Huangdi Neijing
Suwen
Chapter 1 Health preservation
Nothing is more important than human between the heaven and earth. Man need Qi of heaven and earth and live with the law of four seasons.
“In ancient times people could live one hundred years and were still strong and agile in movement. But nowadays people are not so nimble when they are fifty.”
“In ancient times people knew the way of keeping health. They always kept their daily activity in accordance with nature and the principle of Yin and Yang. They did health reserving exercise.”
“They had healthy diets, went to bed and got up regularly, and never overstrained. In this way they could maintain health bodily and mentally, and were able to live one hundred years old.”
“But nowadays people are quite different. They take alcohol as water, keep exhausting as a routine, indulge in sex that use up their essence. They waste genuine Qi by doing what they like, do not go to bed and get up regularly. Therefore, they become decrepit when they are only fifty.”
“Avoid evil pathogens and wind, be free from all desires, and keep tranquil, the genuine Qi will be kept and harmonized. If we concentrate our mind internally, how can illness come in?”
Keep a cheerful mood with lower longing and do not worry about something bad happening; work without feeling fatigue; have calm spirit to save genuine Qi; not be covetous so we can be satisfied easily; enjoy food and clothes that you have; feel at ease with local custom. Do not follow or admire the better life of others. If we do so we are as plain as ancient people.
“Keep eyes away from longing. Keep heart not be lured by erotic or criminal ideas. Although the intelligence and moral character of people are different, but all of us can forget gain or loss, and keep health in nature principle.”
Chapter 2 Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang are the leading principle of everything in the world, parents of change, basis of birth and death, dwelling of spirit. To treat diseases must base on Yin and Yang.
“Yin and Yang can be counted from one to ten, ten to one hundred, one hundred to one thousand, one thousand to ten thousand and even to unlimited number. But the principle of Yin and Yang is just one.”
There are yin in the yin and yang in the yang. Morning to noon is yang period in the yang. Noon to dusk is yin period in the yang. Dusk to midnight is yin period in the yin. Midnight to morning is yang period in the yin.
Human beings can be divided into Yin and Yang.
Human body exists in Yin and Yang
For human body, exterior parts are yang and interior parts is yin. The back is yang and the abdomen is yin. For Zhang Fu organs, Fu organs are yang and Zhang organs are yin.
Yang accumulates and goes up forming the heaven; Yin concentrates and goes down forming the earth. Yin is calm and Yang is active.
Yang activates the Qi and yin shapes up the body.
Yin deficiency causes interior heat and yang excess causes exterior heat.
Yin stores essence inside and yang guards outside.
The clear Yang goes up to the upper orifices; the turbid Yin gets out from the lower orifices. The clear Yang is sent to the striae of skin; the turbid Yin moves inside the five Zhang organs. The clear Yang strengthens the four limbs; the turbid Yin is stored in the six fu organs.
The overabundant Yin will damage Yang, and the overabundant Yang will damage Yin. The overabundant Yang will lead to heat syndrome, and the overabundant Yin will bring about cold syndrome. The extreme heat may lead to cold, and the extreme cold may lead to heat.
The extreme Yin will change to Yang, the extreme Yang will change to Yin.
Examine if the disease belongs to Yin or Yang first, then determine treatment based on Yin and Yang. Treat Yin for Yang diseases, and treat Yang for Yin diseases.
Good doctors distinguish whether the disease belongs to Yin or Yang by examining the complexion and palpating the pulse.
Extreme cold leads to heat and extreme heat brings on cold.
Pungent and sweet herbs that are dissipating belong to Yang. Sour and bitter herbs that are emetic and laxative belong to Yin.
Following yin and yang makes people survive, violate yin and yang makes people sick. If being sick, following yin and yang makes people survive, violate yin and yang makes people die.
Things originate, develop, get to extreme, then decline. There are many complicated changes of yin and yang. Wise doctor treats patient with unfixed formulas.
Yin and yang balance makes people healthy, yin and yang separation makes people die.
Over thinking and working exhaust yin and essence, leading to syncope in summer .
Yang vitalize Shen and activate tendon.
Yang for human is just like sun for the earth. Without it people will die.
