首先是聚时，东方聚寅卯辰时，聚春三月，余者依此类推。所以，时是方里面一个很重要的类。《素问·六节藏象论》云：“谨候其时，气可与期。”又说：“不知年之所加，气之盛衰，虚实之所起，不可以为工。”这就是说疾病发生的一个相关因素就是时间，与时间有关系，这是中医很重要的一个特色。你看一个肿瘤病人，他 1994 年发病与 1995 年发病就不同了，可西医不管这一套，他只看这个 CT 的结果，活检的结果，至于 1994 年发还是 1995 年发跟他没什么关系。但，如果中医也这样看，也不管这个 1994、1995，那就会完蛋。那你不可能真正弄懂病，因为与疾病发生的一个很重要的相关因素你没有考虑进去，你怎么可能全面地认识这个疾病？所以，这个时间你要谨记，这个病在 1994 年发与 1995年发完全不同，因为相关性不同了，年之所加，气之盛衰不同了。作为一个中医，如果这一点忽略了，那很大的一块你就失掉了。时间的问题现代医学也在逐步的认识，比如药物的服用时间已经得到一定的关注，像强心甙这类药，在凌晨服用要较其他时间服用效价增加上百倍，还有一些激素类的药物，也有类似的情况。但，从本质上来说，西医对时间的认识还与我们有很大的差别。有关时间的相关性今后我们会有较多的讨论。
② 五行方
所聚的第二个因素是五行，即金木水火土，东方木，南方火，西方金，北方水，中央土。所以，疾病跟五行是很有关系的。这种关系在《内经》里面随处可见。你不谈五行，你认为五行是迷信，那你的中医搞不好。在《内经》里，在《中基》里，我们经常看到五行与阴阳相提并论，其实，五行就是阴阳的不同状态。阳气处在生的状态就叫木，处在长的状态就叫火，处在收的状态就叫金，处在藏的状态就叫水，而生长收藏这个转换的过程就是土。所以，五行是中医一个很重要的因素，大家千万不可轻视。
③ 六气方
所聚的另外一个因素是六气，即风寒暑湿燥火。东方生风，南方生火（暑），西方生燥，北方生寒，中央生湿。病机讲：“夫百病之生也，皆生于风寒暑湿燥火”，百病的发生都与风寒暑湿燥火相关，都与这个方相关。是百病而不是某一个病，所以，六气的相关性是普适的。
④ 五气
五气与上面的六气有区别，它主要反映药物的方位属性，即寒热温凉平。东方温，南方热，西方凉，北方寒，中央平。前面我们讲到中医可以用药物来模拟时间、模拟空间、模拟方位，就是依据药物所具有的这个五气特性。所以，把握五气乃是中医治方的一个要素。
⑤ 五味
五味也是方所聚的一个重要因素，东方聚酸，南方聚苦，西方聚辛，北方聚咸，中央聚甘。中医处方治病，依靠的是什么呢？很重要的就是药物的这个五气、五味。大家看《神农本草经》，它在每个药物里先谈什么呢？先谈气味，气味放第一位，主治功效放在第二位。气味是药物的首要因素，功效主治是次要的因素；气味是体，主治功效是用。这个主次，这个体用关系大家应该搞清楚。现在很多人不明体用，主次颠倒，只管主治功效，某某药治某某病，头痛就上川芎、白芷，肿瘤就上白花蛇舌草，完全将气味抛到九霄云外，这个怎么能算中医呢？我们再看《内经》，《内经》治病讲补泻，盛者泻之，虚者补之，她凭什么补泻呢？凭的就是这个气味。所以，她讲：“治寒以热，治热以寒”，她讲“木位之主，其泻以酸，其补以辛。火位之主，其泻以甘，其补以咸。土位之主，其泻以苦，其补以甘。金位之主，其泻以辛，其补以酸。水位之主，其泻以咸，其补以苦”。所以，中医治方她是凭气味来治方，有气味才有方可言。你凭一个活血化瘀，一个缓急止痛怎么治方？它算北方还是南方？是东方还是西方？方里面所聚的每一类都是很值得研究的课题，现在大家都感到中医的科研难找课题，其实这个方里就大有课题，而且这些才是对中医真正有意义的课题。这几十年，国家在中医药领域里投入了不少的资金，攻关课题也层出不穷，但是，大家冷静地想一想，这些课题中有多少是对中医有真实的意义呢？可偏偏就是这些课题容易中标，容易到手。你搞什么“方”的研究，标书出去就石沉大海了。五味的研究也告诉我们，疾病跟饮食的相关性非常大，古人说：病从口入，祸从口出。这个说法在现代生活中能够得到更充分的反映。像现在世界上的头几号杀手，心血管病、糖尿病、肿瘤病等，哪一个不与饮食有关？现代医学研究饮食，它主要从食物的成分，脂肪多少，糖多少，微量元素多少，饱和脂肪酸多少，不饱和脂肪酸多少，从这些角度去认识。作为中医，大家不可忘记五味的因素。从上面这些讨论，大家应该发现中医一个很特别的地方，在中医里，导致疾病的是这些因素，可治疗疾病的还是这些因素。真所谓：成也萧何，败也萧何。中医的这个特别之处，大家应该好好地去思考，好好地去琢磨。它与西医的概念完全不同。像风是一个致病的因素，“诸暴强直，皆属于风”。可是风又是一个治病的因素，风能胜湿。而西医则完全不是这样，像结核杆菌、葡萄球菌，这是致病的因素，那么，治病呢？它有另外一个可以杀灭这个致病菌的东西，比如抗生素。而中医的病因你是杀灭不了的，风你怎么杀灭，没有办法。我们只能够进行调整，只能根据古人给出的方与方之间的这个巧妙关系来进行对治。让水能载舟而不覆舟，让萧何成事而不让他败事。中医治病的路子就是这样，如果从兵法来说，中医治病是攻心而不是攻城。
⑥ 五色
