夫百病之始生，必起于燥湿寒暑风雨、阴阳喜怒、饮食居处。气合而有形，得脏而有名，多以旦慧
昼安，夕加夜甚，如四时之气然。一日分为四时∶朝为春，日中为夏，日入为秋，夜半为冬。朝则人气始生，
病气衰，故旦慧；日中人气长，长则胜邪，故安，夕则人气始衰，邪气始生，故加；夜半人气入脏，邪气独
居于身，故甚也。其有反者，是不应四时之气，脏独主其病也。是必以脏气之所不胜时者甚，以其
所胜时者起也。（不应四时之气者，以脏气独主其病，有所胜所不胜也。所不胜者，如脾病畏木，肺病畏火，
肾病畏土，肝病畏金，心病畏水，值其时日，故病必甚也；所胜时者，如脾病喜火土，肺病喜土金，肾病喜金
水，肝病喜水木，心病喜木火，值其时日，故病当起也。）顺天之时，病可与期。合人形以法四时五行而治，
定五脏之气，然后知从逆、衰王、间甚之时，死生之期也。如肝主春，足厥阴、少阳主治。（厥阴肝，乙
木也；少阳胆，甲木也。二脏相为表里，故治同。）
其日甲乙。（甲为阳木，乙为阴木，皆东方之干，内应肝胆，即年、月、日、时，无不皆然。他仿此。）
肝苦急，急食甘以缓之。（肝为将军之官，其志怒，其气急，急则自伤，反为所苦，故宜食甘以缓之，则
急者可平，柔能制刚也。）病在肝，愈于夏；（夏属火，木所生也。肝木畏金，火能平之，子制其鬼，故愈。
余同。）夏不愈，甚于秋；（胜己者也。）秋不死，持于冬，（得母气以养之，生我者也，故可执持无害矣。
余持同。）起于春。（水王之时也。）禁当风。（风气通于肝，故禁之勿犯。）肝病者，愈在丙丁，（同前夏
气，能制胜己者也。）丙丁不愈，加于庚辛，（同前秋气，金伐木也。）庚辛不死，持于壬癸，（同前冬气，
得所生也。）起于甲乙。（同前春气，逢其王也。）肝病者，平旦慧，下晡甚，夜半静。（平旦寅卯，木王
时也，故爽慧，下晡申酉，金之胜也，故加甚；夜半亥子，木得生也，故安静。）肝欲散，急食辛以散之，
用辛补之，酸泻之。（木不宜郁，故欲以辛散之，顺其性者为补，逆其性者为泻，肝喜散而恶收，故辛为补，
酸为泻。）心主夏，手少阴、太阳主治。（少阴心，丁火也；太阳小肠，丙火也。二脏表里，故治同。）其日丙
丁。（丙为阳火，丁为阴火，南方之干也。）心苦缓，急食酸以收之。（心藏神，其志喜，喜则气缓而心虚神
散，故宜食酸以收之。）病在心，愈在长夏；（长夏土，火之子也。）长夏不愈，甚于冬；（火不胜水也。）
冬不死，持于春，（火得所生也。起于夏。火之王也。）禁温食热衣。（恐助火邪也。）心病者，愈在戊
己，（应长夏也。）戊己不愈，加于壬癸；（应冬气也。）壬癸不死，持于甲乙，（应春气也。）起于丙丁。
（应夏气也。）心病者，日中慧，夜半甚，平旦静。（日中己午，火王时也，故慧；夜半亥子，水之胜也，
故甚；平旦寅卯，火得生也，故静。）心欲 ，急食咸以 之，用咸补之，甘泻之。（心火太过，则为
躁越，故急宜食咸以 之，盖咸从水化，能相济也。心欲 ，故以咸 为补；心苦缓。故以甘缓为泻。）
脾主长夏，足太阴、阳明主治。（阳明
胃，太阴脾，戊己土也，表里治同。）其日戊己。（戊为阳土，己为阴土，中宫之干也。）脾苦湿，急食
苦以燥之。（脾以运化水谷，制水为事，湿胜则反伤脾土，故宜食苦温以燥之。）病在脾，愈在秋；（秋属
金，土之子也。）秋不愈，甚于春；（土不胜木也。）春不死，持于夏，（土得火生也。）起于长夏。（
土之王也。）禁温食饱食，湿地濡衣。（温言非热防滞也，湿地濡衣，阴寒也，皆能病脾，故当禁之。）脾
病者，愈在庚辛；（应愈在秋也。）庚辛不愈，加于甲乙；（应甚于春也。）甲乙不死，持于丙丁，（应持于
夏也。）起于戊己。（应起于长夏王时也。）脾病者，日 慧，日出甚，下晡静。（白HT 曰 ，未土王也，故
慧；日出寅卯，木胜土也，故甚；下晡申酉，其子乡也，故静。 ，音迭。）脾欲缓，急食甘以缓之，用
苦泻之，甘补之。（脾贵充和温浓，其性欲缓，故急食甘以缓之。脾喜甘而恶苦，故苦为泻而甘为补也。）肺主
秋，手太阴、阳明主治。（太阴肺，辛金也；阳明大肠，庚金也，表里治同，其日庚辛。（庚为阳金，辛为
阴金，西方之干也。）肺苦气上逆，急食苦以泄之。（肺主气，行治节之令。气病则上逆于肺，故宜急食苦
以泄之。）病在肺，愈在冬；（金之子乡也。）冬不愈，甚于夏；（金所不胜也。）夏不死，持于长夏，（金
气得生也。）起于秋。（金气王也。）禁寒饮食、寒衣。（形寒饮冷，则伤肺也。）肺病者，愈在壬癸；
（应愈在冬也。）壬癸不愈，加于丙丁；（应甚于夏也。）丙丁不死，持于戊己，（应持于长夏也。）起于
庚辛。（应起于秋也。）肺病者，下晡慧，日中甚，夜半静。（下晡金王，故慧；日中火胜之，故甚；夜
半水乡，则子能制邪，故静。）肺欲收，急食酸以收之，用酸补之，辛泻之。（肺应秋气，主收敛，
故宜食酸以收之。肺气宜聚不宜散，故酸收为补，辛散为泻。）肾主冬，足少阴、太阳主治。（少阴肾，癸水
也；太阳膀胱，壬水也，表里治同。）其日壬癸。（壬为阳水，癸为阴水，北方之干也。）
肾苦燥，急食辛以润之，开腠理，致津液，通气也。
（肾为水脏，藏津者也。阴病者苦燥，故宜食辛以润之，盖辛从金化，水之母也。其能开腠理，致津液者，以
辛能通气也。水中有真气，惟辛能达之，气至水亦至，故可以润肾之燥。）病在肾，愈在春；（水之子乡也。）春
不愈，甚于长夏；（水不胜土也。）长夏不死，持于秋，（水得生也。）起于冬。（水所王也。）禁犯 HT 、
热食、温炙衣。（ HT ，烧爆之物也。肾恶燥烈，故当禁此。 ，音翠。HT ，音哀。）肾病者，愈在甲
乙；（应愈在春也。）甲乙不愈，甚于戊己；（应甚于长夏也。）戊己不死，持于庚辛，（应持于秋也。）起
于壬癸。（应起于冬也。）肾病者，夜半慧，四季甚，下晡静。（夜半水王，故慧；四季土胜之，
故甚；下晡金王，水得所生，故静。）肾欲坚，急食苦以坚之，用苦补之，咸泻之。（肾主闭藏，气贵周密，
故肾欲坚，宜食苦以坚之也。苦能坚，故为补；咸能 坚，故为泻。）夫邪气之客于身也，以胜相加，
（此下总结上文“愈”、“甚”、“持”、“起”之由然也。凡内伤外感之加于人者，皆曰“邪气”。外感
六气，盛衰有时，内伤五情，间甚随脏，必因胜以侮不胜，故曰“以胜相加”也。）至其所生而愈，（
我所生也，以时而言。下同。）至其所不胜而甚，（我不胜彼，被克者也。）至于所生而持，（生我之
时也。）自得其位而起。（自王之时也。）故必先定五脏之脉，察其从逆衰王，乃可言间甚之时、死生之
期也。（欲知时气逆顺，必须先察脏气。欲察脏气，必须先定五脏所病之脉，如肝主弦，心主钩，肺主
毛，肾主石，脾主代。脉来独至，全无胃气，则其间甚、死生之期皆可得而知之，如上文所论者是矣。）
肝色青，宜食甘，粳米、牛肉、枣、葵皆甘；（此承上文“肝苦急，急食甘以缓之”等义，而详言其所宜之味
也。）心色赤，宜食酸，小豆、犬肉、李、韭皆酸；（心苦缓，故宜此酸物以收之也。）肺色白，宜食苦，
麦、羊肉、杏、薤皆苦；（肺苦气上逆，故宜此苦物以泄之也。薤，音械，根白如小蒜，似韭而无实。）
脾色黄，宜食咸，大豆、豕肉、粟、藿皆咸；（咸从水化，其气
入肾。脾宜食咸者，以肾为胃关，胃与脾合，咸能润下，利其关窍。胃关利则脾气运，故宜食之。上文云“脾
苦湿，急食苦以燥之”，此复言“咸”者。盖咸之利湿，与苦之泻者，各有宜也，故诸脏皆同前，惟此独异
耳，藿，豆叶羹也。）肾色黑，宜食辛，黄黍、鸡肉、桃、葱皆辛。（肾苦燥，故宜此辛物以润之也。黄黍，
