become obstructed. Consequently, vomiting occurs. [Bitter flavor enters and then leaves.] Teeth are the termination of bones. Therefore, when bitter flavor enters the stomach, its qi travels to the bones. [Bitter flavor connects with bones, and its qi eventually exits through the mouth and teeth.]

Sweet flavor enters the stomach. Its qi is weak and slight, unable to ascend to the upper jiao. Instead, it remains in the stomach with food, providing moistening and softening effects. Softening the stomach causes relaxation; relaxation leads to the movement of parasites. Parasite movement causes discomfort in the heart/chest. The qi of sweetness extends externally to the flesh/muscles. Therefore, when sweet flavor enters the stomach, its qi travels to the muscles.

(After the Chapter on Five Tones and Five Flavors)

Excessive worry and thought damage the Heart. Severe cold damages the Lungs. Anger damages the Liver. Intercourse while drunk and sweating in the wind damages the Spleen. Excessive physical exertion or intercourse followed by sweating damages the Kidneys.

(First Section)

When the five grains enter the stomach, their dregs, fluids, and Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) are divided into three tunnels (sui, meaning pathways). Thus, Zong Qi accumulates in the chest, emerges from the throat, penetrates the heart vessels, and governs respiration. Ying Qi secretes fluids, injects them into the vessels, transforms them into blood, and thereby nourishes the four extremities. Internally, it pours into the five zang and six fu organs, corresponding to the time markers of the day and night. Wei Qi is derived from the fierce and rapid aspect of qi. It moves ahead in the four extremities, between muscle intervals, and in the skin without rest. During the day, it travels in the Yang; at night, it travels in the Yin. It usually proceeds from the interspaces of the Foot Shaoyin meridian, circulating through the five zang and six fu organs.

Now, if Jue Qi (Rebellious Qi) lodges in the five zang and six fu organs, Wei Qi can only guard the exterior, traveling in the Yang and unable to enter the Yin. Traveling in the Yang causes Yang Qi to become excessive. Excessive Yang Qi leads to injury of the Yang Qiao vessel. Inability to enter the Yin results in Yin deficiency, hence the eyes remain open (insomnia). Treatment should tonify the deficiency (by selecting Zhaohai, KI6) and drain the excess (by selecting Shenmai, BL62). By regulating deficiency and excess to unblock the pathways and expel pathogenic factors, one should administer one dose of Banxia Tang (Pinellia Decoction). Once Yin and Yang are unblocked, sleep will follow immediately. [Preparation: Take five sheng of running water, toss it ten thousand times, boil it. Add one sheng of Shumi (Foxtail Millet/Sorghum) and five he of prepared Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome). Simmer slowly until reduced to one and a half sheng. Strain. Drink one small cup, three times a day, gradually increasing the dose until efficacy is observed. ○ Shumi refers to glutinous millet, sweet, sticky, slightly cool, capable of nourying Ying and tonifying Yin. Banxia is acrid and warm, capable of harmonizing the Stomach, dispersing pathogens, and relieving abdominal distension and insomnia. Hence, they are used together. Ancient measurement: one sheng equals approximately three he and two shao in modern terms.] Therefore, for newly onset diseases, sleep comes as soon as the cup is overturned, and sweating cures the condition. For chronic cases, three doses are sufficient for recovery.