五色是青赤黄白黑，东方青，南方赤，中央黄，西方白，北方黑。既然颜色与方有这样的关系，这就告诉我们对于色调我们不能光作美观来看，色泽不仅仅起装饰的作用，它应该有更深的涵义、更大的作用。一个土气很弱的病人，用了补土的药，用了四君子汤，用了理中汤，可是老不好，什么原因呢？结果发现这个病人老是穿一身青色的衣服，你在这里补土，它在那里伐土，这怎么会好呢？疾病跟那么多的因素相关，而你只知道清热解毒，益气养阴，活血化瘀，你只知道从功效主治去调理。功效主治如果不灵，你就说中医没效，你就说中医的理论滞后于临床，这怎么行呢？中医的这个局面大家说堪不堪忧，应不应该设法改变。五色的因素很重要，记得我跟大家谈过一个例子，就是上面的曾邕生师傅。他曾经治疗过一例重症肝硬化腹水的患者，病人卧病不起，所以，只好请曾医生上门去诊治。曾医生看病处方之后，还做了一个奇怪的举动，就是将病人家的其中一面墙整个地用煤水刷黑，然后让病人住在这间房里静养服药，结果病人很快地得到痊愈。黑色聚北方，北方属水、属肾，所以，曾医生用黑必定与肾有关。治病不但用药物的气味与主治，而且还从五色入方，五色治方，这个经验值得我们借鉴。疾病的相关因素是多方面的，比如北方不足的病人，当我们用药物来调补，感到力量不够的时候，我们可以通过这个相关性从其他方面来考虑，比如从五色来考虑。这是中医很值得注重的一个方面。
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⑦ 五音
下面我们看五音，五音即角徵宫商羽。东方角音，南方徵音，中央宫音，西方商音，北方羽音。五音对疾病有关系没有呢？有！《内经》讲：望闻问切，望而知之谓之神，闻而知之谓之圣。望什么呢？望气色、望形色。望气我们很难做到了，我们只能观形。那么这个闻而知之是闻什么呢？很重要的就是闻这个五音。五音里面哪个音强，哪个音弱，哪个音有，哪个音没有，五音之间的协调关系怎样？这些都要能够区别。这都是很深的学问。古人云：相识满天下，知音能几人。这个知音的原始意义就是知五音，只是后来把它泛化了。大家还记得子期、伯牙的故事吗？可见知音是不简单的。听一个人的声音就知道你的情况，是不是太玄了呢？不玄！历史上有的人确实能够做到这一点。你在隔壁说话，他就知道你的疾病，这才叫“闻而知之”，这才叫圣。为什么呢？因为疾病与五音相关。你的肺病了，那你的商音肯定会出问题，你的心病了，徵音肯定会出问题。所以，听这个声音就能大致了解你的情况。只不过我们现在都是聋子，我们听见的只是胒湮心耳的繁手淫声，而真正的五音我们听不懂。有的甚至连五音的概念还搞不清楚，一听五音，就说这不科学，应该是 1234567，应该是七音，怎么搞五音呢？五音是一门很深的学问，值得花大力气来研究。上面提到的是诊断的角度，从治疗的角度看也是一样。五味能治病，五气能治病，五音同样也能治病。商音就是属于西方，就属于金，金就能克木。你光知道羚角钩藤可以平肝熄风，应该知道商音一样地能够平肝熄风。现在西方很多地方都在流行音乐疗法，这是一个可喜的苗头，不过，这个音乐疗法还比较初级，还是小学水平，甚至是幼稚园的水平。真正的高水平在高山流水里，在中医里。希望大家在这方面作些研究，不要局限于开一个小柴胡汤、麻黄汤，或者时方的荆防败毒散，不要局限在这里，应该把眼光放开一些。21世纪中医可以有很多的作为，为什么呢？因为她的相关性太多了，正是这个相关性决定了她在很多领域都能够有所为。现在许多中医到西方去，就只扎个针灸，弄弄按摩，开个中药，西方人也认为中医就这几招，你为什么不搞搞音乐疗法，你可以研究五音，开一个真正的五音疗养医院。《史记·乐书》云：“音乐者，所以动荡血脉，流通精神。”可见音乐对人体的作用，对疾病的作用，并非现在提出来的。这就是说，中医里面可以操作的东西太多太多，我们不要只是抓住现在这一点点。
⑧ 五臭
在方这样一个框架里面，有很多相关的问题，有时间，有五行，有六气，有五色，五音，有五味，往下的还有很多。比如五臭，臭是双音字，这里读“秀”音。臭跟味不同，它是通过鼻来完成。五臭即臊、焦、香、腥、腐。东方臊，南方焦，中央香，西方腥，北方腐。对于五臭，也许我们对它要比其他敏感，特别有些臭我们的感受很深。比如香燥的东西。香燥的东西为什么大家都这么喜欢？特别在不想吃饭的时候很想吃一些香的东西。为什么呢？因为香属中央，香入土，香入脾胃，脾胃运化好了，胃口就自然会打开。记得蒲辅周老先生曾治一例高年久病的患者，症见烦躁、失眠、不思食，大便七日未行，进而发生呕吐，吃饭吐饭，喝水吐水，服药吐药。病家认为已无生望，抱着姑且一试的态度询治于蒲老。蒲老详问病情，当得知病者仅思喝茶后，即取“龙井”6 克，嘱待水煮沸两分钟放茶叶，煮两沸，即少少与病者饮。第二天病者子女惊喜来告：“茶刚刚煮好，母亲闻见茶香就索饮，缓缓喝了几口未吐，心中顿觉舒畅，随即腹中咕咕作响，放了两个屁，并解燥粪两枚，当晚即能入睡，早晨醒后即知饥索食。”蒲老嘱以稀粥少少与之，饮食调养月余而愈。一味茶饮而起如此沉疴，同道颇以为奇。当时我看到这个病例也觉得不可思议，不明白其中的道理，可是我们今天讨论五臭，这个道理就很清楚了。上好的“龙井”是非常清香的，而按照蒲老的这个泡茶方法是取其臭而不取其味，这样香气直入中土，当然就可以醒脾开胃了。适当的喝茶能够帮助消化，道理就在这里。有关五臭的例子还很多，第一章里我们讲《脑内革命》的例子，我们讲治骨癌的例子都与这个五臭有关。