即糯小米，北方谓之“黄米”。）辛散，酸收，甘缓，苦坚，咸软。（此总言五味之用，药石皆然也。）毒药
攻邪。（药以治病，因毒为能。所谓毒者，以气味之有偏也。盖气味之正者，谷食之属是也。所以养人之正
气；气味之偏者，药饵之属是也。所以去人之邪气。其为故也，正以人之为病，病在阴阳偏胜耳。欲救其偏，
则惟气味之偏者能之，正者不及也，所以大毒治病，十去其六；常毒治病，十去其七；小毒治病，十去其八；
无毒治病，十去其九。是凡可辟邪安正者均可称为毒药，故曰“毒药攻邪”也。）五谷为养，（养生气也。）
五果为助，（助其养也。）五畜为益，（益精血也。）五菜为充。（实脏腑也。）气味合而服之，
以补精益气。（形不足者温之以气，精不足者补之以味，故气味和合可以补阴益气。）此五者，有辛、酸、甘、
苦、咸，各有所利，或散或收，或缓或急，或坚或 ，四时五脏，病随五味所宜也。
（此总结上文五脏之气，四时之用各有所利，然变出不常，则四时、五脏因病而药，其气味当随宜配合也。）
疾病的发生，必定起始于燥、湿、寒、暑、风、雨等外感邪气，以及阴阳失调、喜怒等情志因素和饮食起居的不当。这些邪气与人体结合而显现出形态，侵犯脏腑而确定病名，病情多表现为早晨清醒、白天安宁、傍晚加重、夜间剧烈，就像四季气候变化一样。将一天分为四个时段：早晨对应春季，中午对应夏季，日落对应秋季，半夜对应冬季。早晨人气开始生发，病气衰退，所以早晨病情缓解；中午人气旺盛，旺盛则能战胜邪气，所以白天安宁；傍晚人气开始衰退，邪气开始滋生，所以病情加重；半夜人气内入脏腑，邪气独自占据身体，所以病情最重。如果有相反的情况，是因为没有顺应四时之气，而是由脏腑自身特性主导了病情。这必然是在脏气所不胜（克制）的时令病情加重，在其所胜（被生或相生）的时令病情好转。（所谓不顺应四时之气，是指脏气单独主导病情，存在相克关系。所不胜，如脾病怕木，肺病怕火，肾病怕土，肝病怕金，心病怕水，遇到这些时日，病情必然加重；所胜时，如脾病喜火土，肺病喜土金，肾病喜金水，肝病喜水木，心病喜木火，遇到这些时日，病情应当好转。）顺应天时，就可以预测疾病的预后。结合人的形体来效法四时五行进行治疗，确定五脏之气的状态，然后才能知道顺逆、盛衰、间歇加重的时间以及死生的期限。例如肝主春季，足厥阴肝经和足少阳胆经主治。（厥阴属肝，为乙木；少阳属胆，为甲木。两脏互为表里，所以治疗原则相同。）其对应的日子是甲日和乙日。（甲为阳木，乙为阴木，都是东方的天干，内应肝胆，年、月、日、时皆如此类推。）肝苦于拘急，应赶快吃甘味食物来缓和它。（肝被称为将军之官，其志为怒，其气急躁，急躁则会自我损伤，反而成为痛苦，所以适宜吃甘味食物来缓和它，这样急躁就可以平息，柔能制刚。）病在肝，夏季痊愈；（夏季属火，是木所生的季节。肝木畏惧金，火能平抑金，子能制约母之仇敌，所以痊愈。其余类推。）夏季不愈，则在秋季加重；（秋季金克木，是胜己者。）秋季不死，则在冬季维持稳定，（得到母气即水的滋养，生我者，所以可以维持无害。其余维持情况同理。）到春季起色。（冬季水旺之时。）禁止当风。（风气通于肝，所以禁止触犯。）肝病者，在丙丁日（夏季火旺日）痊愈，（同前夏季气，能制胜己的金气。）丙丁日不愈，则在庚辛日（秋季金旺日）加重，（同前秋季气，金伐木。）庚辛日不死，则在壬癸日（冬季水旺日）维持稳定，（同前冬季气，得水生。）到甲乙日（春季木旺日）起色。（同前春季气，逢其王气。）肝病者，早晨清醒，下午申酉时加重，半夜安静。（早晨寅卯时，木旺之时，所以神志清爽；下午申酉时，金克木，所以加重；半夜亥子时，水生木，所以安静。）肝欲疏散，应赶快吃辛味食物来疏散它，用辛味补益，酸味泻除。（木气不宜郁结，所以希望用辛味疏散，顺应其性者为补，违背其性者为泻，肝喜散而恶收敛，所以辛味为补，酸味为泻。）心主夏季，手少阴心经和手太阳小肠经主治。（少阴属心，为丁火；太阳属小肠，为丙火。两脏互为表里，所以治疗原则相同。）其对应的日子是丙日和丁日。（丙为阳火，丁为阴火，是南方的天干。）心苦于涣散，应赶快吃酸味食物来收敛它。（心藏神，其志为喜，喜则气缓而心虚神散，所以适宜吃酸味食物来收敛它。）病在心，长夏（季夏）痊愈；（长夏属土，是火所生的季节。）长夏不愈，则在冬季加重；（火不胜水。）冬季不死，则在春季维持稳定，（火得木生。）到夏季起色。（火旺之时。）禁止温热食物和衣物。（恐怕助长火邪。）心病者，在戊己日（长夏土旺日）痊愈，（应长夏气。）戊己日不愈，则在壬癸日（冬季水旺日）加重；（应冬气。）壬癸日不死，则在甲乙日（春季木旺日）维持稳定，（应春气。）到丙丁日（夏季火旺日）起色。（应夏气。）心病者，中午清醒，半夜加重，早晨安静。（中午巳午时，火旺之时，所以清醒；半夜亥子时，水克火，所以加重；早晨寅卯时，木生火，所以安静。）心欲软坚，应赶快吃咸味食物来软坚，用咸味补益，甘味泻除。（心火太过，就会躁动越出，所以紧急宜吃咸味来软坚，因为咸从水化，能相互济助。心欲软，所以以咸软为补；心苦缓，所以以甘缓为泻。）脾主长夏，足太阴脾经和足阳明胃经主治。（阳明属胃，太阴属脾，均为戊己土，互为表里，治疗原则相同。）其对应的日子是戊日和己日。（戊为阳土，己为阴土，是中宫的天干。）脾苦于湿困，应赶快吃苦味食物来燥湿。（脾负责运化水谷，以制约水湿为事，湿胜则反伤脾土，所以适宜吃苦温食物来燥湿。）病在脾，秋季痊愈；（秋季属金，是土所生的季节。）秋季不愈，则在春季加重；（土不胜木。）春季不死，则在夏季维持稳定，（土得火生。）到长夏起色。（土旺之时。）禁止温热食物、饱食、潮湿的地面和湿衣服。（温热指非热以防滞涩，潮湿地面和湿衣服属阴寒，都能导致脾病，所以应当禁止。）脾病者，在庚辛日（秋季金旺日）痊愈；（应愈于秋。）庚辛日不愈，则在甲乙日（春季木旺日）加重；（应甚于春。）甲乙日不死，则在丙丁日（夏季火旺日）维持稳定，（应持于夏。）到戊己日（长夏土旺日）起色。（应起于长夏王气。）脾病者，白天未时清醒，日出时加重，下午申酉时安静。（未时土旺，所以清醒；日出寅卯时，木克土，所以加重；下午申酉时，是其子方，所以安静。音迭。）脾欲缓和，应赶快吃甘味食物来缓和它，用苦味泻除，甘味补益。（脾贵在充和温浓，其性欲缓，所以紧急吃甘味来缓和。脾喜甘而恶苦，所以苦为泻而甘为补。）肺主秋季，手太阴肺经和手阳明大肠经主治。（太阴属肺，为辛金；阳明属大肠，为庚金，互为表里，治疗原则相同。）其对应的日子是庚日和辛日。（庚为阳金，辛为阴金，是西方的天干。）肺苦于气上逆，应赶快吃苦味食物来泄降。（肺主气，行使治节之令。气病则上逆于肺，所以宜紧急吃苦味来泄降。）病在肺，冬季痊愈；（金之子乡。）冬季不愈，则在夏季加重；（金所不胜。）夏季不死，则在长夏维持稳定，（金气得生。）到秋季起色。（金气王旺。）禁止寒冷饮食和寒冷衣物。（形寒饮冷，会伤害肺。）肺病者，在壬癸日（冬季水旺日）痊愈；（应愈于冬。）壬癸日不愈，则在丙丁日（夏季火旺日）加重；（应甚于夏。）丙丁日不死，则在戊己日（长夏土旺日）维持稳定，（应持于长夏。）到庚辛日（秋季金旺日）起色。（应起于秋。）肺病者，下午申酉时清醒，中午加重，半夜安静。（下午金旺，所以清醒；中午火克金，所以加重；半夜水乡，子能制邪，所以安静。）肺欲收敛，应赶快吃酸味食物来收敛，用酸味补益，辛味泻除。（肺应秋气，主收敛，所以宜吃酸味来收敛。肺气宜聚不宜散，所以酸收为补，辛散为泻。）