七十六难曰∶何谓补泻？当补之时，何所取气？当泻之时，何所置气？
然∶当补之时，从卫
取气，当泻之时，从荣置气。其阳气不足，阴气有余，当先补其阳，而后泻其阴；阴气不足，阳
气有余，当先补其阴，而后泻其阳。荣卫通行，此其要也。
卫为阳而主气，乃阳明水谷之悍气，合经脉中出诸气街之气血，散入孙络，缠布周身，以充
肤热肉，澹渗毫毛者也。营为阴而主血，乃奉心化出之血气，由心至胞室，循行十二经脉，日
夜五十周，以应呼吸漏下者也。《灵枢·卫气篇》曰∶浮气之不循经者，为卫气，其精气之行于
经者为营气是也。此言用针取何气为补，而其所泻之气，则置之何地也。答辞谓补则从卫取气，
盖取浮气之不循经者以补虚处，泻则从营置气，置犹弃置之置，盖从营置其气而不用也。然人
之病情不一，补泻之法，尤当审其阴阳虚实也。若卫虚而营实者，以阳气不足，阴气有余，则
先补阳而后泻阴以和之。若营虚而卫实者，以阴气不足，阳气有余，则先补阴而后泻阳以和之。
如此补泻之法，先后有序，则阴阳得其平，营卫之气，自然通畅流行矣。终始篇曰∶阴盛而阳
虚，先补其阳，后泻其阴而和之；阴虚而阳盛，先补其阴，后泻其阳而和之。所谓盛则泻之，
虚则补之，此其义也。
Chapter 76 asks: What are tonification and sedation? When tonification is indicated, from where is qi obtained? When sedation is indicated, where is qi placed?
The answer states: When tonification is indicated, qi is obtained from Wei Qi (Defensive Qi); when sedation is indicated, qi is placed from Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). If Yang Qi is deficient and Yin Qi is excessive, one should first tonify Yang and then sedate Yin; if Yin Qi is deficient and Yang Qi is excessive, one should first tonify Yin and then sedate Yang. Ensuring the free flow of Ying and Wei Qi is the essential principle.
Wei Qi belongs to Yang and governs Qi. It is the fierce Qi derived from water and grain processed by the Stomach (Yangming), combining with Qi and Blood exiting from the Qi Passages within the meridians, dispersing into the Sun Luo (Minute Collaterals), spreading throughout the body to fill the skin, warm the muscles, and moisten the hair. Ying Qi belongs to Yin and governs Blood. It is the Qi and Blood transformed by the Heart, traveling from the Heart to the Uterus, circulating through the Twelve Primary Meridians, completing fifty cycles day and night, corresponding to the rhythm of respiration and water clocks. The *Ling Shu · Wei Qi Chapter* states: "Qi that floats and does not follow the meridians is called Wei Qi; its essence moving within the meridians is called Ying Qi." This explains which Qi is taken for tonification via acupuncture and where the sedated Qi is placed. The response implies that tonification involves obtaining Qi from Wei Qi, specifically utilizing the floating Qi that does not follow the meridians to tonify deficiency. Sedation involves placing Qi from Ying Qi; "placing" here means discarding or rendering ineffective, implying withdrawing Qi from Ying Qi so it is no longer utilized. However, patient conditions vary, and the methods of tonification and sedation must carefully assess the excess or deficiency of Yin and Yang. In cases where Wei Qi is deficient and Ying Qi is excessive—meaning Yang is insufficient and Yin is excessive—one first tonifies Yang and then sedates Yin to harmonize. In cases where Ying Qi is deficient and Wei Qi is excessive—meaning Yin is insufficient and Yang is excessive—one first tonifies Yin and then sedates Yang to harmonize. By following this orderly sequence of tonification and sedation, Yin and Yang achieve balance, and Ying and Wei Qi naturally flow smoothly. The *Ling Shu · Zhong Shi Chapter* states: "When Yin is excessive and Yang is deficient, first tonify Yang, then sedate Yin to harmonize; when Yin is deficient and Yang is excessive, first tonify Yin, then sedate Yang to harmonize." This illustrates the principle that "excess is sedated, deficiency is tonified."