⑨ 五畜
首先是“聚”的概念，东方聚集寅、卯、辰这三个时辰，对应春季的三个月，其余方位依此类推。因此，“时”（时间）是“方”（方位/空间）中一个非常重要的类别。《素问·六节藏象论》说：“谨慎地观察时节，气候的变化是可以预期的。”又说：“如果不了解每年岁运的加临，气候的盛衰以及虚实产生的原因，就不能成为合格的医生。”这就是说，疾病发生的一个相关因素就是时间，它与时间密切相关，这是中医的一个重要特色。你看一个肿瘤病人，他在1994年发病与在1995年发病是不同的，而西医不管这一套，他们只看CT的结果和活检的结果，至于是在1994年还是1995年发病，与他们无关。但是，如果中医也这样看，也不管1994年或1995年，那就会失败。因为你不可能真正弄懂疾病，由于你没有考虑到与疾病发生的一个很重要的相关因素，你怎么可能全面地认识这个疾病？所以，你要牢记这一点，这个病在1994年发与在1995年发完全不同，因为相关性不同了，每年的岁运加临、气候的盛衰也不同了。作为一个中医，如果忽略了这一点，那你就会失去很大的一块内容。时间的问题现代医学也在逐步认识，比如药物的服用时间已经得到一定的关注，像强心苷这类药，在凌晨服用要比其他时间服用的效价增加上百倍，还有一些激素类药物，也有类似的情况。但是，从本质上来说，西医对时间的认识还与我们有很大的差别。有关时间的相关性今后我们会有较多的讨论。
② 五行方
所聚集的第二个因素是五行，即金、木、水、火、土，东方属木，南方属火，西方属金，北方属水，中央属土。所以，疾病跟五行是很有关系的。这种关系在《内经》里面随处可见。你不谈五行，你认为五行是迷信，那你的中医搞不好。在《内经》里，在《中医基础理论》里，我们经常看到五行与阴阳相提并论，其实，五行就是阴阳的不同状态。阳气处在生的状态就叫木，处在长的状态就叫火，处在收的状态就叫金，处在藏的状态就叫水，而生长收藏这个转换的过程就是土。所以，五行是中医一个很重要的因素，大家千万不可轻视。
③ 六气方
所聚集的另外一个因素是六气，即风、寒、暑、湿、燥、火。东方生风，南方生火（暑），西方生燥，北方生寒，中央生湿。病机讲：“各种疾病的产生，都生于风、寒、暑、湿、燥、火”，百病的发生都与风、寒、暑、湿、燥、火相关，都与这个“方”相关。是百病而不是某一个病，所以，六气的相关性是普适的。
④ 五气
五气与上面的六气有区别，它主要反映药物的方位属性，即寒、热、温、凉、平。东方属温，南方属热，西方属凉，北方属寒，中央属平。前面我们讲到中医可以用药物来模拟时间、模拟空间、模拟方位，就是依据药物所具有的这个五气特性。所以，把握五气乃是中医治方的一个要素。
⑤ 五味
五味也是方所聚集的一个重要因素，东方聚集酸味，南方聚集苦味，西方聚集辛味，北方聚集咸味，中央聚集甘味。中医处方治病，依靠的是什么呢？很重要的就是药物的这个五气、五味。大家看《神农本草经》，它在每个药物里先谈什么呢？先谈气味，气味放第一位，主治功效放在第二位。气味是药物的首要因素，功效主治是次要的因素；气味是体（本体），主治功效是用（作用）。这个主次，这个体用关系大家应该搞清楚。现在很多人不明体用，主次颠倒，只管主治功效，某某药治某某病，头痛就上川芎、白芷，肿瘤就上白花蛇舌草，完全将气味抛到九霄云外，这个怎么能算中医呢？我们再看《内经》，《内经》治病讲补泻，盛者泻之，虚者补之，她凭什么补泻呢？凭的就是这个气味。所以，她讲：“治疗寒证用热药，治疗热证用寒药”，她讲“木位之主，其泻以酸，其补以辛。火位之主，其泻以甘，其补以咸。土位之主，其泻以苦，其补以甘。金位之主，其泻以辛，其补以酸。水位之主，其泻以咸，其补以苦”。所以，中医治方她是凭气味来治方，有气味才有方可言。你凭一个活血化瘀，一个缓急止痛怎么治方？它算北方还是南方？是东方还是西方？方里面所聚集的每一类都是很值得研究的课题，现在大家都感到中医的科研难找课题，其实这个方里就大有课题，而且这些才是对中医真正有意义的课题。这几十年，国家在中医药领域里投入了不少的资金，攻关课题也层出不穷，但是，大家冷静地想一想，这些课题中有多少是对中医有真实的意义呢？可偏偏就是这些课题容易中标，容易到手。你搞什么“方”的研究，标书出去就石沉大海了。五味的研究也告诉我们，疾病跟饮食的相关性非常大，古人说：病从口入，祸从口出。这个说法在现代生活中能够得到更充分的反映。像现在世界上的头几号杀手，心血管病、糖尿病、肿瘤病等，哪一个不与饮食有关？现代医学研究饮食，它主要从食物的成分，脂肪多少，糖多少，微量元素多少，饱和脂肪酸多少，不饱和脂肪酸多少，从这些角度去认识。作为中医，大家不可忘记五味的因素。从上面这些讨论，大家应该发现中医一个很特别的地方，在中医里，导致疾病的是这些因素，可治疗疾病的还是这些因素。真所谓：成也萧何，败也萧何。中医的这个特别之处，大家应该好好地去思考，好好地去琢磨。它与西医的概念完全不同。像风是一个致病的因素，“诸暴强直，皆属于风”。可是风又是一个治病的因素，风能胜湿。而西医则完全不是这样，像结核杆菌、葡萄球菌，这是致病的因素，那么，治病呢？它有另外一个可以杀灭这个致病菌的东西，比如抗生素。而中医的病因你是杀灭不了的，风你怎么杀灭，没有办法。我们只能够进行调整，只能根据古人给出的方与方之间的这个巧妙关系来进行对治。让水能载舟而不覆舟，让萧何成事而不让他败事。中医治病的路子就是这样，如果从兵法来说，中医治病是攻心而不是攻城。