肾主冬季，足少阴肾经和足太阳膀胱经主治。（少阴属肾，为癸水；太阳属膀胱，为壬水，互为表里，治疗原则相同。）其对应的日子是壬日和癸日。（壬为阳水，癸为阴水，是北方的天干。）肾苦于燥，应赶快吃辛味食物来润燥，开发腠理，输送津液，流通气机。（肾为水脏，藏津液。阴病者苦燥，所以适宜吃辛味来润燥，因为辛从金化，是水之母。能开腠理、致津液的，是因为辛能通气。水中有真气，只有辛能通达，气至水亦至，所以可以润肾之燥。）病在肾，春季痊愈；（水之子乡。）春季不愈，则在长夏加重；（水不胜土。）长夏不死，则在秋季维持稳定，（水得金生。）到冬季起色。（水旺之时。）禁止接触烧爆之物、热食、温灸衣物。（烧爆之物，肾厌恶燥烈，所以应当禁止。音翠，音哀。）肾病者，在甲乙日（春季木旺日）痊愈；（应愈于春。）甲乙日不愈，则在戊己日（长夏土旺日）加重；（应甚于长夏。）戊己日不死，则在庚辛日（秋季金旺日）维持稳定，（应持于秋。）到壬癸日（冬季水旺日）起色。（应起于冬。）肾病者，半夜清醒，四季末（辰戌丑未时）加重，下午申酉时安静。（半夜水旺，所以清醒；四季末土克水，所以加重；下午金旺，水生金，所以安静。）肾欲坚固，应赶快吃苦味食物来坚固，用苦味补益，咸味泻除。（肾主闭藏，气贵周密，所以肾欲坚，宜吃苦味来坚固。苦能坚，所以为补；咸能软坚，所以为泻。）邪气侵犯人体，是以相克的关系相加害，（以下总结上文“愈”、“甚”、“持”、“起”的原因。凡是内伤外感加于人的，都叫“邪气”。外感六气，盛衰有时，内伤五情，间甚随脏，必然因胜气去侮蔑不胜之气，所以说“以胜相加”。）到了我所生的时令就痊愈，（我所生者，从时令角度说。下同。）到了我所不胜的时令就加重，（我不胜彼，被克者。）到了生我的时令就维持稳定，（生我之时。）到了自得其位（王气）的时令就起色。（自王之时。）所以必须先确定五脏的脉象，观察其顺逆盛衰，才可以谈论间歇加重的时间和死生的期限。（想知道时气逆顺，必须先察脏气。想察脏气，必须先定五脏所病之脉，如肝主弦脉，心主钩脉，肺主毛脉，肾主石脉，脾主代脉。脉来独至，全无胃气，那么其间甚、死生之期都可以得知，如上文所论述的那样。）肝色青，适宜吃甘味，粳米、牛肉、枣、葵菜都属甘味；（这是承接上文“肝苦急，急食甘以缓之”等含义，详细阐述其所宜的味道。）心色赤，适宜吃酸味，小豆、犬肉、李子、韭菜都属酸味；（心苦缓，所以适宜这些酸物来收敛。）肺色白，适宜吃苦味，小麦、羊肉、杏、薤都属苦味；（肺苦气上逆，所以适宜这些苦物来泄降。薤，音械，根白如小蒜，似韭而无实。）脾色黄，适宜吃咸味，大豆、猪肉、小米、藿都属咸味；（咸从水化，其气入肾。脾宜食咸的，是因为肾为胃之关，胃与脾相合，咸能润下，利其关窍。胃关利则脾气运化，所以适宜食用。上文说“脾苦湿，急食苦以燥之”，这里又说“咸”，是因为咸利湿与苦泻湿，各有适宜之处，所以各脏皆同前例，唯独此处不同。藿，豆叶羹。）肾色黑，适宜吃辛味，黄黍、鸡肉、桃、葱都属辛味。（肾苦燥，所以适宜这些辛物来润燥。黄黍，即糯小米，北方称为“黄米”。）辛能发散，酸能收敛，甘能缓和，苦能坚固，咸能软坚。（这是总述五味的作用，药物皆如此。）毒药攻逐邪气。（药用来治病，凭借毒性发挥作用。所谓的毒，是指气味有偏颇。气味纯正的，是谷物之类，用来养护人的正气；气味偏颇的，是药物之类，用来去除人的邪气。之所以如此，是因为人的疾病，在于阴阳偏胜。想要纠正偏颇，只有气味偏颇的药物能做到，正味的达不到这个效果，所以大毒治病，去病十分之六；常毒治病，去病十分之七；小毒治病，去病十分之八；无毒治病，去病十分之九。凡是能辟邪安正的都可以称为毒药，所以说“毒药攻邪”。）五谷作为滋养，（滋养生气。）五果作为辅助，（辅助滋养。）五畜作为补益，（补益精血。）五菜作为充实。（充实脏腑。）气味配合服用，（形不足者用气来温养，精不足者用味来滋补，所以气味和合可以补阴益气。）这五种食物，具有辛、酸、甘、苦、咸，各有所利，有的发散，有的收敛，有的缓和，有的紧急，有的坚固，有的软坚，四时五脏的疾病随着五味的适宜而治疗。（这是总结上文五脏之气、四时的作用各有所利，然而变化无常，则四时、五脏因病而用药，其气味应当随宜配合。）
The onset of all diseases must arise from external pathogens such as dryness, dampness, cold, summer-heat, wind, and rain; internal factors such as yin-yang imbalance and excessive emotions (joy and anger); and improper diet and living habits. When these pathogenic factors combine with the body, they manifest physical forms; when invading the Zang-Fu organs, they acquire specific names. The disease course often follows a daily pattern: clearer in the morning, peaceful during the day, aggravated in the evening, and severe at night, mirroring the changes of the four seasons. A day is divided into four parts corresponding to the seasons: morning corresponds to Spring, noon to Summer, sunset to Autumn, and midnight to Winter. In the morning, the healthy Qi (Vital Energy) begins to generate, while pathogenic Qi declines, hence the clarity in the morning; at noon, healthy Qi grows strong, overcoming the pathogens, hence peace; in the evening, healthy Qi begins to decline, and pathogenic Qi starts to rise, hence aggravation; at midnight, healthy Qi enters the Zang organs, leaving pathogens to dominate the body, hence severity. If the pattern is reversed, it indicates that the disease is not following the seasonal Qi but is dominated by the specific nature of the affected organ. Specifically, the