If yang is abundant the eyes will be open widely. If yin is abundant the eyes will be closed frequently.
People feel sleepy when yang has declined and awake when yin has declined.
Chapter 3. Physiological development
For woman, kidney Qi become prosperous at seven, their milk/baby teeth fall out, permanent teeth and hair grow.
(For woman) At the age of the second 7(fourteen), their Tian Gui appears, Ren channel opens, Chong channel becomes prosperous and menstruation begins. So they can become pregnant.
Tian Gui (天 癸 ) — the substance necessary for the promotion of growth, development and reproductive function of human body.
Kidney Qi – Tian Gui – Chong & Ren – Menses - Pregnancy
(For woman) Their kidney Qi mature at the third 7 (twentyone), their wisdom teeth have grown up and all teeth are completely developed.
(For woman) At the age of the fourth 7 (twenty-eight), their bone and muscle become substantial, their hair are flourishing. Their body is in the strongest condition in this stage.
(For woman) At the age of the fifth 7 (thirty-five) their Yangming channel decline gradually, face becomes withered, and hair begins to fall out.
(For woman) At the age of the sixth 7 (forty-two), their three Yang channels begin to decline. Their face complexion becomes wane, and hair begins to turn white.
(For woman) After the age of the seventh 7(forty-nine), both their Ren and Chong channels have declined, menstruation stopped because Tiangui is exhausted. Their physique turns to feeble, and they can not conceive.
For man, their kidney Qi become prosperous at the age of eight. Their hair grows and permanent teeth emerge.
(For man) Their kidney qi becomes prosperous at the age of the second 8(sixteen), their Tian Gui appears and sperm come out. By conducting sexual intercourse with a woman, they can have a child.
(For man) At the age of the third 8 (twenty-four), their kidney energy is developed well, muscle and bone are strong, wisdom teeth have grown up, and all their teeth are completely developed.
(For man) At the age of the fourth 8 (thirty-two), their whole body has developed in the best condition, and their muscles are very strong.
(For man) At the age of the fifth 8 (forty), their kidney Qi decline gradually, hair begins to fall and teeth begin to wither.
(For man) By the age of the sixth 8 (forty-eight), their kidney Qi declines. Their complexion becomes withered and hair becomes white.
(For man) After the age of the seventh 8 (fifty-six), their liver Qi declines. Their Tiangui is exhausted and sperm is limited. Tendons become rigid and fail to act nimbly.
(For man) After the age of the eight 8 (sixty-four), five Zhang organs are decrepit because the kidney Qi declined. Their teeth and hair fall, Tiangui has been used up, hair becomes white and the whole body becomes decrepit. They can not have child.
Chapter 4. Zhang Fu, Qi & blood, body fluid, and shen
Heart is the monarch of human body dominating Shen.
Lung is the prime minister managing vessels and regulate Qi.
Liver is the general who is brave and resourceful to make decision.
Gallbladder is the justice judging the right and wrong.
Spleen and stomach are the officer in charge of the granary, it manages the digesting, absorbing, spreading and storing five cereals.
Large intestine is the officer for transmitting waste and excrete them to the outside of body.
Small intestine is the officer of receiving the food from the stomach, digesting it, dividing it into essence and dreg, then absorbing the essence and transmitting the dregs to the large intestine.
Kidney is the powerful officer keeping essence and making people skillful and wise.
Triple warmer is the officer managing body water in water passage.
Bladder is the officer storing body fluid and excreting it after it is transformed into urine by Qi.
All twelve organs must cooperate and supplement each other.
Qi comes from refined substance transformed from cereals. When the cereals enter into the stomach, the refined substance will be transferred to the five Zhang organs and the six Fu organs.
The clear part of refined substance is called Ying Qi, and the turbid part is called Wei Qi, the Ying flows within the channels and vessels, and the Wei flows outside of the channels and vessels. They move in the whole body unceasingly.
Yellow Emperor asked: “Why an old man hardly fall asleep in the night time, and healthy young man can sleep soundly at night?”
For young man, Qi and blood are abundant, their muscles are strong and their Qi passage is unobstructed, their Ying and Wei move normally. So, they are spirited in the daytime and sleep soundly at night.