⑥ 五色
五色是青、赤、黄、白、黑，东方属青，南方属赤，中央属黄，西方属白，北方属黑。既然颜色与方有这样的关系，这就告诉我们对于色调我们不能光作美观来看，色泽不仅仅起装饰的作用，它应该有更深的涵义、更大的作用。一个土气很弱的病人，用了补土的药，用了四君子汤（Four Gentlemen Decoction），用了理中汤（Li Zhong Decoction），可是老不好，什么原因呢？结果发现这个病人老是穿一身青色的衣服，你在这里补土，它在那里伐土，这怎么会好呢？疾病跟那么多的因素相关，而你只知道清热解毒，益气养阴，活血化瘀，你只知道从功效主治去调理。功效主治如果不灵，你就说中医没效，你就说中医的理论滞后于临床，这怎么行呢？中医的这个局面大家说堪不堪忧，应不应该设法改变。五色的因素很重要，记得我跟大家谈过一个例子，就是上面的曾邕生师傅。他曾经治疗过一例重症肝硬化腹水的患者，病人卧病不起，所以，只好请曾医生上门去诊治。曾医生看病处方之后，还做了一个奇怪的举动，就是将病人家的其中一面墙整个地用煤水刷黑，然后让病人住在这间房里静养服药，结果病人很快地得到痊愈。黑色聚北方，北方属水、属肾，所以，曾医生用黑必定与肾有关。治病不但用药物的气味与主治，而且还从五色入方，五色治方，这个经验值得我们借鉴。疾病的相关因素是多方面的，比如北方不足的病人，当我们用药物来调补，感到力量不够的时候，我们可以通过这个相关性从其他方面来考虑，比如从五色来考虑。这是中医很值得注重的一个方面。
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⑦ 五音
下面我们看五音，五音即角、徵、宫、商、羽。东方属角音，南方属徵音，中央属宫音，西方属商音，北方属羽音。五音对疾病有关系没有呢？有！《内经》讲：望、闻、问、切，望而知之谓之神，闻而知之谓之圣。望什么呢？望气色、望形色。望气我们很难做到了，我们只能观形。那么这个闻而知之是闻什么呢？很重要的就是闻这个五音。五音里面哪个音强，哪个音弱，哪个音有，哪个音没有，五音之间的协调关系怎样？这些都要能够区别。这都是很深的学问。古人云：相识满天下，知音能几人。这个知音的原始意义就是知五音，只是后来把它泛化了。大家还记得子期、伯牙的故事吗？可见知音是不简单的。听一个人的声音就知道你的情况，是不是太玄了呢？不玄！历史上有的人确实能够做到这一点。你在隔壁说话，他就知道你的疾病，这才叫“闻而知之”，这才叫圣。为什么呢？因为疾病与五音相关。你的肺病了，那你的商音肯定会出问题，你的心病了，徵音肯定会出问题。所以，听这个声音就能大致了解你的情况。只不过我们现在都是聋子，我们听见的只是胒湮心耳的繁手淫声，而真正的五音我们听不懂。有的甚至连五音的概念还搞不清楚，一听五音，就说这不科学，应该是 1234567，应该是七音，怎么搞五音呢？五音是一门很深的学问，值得花大力气来研究。上面提到的是诊断的角度，从治疗的角度看也是一样。五味能治病，五气能治病，五音同样也能治病。商音就是属于西方，就属于金，金就能克木。你光知道羚角钩藤可以平肝熄风（Calm the Liver and Extinguish Wind），应该知道商音一样地能够平肝熄风。现在西方很多地方都在流行音乐疗法，这是一个可喜的苗头，不过，这个音乐疗法还比较初级，还是小学水平，甚至是幼稚园的水平。真正的高水平在高山流水里，在中医里。希望大家在这方面作些研究，不要局限于开一个小柴胡汤（Minor Bupleurum Decoction）、麻黄汤（Ephedra Decoction），或者时方的荆防败毒散（Jing Fang Bai Du San），不要局限在这里，应该把眼光放开一些。21世纪中医可以有很多的作为，为什么呢？因为她的相关性太多了，正是这个相关性决定了她在很多领域都能够有所为。现在许多中医到西方去，就只扎个针灸，弄弄按摩，开个中药，西方人也认为中医就这几招，你为什么不搞搞音乐疗法，你可以研究五音，开一个真正的五音疗养医院。《史记·乐书》云：“音乐者，所以动荡血脉，流通精神。”可见音乐对人体的作用，对疾病的作用，并非现在提出来的。这就是说，中医里面可以操作的东西太多太多，我们不要只是抓住现在这一点点。
⑧ 五臭
