The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon: A Comprehensive Review of the Theory of Deficiency and Excess (Part 28)

　【Original】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is meant by deficiency and excess?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor inquired: What does deficiency and excess mean?　　【Original】Qi Bo replied: When evil qi is abundant, it is excess; when vital qi is depleted, it is deficiency.　　【Translation】Qi Bo responded: Deficiency and excess refer to the comparison between evil qi and righteous qi. When evil qi is strong, it is termed excess; when vital qi is insufficient, it is termed deficiency.　　【Original】The Emperor said: How do deficiency and excess manifest?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: How do deficiency and excess change?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: If qi is deficient, the lung is deficient; if qi is rebellious, the feet are cold; if it is not the right time, one will live; if it is the right time, one will die. The same applies to all organs.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: Taking the lungs as an example: the lungs govern qi; if qi is deficient, it indicates lung deficiency; if qi is rebellious, it indicates excess above and deficiency below, leading to cold feet. If lung deficiency does not occur during the time of conflict, the person may live; if it coincides with the time of conflict, the person will die. The deficiency and excess of other organs can be inferred similarly.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What is meant by heavy excess?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What does heavy excess mean?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: Heavy excess refers to severe heat illness, with hot qi and a full pulse, which is termed heavy excess.　　【Translation】Qi Bo stated: Heavy excess refers to patients with severe heat illness, where the evil qi is extremely hot, and the pulse is full, indicating both internal and external excess, which is termed heavy excess.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What is the condition when all meridians are in excess? How should it be treated?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the condition when all meridians are in excess? What method should be used for treatment?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: When all meridians are in excess, the cun pulse is rapid and the chi pulse is slow; all should be treated, hence it is said that smoothness indicates following, while stagnation indicates reversing. Deficiency and excess begin with their respective categories, hence the five organs, bones, and muscles should be smooth and free to ensure longevity.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: When all meridians are in excess, it refers to a rapid cun pulse and a slow chi pulse; both should be treated. Therefore, it is said that anything smooth indicates vitality and should be followed, while anything stagnant indicates a lack of vitality and should be reversed. Generally, deficiency and excess are similar to the categories of things; when all things are vibrant, they are smooth and free, while when they are dying, they become dry and stagnant. If a person’s five organs, bones, and muscles are smooth and free, it indicates sufficient vital qi and robust life force, which can lead to longevity.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if the meridian qi is insufficient and the channel qi is excessive?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the condition when the channel qi is insufficient and the meridian qi is excessive?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: When the channel qi is insufficient and the meridian qi is excessive, the cun pulse is hot and the chi pulse is cold; in autumn and winter, it is reversed, while in spring and summer, it is following, treating the main illness.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: When the channel qi is insufficient and the meridian qi is excessive, it indicates a hot cun pulse and a cold chi pulse. This phenomenon in autumn and winter is considered reversed, while in spring and summer, it is considered following, and treatment must be aligned with the seasons.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if the meridian is deficient and the channel is full?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the condition when the meridian is deficient and the channel is full?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: When the meridian is deficient and the channel is full, the chi pulse is hot and full, while the cun pulse is cold and stagnant; this indicates death in spring and summer, and life in autumn and winter.　　【Translation】Qi Bo stated: When the meridian is deficient and the channel is full, it indicates a hot and full chi pulse, while the cun pulse is slow and stagnant. This phenomenon indicates death in spring and summer, and life in autumn and winter.

