客胜主胜，胜气虽有不同，而人身经脉之病，皆应司天之气。下文在泉，亦有主客胜气之不同，而下体
经脉之病，皆应在泉之气也。厥阴司天，初之客气，阳明燥金；二之客气，太阳寒水；三之客气，厥阴风木。
客胜者，凡此三气，皆可胜也。耳鸣掉眩，风动之病也，甚则肝气上逆而咳。主胜者，初之气，厥阴风木，
二之气少阴君火，三之气太阴湿土，凡此三气，皆可胜也。三气主时，每岁皆然，下俱仿此。胸胁痛，
肝木之病也。舌难以言，嗌干而舌难言也。
少阴司天，客胜。则鼽嚏，颈项强，肩背瞀热，头痛，少气，发
热，耳聋目瞑，甚则 肿，血溢疮疡，咳喘。主胜，则心热烦躁，甚则胁痛支满。
少阴司天，初之客气，太阳寒水；二之客气，厥阴风木；三之客气，少阴火热。凡此客气，皆可胜
也。少阴肾气虚于上，则鼽嚏，颈项强，肩背瞀热，头痛。少阴心气虚于内，则少气，发热，耳
聋、目瞑，甚则 肿。少阴热气，伤其血分，不充肤腠，则血溢、疮疡，咳喘。若主时之气胜，则少阴心肾
不交，故心热烦躁，甚则病及心包，而胁痛支满。
太阴司天，客胜，则首面 肿，呼吸气喘。主胜，则胸腹满，食已而瞀。
太阴司天，初之客气，厥阴风木；二之客气，少阴君火；三之客气，太阴湿土。凡此客气，皆可胜也。
首面 肿，湿淫病也。呼吸气喘，太阴病也。若主时之气胜，则脾胃之气不和，而胸腹满。
瞀，目垂貌，食已而瞀，转输不捷也。
少阳司天，客胜，则丹胗外发，及为丹 疮疡，呃逆喉痹，头
痛嗌肿耳聋，血溢，内为螈 。主胜，则胸满咳仰息，甚而有血，手热。
胗，疹同。 音飘。少阳司天，初之客气，少阴君火；二之客气，太阴湿土；三之客气，少阳相火。
凡此客气，皆可胜也。丹疹外发，及为丹 疮疡，火气外淫也。呕逆喉痹，头痛嗌肿耳聋，火
气内逆也。热伤血分，则血溢，血不荣筋，则内为螈 。若主时之气胜，则少阳三焦之气不和，故胸满，咳，
仰息。始则火热伤气，既则伤其血分。故甚而有血，不但病足之经脉，兼病手之经脉，故手热，盖手之
三阳，从手走头也。
阳明司天，清复内余，则咳衄嗌塞，心膈中热，咳不止，而白血出者，死。
阳明者，清气也。清复内余，言阳明司天，受客气主气之胜，则阳明清气，郁而不舒，故司天于上，而
复有余于内也。清复内郁，则金气不伸，故咳衄嗌塞，心膈中热。白血，肺脏之血也。若咳不止，而白血出，
则肺气并伤，故死。不言客胜主胜，但言清复内余，以明六气虽有客主之胜，而皆病司天之气，乃举一以例
其余。下文太阳在泉亦然。
太阳司天，客胜，则胸中不利，出清涕，感寒则咳。主胜，则喉嗌中鸣。
太阳司天，初之客气，少阴相火，二之客气，阳明燥金；三之客气，太阳寒水。凡此客气，皆可胜也。
胸中不利，寒气内隔也。出清气，皮毛不利也。感寒则咳，寒气外感于皮毛，则肺受之而病咳也。若主时
之气胜，则太阳寒水上逆，故喉嗌中鸣。鸣，水声也。
厥阴在泉，客胜，则大关节不利，内为痉强拘螈，外为不便。主胜，则筋骨繇并，腰腹时痛。
繇，摇同。四气尽终气，地气主之。厥阴在泉，四之客气，阳明燥金；五之客气，太阳寒水；终之客
气，厥阴风木。凡此客气，皆可胜也。大关节不利，大筋拘急也。痉强拘螈，筋不和于内也；不便，乃举止
不快，筋不和于外也。主胜者，四之气，少阳相火；五之气，阳明燥金；终之气，太阳定水。凡此三气，皆
可胜也。三气之胜，下文皆同。筋骨摇并，犹之内为痉强拘螈也；腰腹时痛，犹之外为不便也。
少阴在泉，客胜，则腰痛，尻股膝髀 足病，瞀热以酸， 肿不能久立，溲便变。主胜，
则厥气上行，心痛发热，膈中，众痹皆作，发于 胁，魄汗不藏，四逆而起。
便，如字，下便具同。酸， 同。藏，如字。少阴在泉，四之客气，太阳寒水；五之客气，厥阴风木；
终之客气，少阴君火。凡此客气，皆可胜也。腰者，肾之外候，腰痛，肾虚也。少阴之脉，从足而上，腰痛，
则尻股膝髀 足皆病矣。垂目曰瞀，瞀热以酸，言火气上淫，目热以酸，则垂目也。心膂曰 ，心气虚寒，
故肿，不能久立，骨虚也。溲便变，肾虚也。若主时之气胜，则少阴厥气上行。厥气上行，内外不合，则
心痛发热。心痛发热，阴阳不和，则膈中众痹皆作。夫厥气上行，则不能枢转，故病发于 胁。
心痛发热，则阳气外浮，故皮毛之魄汗不藏，膈中众痹皆作，则气机尽郁，故四逆而起。
太阳在泉，客胜，则足痿下重。便溲不时，湿客下焦，发而濡
泻，及为肿隐曲之疾。主胜，则寒气逆满，食饮不下，甚则为疝。
泻，泄通。下便泻之泻仿此。太阴在泉，四之客气，厥阴风木，五之客气，少阴君火；终之客气，太
阳湿土。凡此客气，皆可胜也。足痿下重，足太阴之脉，不能循经而上也。便溲不时，小便
频数而短少也。若太阳湿气，客于下焦，则发为大便之濡泻，濡泻，溏泄也。及为肿隐曲之疾，言隐曲之处，
发为肿疾，亦湿客下焦之所致也。主胜，则寒湿之气，内逆中满，脾不转输，而食饮不下，甚则土受木刑而为疝。
少阳在泉，客胜，则腰痛，而反恶寒，甚则下白溺白。主胜，
则热反上行，而客于心，心痛发热，格中而呕，少阴同候。