在方这样一个框架里面，有很多相关的问题，有时间，有五行，有六气，有五色，五音，有五味，往下的还有很多。比如五臭，臭是双音字，这里读“秀”音。臭跟味不同，它是通过鼻来完成。五臭即臊、焦、香、腥、腐。东方属臊，南方属焦，中央属香，西方属腥，北方属腐。对于五臭，也许我们对它要比其他敏感，特别有些臭我们的感受很深。比如香燥的东西。香燥的东西为什么大家都这么喜欢？特别在不想吃饭的时候很想吃一些香的东西。为什么呢？因为香属中央，香入土，香入脾胃，脾胃运化好了，胃口就自然会打开。记得蒲辅周老先生曾治一例高年久病的患者，症见烦躁、失眠、不思食，大便七日未行，进而发生呕吐，吃饭吐饭，喝水吐水，服药吐药。病家认为已无生望，抱着姑且一试的态度询治于蒲老。蒲老详问病情，当得知病者仅思喝茶后，即取“龙井”6 克，嘱待水煮沸两分钟放茶叶，煮两沸，即少少与病者饮。第二天病者子女惊喜来告：“茶刚刚煮好，母亲闻见茶香就索饮，缓缓喝了几口未吐，心中顿觉舒畅，随即腹中咕咕作响，放了两个屁，并解燥粪两枚，当晚即能入睡，早晨醒后即知饥索食。”蒲老嘱以稀粥少少与之，饮食调养月余而愈。一味茶饮而起如此沉疴，同道颇以为奇。当时我看到这个病例也觉得不可思议，不明白其中的道理，可是我们今天讨论五臭，这个道理就很清楚了。上好的“龙井”是非常清香的，而按照蒲老的这个泡茶方法是取其臭而不取其味，这样香气直入中土，当然就可以醒脾开胃了。适当的喝茶能够帮助消化，道理就在这里。有关五臭的例子还很多，第一章里我们讲《脑内革命》的例子，我们讲治骨癌的例子都与这个五臭有关。
⑨ 五畜
First is "Ju" (Gathering/Accumulation). The East gathers at Yin, Mao, and Chen hours, corresponding to the three months of Spring; the others follow this pattern. Therefore, "Shi" (Time) is a very important category within "Fang" (Direction/Space). *Suwen: Liujie Zangxiang Lun* states: "Carefully observe the timing, and the Qi can be anticipated." It further says: "If one does not know the annual additions, the flourishing and declining of Qi, and the origins of deficiency and excess, one cannot be a qualified physician." This means that time is a relevant factor in the occurrence of diseases, closely related to time, which is an important characteristic of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Consider a tumor patient; their condition differs if they fall ill in 1994 versus 1995. Western medicine ignores this aspect, focusing only on CT results and biopsy results, regardless of whether the onset was in 1994 or 1995. However, if TCM also adopts this view and ignores the years 1994 or 1995, it would fail. One cannot truly understand the disease without considering this crucial relevant factor, so how can one comprehensively recognize the disease? Therefore, you must bear in mind that a disease manifesting in 1994 is completely different from one manifesting in 1995, because the correlations differ, and the annual additions and the flourishing/declining of Qi are different. If a TCM practitioner ignores this point, they lose a significant portion of knowledge. Modern medicine is gradually recognizing the issue of time; for instance, the timing of drug administration has received some attention. For example, cardiac glycosides administered in the early morning have efficacy hundreds of times higher than at other times, and similar situations exist with some hormonal drugs. However, essentially, Western medicine's understanding of time differs greatly from ours. We will discuss the relevance of time more extensively in the future.