For old man, Qi and blood has declined, muscles are emaciated, energy passage is unsmooth, the Qi of five Zhang organs are not harmonious, Ying is deficient and Wei is weaken. So they are not spiritual in daytime and can not sleep soundly at night.
The upper Jiao is like mist, the middle Jiao is like the maceration tank, and the lower Jiao is like the sewer.
Heart is the base of life, where Shen is located, its quintessence appears on face and it fills the blood into the vessels.
Lung is the base of Qi, where Po is located, its quintessence appears in the body hair and it enriches the skin.
Kidney is the base of essence, its quintessence appears on the hair and it enriches the bone marrow.
Liver is the base of the limbs, where the Hun (soul) is located, its quintessence appears in the nails, and enriches tendons. It is also the place for storing blood, so it can regenerate the blood.
Spleen is the base of water and cereals, where the Ying Qi is generated. It transfers and transforms five tastes of cereals by absorption and excretion. It enriches muscles.
All eleven Zhang and Fu organs are based on gallbladder.
All vessels connect to the eyes, all marrows connect to the brain, all tendons connect to the joints, all blood connect to the heart, all Qi connect to the lung.
When people lie down, blood goes into the liver.
When eyes obtain blood, we can see, When feet obtain blood, we can walk, When hands obtain blood, we can hold, When fingers obtain blood, we can grasp.
The six organs, brain, spinal cord, bone, vessel, gallbladder and womb, are generated by earth Qi; they store essence and blood, just like the earth holding all things in place. So they are called “extraordinary Fu organs”.
The five organs, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, Sanjiao and bladder are generated by heaven Qi; they discharge continually without storing, like the heaven moving without stopping. So they are called “Fu organs for digestion and elimination”.
Five Zhang organs store essence without discharging. They are filled, but their Qi should move properly without block.
Six Fu organs digest, absorb and transport food without keeping it. Although they are filled with food, they should be empty respectively.
The door of Po (anus) is considered to be the sixth hollow organs, preventing the dross from remaining in the body too long.
Five Zhang organs connect to seven orifices.
The lung connects to the nose which can smell if the lung is fine. The heart connects to the tongue which can taste if the lung is fine. The liver connects to the eyes which can see if the liver is fine. The spleen connects to the mouth which can taste if the spleen is fine. The kidney connects to the ears which can the hear if the kidney is fine.
Five tastes enter different organs respectively : Sourness enters the liver, Acridness enters the lung, Bitterness enters the heart, Saltiness enters the kidney, Sweetness enters the spleen. These are so called the five entering.
When essence of five Zhang organs gather into one wrong organ, people will be mad: If essence gathered in heart, people will keep laughing; If gathered in lung, people will be sorrowful; If gathered in liver, people will be angry; If gathered in spleen, people will have anxiety; If gathered in kidney, people will be terrified. These are so called five gatherings.
The five Zhang organs have their own detestations: Heart detests heat; Lung detests cold; Liver detests wind; Spleen detests dampness; Kidney detests dryness. These are the so called five detestations.
There are different secretions from five Zhang organs: Sweat is the secretion of the heart; Nasal discharge is the secretion of the lung; Tears are the secretion of the liver; Serous saliva is the secretion of the spleen; Mucous saliva is the secretion of the kidney. These are the so called five secretions.
There are different mental storages in the five Zhang organs: Heart stores mind (Shen), Lung stores corporeal soul (Po), Liver stores ethereal soul (Hun), Spleen stores thought (Yi), Kidney stores will power (Zhi). These are so called the five storages.
There are different controlment of the five Zhang organs: Heart controls vessels; Lung controls skin; Liver controls tendons; Spleen controls muscles; Kidney controls bones. These are so called five controlment.
There are five kinds of impairments by overstraining: Long time watching damages blood; Long time lying damages Qi; Long time sitting damages e muscle; Long time standing damages bone; Long time walking damages tendon. These are so called five impairments.
When water enters the stomach, the clear part spreads to the spleen; and the spleen spreads it to the lung; the lung connects the water passage, and transports turbid water to the bladder. The refined part of water spreads by channels to the whole body.
The original substance that forms a new life is called essence (Jing).
Yin and Yang are combined to produce the activities of life are called spirit (Shen).