少阳在泉，四之客气，少阴君火；五之客气，太阳湿土；终之客气，少阳相火。凡此客气，皆可胜也。
少阳，初阳之气，不能自下而上，则腰腹痛；不能自内而外，则反恶寒；甚则下焦虚寒，而
下白溺白。下白，大便白也，溺白，小便白也。主胜，则君相二火交炽，故热反上行，而少阳火气，上客于
心，故心痛发热，心痛发热，则火气格中而呕。相火君火而上行，则君火亦可合相火而下盛，故少阴同候。
阳明在泉，客胜，则清气动下，少腹坚满，而数便泻。主胜，
则腰重腹痛，少腹生寒，下为 溏，则寒厥于肠，上冲胸中，甚则喘不能久立。
数，音朔。 ，音务。阳明在泉，四之客气，太阴湿土；五之客气，少阳相火；终之客气，阳明燥金。
凡此客气，皆可胜也。客胜，则阳明清肃之气动于下，清气下动，则少腹坚满，始虽坚满，继而数便泻，
便泻，大便溏泄也。主胜，则腰重腹痛，少腹生寒，亦清气之下动也，始则少腹生寒，而下为 溏，则寒厥
于肠，而上冲胸中，上冲胸中，甚则为喘，不能久立。
太阳在泉，寒复内余，则腰尻痛，屈伸不利，股胫足膝中痛。
太阳者，寒气也。寒腹内余，言太阳在泉，受客气主气之胜，则太阳寒气，屈而不舒，故寒气在泉于下，
而复有余于内也。寒腹内余，则太阳经脉不舒，故腰尻痛，屈伸不利，而股胫足膝中痛。不
言客胜主胜，但言寒复内余，乃举一以例其余，以明六气虽有客主胜，而皆病在泉之经脉也。
帝曰∶善。治之奈何？
客胜主胜，经气受病，治之奈何？
岐伯曰∶高者抑之，下者举之，有余折之，不足补之，佐以所
利，和以所宜，必安其主客，适其寒温，同者逆之，异者从之。
高者抑之，下者举之，得其中矣。有余折之，不足补之，得其平矣。佐以所利，和以所宜，顺其性也。
然必安其主客，适其寒温，调其味也。同者，主气清寒，加以清寒之客气；主气温热，加
以温热之客气。此为过盛，故当逆之，逆之者，抑之折之也。异者，主气清寒，加以温热之客气，主气温热，
加以清寒之客气。此非过盛，故当从之，从之者，举之补之也。
帝曰∶治寒以热，治热以寒，气相得者逆之，不相得者从之，余已知之矣。其于正味何如？
承上文，寒热逆从之治，而问主客之正味也。治寒以热，治热以寒，气同而相得者逆之，气异而不相得
者从之。上文言之，故已知之，然非气运本位之正味，故问其正味何如？
岐伯曰∶木位之主，其泻以酸，其补以辛。
六气主时之位，不外木火土金水之五行。主位者，气之常，故先泻后补。加临者，气之客，故先补后
泻。初之气，厥阴风木，木位之主，木气胜也。木胜曰发生，酸则反其性而收之，故其泻以
酸。辛则助其上达，故其补以辛。
火位之主，其泻以甘，其补以咸。
二之气，少阴君火，火位之主，火气胜也。火胜曰赫曦，甘则反其性而缓之，故其泻以甘。咸能 坚，
助其畅达，故其补以咸。少阴少阳，皆火位之主，少阴如是，则少阳亦如是也。
土位之主，其泻以苦，其补以甘。
三之气，太阴湿土，土位之主，土气胜也。土胜曰敦阜，苦则反其性而泄之，故其泻以苦。甘则助其
和缓，故其补以甘。
金位之主，其泻以辛，其补以酸。
五之气，阳明燥金，金位之主，金气胜也。金胜曰坚成，辛则
反其性而散之，故其泻以辛。酸则助其凝敛，故其补以酸。
水位之主，其泻以咸，其补以苦。
终之气，太阳寒水，水位之主，水气胜也。水胜曰流衍，咸则
反其性而凝之，故其泻以咸。苦则气寒，助其寒水，故其补以苦。
厥阴之客，以辛补之，以酸泻之，以甘缓之。
此六气客胜，其补泻之味，一如上文之主胜也。上文木位之主，其补以辛，其泻以酸，此厥
阴之客，补泻相同。以甘缓之者，《藏气法时论》云∶“肝苦急，急食甘以缓之”。
少阳之客，以咸补之，以甘泻之，以咸收之。
上文火位之主，其补以咸，其泻以甘，此少阴之客，补泻相同。以咸收之者，《藏气法时论》云∶“
心欲 ，急食咸以 之”。 之即所收之。故此言收，下文少阳则言 也。
太阳之客，以甘补之，以苦泻之，以甘缓之。
上文土位之主，其补以甘，其泻以苦，此太阴之客，补泻相同。以甘缓之者，《藏气法时论》云∶“脾
欲缓，急食甘的缓之”。
少阳之客，以咸补之，以甘泻之，以咸 之。
少阳少阴皆属于火，同一义也。
阳明之客，以酸补之，以辛泻之，以苦泄之。
上文金位之主，其补以酸，其泻以辛，此阳明之客，补泻相同。以苦泄之者，《藏气法时论》云∶“肺苦
气上逆，急食苦以泄之”。
太阳之客，以苦补之，以咸泻之，以苦坚之，以辛润之，开发腠理，致津液通气也。
上文水位之主，其补以苦，其泻以咸，此太阳之客，补泄相同。《藏气法时论》云∶“肾欲坚，急食苦
以坚之。肾苦燥，急食辛以润之，开腠理，致津液，通气也”。此以苦坚之云云，其义一也。
凡此，皆主气客气之正味也。
帝曰∶善。愿闻阴阳之三也，何谓？
上文岐伯云∶“身半以上，其气三矣。身半以下，其气三矣”。帝举以问，谓阴阳止有少太，何以有三？
岐伯曰∶气有多少异用也。
阴阳之气，由少而太。太，多也；少，少也。阴阳之气，有多少之异用也。
帝曰∶阳明何谓也？
太多少少，则阳明何谓？
岐伯曰∶两阳合明也。
有少阳之阳，有太阳之阳，两阳相合而明，则中有阳明也。
