Huangdi Neijing
The Huangdi Neijing is divided into two parts: Ling Shu and Su Wen, and is one of the earliest medical texts in China, recognized as one of the four classic works of traditional medicine.The Huangdi Neijing is a comprehensive medical book that establishes the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) such as the “Theory of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements”, “Pulse Theory”, “Organ Theory”, “Meridian Theory”, “Etiology”, “Pathogenesis”, “Symptoms”, “Diagnosis”, “Treatment”, and “Health Preservation” based on the philosophical principles of Daoism.Its fundamental materials are derived from the ancient Chinese people’s long-term observations of life phenomena, extensive clinical practices, and basic anatomical knowledge. The Huangdi Neijing lays the foundation for understanding human physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment, making it a highly influential medical work in China, often referred to as the ancestor of medicine.
Original Text and Translation of the Huangdi Neijing
Volume One: Su Wen
Discussion on the Original Nature of Humanity
【Key Points】
1. Explains the positive significance of health preservation.
It not only prevents diseases but is also an effective measure for prolonging life.
2. Specifically points out methods of health preservation: mental cultivation; regulation of diet and daily activities; adaptation to environmental and climatic conditions; physical exercise.
3. The processes of life, growth, decline, and aging, as well as reproductive functions, are primarily determined by the rise and fall of kidney qi.
4. Lists four different health preservation methods and outcomes to enlighten people on the importance of health preservation for disease prevention and longevity.
【Original Text】
In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor was born with divine intelligence, spoke at a young age, understood things quickly in childhood, was diligent and sensitive in adulthood, and ascended to the throne.
He asked the heavenly master: I have heard that people in ancient times lived over a hundred years, and their movements showed no signs of decline; while people today, at fifty years old, show signs of weakness. Is this due to the difference in times, or is it because people today do not know how to preserve their health?
Qibo replied: In ancient times, those who understood the way of health preservation followed the principles of Yin and Yang, harmonized with the laws of nature, regulated their diet and activities, maintained regular routines, did not engage in excessive labor, thus their body and spirit thrived together, and they lived to their natural lifespan, exceeding a hundred years before departing.
People today are different; they treat wine as water, indulge excessively, engage in drunkenness, deplete their essence through excessive desires, and do not know how to maintain fullness, do not manage their spirit in a timely manner, seek immediate gratification, go against the joys of life, and have no regularity in their daily activities, hence they decline by fifty.
Those ancient sages taught that one should avoid harmful winds and evils, maintain tranquility and emptiness, and true qi will follow, keeping the spirit within, thus diseases will not arise.
Therefore, they can be calm in their desires, secure in their hearts, labor without fatigue, and their qi flows smoothly, each fulfilling their wishes.
Thus, they enjoy their food, wear what they like, delight in their customs, and do not envy each other’s status, hence they are called simple and unadorned.
Thus, improper desires cannot disturb their eyes, lewdness cannot confuse their hearts, foolishness and wisdom, virtue and vice, do not cause them to fear external things, thus they align with the Dao.
Therefore, those who can live over a hundred years without showing signs of decline do so because their virtue is complete and not endangered.
The Emperor said: When a person ages and has no children, is it due to exhaustion of resources? Is it the natural order of heaven?
Qibo said: A girl at seven years old has abundant kidney qi, her teeth change and her hair grows long.
At fourteen, the heavenly essence arrives, the Ren (Ren Mai) channel opens, the Tai Chong (Tai Chong Mai) channel is abundant, and menstruation occurs regularly, thus she can have children.
At twenty-one, kidney qi is balanced, thus true teeth grow and reach their full length.
At twenty-eight, the muscles and bones are strong, hair grows abundantly, and the body is robust.
At thirty-five, the Yangming (Yangming Mai) channel weakens, the face begins to wither, and hair starts to fall out.
At forty-two, the three Yang channels weaken, the face becomes haggard, and hair begins to turn white.
At forty-nine, the Ren channel is weak, the Tai Chong channel’s qi weakens, the heavenly essence is depleted, and menstruation ceases, thus the body ages and loses the ability to bear children.
A boy at eight years old has abundant kidney qi, his hair grows long and his teeth change.
At sixteen, kidney qi is abundant, the heavenly essence arrives, and the essence overflows, thus he can have children.
At twenty-four, kidney qi is full, muscles and bones are strong, and true teeth grow fully.
At thirty-two, muscles and bones are robust, and flesh is full and strong.
At forty, kidney qi declines, hair begins to fall out, and teeth begin to decay.
