黄帝问曰∶为五谷汤液及醪醴奈何？岐伯对曰∶必以稻米，炊之稻薪，稻米者完，稻薪者坚。帝曰∶
何以然？岐伯曰∶此得天地之和，高下之宜，故能至完，伐取得时，故能至坚也。帝曰∶上古圣人作汤液
醪醴，为而不用何也？岐伯曰∶自古圣人之作汤液醪醴者，以为备耳，夫上古作汤液，故为而弗服也。中古
之世，道德稍衰，邪气时至，服之万
全。帝曰∶今之世不必已何也？岐伯曰∶当今之世，必齐毒药攻其中， 石针艾治其外也。帝曰∶形
弊血尽而功不立者何？岐伯曰∶神不使也。帝曰∶何谓神不使？岐伯曰∶针石，道也。精神不进，志意
不治，故病不可愈。今精坏神去，荣卫不可复收。何者？嗜欲无穷，而忧患不止，精气弛坏，荣泣卫除，故
神去之而病不愈也。帝曰∶夫病之始生也，极微极精，必先入结于皮肤。今良工皆称曰∶病成名曰逆，则针
石不能治，良药不能及也。今良工皆得其法，守其数，亲戚兄弟远近音声日闻于耳，五色日见于目，而病不
愈者，亦何暇不早乎？岐伯曰∶病为本，工为标，标本不得，邪气不服，此之谓也。帝曰∶其有不
从毫毛而生，五脏阳以竭也，津液充郭，其魄独居，精孤于内，气耗于外，形不可与衣相保，此四极急而动
中，是气拒于内，而形施于外，治之奈何？岐伯曰∶平治于权衡，去宛陈 ，微动四极，温衣，缪刺其处，
以复其形。开鬼门，洁净府，精以时服，五阳已布，疏涤五脏，故精自生，形自盛，骨肉相保，巨气乃平。
帝曰∶善。
黄帝问道：制作五谷的汤液和醪醴，应当怎么做？岐伯回答说：一定要用稻米作为原料，用稻秆作为燃料。因为稻米禀受天地之气最为完备，稻秆质地坚实。黄帝问：为什么这样说呢？岐伯说：这是因为稻子得天地中和之气，生长在高下适宜的地方，所以品质最为完备；在适当的时候砍伐采集，所以质地最为坚实。黄帝问：上古时期的圣人制作汤液和醪醴，做好了却不用来治病，这是为什么呢？岐伯说：自古圣人制作汤液和醪醴，是为了防备疾病之用。在上古时代，人们制作汤液，只是备而不用，并不服用。到了中古时期，人们的道德稍微衰退，邪气不时侵袭人体，这时服用汤液就能使疾病万全治愈。黄帝问：为什么现代的人即使服用了也不能痊愈呢？岐伯说：当今之世，必须配合使用药物攻治其内部，用砭石、针具和艾灸治疗其外部。黄帝问：如果形体败坏、血液枯竭，而治疗效果却不显著，这是什么原因呢？岐伯说：这是因为“神”不能发挥作用了。黄帝问：什么叫“神不使”？岐伯说：针石等治疗手段，是依靠人的精神活动来发挥作用的。如果患者的精神不能集中，意志不能调摄，那么疾病就无法治愈。如今精气败坏、神气离去，营气和卫气无法再恢复。为什么呢？因为嗜欲没有穷尽，忧患不停止，导致精气松弛败坏，营血凝涩、卫气消散，所以神气离去而疾病不能痊愈。黄帝问：疾病刚开始产生的时候，极其细微精微，必定先结聚在皮肤表面。现在高明的医生都说：病名定为“逆证”，那么针石就不能治疗，良药也起不到作用了。现在的医生都掌握了治疗方法，遵守治疗法则，亲戚兄弟无论远近，他们的声音天天在耳边听到，面色天天在眼前看到，但疾病仍然不能痊愈，这难道不是因为他们没有及早诊治吗？岐伯说：患者本身是根本，医生是标末，如果标本不相合（即患者不信任或不配合医生），邪气就不能被制服，说的就是这个道理。黄帝问：有一种病不是从毫毛皮肤开始发生的，而是五脏的阳气已经衰竭，津液充满胸腹，魄独居于内（指阴盛阳衰），精气孤立于内，气耗散于外，形体消瘦以至于衣服都显得宽大不合身，四肢紧急拘挛且影响内脏，这是气机阻滞于内，形体改变于外，应该如何治疗呢？岐伯说：应当权衡病情轻重，去除体内积滞的陈腐之物，轻微活动四肢，注意保暖，采用缪刺法在治疗部位施针，以恢复形体正常。打开汗孔（发汗），通利小便，精气按时恢复，五脏阳气得以布散，疏通涤荡五脏，所以精气自然生成，形体自然强盛，骨肉相互保护，正气于是平和。黄帝说：好。
Huangdi asked, saying: "How should one prepare the decoctions and fermented wines from the five grains?" Qibo replied, saying: "One must use rice as the grain and burn rice straw as fuel. Rice is complete/perfect, and rice straw is firm/solid." The Emperor said: "Why is this so?" Qibo said: "This is because they obtain the harmony of Heaven and Earth and the suitability of high and low places, thus achieving completeness; being harvested at the proper time, they achieve solidity." The Emperor said: "In ancient times, the sages made decoctions and fermented wines, but why were they prepared yet not used?" Qibo said: "Since ancient times, when sages made decoctions and fermented wines, it was for preparation/defense. In ancient times, decoctions were made but not taken. In the middle antiquity, virtue and morality slightly declined, and pathogenic factors frequently arrived; taking them ensured complete recovery." The Emperor said: "Why is it that in today's world, even if taken, the disease does not necessarily resolve?" Qibo said: "In today's world, one must definitely use