《内经》曰∶肾者，作强之官，伎巧出焉。
肾者，主蛰，封藏之本，精之处也。其华在发，其充在骨，为阴中之太阴，通于冬气。
北方黑色，入通于肾，开窍于耳，藏精于肾。故病在溪。其味咸，其类水，其畜彘，
其谷豆，其应四时，上为辰星。是以知病之在骨也。其音羽，其数六，其臭腐，其液唾。
北方生寒，寒生水，水生咸，咸在肾，肾生骨髓。髓生肝，肾主耳，其在天为寒，在地
为水，在体为骨，在脏为肾。在声为呻，在变动为栗，在志为恐，恐伤肾。思胜恐，寒伤血
，燥胜寒，咸伤血，甘胜咸。
足少阴穴二十七，涌泉、然谷、太溪溢，大钟、水泉通照海，复溜、交信、筑宾实，阴
谷
都密，通谷、幽门寸半辟。折量腹上分十一，步廊、神封膺灵墟，神藏、 、中俞府毕（
左右五十四穴）。
此一经起于涌泉，终于俞府。取涌泉、然谷、太溪、复溜、阴谷、与井荥俞经合也。
脉起小指之下，斜趋足心，出然谷之下，循内踝之后，别入跟中，上 内，出 内
廉，上股内后廉，贯脊，属肾，络膀胱；其直行者，从肾上贯肝膈，入肺中，循喉咙侠舌本
；其支者，从肺出络心，注胸中。多气少血，酉时气血注此。
癸水之脏，脉居左尺。一脏而二形，左名肾，男子以藏精；右名命门，女子以系胞。元
气之根，精神之舍。受病同归于膀胱，诊候两分于水火。实则脉实，小腹胀满而腰背急强，
便黄舌燥者，泻肾汤可以广推；虚则脉虚，气寒阳痿而言音混浊，胫弱脉代者，苁蓉散宜加
寻讨。肾气不和腰胁痛，散号异香；阳经郁滞背肩疼，汤名通气。腰痛散八角茴香，精泄末
一升韭子。气滞腰间堪顺气，血凝臂痛，可舒经。五味能交心肾，须茯神远志川归，山药苁
蓉枸杞；龙骨安养精神，与益智茴香故纸，鹿茸牛膝黄 。地黄补肾益阴，加当归而补髓；
附子驱寒去湿，倍人参而壮阳。龙骨治骨虚酸痛，猪肾济肾弱腰亏。大抵咸能走肾，秋石
须明配合；寒能败命，春茗要别陈新，渗淡泻水之剂宜慎，烧炼助火之丹勿餐。东垣曾谓肉
桂独活报使，钱氏独用地黄枸杞引经。抑又闻竹破须将竹补，胞鸡还要卵为。谁知人人本有
长生药，自是迷徒枉摆抛。甘露降时天地合，黄芽生处坎离交。井蛙应谓无龙窟，篱鹤
争知有风巢。丹熟自然金满屋，何须寻草学烧茅。
《导引本经》∶人禀天地之气以有生，而太极之精寓焉，比吾之所固有，而充塞乎两间
者也
乘之，而百病作。是洞开四门以纳盗，几何不至于败哉！然自古圣人率多令考，岂其浑蒙
穆，得于天者独浓，嘘吸偃仰，成于人者有异术耶。亦以志宁道一，神爽不漓，俾吾固有
之真，常为一身之主，则荣卫周流，邪无自入。彼风寒暑湿，譬之坚城，外盗虽踵至迭窥，
其何以得其隙而肆之虐哉？鸣医者家，辨症循方，按脉施剂，倏忽收功，固所不废。然盗至
而遏之，孰若无盗之可遏也；病至而疗之，孰若无病之可疗也。与其求金石之饵，而常患其
不足，孰若求吾身之精，而恒自有余也。故黄帝、岐伯问答曰，百体从令，惟于保太和而泰
天君得之。盖此意也。先贤云∶天地之大宝珠玉，人身之大宝精神。《内经》曰∶男女人之
大欲存焉。诚能以理制欲，以义驭情，虽美色在前，不过悦目畅志而已，奚可恣情丧精，所
谓油尽灯灭，髓竭人亡；添油灯壮，补髓人强也。又曰∶冬月天地闭，血气藏，伏阳在内，
心膈多热，切忌发汗，以泄阳气，此谓之闭藏。水冰地坼，无扰乎阳，早卧晚起，必待日光
，使志若伏若匿，若有私意，若已有得，去寒就温，勿泄皮肤，使气亟夺，此冬气之应，养
藏之道也。逆之则伤肾，春为痿厥。人宜服固本益肾酒，以迎阳气耳。不可过暖致伤目，而
亦不可太醉冒寒。如冬伤于寒，春必病温，故先王于是月闭关，俾寒热适中可也。尝闻之曰
∶湛然诚一守精玄，得象忘言辨道看，好把牝门凭理顾，子前午后用神占。是则以元精炼交
感之精，三物混合，与道合真，自然元精固，而交感之精不漏，卫生之法，先此而已。前肾
所谓精全不思欲，气全不思食，神全不思睡，斯言尽矣。
肾主蛰伏（冬眠状态），是封藏的根本，也是精气的汇聚之处。它的光华表现在头发，其充养体现在骨骼，属于阴中的太阴，与冬季的气候相通。
北方对应黑色，气机内通于肾，开窍于耳，精气储藏于肾。所以疾病发生在溪谷（肌肉间隙）。它的味道是咸，类别属水，家畜对应猪，谷物对应豆，与四季相应，在天体上对应辰星。因此可以知道病在骨。它的音律是羽，成数是六，气味是腐臭，体液是唾。