　【Original】The Emperor said: How should these conditions be treated?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: How should these two conditions be treated?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: For channel fullness and meridian deficiency, moxibustion on yin and acupuncture on yang; for meridian fullness and channel deficiency, acupuncture on yin and moxibustion on yang.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: For channel fullness and meridian deficiency, apply moxibustion on yin and acupuncture on yang; for meridian fullness and channel deficiency, acupuncture on yin and moxibustion on yang.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What is meant by heavy deficiency?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What does heavy deficiency mean?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: When the pulse qi is deficient and the chi is deficient, it is termed heavy deficiency.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: When the pulse is deficient, the qi is deficient, and the chi is deficient, it is termed heavy deficiency.　　【Original】The Emperor said: How can it be distinguished?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: How can it be distinguished?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: Deficiency of qi means there is no constancy. Chi deficiency means weakness in movement. Pulse deficiency means it does not resemble a yin pulse. In such cases, smoothness indicates life, while stagnation indicates death.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: Deficiency of qi means a lack of constancy. Chi deficiency indicates weakness in movement. Pulse deficiency means it does not resemble a yin pulse. All these phenomena indicate that if the pulse is smooth, the patient may live; if the pulse is stagnant, the patient is likely to die.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if cold qi violently ascends, and the pulse is full and solid?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the prognosis for a condition where the pulse is full and solid, the hands and feet are cold, and the head is hot?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: If it is solid and smooth, the patient may live; if it is solid and rebellious, the patient will die.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: In this case, the patient may live in spring and autumn; if the pulse is solid and stagnant, it indicates a rebellious condition, which leads to death.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if the pulse is full and solid, the hands and feet are cold, and the head is hot?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the prognosis for a condition where the pulse is full and solid, the hands and feet are cold, and the head is hot?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: The patient may live in spring and autumn, but will die in winter and summer. If the pulse is floating and stagnant, and there is fever, the patient will also die.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: In this case, the patient may live in spring and autumn, but will die in winter and summer. If the pulse is floating and stagnant, and there is fever, the patient will also die.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if the body is completely swollen?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What will happen if the body is completely swollen?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: If the body is completely swollen, the pulse is rapid and large, the chi is stagnant and unresponsive; in such cases, following indicates life, while reversing indicates death.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: If the body is completely swollen, the pulse is rapid and large, while the chi is stagnant and unresponsive. In such cases, following indicates life, while reversing indicates death.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What is meant by following indicates life, while reversing indicates death?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What does it mean that following indicates life, while reversing indicates death?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: Following means the hands and feet are warm; reversing means the hands and feet are cold.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: Following means the hands and feet are warm; reversing means the hands and feet are cold.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if a child has a fever, and the pulse is small and suspended?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the prognosis for a child with a fever and a small, suspended pulse?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: If the hands and feet are warm, the child may live; if they are cold, the child will die.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: If the hands and feet are warm, the child may live; if they are cold, the child will die.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if a child has wind-heat, wheezing, and shoulder elevation? What is the pulse like?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the pulse like for a child with wind-heat, wheezing, and shoulder elevation?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: For wheezing and shoulder elevation, the pulse is large and solid; if it is slow, the child may live; if it is rapid, the child will die.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: For wheezing and shoulder elevation, the pulse is large and solid; if it is slow, the child may live; if it is rapid, the child will die.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What about dysentery with blood in the stool?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the condition of dysentery with blood in the stool?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: If there is fever, the patient will die; if there is no fever, the patient may live.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: If there is fever, the patient will die; if there is no fever, the patient may live.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if there is white foam in the stool?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the condition of dysentery with white foam in the stool?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: If the pulse is deep, the patient may live; if the pulse is floating, the patient will die.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: If the pulse is deep, the patient may live; if the pulse is floating, the patient will die.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if there is pus and blood in the stool?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the condition of dysentery with pus and blood in the stool?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: If the pulse is suspended and absent, the patient will die; if the pulse is smooth and large, the patient may live.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: If the pulse is suspended and absent, the patient will die; if the pulse is smooth and large, the patient may live.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What if the dysentery is not accompanied by fever, and the pulse is not suspended?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the prognosis for dysentery without fever and a pulse that is not suspended?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: A smooth and large pulse indicates life; a suspended and stagnant pulse indicates death, based on the timing of the five organs.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: A smooth and large pulse indicates life; a suspended and stagnant pulse indicates death, based on the timing of the five organs.　　【Original】The Emperor said: What about epilepsy?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: What is the prognosis for epilepsy?　　【Original】Qi Bo said: A large and smooth pulse will eventually heal; a small, hard, and rapid pulse indicates death and is untreatable.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: A large and smooth pulse will eventually heal; a small, hard, and rapid pulse indicates death and is untreatable.　　【Original】The Emperor said: How is the pulse of epilepsy characterized by deficiency and excess?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: How does the pulse of epilepsy manifest in terms of deficiency and excess?　　Qi Bo said: If it is deficient, it can be treated; if it is excessive, it indicates death.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: If the pulse is deficient, it can be treated; if it is excessive, it indicates death.　　【Original】The Emperor said: How is the pulse of diabetes characterized by deficiency and excess?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: How does the pulse of diabetes manifest in terms of deficiency and excess?　　Qi Bo said: A large and solid pulse indicates a long illness that can be treated; a small, hard, and suspended pulse indicates a long illness that cannot be treated.　　【Translation】Qi Bo explained: A large and solid pulse indicates a long illness that can be treated; a small, hard, and suspended pulse indicates a long illness that cannot be treated.　　【Original】The Emperor said: How can we measure the shape, bone, pulse, and sinew?　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor asked: How can we measure the shape, bone, pulse, and sinew?　　【Original】The Emperor said: In spring, treat the meridians; in summer, treat the channels; in autumn, treat the six fu organs; in winter, close and seal. For closure, use medicine and minimize acupuncture and stone therapy. The term “minimize acupuncture and stone therapy” does not refer to abscesses, as abscesses cannot be delayed. If an abscess appears, and its location is unknown, and it is painful, acupuncture should be applied to the taiyin meridian three times, and to the left and right sides of the neck twice each. For patients with axillary abscesses and high fever, acupuncture should be applied to the shaoyang meridian five times; if the fever does not subside, acupuncture should be applied to the jueyin heart protector meridian three times, and to the taiyin meridian’s channel points and the great bone meeting point three times each. For acute abscesses, with muscle spasms and increasing pain, and continuous sweating, this is due to insufficient bladder qi, and the treatment should focus on the channel’s yu points.　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor stated: In spring, treat diseases primarily at the channel points; in summer, treat diseases primarily at the yu points; in autumn, treat diseases primarily at the six fu organs’ he points; in winter, focus on closure and concealment, as the body’s yang qi also conceals within. Treatment should emphasize medication and minimize acupuncture and stone therapy. However, the term “minimize acupuncture and stone therapy” does not apply to abscesses, which require immediate attention. For initial abscesses, if the location is unknown and there is pain, acupuncture should be applied to the taiyin meridian three times, and to the left and right sides of the neck twice each. For patients with axillary abscesses and high fever, acupuncture should be applied to the shaoyang meridian five times; if the fever persists, acupuncture should be applied to the jueyin heart protector meridian three times, and to the taiyin meridian’s channel points and the great bone meeting point three times each. For acute abscesses, with muscle spasms and increasing pain, and continuous sweating, this indicates insufficient bladder qi, and treatment should focus on the channel’s yu points.　　【Original】For sudden abdominal fullness that does not subside upon pressure, acupuncture should be applied to the hand taiyang meridian’s channel points, which are the stomach’s mu points, and the shao yin yu points located three cun beside the spine, using a round needle. For cholera, acupuncture should be applied to the yu points beside the kidney five times, and to the foot yangming and stomach points three times each. For treating convulsions, acupuncture should be applied to five points on each of the five meridians, with the hand taiyin points each being needled five times, the hand taiyang points each being needled five times, the hand shao yin’s tongli point being needled once, the foot yangming’s jiexu point being needled once, and three needles being applied five cun above the ankle.　　【Translation】For sudden abdominal fullness that does not subside upon pressure, acupuncture should be applied to the hand taiyang meridian’s channel points, which are the stomach’s mu points, and the shao yin yu points located three cun beside the spine, using a round needle. For cholera, acupuncture should be applied to the yu points beside the kidney five times, and to the foot yangming and stomach points three times each. For treating convulsions, acupuncture should be applied to five points on each of the five meridians, with the hand taiyin points each being needled five times, the hand taiyang points each being needled five times, the hand shao yin’s tongli point being needled once, the foot yangming’s jiexu point being needled once, and three needles being applied five cun above the ankle.

