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Huangdi Neijing · The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon
Suwen 24 · Blood, Qi, Form and Intention
Read in English. Switch to Original for word notes, or select text to ask a question.
The usual proportions in a person are these: Taiyang normally has much blood and little qi; Shaoyang little blood and much qi; Yangming much qi and much blood; Shaoyin little blood and much qi; Jueyin much blood and little qi; Taiyin much qi and little blood. These are Heaven’s constant proportions.
Foot Taiyang and Shaoyin form an exterior–interior pair; Shaoyang and Jueyin form a pair; Yangming and Taiyin form a pair. These are the foot yin and yang channels. Hand Taiyang and Shaoyin form an exterior–interior pair; Shaoyang and the Heart Master form a pair; Yangming and Taiyin form a pair. These are the hand yin and yang channels.
Knowing what troubles the yin and yang channels of hands and feet, treatment first removes the blood concerned, then removes the suffering. Observe what is needed, then drain excess and supplement insufficiency.
To locate the back transport points, first measure the distance between the two nipples and fold the measure in the middle. Use another grass stem to measure off half, then set the two corners against one another. Raise this measure to the back, with one corner above aligned with the great vertebra of the spine and two corners below. The lower corners mark Lung’s transport points. Move down one further measure: these are Heart’s transport points. Move down another measure: the left corner is Liver’s transport point and the right Spleen’s. Move down another measure: these are Kidney’s transport points. These are the measurements for moxa and needling at the five zang organs’ transport points.
Reading note: The source’s grass-stem geometry and sequence are retained; they are not converted into standardized modern point locations.
When the body is at ease but intention distressed, illness arises in the vessels; treat with moxa and needling. When both body and intention are at ease, illness arises in the flesh; treat with needles and stone lancets. When the body toils but intention is content, illness arises in the sinews; treat with warm applications and guiding exercises. When both body and intention suffer, illness arises in the throat; treat with the various medicinals.
Repeated bodily startlement and fear obstruct channels and networks, producing numbness; treat with massage and medicinal fermented drinks. These are called the five relations of body and intention.
Needling Yangming releases blood and qi. Needling Taiyang releases blood, avoiding loss of qi. Needling Shaoyang releases qi, avoiding loss of blood. Needling Taiyin releases qi, avoiding loss of blood. Needling Shaoyin releases qi, avoiding loss of blood. Needling Jueyin releases blood, avoiding loss of qi.
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