北方产生寒，寒生水，水生咸味，咸味入肾，肾生骨髓。髓生肝（此处指五行相生关系，实则肾水生肝木），肾主耳，它在天为寒，在地为水，在人体形体为骨，在五脏为肾。在五声为呻吟，在变动为战栗，在五志为恐，恐伤肾。思胜恐，寒伤血，燥胜寒，咸伤血，甘胜咸。
足少阴肾经有二十七个穴位：涌泉、然谷、太溪充盈，大钟、水泉、通里、照海相通，复溜、交信、筑宾充实，阴谷、都门、通谷、幽门各取寸半。腹部度量分为十一分，步廊、神封、膺灵墟、神藏、彧中、俞府结束（左右共五十四穴）。
这一经脉起于涌泉穴，终于俞府穴。选取涌泉、然谷、太溪、复溜、阴谷，分别对应井、荥、输、经、合五输穴。
脉气从小趾下方起始，斜向足心，出于然谷穴下方，沿内踝后方行走，分支进入脚跟，上行至小腿肚内侧，出于小腿内侧后缘，上行大腿内侧后缘，贯穿脊柱，属于肾，联络膀胱；其直行者，从肾上行贯穿肝和膈肌，进入肺中，沿喉咙夹舌根两侧；其支脉，从肺分出联络心脏，注入胸中。此经多气少血，酉时气血灌注于此。
癸水之脏，脉象位于左尺部。一个脏器有两种形态，左边名为肾，男子用来藏精；右边名为命门，女子用来系胞宫。它是元气的根本，精神的居所。受病后同归于膀胱，诊候在水火两方面区分。实证则脉实，小腹胀满且腰背僵硬强直，小便黄、舌干燥的，泻肾汤可以广泛推广应用；虚证则脉虚，气寒阳痿且声音浑浊，小腿软弱、脉象代弱的，苁蓉散适宜仔细寻究使用。肾气不和导致腰胁痛，方剂名为异香散；阳经郁滞导致背肩痛，汤剂名为通气汤。腰痛散用八角茴香，精液滑泄末药用韭子一升。气滞腰间可顺气，血凝臂痛可舒经。五味子能交通心肾，需配合茯神、远志、川芎当归、山药、肉苁蓉、枸杞；龙骨安养精神，配合益智仁、茴香、破故纸、鹿茸、牛膝、黄柏。地黄补肾益阴，加当归以补髓；附子驱寒去湿，倍用人参以壮阳。龙骨治疗骨虚酸痛，猪肾辅助肾虚腰亏。大致而言，咸味能走肾，秋石必须明白配合；寒性败坏生命，春茶要辨别陈新，渗淡利水的药剂宜谨慎，烧炼助火的丹药不要食用。李东垣曾说肉桂、独活作为引经报使药，钱乙独用地黄、枸杞作为引经药。又听说竹子破了要用竹子来修补，鸡胞破了还要用卵来补。谁知道人人本有长生药，只是迷途的人白白抛弃。甘露降下时天地合一，黄芽生出处坎离相交。井底之蛙应认为没有龙窟，篱笆上的鹤怎知有凤凰巢。丹药成熟自然金满屋，何须寻找草药学习烧茅草炼丹。
《导引本经》说：人禀受天地之气而生存，太极的精气寓存其中，比我所固有的，充塞于天地之间。如果违背它，百病就会发作。这就像打开四门接纳盗贼，怎么能不导致失败呢？然而自古圣人大多教导考察养生，难道是他们浑厚蒙昧，得天赋特别浓厚，呼吸俯仰，成就于人有不同的技艺吗？也是因为意志安宁道一，神气清爽不流失，使我固有的真气，常成为一身之主，那么营卫周流，邪气无从侵入。那些风寒暑湿，好比坚固的城池，外来的盗贼虽然接踵而至窥探，怎么能找到缝隙肆意肆虐呢？称医生之家，辨证循方，按脉施药，迅速见效，固然不可废弃。然而盗贼来了再遏制，不如没有盗贼可以遏制；病来了再治疗，不如没有病可以治疗。与其寻求金石类的药物，常常担心不足，不如寻求我身体的精气，恒常自有余。所以黄帝、岐伯问答说，百体听从命令，只有保持太和之气并泰定天君（心神）才能得到。大概就是这个意思。先贤说：天地的大宝是珠玉，人身的大宝是精神。《内经》说：男人女人的大欲望存在于此。如果能以理制欲，以义驾驭情感，即使美色在前，也不过悦目畅志而已，怎么可以放纵情欲丧失精气，所谓油尽灯灭，髓竭人亡；添油灯壮，补髓人强啊。又说：冬天天地闭塞，血气收藏，伏阳在内，心膈多热，切忌发汗，以泄阳气，这叫做闭藏。水结冰地裂开，不要扰动阳气，早卧晚起，一定要等到太阳出来，使意志像潜伏隐匿一样，好像有私意，好像已有所得，去寒就温，不要使皮肤开泄，使气频繁耗夺，这是顺应冬气，养藏之道。违背它就会伤肾，春天会导致痿厥。人适宜服用固本益肾酒，以迎接阳气罢了。不可过暖以致伤目，也不可太醉冒犯寒冷。如冬天受寒，春天必患温病，所以先王在这个月闭关，使寒热适中就可以了。曾听说过：湛然诚一守住精玄，得象忘言辨道看，好把牝门凭理顾，子前午后用神占。这就是用元精炼化交感之精，三物混合，与道合真，自然元精固守，而交感之精不漏，卫生的方法，先从这里开始。前肾所说的精全不思欲，气全不思食，神全不思睡，这话就说尽了。