帝曰∶厥阴何也？
太少之中有阳明，何以厥阴不居二阴之中，故问厥阴何也？
岐伯曰∶两阴交尽也。
从少而太，则中有阳明，由太而少，则终有厥阴，有太阴之阴，有少阴之阴，两阴交尽，而有厥阴也。
帝曰∶气有多少，病有盛衰，治有缓急，方有大小，愿闻其约，奈何？
两阳合明，阳之多也，两阴交尽，阴之少也。阴阳之三，仍属气之多少，故举气有多少，而探病之盛
衰，以及治之缓急，方之大小，期于约言不繁，故愿闻其约。
岐伯曰∶气有高下，病有远近，证有中外，治有轻重，适其至所为故也。
气有多少者，气有高下也。谓阳气多而居高，阴气少而居下。病有盛衰者，病有远近，证有中外也。谓
病久远而在中则盛，病新近而在外则衰。治有缓急者，治有轻重也，谓缓病之治宜轻，急病
之治宜重，更当适其病至之所，为复其故也。
大要曰∶君一臣二，奇之制也；君二臣四，偶之制也；君二臣三，奇之制也；君二
臣六，偶之制也。故曰∶近者奇之，远者偶之，汗者不以奇，下者不以偶。补上治上制以缓，
补下治下制以急，急则气味浓，缓则气味薄，适其至所，此之谓也。
奇，音箕，下同。方有大小者，大要∶君一臣二，合而为三，乃阳奇之制也。君二臣四，合而为六，
乃阴偶之制也。奇数之大，则君二臣三，亦奇之制也。偶数之大，则君二臣六，亦偶之制也。品数少而分
两多，故曰君。品数多而分两少，故曰臣。方之奇偶，因病之远近以为用，故曰近者奇之，远者偶之。谓近
病为阳，宜用奇方以治之；远病为阴，宜用偶方以治之。发汗为阳，攻下为阴。汗则从阴出阳，地气升而为
云为雨，故汗者以偶不以奇；下则从阳入阴，天气降而能泻能输，故下者以奇不以偶。治之缓急，因病之上
下以为用，病在上而补上治上，则制方以缓；病在下而补下治下，则制方以急。制以急，则气味宜浓，气
Guest (transient) and Host (constant) Qi excess, although the nature of the excess Qi differs, the diseases of the human meridians all correspond to the Qi of the ruling Heaven (Si Tian). The following text regarding the ruling Earth (Zai Quan) also has differences in Host and Guest excess Qi, and the diseases of the lower body meridians all correspond to the Qi of the ruling Earth. When Jue Yin (Liver/Wind) rules Heaven:
1. The first Guest Qi is Yang Ming (Lung/Dryness Metal);
2. The second Guest Qi is Tai Yang (Bladder/Cold Water);
3. The third Guest Qi is Jue Yin (Liver/Wind Wood).
"Guest excess" means that any of these three Guest Qis can overcome the Host Qi. Tinnitus, tremors, and dizziness are diseases of wind movement; in severe cases, Liver Qi rebels upward causing cough. "Host excess" refers to:
1. The first period: Jue Yin Wind Wood;
2. The second period: Shao Yin Sovereign Fire;
3. The third period: Tai Yin Damp Earth.
Any of these three Host Qis can overcome the Guest Qi. These three periods of Host Qi occur every year in this manner, as follows for the rest. Chest and hypochondriac pain are diseases of Liver Wood. Stiff tongue with difficulty speaking, dry throat, and inability to speak clearly result from the condition.