condition worsens during the season that overcomes the organ's Qi, and improves during the season that generates or is generated by the organ's Qi. (Not following seasonal Qi means the organ's Qi independently dictates the pathology, involving mutual overcoming relationships. "Overcome by" refers to elements that control the organ, e.g., Spleen fears Wood, Lung fears Fire, Kidney fears Earth, Liver fears Metal, Heart fears Water; thus, symptoms worsen on days associated with these controlling elements. "Overcoming" refers to supportive elements, e.g., Spleen likes Fire/Earth, Lung likes Earth/Metal, Kidney likes Metal/Water, Liver likes Water/Wood, Heart likes Wood/Fire; thus, symptoms improve on days associated with these supportive elements.) By conforming to Heaven's timing, one can predict the disease outcome. Treatment should align human physiology with the laws of the Four Seasons and Five Elements, stabilizing the Qi of the five Zang organs, thereby understanding the timing of remission, exacerbation, and survival. For instance, the Liver governs Spring, and the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian are primarily responsible. (Jueyin belongs to the Liver, representing Yi Wood; Shaoyang belongs to the Gallbladder, representing Jia Wood. As interior-exterior paired organs, their treatment principles are identical.) The corresponding days are Jia and Yi days. (Jia is Yang Wood, Yi is Yin Wood, both Eastern Heavenly Stems, internally corresponding to Liver and Gallbladder; this applies to years, months, days, and hours similarly.) The Liver suffers from tension/spasm; urgently consume Sweet flavors to relax it. (The Liver is the "General," its emotion is Anger, and its Qi is rapid/hasty. Haste leads to self-injury and suffering, so Sweet flavors are suitable to relax it, calming the tension through softness overcoming hardness.) Diseases in the Liver heal in Summer; (Summer belongs to Fire, which is generated by Wood. Liver-Wood fears Metal, but Fire controls Metal; the "child" controls the "mother's enemy," hence healing. Others follow suit.) If not healed in Summer, it worsens in Autumn; (Autumn Metal overcomes Wood, the "overcomer.") If not fatal in Autumn, it remains stable in Winter, (Nourished by the Mother element Water, which generates Wood, hence stability. Others follow suit.) and improves in Spring. (Winter is when Water is Wang/Prosperous.) Avoid exposure to wind. (Wind Qi connects with the Liver, so avoid it.) Liver diseases heal on Bing-Ding days (Summer Fire days), (Same as above, Fire controls the overcomer Metal.) if not healed on Bing-Ding days, they worsen on Geng-Xin days (Autumn Metal days), (Same as above, Metal chops Wood.) if not fatal on Geng-Xin days, they remain stable on Ren-Gui days (Winter Water days), (Same as above, receiving generation,) and improve on Jia-Yi days (Spring Wood days). (Same as above, encountering its Wang phase.) Liver diseases show clarity at dawn, severity at dusk (Shen-You hours), and quietness at midnight. (Dawn Yin-Mao hours are Wood