The yin essence stems from the five flavors. The five zang-organs storing the yin essence can be impaired by the five flavors. Therefore, if the flavor is too sour, the liver qi will become overwhelming, and the spleen qi will be exhausted. If the flavor is too salty, the qi of the lumbar vertebrae will be impaired. The muscles will shrivel, and the heart qi will be dejected. If the flavor is excessively sweet, the injured heart qi will cause palpation and vexation, as well as asthma. The complexion will be dark, and the kidney qi will lose its balance. If the flavor is excessively bitter, the spleen qi will not be nourished, and the stomach will become distended and full. If the flavor is much too pungent, the sinews will turn flaccid, and the essence and spirit will be endangered. Therefore, men should prudentially concoct the five flavors in order to make the bones sturdy, the sinews lithe, the qi and blood flowing, and the muscular striae compact.
Key Words: discussion of vital-qi corresponding to heaven, in the plain questions
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