medicinal drugs to attack internally, and use Bian stones, needles, and moxa to treat externally." The Emperor said: "What is the reason that when the form is exhausted and blood is depleted, therapeutic efficacy is not established?" Qibo said: "It is because the Shen (Spirit) does not respond/enable." The Emperor said: "What do you mean by 'Shen does not enable'?" Qibo said: "Needles and stones are the Dao/methods. If Jing (Essence) and Shen do not advance, and Zhi (Will) is not regulated, then the disease cannot be cured. Now, if Jing is ruined and Shen departs, Ying (Nutritive Qi) and Wei (Defensive Qi) cannot be recovered. Why? Because desires are endless, and worries and anxieties never cease; Jingqi becomes lax and ruined, Ying becomes stagnant, and Wei is eliminated. Thus, Shen departs, and the disease does not heal." The Emperor said: "When a disease first begins, it is extremely subtle and refined, and must first enter and knot in the skin and hair. Now, skilled physicians all say: 'The disease is named 'Ni' (Rebellious/Difficult), and then needles and stones cannot treat it, and good medicines cannot reach it.' Now, skilled physicians have obtained the methods and守 (guard/maintain) their numbers/principles. Relatives and brothers, near or far, their voices are heard daily in the ears, and their colors are seen daily in the eyes, yet the disease does not heal. Is it not because they did not treat it early enough?" Qibo said: "The patient is the Ben (Root), and the physician is the Biao (Branch). If Root and Branch do not match/cooperate, the pathogenic factor will not be subdued. This is what is meant." The Emperor said: "There are cases where the disease does not arise from the hair and skin, but the Yang Qi of the Five Zang organs has been exhausted. Jin Ye (Body Fluids) fill the chest and abdomen, Po (Corporeal Soul) dwells alone, Jing is isolated internally, Qi is consumed externally, the form cannot be maintained with clothes, the four extremities are urgent/tight and move the interior. This is Qi resisting internally and the form changing externally. How should it be treated?" Qibo said: "Balance and weigh the situation, remove the accumulated stale matter, slightly move the four extremities, wear warm clothing, and apply Miu Ci (Lateral Puncture) at the sites, to restore the form. Open the Ghost Gates (sweat pores), purify the Clean Fu (bladder/intestines), let Jing serve regularly, let the Five Yangs be distributed, dredge and cleanse the Five Zang. Thus, Jing generates itself, the form prospers itself, bone and flesh protect each other, and the Great Qi becomes peaceful." The Emperor said: "Excellent."