At forty-eight, the upper Yang qi gradually declines, the face becomes haggard, and hair turns gray.
At fifty-six, liver qi weakens, and the muscles and bones cannot move freely.
At sixty-four, the heavenly essence is depleted, essence is low, the kidneys weaken, and teeth and hair fall out, and the body becomes fatigued.
The kidneys govern water, receiving and storing the essence of the five organs and six bowels, thus when the five organs are strong, they can overflow.
Now, as the five organs weaken, the muscles and bones become slack, the heavenly essence is exhausted, hence hair turns white, the body becomes heavy, steps become unsteady, and one cannot have children.
The Emperor said: What is the reason for those who are old yet still have children?
Qibo said: This is due to their heavenly lifespan being excessive, their qi and channels remain open, and their kidney qi is abundant. Although they can have children, men generally do not exceed sixty-four years, and women do not exceed forty-nine years, after which their essence is exhausted.
The Emperor said: Can those who understand the Dao live to a hundred years and still have children?
Qibo said: Those who understand the Dao can resist aging and preserve their form; although they are old, they can still have children.
The Yellow Emperor said: I have heard that in ancient times, there were true people who grasped the changes of heaven and earth, controlled Yin and Yang, regulated their breath, maintained their spirit, and their muscles and flesh were unified, thus they could live as long as heaven and earth without an end; this is the result of their Daoist cultivation.
In the middle ages, there were supreme individuals with pure virtue who fully understood the way of health preservation, harmonized with Yin and Yang, adjusted to the four seasons, distanced themselves from worldly affairs, accumulated essence, and concentrated their spirit, wandering between heaven and earth, perceiving beyond the eight directions; this indeed enhanced their lifespan and strength, and they also belong to the category of true people.
Next, there are sages who dwell in harmony with heaven and earth, follow the principles of the eight winds, adapt their desires to the customs of the world, harbor no anger or hatred, act without wanting to separate from the world, wear simple clothing, and do not seek to be noticed by others; externally, they do not overexert themselves, and internally, they have no burdensome thoughts, aiming for tranquility and joy, and achieving self-contentment, thus their bodies do not decay, and their spirits do not scatter, allowing them to also reach a hundred years.
Next, there are wise individuals who follow the laws of heaven and earth, resemble the sun and moon, discern the positions of the stars, follow the changes of Yin and Yang, and adapt to the four seasons, aligning with the ancient true people, thus they can also enhance their lifespan, but they still have an end.
【Notes】
① Heavenly Master: A title the Yellow Emperor used to address Qibo.
② Harmonizing with the laws: Refers to using appropriate health preservation methods to harmonize the body.
③ Tranquility and Emptiness: Tranquility refers to being calm and quiet; emptiness refers to having no distracting thoughts; tranquility and emptiness mean having a calm and quiet heart without any distractions.
④ Heavenly Essence: Refers to the innate essence stored in the kidneys, which promotes the development of reproductive functions.
⑤ Grasping Heaven and Earth: Refers to being able to master the laws of natural changes.
⑥ Weapons: Refers to weapons in general.
【Translation】
In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor was born with great intelligence, spoke well at a young age, quickly understood his surroundings in childhood, was diligent and sensitive in adulthood, and ascended to the throne. He asked Qibo: I have heard that in ancient times, people lived over a hundred years and showed no signs of aging; while today, people at fifty show signs of weakness. Is this due to the difference in times, or is it because people today do not know how to preserve their health?
Qibo replied: In ancient times, those who understood the way of health preservation followed the principles of Yin and Yang, harmonized with the laws of nature, regulated their diet and activities, maintained regular routines, did not engage in excessive labor, thus their body and spirit thrived together, and they lived to their natural lifespan, exceeding a hundred years before departing. Today, people are different; they treat wine as water, indulge excessively, engage in drunkenness, deplete their essence through excessive desires, and do not know how to maintain fullness, do not manage their spirit in a timely manner, seek immediate gratification, go against the joys of life, and have no regularity in their daily activities, hence they decline by fifty.
Those ancient sages taught that one should avoid harmful winds and evils, maintain tranquility and emptiness, and true qi will follow, keeping the spirit within, thus diseases will not arise. Therefore, they can be calm in their desires, secure in their hearts, labor without fatigue, and their qi flows smoothly, each fulfilling their wishes. Thus, they enjoy their food, wear what they like, delight in their customs, and do not envy each other’s status, hence they are called simple and unadorned. Thus, improper desires cannot disturb their eyes, lewdness cannot confuse their hearts, foolishness and wisdom, virtue and vice, do not cause them to fear external things, thus they align with the Dao. Therefore, those who can live over a hundred years without showing signs of decline do so because their virtue is complete and not endangered.