Wang times, hence clarity; dusk Shen-You hours are Metal overcoming Wood, hence severity; midnight Hai-Zi hours are Water generating Wood, hence quietness.) The Liver desires dispersion; urgently consume Pungent flavors to disperse it. Use Pungent for tonification, Sour for purgation. (Wood dislikes stagnation, so it desires Pungent dispersion. Following its nature is tonification, opposing it is purgation. The Liver likes dispersion and dislikes contraction, so Pungent is tonifying, Sour is purging.) The Heart governs Summer, and the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian are primarily responsible. (Shaoyin belongs to the Heart, Ding Fire; Taiyang belongs to the Small Intestine, Bing Fire. Paired interior-exterior, treatment is same.) Corresponding days are Bing and Ding days. (Bing is Yang Fire, Ding is Yin Fire, Southern Heavenly Stems.) The Heart suffers from flaccidity/laxity; urgently consume Sour flavors to astringe it. (The Heart houses the Spirit, its emotion is Joy. Joy causes Qi to relax, leading to Heart deficiency and spirit scattering, so Sour flavors are suitable to astringe.) Diseases in the Heart heal in Late Summer; (Late Summer belongs to Earth, child of Fire.) if not healed in Late Summer, they worsen in Winter; (Fire does not overcome Water.) if not fatal in Winter, they remain stable in Spring, (Fire receives generation from Wood.) and improve in Summer. (Fire is Wang.) Avoid warm food and hot clothing. (To prevent aiding Fire pathogen.) Heart diseases heal on Wu-Ji days (Late Summer Earth days), if not healed, worsen on Ren-Gui days (Winter Water days), if not fatal, remain stable on Jia-Yi days (Spring Wood days), and improve on Bing-Ding days (Summer Fire days). Heart diseases show clarity at noon, severity at midnight, and quietness at dawn. (Noon Si-Wu hours are Fire Wang, hence clarity; midnight Hai-Zi hours are Water overcoming Fire, hence severity; dawn Yin-Mao hours are Wood generating Fire, hence quietness.) The Heart desires softening; urgently consume Salty flavors to soften it. Use Salty for tonification, Sweet for purgation. (Excessive Heart Fire causes restlessness, so Salty is urgent to soften it. Salty transforms via Water, providing mutual assistance. Heart desires softening, so Salty softening is tonification; Heart suffers laxity, so Sweet relaxing is purgation.) The Spleen governs Late Summer, and the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian are primarily responsible. (Yangming belongs to Stomach, Taiyin to Spleen, both Wu-Ji Earth, paired interior-exterior, treatment same.) Corresponding days are Wu and Ji days. (Wu is Yang Earth, Ji is Yin Earth, Central Palace Heavenly Stems.) The Spleen suffers from Dampness; urgently consume Bitter flavors to dry it. (Spleen transports grain/water and controls water. Excess Dampness injures Spleen Earth, so Bitter-Warm flavors are suitable to dry Dampness.) Diseases in the Spleen heal in Autumn; (Autumn is Metal, child of Earth.) if not healed, worsen in Spring; (Earth does not overcome Wood.) if