When Shao Yin (Heart/Fire) rules Heaven:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Nasal congestion and sneezing, neck and nape stiffness, shoulder and back feeling hot and confused, headache, shortness of breath, fever, deafness, and dim vision. In severe cases, edema, hemorrhage, sores and ulcers, cough, and wheezing occur.
If Host Qi is excessive: Heart heat, irritability, and restlessness; in severe cases, hypochondriac pain and distending fullness.
When Shao Yin rules Heaven:
1. First Guest Qi: Tai Yang Cold Water;
2. Second Guest Qi: Jue Yin Wind Wood;
3. Third Guest Qi: Shao Yin Hot Fire.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. If Shao Yin Kidney Qi is deficient above, nasal congestion, sneezing, neck stiffness, shoulder/back heat, and headache occur. If Shao Yin Heart Qi is deficient internally, shortness of breath, fever, deafness, and dim vision occur; in severe cases, edema results. Shao Yin Heat Qi damaging the Blood level fails to nourish the skin and pores, leading to hemorrhage, sores, ulcers, cough, and wheezing. If the seasonal Host Qi is excessive, Shao Yin Heart and Kidney fail to interact, causing heart heat and irritability; in severe cases, the disease affects the Pericardium, resulting in hypochondriac pain and distending fullness.
When Tai Yin (Spleen/Damp Earth) rules Heaven:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Swelling of the head and face, rapid breathing, and wheezing.
If Host Qi is excessive: Chest and abdominal fullness, and dizziness after eating.
When Tai Yin rules Heaven:
1. First Guest Qi: Jue Yin Wind Wood;
2. Second Guest Qi: Shao Yin Sovereign Fire;
3. Third Guest Qi: Tai Yin Damp Earth.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. Head and facial swelling are diseases of dampness overflowing. Rapid breathing and wheezing are Tai Yin diseases. If the seasonal Host Qi is excessive, Spleen and Stomach Qi become disharmonious, causing chest and abdominal fullness. "Mao" (dizziness/blurry vision) describes drooping eyes; dizziness after eating indicates inefficient transport and transformation.