According to the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon): The Kidney is the official responsible for strength and vigor, from which skills and ingenuity emerge.
The Kidney governs hibernation (quiescence), serving as the root of sealing and storing, and is the residence of Essence (Jing). Its brilliance manifests in the hair, its nourishment fills the bones, it belongs to the Great Yin within the Yin category, and connects with the Qi of Winter.
The North corresponds to black, internally connecting to the Kidney, opening into the ears, and storing Essence within the Kidney. Therefore, diseases manifest in the muscle clefts (Xi). Its flavor is salty, its element is Water, its associated domestic animal is the pig, its grain is the bean, it corresponds to the four seasons, and in the heavens it corresponds to Chenxing (the planet Mercury). Thus, one knows that disease resides in the bones. Its musical note is Yu, its number is six, its odor is putrid, and its fluid is saliva.
The North generates Cold; Cold generates Water; Water generates Salty flavor; Salty flavor enters the Kidney; the Kidney generates Marrow; Marrow generates the Liver. The Kidney governs the ears. In Heaven it is Cold, on Earth it is Water, in the body it is Bone, and in the Zang organs it is the Kidney. In sound it is groaning, in movement it is shivering, in emotion it is Fear, and Fear damages the Kidney. Thought overcomes Fear; Cold damages Blood; Dryness overcomes Cold; Salty flavor damages Blood; Sweet flavor overcomes Salty flavor.