not fatal, remain stable in Summer, (Earth receives generation from Fire,) and improve in Late Summer. (Earth is Wang.) Avoid warm food, overeating, damp ground, and wet clothes. (Warmth prevents stagnation; damp/wet are Yin-Cold, causing Spleen disease, so avoid them.) Spleen diseases heal on Geng-Xin days (Autumn Metal days), worsen on Jia-Yi days (Spring Wood days), remain stable on Bing-Ding days (Summer Fire days), and improve on Wu-Ji days (Late Summer Earth days). Spleen diseases show clarity during the Wei hour (daytime), severity at sunrise, and quietness at dusk. (Wei hour is Earth Wang, hence clarity; sunrise Yin-Mao hours are Wood overcoming Earth, hence severity; dusk Shen-You hours are the "child" direction, hence quietness. Pronunciation: die.) The Spleen desires relaxation; urgently consume Sweet flavors to relax it. Use Bitter for purgation, Sweet for tonification. (Spleen values fullness, harmony, warmth, and density; its desire is relaxation, so Sweet is urgent. Spleen likes Sweet and dislikes Bitter, so Bitter is purgative, Sweet is tonifying.) The Lung governs Autumn, and the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian are primarily responsible. (Taiyin belongs to Lung, Xin Metal; Yangming belongs to Large Intestine, Geng Metal, paired interior-exterior, treatment same.) Corresponding days are Geng and Xin days. (Geng is Yang Metal, Xin is Yin Metal, Western Heavenly Stems.) The Lung suffers from rebellious Qi; urgently consume Bitter flavors to drain it. (Lung governs Qi and regulation. Qi pathology leads to rebellion upward, so Bitter flavors are urgent to drain downward.) Diseases in the Lung heal in Winter; (Child direction of Metal.) if not healed, worsen in Summer; (Metal is overcome by Fire.) if not fatal, remain stable in Late Summer, (Metal Qi receives generation,) and improve in Autumn. (Metal Qi is Wang.) Avoid cold food and cold clothing. (Cold form and cold drinks injure the Lung.) Lung diseases heal on Ren-Gui days (Winter Water days), worsen on Bing-Ding days (Summer Fire days), remain stable on Wu-Ji days (Late Summer Earth days), and improve on Geng-Xin days (Autumn Metal days). Lung diseases show clarity at dusk (Shen-You hours), severity at noon, and quietness at midnight. (Dusk Metal is Wang, hence clarity; noon Fire overcomes, hence severity; midnight Water, child controls evil, hence quietness.) The Lung desires consolidation/astringency; urgently consume Sour flavors to astringe it. Use Sour for tonification, Pungent for purgation. (Lung corresponds to Autumn Qi, governing convergence. So Sour is suitable for astringency. Lung Qi prefers gathering over dispersing, so Sour astringency is tonification, Pungent dispersion is purgation.) The Kidney governs Winter, and the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian are primarily responsible. (Shaoyin belongs to Kidney, Gui Water; Taiyang belongs to Bladder, Ren Water, paired interior-exterior, treatment same.) Corresponding days are Ren and Gui days. (Ren is Yang Water, Gui is Yin Water, Northern