Spirit as mental activity is called the soul (Hun).
Action with soul (Hun) is called the inferior spirit (Po).
The organ which is in charge of the thinking is called heart.
The recall and thinking of heart is called Yi (expect).
The expect kept in heart is called will.
Adapting the change based on understanding is called Shi (thinking).
Considering about the future by thinking called Lun (worrying).
Making decision to solve problems is called Zhi (wisdom).
When Yin and Yang have done intercourse, a new life will form. The substance that produces the new life is called essence.
When the upper Jiao disperses the refined substances of the five cereals to warm skin and muscle, fill into the physique and moisten the fine hairs like dew moistening grasses and woods, it is called Qi.
When the striae excrete plenty of sweat, it is called thin fluid (Jin).
When water and cereals enter the stomach, the whole body will get Qi. The moist juice permeates into bone marrow making the bone joints smooth and be able to bend and stretch freely, invigorate the cerebral marrow inside and moisten the skin outside, it is called fluid (Ye).
When the middle Jiao receives the food, absorbs its refined substance and transforms it into red fluid, it is called blood.
The structures that keep Ying moving inside are called the vessels.
The Qi of six Fu are dominated by a certain organ respectively; but stomach is the sea of five cereals as energy source of life.
In the beginning of human life the essence of life is formed first, then it develops into the brain and the spinal cord, and finally, the human body is shaped.
Skeletons like pillars of wall, channels like the barracks connecting each other, tendons like strings, muscles like walls, and skins and hairs to protect them.
When the five cereal enter the stomach, the refined substances change to Qi and blood going to vessels and operating body unceasingly.
Lung is canopy of five Zhang and six Fu organs.
All vessels connect to lung.
The anterior Yin organs (genital organs) are the place where tendons assemble and Taiyin & Yangming channel pass by.
Take good care of Qi and blood because they are the Shen of human.
If Qi and blood is fine people can have long life.
The Shen of man is converted from essence of food.
The so called Shen is upright Qi.
With Shen, patient is curable; without Shen, patient is not curable.
Chapter 5 Etiology & pathology
19 sentences of pathogenesis
Most trembling and dizziness are related to the liver
Most pain and skin suppuration are related to the heart.
Most damp edema and abdominal distention are related to the spleen.
Most wheezing and feeling of chest oppression are related to the lung.
Most muscle cold stiffness are related to the kidney
Most atrophy, wheezing and vomiting are related to the upper Jiao.
Most cold extremities, feces and urine retention, or incontinence are related to the lower Jiao.
Most sudden muscle stiffness are related to wind.
Most clear and cold excretion are related to cold.
Most muscle convulsion and neck stiffness are related to dampness.
Most fever with a change of consciousness and convulsion are related to fire.
Most trismus, shivering and chattering of the teeth are related to fire.
Most Qi counterflowing up are related to fire.
Most mentally irritability, and mania are related to fire.
Most swelling with unbearable pain are related to fire.
Most abdominal distention and fullness are related to heat.
Most borborygmus with drum-like abdomen are related to heat.
Most cramp, opisthotonus and turbid excreted fluid are related to heat.
Most vomiting with, acute diarrhea are related to heat.
Essence deficiency causes deafness.
Qi deficiency causes blurred vision.
The skin striae open with perfused sweat causes Jin deficiency.
Ye (thick fluid) deficiency causes the joints movement disorder, lusterless complexion, cerebral marrow empty, sore legs, and tinnitus.
Blood deficiency causes pale skin without luster and vessels empty.
Lung heat consuming fluid of five zhang organs causes flaccidity.
Bi syndrome is caused by the attacked of wind, cold and dampness. If wind is dominant, it is called migratory Bi, If cold is dominant, it is called painful Bi, If dampness is dominant, it is called fixed Bi.
Overeating is harmful for the intestine and stomach.
Overwhelming wind causes trembling.
Overwhelming heat causes swelling.
Overwhelming desiccation causes dryness.
Overwhelming cold causes edema.
Overwhelming dampness causes diarrhea.
Most diseases are caused by Qi disorder.
Anger raises Qi up.
Overjoy slows Qi.
Sorrow disperses Qi.