When Shao Yang (Gallbladder/Triple Burner/Ministerial Fire) rules Heaven:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Eruption of carbuncles and rashes externally, carbuncle sores, hiccups, sore throat obstruction, headache, swollen throat, deafness, hemorrhage, and internally, convulsions and twitching.
If Host Qi is excessive: Chest fullness, cough, orthopnea (difficulty breathing while lying flat), hemoptysis in severe cases, and heat in the hands.
"Zhen" is synonymous with rash. "Piao" refers to a specific sound or symptom contextually related to fire/pathogens. When Shao Yang rules Heaven:
1. First Guest Qi: Shao Yin Sovereign Fire;
2. Second Guest Qi: Tai Yin Damp Earth;
3. Third Guest Qi: Shao Yang Ministerial Fire.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. Carbuncles and rashes erupting externally are due to Fire Qi overflowing outward. Hiccups, sore throat obstruction, headache, swollen throat, and deafness are due to Fire Qi rebelling inward. Heat damaging the Blood level causes hemorrhage; blood failing to nourish tendons causes internal convulsions. If the seasonal Host Qi is excessive, Shao Yang Triple Burner Qi becomes disharmonious, causing chest fullness, cough, and orthopnea. Initially, Fire-Heat damages Qi, subsequently damaging the Blood level. Thus, severe cases involve bleeding. The disease affects not only the Foot meridians but also the Hand meridians, hence heat in the hands, as the Hand Three Yang meridians travel from hand to head.
When Yang Ming (Lung/Dryness Metal) rules Heaven:
If clear/cold Qi lingers internally ("Qing Fu Nei Yu"), cough, epistaxis, throat obstruction, heat in the heart and diaphragm occur. If cough persists and white blood (frothy sputum/blood) is expectorated, death ensues.
Yang Ming represents Clear Qi. "Qing Fu Nei Yu" means that when Yang Ming rules Heaven, it is overcome by Guest and Host Qi, causing Yang Ming Clear Qi to stagnate and fail to disperse. Thus, the ruling Heaven Qi is excessive above, and Clear Qi lingers excessively inside. Stagnant Clear Qi prevents Metal Qi from extending, causing cough, epistaxis, throat obstruction, and heat in the heart/diaphragm. "White blood" refers to lung-related blood/sputum. Persistent cough with white blood indicates severe Lung Qi damage, hence fatal. This section mentions only "Qing Fu Nei Yu" rather than specifying Guest or Host excess to illustrate that although Six Qi have Guest/Host dynamics, they all cause disease in the ruling Heaven Qi, using one example to exemplify the rest. The same applies to Tai Yang ruling Earth below.
When Tai Yang (Bladder/Cold Water) rules Heaven:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Discomfort in the chest, discharge of clear mucus, and cough upon catching cold.
If Host Qi is excessive: Barking sounds in the throat and pharynx.
When Tai Yang rules Heaven:
1. First Guest Qi: Shao Yang Ministerial Fire;
2. Second Guest Qi: Yang Ming Dryness Metal;
3. Third Guest Qi: Tai Yang Cold Water.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. Chest discomfort is due to internal Cold Qi blockage. Discharge of clear mucus is due to exterior skin/pore dysfunction. Cough upon catching cold occurs because external Cold invades the skin/lungs. If the seasonal Host Qi is excessive, Tai Yang Cold Water rebels upward, causing barking sounds in the throat. "Ming" refers to the sound of water.
When Jue Yin (Liver/Wind) rules Earth:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Inconvenience in large joints, internal spasms, rigidity, contractures, and convulsions, external difficulty in movement.
If Host Qi is excessive: Trembling and contraction of sinews and bones, periodic pain in the waist and abdomen.
"Yao" is synonymous with shake. The fourth, fifth, and final periods are governed by Earth Qi. When Jue Yin rules Earth:
4. Fourth Guest Qi: Yang Ming Dryness Metal;
5. Fifth Guest Qi: Tai Yang Cold Water;
6. Final Guest Qi: Jue Yin Wind Wood.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. Joint inconvenience is due to large tendon tension. Spasms and rigidity indicate tendons not harmonizing internally; movement difficulty indicates tendons not harmonizing externally. For Host excess:
4. Fourth Qi: Shao Yang Ministerial Fire;
5. Fifth Qi: Yang Ming Dryness Metal;
6. Final Qi: Tai Yang Cold Water.
Excesses of these three Qis are described similarly below. Sinew trembling resembles internal spasms; waist/abdominal pain resembles external movement difficulty.