Heavenly Stems.) The Kidney suffers from Dryness; urgently consume Pungent flavors to moisten it, opening interstices, delivering fluids, and promoting Qi flow. (Kidney is Water organ, storing fluids. Yin diseases suffer dryness, so Pungent is suitable to moisten. Pungent transforms via Metal, mother of Water. It opens interstices and delivers fluids because Pungent promotes Qi. True Qi in Water is only reached by Pungent; when Qi arrives, Water arrives, thus moistening Kidney Dryness.) Diseases in the Kidney heal in Spring; (Child direction of Water.) if not healed, worsen in Late Summer; (Water does not overcome Earth.) if not fatal, remain stable in Autumn, (Water receives generation from Metal,) and improve in Winter. (Water is Wang.) Avoid roasted/explosive foods, hot food, and warm moxa clothing. (Roasted/explosive items are drying; Kidney dislikes dryness/stimulation, so avoid. Pronunciations: cui, ai.) Kidney diseases heal on Jia-Yi days (Spring Wood days), worsen on Wu-Ji days (Late Summer Earth days), remain stable on Geng-Xin days (Autumn Metal days), and improve on Ren-Gui days (Winter Water days). Kidney diseases show clarity at midnight, severity at the end of seasons (Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei hours), and quietness at dusk. (Midnight Water is Wang, hence clarity; end-of-season Earth overcomes, hence severity; dusk Metal is Wang, Water generates Metal, hence quietness.) The Kidney desires firmness; urgently consume Bitter flavors to firm it. Use Bitter for tonification, Salty for purgation. (Kidney governs storage, Qi requires secrecy/density, so Kidney desires firmness. Bitter firms, so it is tonifying; Salty softens, so it is purgative.) When pathogenic Qi invades the body, it acts through mutual overcoming relationships. (This summarizes the reasons for "healing," "worsening," "stability," and "improvement." All internal and external injuries are called "Pathogenic Qi." External Six Evils have seasonal prosperity/decline; internal Five Emotions vary by organ. Overcoming always insults the non-overcoming, hence "acting through overcoming.") Healing occurs when reaching the time of what I generate; (What I generate, from a temporal perspective. Same below.) Worsening occurs when reaching the time of what overcomes me; (I do not overcome it; I am controlled.) Stability occurs when reaching the time of what generates me; (Time of my generator.) Improvement occurs when reaching its own position (Wang phase). (Its own Wang time.) Therefore, one must first determine the pulse of the five Zang organs, observe their compliance/inverse and prosperity/decline, to discuss the timing of intermittent worsening and life/death. (To know seasonal Qi compliance, one must first inspect Zang Qi. To inspect Zang Qi, one must first fix the pulses of diseased Zang organs: Liver governs String-pulse, Heart governs Hook-pulse, Lung governs Hair-pulse, Kidney governs Stone-pulse, Spleen governs Dai-pulse. If the pulse comes exclusively without Stomach Qi, the timing of worsening