The Emperor said: When a person ages and has no children, is it due to exhaustion of resources? Is it the natural order of heaven? Qibo said: A girl at seven years old has abundant kidney qi, her teeth change and her hair grows long. At fourteen, the heavenly essence arrives, the Ren channel opens, the Tai Chong channel is abundant, and menstruation occurs regularly, thus she can have children. At twenty-one, kidney qi is balanced, thus true teeth grow and reach their full length. At twenty-eight, the muscles and bones are strong, hair grows abundantly, and the body is robust. At thirty-five, the Yangming channel weakens, the face begins to wither, and hair starts to fall out. At forty-two, the three Yang channels weaken, the face becomes haggard, and hair begins to turn white. At forty-nine, the Ren channel is weak, the Tai Chong channel’s qi weakens, the heavenly essence is depleted, and menstruation ceases, thus the body ages and loses the ability to bear children. A boy at eight years old has abundant kidney qi, his hair grows long and his teeth change. At sixteen, kidney qi is abundant, the heavenly essence arrives, and the essence overflows, thus he can have children. At twenty-four, kidney qi is full, muscles and bones are strong, and true teeth grow fully. At thirty-two, muscles and bones are robust, and flesh is full and strong. At forty, kidney qi declines, hair begins to fall out, and teeth begin to decay. At forty-eight, the upper Yang qi gradually declines, the face becomes haggard, and hair turns gray. At fifty-six, liver qi weakens, and the muscles and bones cannot move freely. At sixty-four, the heavenly essence is depleted, essence is low, the kidneys weaken, and teeth and hair fall out, and the body becomes fatigued. The kidneys govern water, receiving and storing the essence of the five organs and six bowels, thus when the five organs are strong, they can overflow. Now, as the five organs weaken, the muscles and bones become slack, the heavenly essence is exhausted, hence hair turns white, the body becomes heavy, steps become unsteady, and one cannot have children.
The Emperor said: What is the reason for those who are old yet still have children? Qibo said: This is due to their heavenly lifespan being excessive, their qi and channels remain open, and their kidney qi is abundant. Although they can have children, men generally do not exceed sixty-four years, and women do not exceed forty-nine years, after which their essence is exhausted. The Emperor said: Can those who understand the Dao live to a hundred years and still have children? Qibo said: Those who understand the Dao can resist aging and preserve their form; although they are old, they can still have children.
The Yellow Emperor said: I have heard that in ancient times, there were true people who grasped the changes of heaven and earth, controlled Yin and Yang, regulated their breath, maintained their spirit, and their muscles and flesh were unified, thus they could live as long as heaven and earth without an end; this is the result of their Daoist cultivation. In the middle ages, there were supreme individuals with pure virtue who fully understood the way of health preservation, harmonized with Yin and Yang, adjusted to the four seasons, distanced themselves from worldly affairs, accumulated essence, and concentrated their spirit, wandering between heaven and earth, perceiving beyond the eight directions; this indeed enhanced their lifespan and strength, and they also belong to the category of true people. Next, there are sages who dwell in harmony with heaven and earth, follow the principles of the eight winds, adapt their desires to the customs of the world, harbor no anger or hatred, act without wanting to separate from the world, wear simple clothing, and do not seek to be noticed by others; externally, they do not overexert themselves, and internally, they have no burdensome thoughts, aiming for tranquility and joy, and achieving self-contentment, thus their bodies do not decay, and their spirits do not scatter, allowing them to also reach a hundred years. Next, there are wise individuals who follow the laws of heaven and earth, resemble the sun and moon, discern the positions of the stars, follow the changes of Yin and Yang, and adapt to the four seasons, aligning with the ancient true people, thus they can also enhance their lifespan, but they still have an end.
【Notes】
① Heavenly Master: A title the Yellow Emperor used to address Qibo.
② Harmonizing with the laws: Refers to using appropriate health preservation methods to harmonize the body.
③ Tranquility and Emptiness: Tranquility refers to being calm and quiet; emptiness refers to having no distracting thoughts; tranquility and emptiness mean having a calm and quiet heart without any distractions.
④ Heavenly Essence: Refers to the innate essence stored in the kidneys, which promotes the development of reproductive functions.
⑤ Grasping Heaven and Earth: Refers to being able to master the laws of natural changes.
⑥ Weapons: Refers to weapons in general.