When Shao Yin (Heart/Fire) rules Earth:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Lower back pain, diseases of the buttocks, thighs, knees, calves, and feet, dizziness with heat and sourness, edema preventing prolonged standing, and changes in urination/stool.
If Host Qi is excessive: Rebellious Qi moving upward, heart pain and fever, diaphragmatic discomfort, onset of various Bi syndromes, occurring in the hypochondrium, unguarded sweating (Po sweat), and rising cold limbs.
"Bian" is read as written. "Suan" (sour) relates to specific symptoms. "Cang" is read as written. When Shao Yin rules Earth:
4. Fourth Guest Qi: Tai Yang Cold Water;
5. Fifth Guest Qi: Jue Yin Wind Wood;
6. Final Guest Qi: Shao Yin Sovereign Fire.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. The waist is the exterior manifestation of the Kidney; lower back pain indicates Kidney deficiency. The Shao Yin meridian ascends from the foot; thus, lower back pain affects the buttocks, thighs, knees, calves, and feet. Drooping eyes is "Mao"; dizziness with heat and sourness indicates Fire Qi overflowing upward, causing eye heat/sourness and drooping. "Xin Lv" (heart/spine) swelling with cold Qi deficiency leads to edema and inability to stand long, indicating bone deficiency. Changes in urination/stool indicate Kidney deficiency. If seasonal Host Qi is excessive, Shao Yin rebellious Qi moves upward. Upward rebellious Qi causes internal/external disharmony, leading to heart pain and fever. Heart pain and fever indicate Yin-Yang disharmony, triggering various Bi syndromes in the diaphragm. Upward rebellious Qi fails to pivot, so disease manifests in the hypochondrium. Heart pain/fever indicates floating Yang Qi, causing unguarded sweating. Diaphragmatic Bi syndromes indicate complete Qi stagnation, leading to cold limbs.
When Tai Yang (Bladder/Cold Water) rules Earth:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Foot weakness and heaviness, irregular urination/defecation, dampness invading the lower Jiao causing loose diarrhea, edema, and diseases of hidden/private areas.
If Host Qi is excessive: Reverse flow of Cold Qi causing fullness, inability to eat/drink, and hernia in severe cases.
"Xie" is synonymous with drainage. When Tai Yin rules Earth:
4. Fourth Guest Qi: Jue Yin Wind Wood;
5. Fifth Guest Qi: Shao Yin Sovereign Fire;
6. Final Guest Qi: Tai Yang Damp Earth.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. Foot weakness/heaviness is due to Foot Taiyin Spleen meridian Qi failing to ascend. Irregular urination/defecation involves frequent, scanty urination. Dampness invading the lower Jiao causes loose diarrhea ("Ru Xie"). Edema in hidden areas is also caused by dampness in the lower Jiao. Host excess causes Cold-Damp Qi to rebel internally, causing middle Jiao fullness, Spleen failure to transform/transport, and inability to eat/drink. Severe cases involve Earth being penalized by Wood, causing hernia.
When Shao Yang (Gallbladder/Triple Burner) rules Earth:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Lower back pain, aversion to cold, and in severe cases, white stool and white urine.
If Host Qi is excessive: Heat reverses upward, affecting the Heart, causing heart pain and fever, rejection in the middle with vomiting, presenting similarly to Shao Yin patterns.
When Shao Yang rules Earth:
4. Fourth Guest Qi: Shao Yin Sovereign Fire;
5. Fifth Guest Qi: Tai Yang Damp Earth;
6. Final Guest Qi: Shao Yang Ministerial Fire.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. Shao Yang is initial Yang; if it cannot rise from below, waist/abdominal pain occurs; if it cannot move from interior to exterior, aversion to cold occurs. Severe lower Jiao deficiency-cold causes white stool and white urine. Host excess causes Sovereign and Ministerial Fires to blaze, sending heat upward to the Heart, causing heart pain/fever and vomiting due to rejection. Ministerial/Sovereign Fire ascending allows them to flourish downward together, mimicking Shao Yin symptoms.
When Yang Ming (Lung/Dryness Metal) rules Earth:
If Guest Qi is excessive: Clear Qi moves downward, causing lower abdominal hardness/fullness and frequent loose stools.
If Host Qi is excessive: Heavy waist and abdominal pain, cold in the lower abdomen, loose stools, Cold-Jue in the intestines rushing upward to the chest, severe wheezing, and inability to stand long.