and life/death can be known, as discussed above.) Liver color is Green; suitable to eat Sweet, such as Coix Seed (Jingmi), Beef, Dates, and Okra (Kui); (Continuing "Liver suffers tension, eat Sweet to relax," detailing suitable flavors.) Heart color is Red; suitable to eat Sour, such as Adzuki Bean, Dog Meat, Plum, and Leek; (Heart suffers laxity, so these Sour items are suitable to astringe.) Lung color is White; suitable to eat Bitter, such as Wheat, Mutton, Apricot, and Chinese Chives (Xie); (Lung suffers rebellious Qi, so these Bitter items are suitable to drain. Xie, pronunciation: xie, root white like small garlic, similar to leek but no bulb.) Spleen color is Yellow; suitable to eat Salty, such as Soybean, Pork, Millet, and Huo (Bean leaves soup); (Salty transforms via Water, entering Kidney. Spleen eats Salty because Kidney is the gate of Stomach, Stomach combines with Spleen, Salty moistens downward, benefiting the gate. If Stomach gate benefits, Spleen Qi transports, so it is suitable. Earlier said "Spleen suffers Dampness, eat Bitter to dry"; here saying "Salty" again. Because Salty drains Dampness and Bitter purges Dampness, each has its suitability. Thus, all organs follow previous rules, except this unique case. Huo is bean leaf soup.) Kidney color is Black; suitable to eat Pungent, such as Yellow Millet (Huangshu), Chicken, Peach, and Scallion. (Kidney suffers Dryness, so these Pungent items are suitable to moisten. Huangshu is glutinous millet, called "Yellow Rice" in the North.) Pungent disperses, Sour astringes, Sweet relaxes, Bitter firms, Salty softens. (Summarizing the uses of the Five Flavors, applicable to medicines.) Poisonous drugs attack Pathogenic Qi. (Medicines treat disease, relying on toxicity. "Toxicity" refers to biased flavor/nature. Pure flavors are grains, nourishing Righteous Qi; biased flavors are herbs/drugs, removing Pathogenic Qi. Disease lies in Yin-Yang excess/deficiency. To correct bias, only biased flavors work. Hence, highly toxic drugs remove 60% of disease; moderately toxic 70%; slightly toxic 80%; non-toxic 90%. Anything that expels evil and calms righteousness is called "poisonous drug," hence "Poisonous drugs attack Pathogenic Qi.") Five Grains nourish; (Nourish vital Qi.) Five Fruits assist; (Assist nourishment.) Five Meats benefit; (Benefit Essence and Blood.) Five Vegetables fill. (Fill Zang-Fu organs.) Consume combined flavors to benefit Essence and Qi. (Form deficiency is warmed by Qi; Essence deficiency is supplemented by Flavor. Combined flavors supplement Yin and benefit Qi.) These five categories have Pungent, Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Salty, each with specific benefits: some disperse, some astringe, some relax, some urgent, some firm, some soft. Diseases of the Four Seasons and Five Zang organs are treated according to the suitability of the Five Flavors. (Summarizing that Zang Qi and Seasonal uses have specific benefits, but variations occur; thus, treatment depends on disease, and flavors should be matched appropriately.)