Discourse on Decoctions, Fermented Liquors, and Sweet Wines

The Yellow Emperor asked: "When making decoctions and fermented medicinals from the five grains, how should it be done?" Qi Bo replied: "They must be made using rice, and the fire must be kindled with rice stalks, because the qi and flavor of rice are the most complete, and the nature of rice stalks is the most solid."

The Yellow Emperor asked: "Why is this so?" Qi Bo said: "Rice receives the balanced qi of heaven and earth, growing in places where high and low are appropriate, so its qi and flavor are the most complete. Rice stalks are harvested at the proper time, so their nature is the most solid."

The Yellow Emperor asked: "The sages of high antiquity made decoctions and fermented medicinals, yet they prepared them but did not use them. Why was this?" Qi Bo said: "From ancient times, the sages made decoctions and fermented medicinals to guard against unforeseen events. In high antiquity, decoctions were prepared but simply set aside and not used. In middle antiquity, virtue and the Way slightly declined, and evil qi frequently invaded, but taking decoctions and fermented medicinals could bring about complete recovery."

The Yellow Emperor asked: "In the present age, taking decoctions and fermented medicinals does not necessarily cure disease. Why is this?" Qi Bo said: "In the present age, one must use medicinals to attack the interior, and use stone needles, needles, and moxa to treat the exterior."

The Yellow Emperor asked: "When a patient's body is in decline and their qi and blood are exhausted, yet treatment shows no effect, why is this?" Qi Bo said: "This is because the patient's spirit qi can no longer function." The Yellow Emperor asked: "What is meant by the spirit qi not functioning?" Qi Bo said: "Needles and stone needles are methods of treatment. But if the spirit cannot enter the body, and the will and intent cannot regulate, then the disease cannot be cured. Now, the patient's essence qi is ruined, the spirit qi has departed, and the nutritive and defensive qi cannot be restored. Why? Because desires and cravings are without end, sorrow and anxiety cannot be stopped, essence qi slackens and decays, nutritive blood congeals and defensive qi vanishes, so the spirit qi leaves and the disease cannot be cured."

The Yellow Emperor asked: "When disease first arises, it is extremely subtle and fine, and must first invade the skin. Now skilled physicians all say: 'When disease has already formed, it is called a rebellious pattern, so needles and stone needles cannot treat it, and good medicinals cannot bring about effect.' Now skilled physicians all grasp the methods of treatment and abide by the rules of healing. They have close relations with the patient's relatives and brothers, near and far. The patient's voice is heard daily, and the five colors are seen daily. Yet the disease is not cured. Is this not because treatment is untimely?" Qi Bo said: "The patient is the root, the physician is the branch. When root and branch do not correspond, evil qi cannot be subdued. This is what is being spoken of."

The Yellow Emperor asked: "Some diseases do not begin from the fine hairs, but rather the five yin organs' yang qi has already become exhausted, fluids and humors fill the skin, and only yin qi dwells alone. Essence and qi are isolated within and depleted without, so the body cannot match its clothing. This is extreme swelling of the four limbs that affects the internal organs. It is qi rejecting within and form manifesting without. How should it be treated?" Qi Bo said: "One must balance the weighing scale, remove accumulated stagnant blood, gently move the four limbs, clothe the patient warmly, and use the opposing needling method to puncture the affected areas, in order to restore the body. Open the sweat pores, cleanse the urinary bladder, so that essence qi moves in a timely manner. The five yin organs' yang qi is then dispersed, and one should dredge and wash the five zang organs. Thus essence qi is naturally generated, the body naturally becomes strong, bones and flesh protect each other, and the correct qi is thereby restored to balance." The Yellow Emperor said: "Well spoken."