② Five Elements Fang
The second factor gathered is the Five Elements (Wu Xing), namely Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The East corresponds to Wood, the South to Fire, the West to Metal, the North to Water, and the Center to Earth. Thus, diseases are closely related to the Five Elements. This relationship is ubiquitous in *Neijing*. If you do not discuss the Five Elements and consider them superstition, your TCM practice will not succeed. In *Neijing* and in *Basic Theory of TCM*, we often see the Five Elements mentioned alongside Yin and Yang. In fact, the Five Elements are different states of Yin and Yang. When Yang Qi is in a generating state, it is called Wood; when in a growing state, Fire; when in a harvesting state, Metal; when in a storing state, Water; and the process of transformation among generating, growing, harvesting, and storing is Earth. Therefore, the Five Elements are a very important factor in TCM, and everyone must not underestimate them.
③ Six Qi Fang
Another factor gathered is the Six Qi (Liu Qi), namely Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire. The East generates Wind, the South generates Fire (Summer-heat), the West generates Dryness, the North generates Cold, and the Center generates Dampness. Pathogenesis states: "All diseases arise from Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire." The occurrence of all diseases is related to these Six Qi and this "Fang". It refers to all diseases, not just one specific disease, so the relevance of the Six Qi is universal.
④ Five Qi
The Five Qi differ from the Six Qi mentioned above; they mainly reflect the directional attributes of herbs, namely Cold, Heat, Warmth, Coolness, and Neutral. The East corresponds to Warmth, the South to Heat, the West to Coolness, the North to Cold, and the Center to Neutral. As mentioned earlier, TCM can use herbs to simulate time, space, and direction, based on the Five Qi characteristics possessed by the herbs. Therefore, grasping the Five Qi is an essential element in TCM prescription formulation.