Fear lowers Qi down.
Cold blocks Qi.
Heat discharges Qi.
Fright disturbs Qi.
Overwork consumes Qi.
Overthinking stagnates Qi.
Not only can lung but the entire five Zang and six Fu organs cause cough.
Most diseases are caused by overstrain.
Upright Qi deficiency results in the possibility of an evil pathogen attack.
The evil pathogen invades the body surface first. If it remains there longer, then it invades small collaterals, then collaterals, then channels, then Zhang Fu organs. Starting from body surface finally to five Zhang organs is the sequence of invasion of the evil pathogen.
It is an excess syndrome when evil pathogen is overabundant. It is a deficient syndrome when upright Qi is injured.
If dampness invades the body, patient will feel heaviness of the head like it is being wrapped.
Uncomfortable feeling of the stomach can cause insomnia.
Indulging in fatty food causes foot ulcer.
Emotional stress disturbs heart leading to uneasiness of all Zang fu organs.
Fatty food causes inner heat, sweet food causes abdominal distention. This situation may lead to Qi disorder and transform to diabetes.
Most of the diseases start from attack of wind, rain, cold, heat; indulging in sex; over joy or anger; unhealthy eating and life style; or strong and sudden fright.
When a cold pathogen invades vessels, blood will stagnate; when a hot pathogen invades vessels, blood will overflow.
Wind attacks mostly the upper body, dampness attacks mostly the lower body.
If Qi and blood mix and ascend, it may lead to coma or even death. If Qi and blood return, patient may survive; otherwise, they are dying.
All diseases can be divided into excess syndrome and deficiency syndrome.
Chapter 6 Diagnosis
It is better to do pulse diagnosis in the early morning when Qi of Yin and Yang have not been stirred and dispersed, the food and drink have not been taken, the channel-Qi is not hyperactive, the collateral Qi is in harmony, and the Qi and blood have not been disturbed. In this situation we can diagnose pulse disorder.
Concentrate mind and calm down when take pulse.
Yellow Emperor asked: “How can we know the conditions of Zhang Fu organ when palpating Qi Kou (It is called Cun Kou now)?”
The five tastes are taken through the mouth and stored in the stomach, then transported by spleen which is Taiyin. Cun Kou belongs to the Hand Taiyin which dominates all vessels. So, all Qi of Zhang Fu organs come from the stomach, their conditions will be reflected on the Cun Kou pulse.
If stomach Qi is absent in the pulse, it is called an adverse condition, which means the patient is dying.
When treating a disease, we must inspect the tongue, urine and stool conditions, distinguish and analyse the pulse, observe emotion of the patient
When physique is fine but pulse is weak patient will die, when physique is weak but pulse is fine patient will survive
If shaoyin pulse is strong against finger, it means the lady is pregnant
If woman hand Shaoyin pulse is violent, it means pregnancy
Inquire the life condition change when treating a patient. If the patient was noble and is now humble, without having been attacked by the evil pathogen, he may have disease coming from interior. This is called “exhaustion of nutrition”. If the patient was rich and now is poor, it also causes diseases. This is called “depletion of essence”
Patient is noble or humble, rich or poor, happy or unhappy must be inquired in diagnosis.
The symptoms of cardiac Bi syndrome are: vessel blockage, irritability, palpitation, wheezing, dry throat, hiccup and panic
Chapter 7 Treatment
For treating flaccidity, puncture Yang Ming only
When using only one king herb and two minister herbs in a formula, it is called small formula
When using one king herb, three minister herbs and five assistant herbs in a formula, it is called medium formula
When using one king herb, three minister herbs and nine assistant herbs in a formula, it is called large formula
If the patient believes in ghosts, you do not need to explain the treatment; if the patient detests stone needles, you do not need to tell him the effect of treatment; if the patient is reluctant to be treated, you do not need to treat him. In such cases, there will be no effect
If a patient lost blood, they can not be treated by sweating, If patient sweats a lot, they can not be treated by bleeding; If patient lost both blood and body liquid, death will be inevitable without hope of surviving
Apply formulas with violent property and rich flavor to patients who are strong. Give formulas with mild property and light flavor for patients who are weak
Treat the upper part of the body when the disease is in the lower part, and treat the lateral of the body when the disease is in the middle
Treat hot syndrome with cold herbs, and take the decoction when it is warm
Treat cold syndrome with hot herbs, and take the decoction when it is cold
Treat warm syndrome with cool herbs, and take the decoction when it is cool
Treat cool syndrome with warm herbs, and take the decoction when it is warm.