　【Original】In treating diabetes, stroke, hemiplegia, atrophy, qi fullness and reversal, in overweight individuals, this is due to excessive consumption of rich foods. If there is blockage and closure, leading to an inability to communicate, this is due to sudden anger. Sudden reversal and loss of consciousness, deafness, and inability to urinate or defecate are due to sudden emotional upheaval, causing yang qi to rise. Some diseases do not arise from within but are due to external wind, which lingers and causes heat, consuming the muscles and affecting the muscles and bones. If the feet are uneven, it is due to the invasion of wind, cold, and dampness.　　【Translation】In diagnosing and treating diabetes, stroke, hemiplegia, atrophy, qi fullness, and reversal, particularly in overweight individuals, this is often due to excessive consumption of rich foods. Any blockage and closure, leading to an inability to communicate, is often due to sudden anger or worry. Sudden reversal, loss of consciousness, deafness, and inability to urinate or defecate are due to sudden emotional upheaval, causing the yang qi to rise. Some diseases do not arise from within but are due to external wind, which lingers and causes heat, consuming the muscles and affecting the muscles and bones. If the feet are uneven, it is due to the invasion of wind, cold, and dampness.　　【Original】The Yellow Emperor said: Jaundice and sudden pain, epilepsy, and convulsions are caused by prolonged reversal. Disharmony of the five organs and blockage of the six fu organs lead to these conditions. Headaches, tinnitus, and dysfunction of the nine orifices are caused by gastrointestinal issues.　　【Translation】The Yellow Emperor stated: Jaundice, sudden severe pain, epilepsy, and convulsions are caused by prolonged reversal of qi. Disharmony among the five organs and blockage of the six fu organs lead to these conditions. Headaches, tinnitus, and dysfunction of the nine orifices are caused by gastrointestinal issues.

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2. The Secret to Invulnerability to All Diseases! (This is the Best Way to Maintain Health)

3. Essentials of Acupuncture: Professor Tian Conghuo’s 19 Commonly Used Acupuncture Point Prescriptions

4. Summary of Acupuncture Points and Their Names, Including Fire Needle and Warm Needle Literature

5. The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon: The Secret to Growing Younger!

6. Principles of Acupuncture Point Pairing and Supplementing/Releasing Techniques

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