The Five Flavors (Wu Wei) are also an important factor gathered in Fang. The East gathers Sour, the South gathers Bitter, the West gathers Pungent, the North gathers Salty, and the Center gathers Sweet. What does TCM rely on for prescribing to treat diseases? Crucially, it relies on the Five Qi and Five Flavors of the herbs. Look at *Shennong Bencao Jing*; what does it discuss first for each herb? It discusses Qi and Flavor first, placing them in the first position, while therapeutic effects and indications come second. Qi and Flavor are the primary factors of herbs, while therapeutic effects and indications are secondary; Qi and Flavor constitute the Substance (Ti), and therapeutic effects constitute the Function (Yong). Everyone should clarify this primary-secondary and Substance-Function relationship. Many people today do not understand Substance and Function, reversing the priority, caring only about therapeutic effects: "Herb X treats Disease Y," using Chuanxiong and Baizhi for headaches, or Hedyotis diffusa for tumors, completely discarding Qi and Flavor. How can this be considered TCM? Let us look at *Neijing* again. *Neijing* discusses tonification and purgation in treatment: purge the excess, tonify the deficiency. On what basis does it perform tonification and purgation? Based on Qi and Flavor. Thus, it states: "Treat cold with heat, treat heat with cold." It also states: "For the ruler of the Wood position, purge with Sour, tonify with Pungent. For the ruler of the Fire position, purge with Sweet, tonify with Salty. For the ruler of the Earth position, purge with Bitter, tonify with Sweet. For the ruler of the Metal position, purge with Pungent, tonify with Sour. For the ruler of the Water position, purge with Salty, tonify with Bitter." Therefore, TCM treatment relies on Qi and Flavor; without Qi and Flavor, there is no basis for prescription. How can one formulate a prescription relying solely on promoting blood circulation to remove stasis or relieving urgency and pain? Does it belong to the North or South? To the East or West? Every category gathered in Fang is a topic worthy of research. People often feel it is difficult to find research topics in TCM, but there are abundant topics within Fang itself, and these are truly meaningful for TCM. Over the past few decades, the state has invested considerable funds in the field of TCM, and攻关 projects (key research projects) have emerged endlessly. However, let us think calmly: how many of these projects have real significance for TCM? Yet, precisely these projects are easy to win bids and obtain funding. If you propose research on "Fang," the proposal sinks without a trace. Research on the Five Flavors also tells us that diseases are highly correlated with diet. The ancients said: "Illness enters through the mouth, disaster exits through the mouth." This saying is fully reflected in modern life. Among the top killers in the world today—cardiovascular disease, diabetes, tumors—which one is not related to diet? Modern medical research on diet focuses mainly on food components: fat content, sugar content, trace elements, saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, etc. As TCM practitioners, everyone must not forget the factor of the Five Flavors. From the above discussions, everyone should discover a unique aspect of TCM: in TCM, the factors that cause disease are the same factors that treat disease. Truly, "Success lies with Xiao He, failure also lies with Xiao He." Everyone should carefully ponder this special feature of TCM. It is completely different from Western medical concepts. For example, Wind is a pathogenic factor ("All sudden stiffness belongs to Wind"). But Wind is also a therapeutic factor, as Wind can overcome Dampness. Western medicine is entirely different; for instance, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus are pathogenic factors. For treatment, they use another substance to kill these pathogens, such as antibiotics. In TCM, you cannot kill the pathogenic factors; how do you kill Wind? There is no way. We can only adjust, relying on the ingenious relationships between prescriptions provided by the ancients for counter-treatment. Let water carry the boat without capsizing it; let Xiao He achieve success without causing failure. This is the approach of TCM treatment. If viewed from the perspective of military strategy, TCM treatment attacks the heart/mind rather than the city.
The Five Colors are Green/Cyan, Red, Yellow, White, and Black. The East corresponds to Green, the South to Red, the Center to Yellow, the West to White, and the North to Black. Since colors have such a relationship with Fang, this tells us that we should not view tones merely aesthetically. Color plays more than a decorative role; it should have deeper meanings and greater functions. A patient with very weak Earth Qi used Earth-tonifying herbs, Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), and Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), but did not improve. Why? It was found that the patient always wore green clothes. While you were tonifying Earth here, it was destroying Earth there; how could it heal? Diseases are related to so many factors, yet you only know how to clear heat and detoxify, benefit Qi and nourish Yin, promote blood circulation to remove stasis, and regulate based on therapeutic effects. If therapeutic effects are ineffective, you say TCM is useless or that TCM theory lags behind clinical practice. Is this acceptable? Shouldn't we try to change this situation in TCM? The factor of Five Colors is very important. I remember mentioning an example to you, Master Zeng Yongsheng. He once treated a patient with severe liver cirrhosis and ascites. The patient was bedridden, so Dr. Zeng was invited to treat them at home. After prescribing, Dr. Zeng performed a strange action: he painted one entire wall of the patient's house black with coal water, then had the patient stay in this room to rest and take medication. The patient recovered quickly. Black gathers in the North; the North corresponds to Water and the Kidney. Therefore, Dr. Zeng's use of black must be related to the Kidney. Treatment involves not only the Qi, Flavor, and therapeutic effects of herbs but also entering Fang through the Five Colors and treating Fang with the Five Colors. This experience is worth learning from. Relevant factors of disease are multifaceted. For example, in patients with Northern deficiency, when herbal supplementation feels insufficient, we can consider other aspects through this correlation, such as the Five Colors. This is an aspect of TCM worthy of attention.