There are twenty-seven acupoints on the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian: Yongquan (K1), Rangu (K2), Taixi (K3) are full; Dazhong (K4), Shuiquan (K5), Zhaohai (K6); Fuliu (K7), Jiaoxin (K8), Zubin (K9); Yinggu (K10), Dumai (K11); Tonggu (K12), Youmen (K13) open at half a cun. Measuring the abdomen vertically involves eleven fen; Bulang (KI14), Shenfeng (KI15), Yinglingxu (KI16), Shencang (KI17), [Missing Character], Zhongshu (KI18), Yufu (KI23) conclude (twenty-seven points on each side, totaling fifty-four points).
This meridian originates at Yongquan and terminates at Yufu. Selecting Yongquan, Rangu, Taixi, Fuliu, and Yinggu corresponds to the Jing-River-Well-Spring-He-Sea five Shu points.
The pulse originates below the little toe, slants toward the center of the foot, emerges below Rangu, follows behind the medial malleolus, branches into the heel, ascends along the medial aspect of the lower leg, emerges at the medial border of the thigh, penetrates the spine, attaches to the Kidney, and connects with the Bladder; its straight branch ascends from the Kidney through the Liver and Diaphragm, enters the Lung, follows the throat, and flanks the base of the tongue; its branch emerges from the Lung, connects with the Heart, and pours into the chest. It has abundant Qi and scarce Blood; during the You hour (5 PM - 7 PM), Qi and Blood flow into this meridian.
It is the organ of Gui Water, with the pulse located at the left Chi position. One organ has two forms: the left is named Kidney, storing Essence in men; the right is named Mingmen (Gate of Life), anchoring the Uterus in women. It is the root of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and the residence of Spirit (Shen). When diseased, it returns to the Bladder; diagnosis distinguishes between Water and Fire. Excess presents with an excess pulse, distension and fullness of the lower abdomen, stiffness and rigidity of the waist and back, yellow urine, and dry tongue; Xie Shen Tang (Drain the Kidney Decoction) can be widely applied. Deficiency presents with a deficient pulse, cold Qi, impotence, turbid voice, weak calves, and intermittent pulse; Cong Rong San (Cistanche Powder) should be carefully studied. If Kidney Qi is disharmonious causing waist and hypochondriac pain, a powder named Yixiang (Strange Fragrance) is used; if Yang meridians are stagnant causing back and shoulder pain, a decoction named Tongqi (Unblocking Qi) is used. Yaotong San (Lumbago Powder) contains Ba Jiao Hui Xiang (Star Anise and Fennel); Jingxie Mo uses Jiu Zi (Leek Seed) one sheng. For Qi stagnation in the waist to promote smooth Qi flow, and blood stasis in the arm causing pain, Shujing (Relaxing the Channels) can be used. Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry) can communicate between the Heart and Kidney, requiring Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), Chuan Gui (Sichuan Lovage and Angelica Sinensis), Shan Yao (Dioscorea), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche), and Gou Qi (Goji Berry); Long Gu (Dragon Bone) calms and nourishes the Spirit, combined with Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla), Hui Xiang (Fennel), Gu Zhi (Psoralea), Lu Rong (Deer Antler), Niu Xi (Achyranthes), and Huang Bo (Phellodendron). Di Huang (Rehmannia) tonifies the Kidney and benefits Yin; adding Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) tonifies Marrow. Fu Zi (Aconite) expels Cold and removes Dampness; doubling Ren Shen (Ginseng) strengthens Yang. Long Gu treats bone deficiency with soreness and pain; Zhu Shen (Pig Kidney) aids Kidney weakness and lumbar deficit. Generally, Salty flavor travels to the Kidney; Qiu Shi (Autumn Stone) requires clear combination; Cold can ruin life; Chun Ming (Spring Tea) must distinguish between old and new; agents that drain and lighten to eliminate water should be used cautiously; pills refined to assist Fire should not be consumed. Li Dongyuan once stated that Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) and Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens) act as guiding messengers; Qian Yi used only Di Huang and Gou Qi as guiding herbs. Furthermore, it is heard that "if bamboo breaks, it must be repaired with bamboo; if the hen breaks, it still needs the egg." Who knows that everyone inherently possesses the elixir of longevity, yet lost disciples vainly discard it? When sweet dew descends, Heaven and Earth unite; where Yellow Sprout arises, Kan and Li intersect. A frog in a well should say there is no dragon's cave; a crane by the fence how could know there is a phoenix's nest? When the elixir ripens, naturally gold fills the house; why seek herbs to learn burning茅草 (mao grass)?