"Shuo" is the pronunciation for frequent. "Wu" is the pronunciation for a specific term. When Yang Ming rules Earth:
4. Fourth Guest Qi: Tai Yin Damp Earth;
5. Fifth Guest Qi: Shao Yang Ministerial Fire;
6. Final Guest Qi: Yang Ming Dryness Metal.
All these Guest Qis can be pathogenic. Guest excess causes Yang Ming's clearing Qi to move downward, causing lower abdominal hardness/fullness and subsequent frequent loose stools. Host excess causes heavy waist/abdominal pain and lower abdominal cold, also due to Clear Qi moving downward. Initial lower abdominal cold leads to loose stools, Cold-Jue in intestines rushing upward to the chest, causing severe wheezing and inability to stand.
When Tai Yang (Bladder/Cold Water) rules Earth:
If Cold Qi lingers internally ("Han Fu Nei Yu"): Lower back/buttock pain, difficulty flexing/extending, pain in thighs, calves, feet, and knees.
Tai Yang represents Cold Qi. "Han Fu Nei Yu" means Tai Yang ruling Earth is overcome by Guest/Host Qi, causing Cold Qi to stagnate internally. Stagnant Cold Qi in the lower Jiao causes Tai Yang meridian stagnation, resulting in lower back pain, mobility issues, and limb pain. This uses "Cold lingering internally" to exemplify that Six Qi diseases affect the ruling Earth meridians regardless of Guest/Host dynamics.
The Yellow Emperor said: Excellent. How should they be treated?
Guest or Host excess causing meridian disease: How to treat?
Qi Bo said: Suppress what is high; elevate what is low; reduce what is excessive; tonify what is deficient. Assist with what is beneficial; harmonize with what is appropriate. Must stabilize Host and Guest Qi; adapt to Cold and Warmth. If Host and Guest Qi are similar, use contrary treatment (Ni); if different, follow treatment (Cong).
Suppressing high and elevating low achieves balance. Reducing excess and tonifying deficiency achieves equilibrium. Assisting with benefits and harmonizing with appropriateness follows their nature. "Similar" means Host is Cold/Clear and Guest is Cold/Clear, or Host is Warm/Hot and Guest is Warm/Hot; this is over-abundance, requiring contrary treatment (suppression/reduction). "Different" means Host is Cold/Clear and Guest is Warm/Hot, or Host is Warm/Hot and Guest is Cold/Clear; this is not over-abundance, requiring following treatment (elevation/tonification).
The Yellow Emperor said: Treating Cold with Heat, treating Heat with Cold; Qi in harmony uses contrary treatment, Qi in disharmony uses following treatment—I know this. What about the correct flavors (Zheng Wei)?
This asks about the correct flavors for Host/Guest Qi based on previous discussion of Cold/Heat/Ni/Cong treatments. Although known, these are not the fundamental flavors of the Qi positions, hence the question.
Qi Bo said: For the Master of Wood Position: Drain with Sour; Tonify with Pungent.
The six Qi positions correspond to the Five Phases. Host position is constant Qi (drain then tonify). Guest position is transient Qi (tonify then drain). First Qi is Jue Yin Wind Wood (Wood Master). Wood excess promotes growth; Sour counteracts by astringing (Drain). Pungent assists upward diffusion (Tonify).
For the Master of Fire Position: Drain with Sweet; Tonify with Salty.
Second Qi is Shao Yin Sovereign Fire (Fire Master). Fire excess is blazing; Sweet counteracts by relaxing (Drain). Salting hardens/nourishes and aids diffusion (Tonify). Shao Yin and Shao Yang both rule Fire; thus, Shao Yang follows the same principle.
For the Master of Earth Position: Drain with Bitter; Tonify with Sweet.
Third Qi is Tai Yin Damp Earth (Earth Master). Earth excess is mound-like; Bitter counteracts by draining (Drain). Sweet aids harmony/slowness (Tonify).
For the Master of Metal Position: Drain with Pungent; Tonify with Sour.
Fifth Qi is Yang Ming Dryness Metal (Metal Master). Metal excess is firm/completing; Pungent counteracts by dispersing (Drain). Sour aids condensing/astringing (Tonify).
For the Master of Water Position: Drain with Salty; Tonify with Bitter.
Final Qi is Tai Yang Cold Water (Water Master). Water excess is overflowing; Salty counteracts by coagulating/hardening (Drain). Bitter is cold, aiding Water Qi (Tonify).
For Jue Yin as Guest: Tonify with Pungent; Drain with Sour; Soothe with Sweet.
Guest compensation matches Host principles. Soothing with Sweet: *Zang Qi Fa Shi Lun* states, "The Liver suffers from urgency; urgently eat Sweet to soothe it."
For Shao Yang as Guest: Tonify with Salty; Drain with Sweet; Astringe with Salty.