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Treasures of TCM
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⑦ Five Tones
Next, let us look at the Five Tones (Wu Yin), namely Jue, Zhi, Gong, Shang, and Yu. The East corresponds to Jue tone, the South to Zhi tone, the Center to Gong tone, the West to Shang tone, and the North to Yu tone. Do the Five Tones relate to disease? Yes! *Neijing* states: Observation, Auscultation/Olfaction, Inquiry, and Palpation. Knowing through observation is called Divine; knowing through auscultation/olfaction is called Sage. What do we observe? Qi color and Form color. Observing Qi is difficult for us now; we can only observe Form. So, what does "knowing through auscultation/olfaction" refer to? Importantly, it refers to hearing the Five Tones. Which tone is strong, which is weak, which exists, which is absent, and how coordinated are the relationships among the Five Tones? These must be distinguishable. This is profound learning. The ancients said: "Knowing many people under heaven, how few are true friends who understand the music?" The original meaning of "Zhiyin" (understanding the tone/friend) was understanding the Five Tones, which was later generalized. Do you remember the story of Boya and Ziqi? Clearly, understanding the tone is not simple. Can listening to a person's voice reveal their condition? Is it too mystical? Not at all! Historically, some people indeed could do this. If someone speaks in the next room and you know their disease, that is "knowing through auscultation/olfaction," that is being a Sage. Why? Because disease correlates with the Five Tones. If your Lungs are diseased, your Shang tone will definitely have problems; if your Heart is diseased, your Zhi tone will definitely have problems. Thus, listening to the voice allows one to roughly understand the condition. However, we are currently like deaf people; we hear only chaotic noise, unable to understand the true Five Tones. Some don't even understand the concept of Five Tones; upon hearing it, they say it's unscientific, arguing it should be 1234567, i.e., seven tones, questioning why five tones? The Five Tones are a profound subject worthy of serious study. The above mentions the diagnostic perspective; the therapeutic perspective is the same. The Five Flavors can treat disease, the Five Qi can treat disease, and the Five Tones can also treat disease. Shang tone belongs to the West, corresponding to Metal; Metal can overcome Wood. You may know that Antelope Horn and Uncaria can calm the Liver and extinguish Wind, but you should also know that Shang tone can equally calm the Liver and extinguish Wind. Music therapy is popular in many parts of the West now, which is a welcome sign. However, this music therapy is still relatively primitive, at an elementary school level, or even kindergarten level. True high-level practice lies in "High Mountains and Flowing Water" and in TCM. I hope everyone conducts research in this area, not limiting themselves to prescribing Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), or contemporary formulas like Jing Fang Bai Du San. Do not limit yourself here; broaden your horizons. TCM can achieve much in the 21st century. Why? Because its correlations are numerous, and it is precisely these correlations that determine its potential in many fields. Many TCM practitioners going to the West only practice acupuncture, massage, and prescribe Chinese herbs. Westerners think TCM only has these tricks. Why not explore music therapy? You can research the Five Tones and open a true Five Tone sanatorium. *Records of the Grand Historian: Book of Music* states: "Music agitates the blood vessels and circulates the spirit." This shows that the effect of music on the human body and disease was proposed long ago. This means there are too many operable elements in TCM; we should not just grasp the little bit we have now.
Within the framework of Fang, there are many related issues: Time, Five Elements, Six Qi, Five Colors, Five Tones, Five Flavors, and many more below. For example, the Five Odors (Wu Chou). "Chou" is a disyllabic word, pronounced "Xiu" here. Odor differs from flavor; it is perceived through the nose. The Five Odors are Hao (musky/gamey), Shao (burnt), Xiang (fragrant), Xing (fishy), and Fu (putrid). The East corresponds to Hao, the South to Shao, the Center to Xiang, the West to Xing, and the North to Fu. Regarding the Five Odors, perhaps we are more sensitive to them than others, especially certain odors that leave deep impressions. For example, fragrant and dry substances. Why does everyone like fragrant and dry things so much? Especially when lacking appetite, one craves fragrant foods. Why? Because Fragrance belongs to the Center, enters Earth, enters the Spleen and Stomach. When the Spleen and Stomach transport and transform well, appetite naturally opens. I recall that the late Mr. Pu Fuzhou once treated a patient with a chronic illness in old age. Symptoms included irritability, insomnia, lack of appetite, no bowel movement for seven days, followed by vomiting—vomiting food after eating, water after drinking, and medicine after taking it. The family believed there was no hope, seeking treatment from Mr. Pu out of a "try it anyway" attitude. Mr. Pu asked detailed questions about the condition. Upon learning the patient only desired tea, he took 6 grams of "Longjing" tea, instructed to boil water for two minutes before adding leaves, boil twice, and give small sips to the patient. The next day, the patient's children joyfully reported: "As soon as the tea was brewed, my mother smelled the fragrance and asked to drink. She slowly drank a few sips without vomiting, felt comfortable in her heart, then her abdomen gurgled, she passed two farts, and excreted two hard stools. She slept that night and woke up hungry asking for food." Mr. Pu advised giving small amounts of thin porridge. With dietary regulation for over a month, she recovered. A single tea beverage cured such a severe illness, which colleagues found remarkable. At the time, I also found this case incredible and did not understand the principle. However, discussing the Five Odors today makes this principle clear. High-quality "Longjing" is very fragrant. According to Mr. Pu's brewing method, one extracts the Odor rather than the Flavor. Thus, the fragrance enters the Central Earth directly, awakening the Spleen and opening the stomach. Appropriate tea drinking aids digestion; this is the reason. There are many examples regarding the Five Odors. In Chapter 1, we discussed examples from *Brain Revolution* and treating bone cancer, both related to the Five Odors.
⑨ Five Livestock