The *Daoyin Benjing* states: Humans receive the Qi of Heaven and Earth to have life, and the essence of Taiji resides therein, which is what we inherently possess and fills the universe.
If one rides upon it improperly, hundred diseases arise. This is like opening four doors to admit thieves; how could it not lead to ruin! Yet since ancient times, sages have mostly commanded examination. Is it because they were浑蒙 (thick and ignorant), receiving Heaven's endowment particularly heavily, and their breathing and postures achieved human distinction through unique arts? Or is it because will is tranquil and Dao is one, spirit is fresh and unadulterated, allowing our inherent True Qi to always be the master of the body, so that Ying and Wei circulate freely, and evil has no entry? Those Wind, Cold, Summer-Heat, and Dampness are like a strong city; although external thieves come repeatedly to spy, how can they find gaps to wreak havoc? Those who claim to be medical families, distinguishing symptoms and following formulas, applying prescriptions according to pulses, suddenly achieving results, certainly do not abandon this. However, stopping thieves when they arrive is inferior to having no thieves to stop; treating illness when it arrives is inferior to having no illness to treat. Rather than seeking mineral drugs and constantly worrying about insufficiency, it is better to seek the Jing of our own body and always have surplus. Thus, the dialogue between Huangdi and Qibo states: "The hundred limbs obey orders; only by preserving Taihe (Great Harmony) and stabilizing Tianjun (Heavenly Monarch/Spirit) can this be achieved." This is the meaning. Sages of old said: "The great treasure of Heaven and Earth is pearls and jade; the great treasure of the human body is Spirit and Essence." The *Neijing* says: "The great desires of men and women exist here." Indeed, if one can use Reason to control desire, and Righteousness to drive emotion, even if beautiful colors are before the eyes, it is merely pleasing to the eye and soothing to the mind; how can one indulge in情欲 (lust) and lose Essence? As the saying goes: "When oil is exhausted, the lamp extinguishes; when Marrow is depleted, the person dies; adding oil strengthens the lamp, replenishing Marrow strengthens the person." It also says: "In winter, Heaven and Earth close; Blood and Qi hide; latent Yang is inside, and the Heart and Diaphragm are often hot. One must strictly avoid sweating to leak Yang Qi; this is called Closing and Storing. Water freezes, earth cracks; do not disturb Yang. Sleep early, rise late, waiting for sunlight. Let your will be like hiding or concealing, as if having private intentions, as if already satisfied. Move away from cold and towards warmth; do not vent the skin pores, causing Qi to be frequently deprived. This is responding to Winter Qi, the way of nurturing storage. Violating it damages the Kidney, leading to Wei Jue (flaccidity and cold extremities) in Spring. People should consume Guben Yishen Jiu (Root-Firming Kidney-Nourishing Wine) to welcome Yang Qi. Do not become too warm, injuring the eyes; nor get too drunk and expose oneself to cold. If injured by Cold in Winter, Warm Disease will surely occur in Spring. Therefore, the former Kings closed passes in this month, ensuring heat and cold were moderate." I have heard it said: "Profoundly calm and sincere, guarding the profound Essence; obtaining images and forgetting words to discern the Dao; properly managing the female gate (lower dantian) based on reason; using divine calculation before Zi hour and after Wu hour." Thus, refining Yuan Jing (Original Essence) to transform Jiaogan Jing (Sexual Essence), mixing three substances to merge with Dao, naturally Yuan Jing solidifies, and Jiaogan Jing does not leak. Methods of health preservation begin here. Regarding the aforementioned Kidney: when Essence is complete, one does not think of lust; when Qi is complete, one does not think of food; when Spirit is complete, one does not think of sleep. These words summarize it all.