The extreme toxic formulas should be stopped when disease is 60% removed.
The mild toxic formulas with should be stopped when the disease is 70% removed
The smaller toxic formulas should be stopped when the disease is 80% removed
The formulas with no toxicity should be stopped when the disease is 90% removed
After using herbs, patient should take the cereals, meats, fruits and vegetables to eliminate the remaining pathogen. If it is not effective, give patient herbs again with the same method as above
If a pregnant woman is ill that needs herbs, it is not harmful for both mother and fetus.
To treat a pregnant woman with severe stagnation and accumulation, the violent herbs can be used for removing them, but stop them when it is removed by a half. If using herbs more than enough, it may kill both patient and fetus
To be a good doctor, one must know:
(1). The relation between Ying and Yang, heaven and earth, and the four seasons.
(2). The five Zhang organs and the six Fu organs, the channels and collaterals, the female (the six Yins) and the male (the six Yangs), the interior and the exterior, the diseases that can be cured by acupuncture, moxibustion, stone needle or herbs
(3).Be able to analyse the changes in a patient’s life and follow the rule of diagnosis and treating. Must know if patient is young or old, noble or humble, rich or poor, strong or weak
(4). He must be able to inspect the outside manifestation of five organs. Refer to the eight solar terms of the year (the four equinoxes and the four solstices) and the conditions of the nine subparts of the pulse
The evil pathogens invade is just like a storm or hurricane. So a good doctor treats diseases in the beginning when the evil just attack the exterior
Do not delay to treat evil in the muscle, Not at all delay to treat evil in the tendons and the channels, in no way delay to treat evil in six Fu organs, and absolutely not to delay to treat evil in five Zang organs
If evils have invaded the five Zang organs, the surval possibility of the patient is only 50%.
Acupuncture needs patient’s Shen to cooperate. If patient’s Shen disappears, we can not help them
For treating edema, open the ghost door and purify the clean Fu organ.
Best doctor treats pre-illness, does not treat illness.
Treat the sign if urinary retention and constipation. Treat the root when urine and stool are normal
If the body temperature is as high as hot charcoal, reduce it by perspiration
Treat blood stasis by bleeding
Treat cold diseases by hot herbs
Treat hot diseases by cold herbs
Treat hard stagnation by paring.
Treat dry diseases by moistening.
Treat losing diseases by keeping.
Treat diseases caused by exterior pathogens by dispelling
Treat deficient diseases by warming.
Treat retention diseases by dispersing.
Treat spasm disease by relaxing
Treat Qi counter-movement by guiding
Treat terror diseases by calming
Straightly treat diseases in which the symptoms reflex to the causes
Contrarily treat diseases in which the symptoms are contrary to the causes.
Best doctors do acupuncture in accordance with heaven above, with earth below and with patient’s personal affairs.
Chapter 8 Acupuncture
Channels can determine survival or death, treat diseases, and adjust excess or deficiency. So they should not be blocked.
Painful points can be punctured for treatment
Treat patient according to Shen condition
Qi and blood of all 12 channels and 365 branches reach the face and empty orifices
12 channels connect Zhang Fu organs interiorly and limbs and joints exteriorly
Treat 5 Zhang diseases by 12 Yuan points
Treat Fu diseases by He-Sea points
If acupuncture needles are not effective, use moxibustion
It is important in acupuncture: get Qi
Puncturing too deep or too shallow are big problems of acupuncture
Needling against the moving direction of channel is reducing method. Needling with the moving direction of channel is tonifying method
Bone measurement
The width between two Wangu (GB 12) behind ears is 9 cun
The length from popliteal to ankle level is 16 cun.
From hip joint to middle point of knee cap is 19 cun.
The length from sternal xiphoid process to Tanshu (ST 25, naval level) is 8 cun
The width between two nipples is 8 cun