(Note: Text mentions Shao Yin here but context implies Fire guest principles). Astringing with Salty: *Zang Qi Fa Shi Lun* states, "The Heart desires softness; urgently eat Salty to soften/astringe it."
For Tai Yin as Guest: Tonify with Sweet; Drain with Bitter; Soothe with Sweet.
Soothing with Sweet: *Zang Qi Fa Shi Lun* states, "The Spleen desires slowness/relaxation; urgently eat Sweet to soothe it."
For Shao Yang as Guest: Tonify with Salty; Drain with Sweet; Soften with Salty.
Shao Yang and Shao Yin both belong to Fire; the meaning is identical.
For Yang Ming as Guest: Tonify with Sour; Drain with Pungent; Drain with Bitter.
Draining with Bitter: *Zang Qi Fa Shi Lun* states, "The Lung suffers from Qi rebelling upward; urgently eat Bitter to drain it."
For Tai Yang as Guest: Tonify with Bitter; Drain with Salty; Harden with Bitter; Moisten with Pungent; Open interstices, generate fluids, and circulate Qi.
Harden/Moisten: *Zang Qi Fa Shi Lun* states, "The Kidney desires firmness; urgently eat Bitter to harden it. The Kidney suffers from dryness; urgently eat Pungent to moisten it, opening interstices, generating fluids, and circulating Qi."
These are the correct flavors for Host and Guest Qi.
The Yellow Emperor said: Excellent. I wish to hear about the "Three" of Yin and Yang. What does it mean?
Qi Bo previously stated: "Above half the body, there are three Qi; below half the body, there are three Qi." The Emperor asks why there are three, given Yin/Yang are only Shao and Tai.
Qi Bo said: It is due to the varying amounts and functions of Qi.
Yin and Yang Qi progress from Shao (Less) to Tai (Great/More). Tai means more; Shao means less. They have different functions based on quantity.
The Yellow Emperor said: What is Yang Ming?
Between Shao and Tai, what is Yang Ming?
Qi Bo said: Two Yangs combining to illuminate.
With Shao Yang and Tai Yang, their combination creates Yang Ming in the middle.
The Yellow Emperor said: What is Jue Yin?
With Yang Ming between Shao and Tai, why is Jue Yin not between the two Yins?
Qi Bo said: Two Yins intersecting and ending.
From Shao to Tai, Yang Ming is in the middle. From Tai to Shao, Jue Yin is at the end. With Tai Yin and Shao Yin, their intersection and exhaustion create Jue Yin.
The Yellow Emperor said: Qi has amounts; Disease has excess/deficiency; Treatment has speed/urgency; Formulas have size. I wish to hear the summary.
Qi Bo said: Qi has high/low levels; Disease has distant/close locations; Syndromes have interior/exterior positions; Treatment has light/heavy intensity. Adapt to where the disease reaches.
Varying Qi amounts imply high/low positions (Yang high, Yin low). Disease excess/deficiency implies distance/location (Old/Interior = Excess; New/Exterior = Deficient). Treatment speed/urgency implies light/heavy dosage (Slow disease = Light; Urgent disease = Heavy). Ensure medicine reaches the disease site to restore normalcy.
The Great Summary states:
Monarch One, Ministers Two: Odd formula system.
Monarch Two, Ministers Four: Even formula system.
Monarch Two, Ministers Three: Odd formula system.
Monarch Two, Ministers Six: Even formula system.
Therefore: Close diseases use Odd formulas; Distant diseases use Even formulas. Sweating does not use Odd; Purging does not use Even. Tonifying upper/Treating upper uses Slow formulas; Tonifying lower/Treating lower uses Urgent formulas. Urgent formulas have strong flavor/odor; Slow formulas have weak flavor/odor. Reaching the disease site is called this.
"Odd" (Ji) pronunciation is same as below. Formula sizes: Monarch 1 + Ministers 2 = 3 (Yang Odd). Monarch 2 + Ministers 4 = 6 (Yin Even). Large Odd: Monarch 2 + Ministers 3 = 5 (Odd). Large Even: Monarch 2 + Ministers 6 = 8 (Even). Few types/much weight = Monarch. Many types/less weight = Minister. Odd/Even formulas depend on disease distance: Close (Yang) uses Odd; Distant (Yin) uses Even. Sweating (Yang) exits Yin to Yang (like earth rising), so use Even. Purging (Yin) enters Yin from Yang (like heaven descending), so use Odd. Upper treatment uses Slow formulas; Lower treatment uses Urgent formulas. Urgent formulas require strong flavor/odor...