英文版中医基础理论

and stomach ,producing internal syndrome with symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea .Pungent or hot food and drink preference can lead to the accumulation of heat in the stomach and intestines, producing symptoms such as thirst, abdominal distension with pain, constipation ,or hemorrhoids.
b. Preference for particular flavors of food and drink
The essence, vitality, qi, and blood of human beings are all supported and maintained by the five flavors. There are relations of affinity between the five flavors and the five zang-viscera. Chapter 74 in Plain Questions says:“When the five flavors are taken into the stomach , each of them will act on a preferential zang- viscus . The sour flavor acts on the liver；the bitter flavor ,the heart ;the sweet flavor, the spleen; the pungent flavor, the lung; and the salty flavor, the kidney .”A long-standing preference for a particular flavor of food and drink will lead to hyperactivity of the relevant zang-viscus and visceral impairment, producing various diseases. Chapter 3 says:“ An over-sour flavor leads to hyperactive liver-qi and hypoactive spleen-qi; an over-salty flavor leads to impairment of bones and qi, muscular contraction, and suppression of the heart-qi; an over-sweet flavor leads to asthmatic fullness related to the heart, blackish complexion, and unstable kidney -qi; an over-bitter flavor lead to malnourished spleen-qi, and overacting stomach-qi; an over-pungent flavor leads to loose to tendons and vessels, and unfavorable influence on the essence and mental vitality.”
Chapter 10 in Plain Questions also says:“Over-intake of salty food and drink causes coagulation in the vessels and a color change of the vessels; over-intake of bitter food and drink causes rough skin and the loss of body hairs; over-intake of pungent food and drink causes tightened tendons and withered nails; over-intake of sour food and drink causes cornification of fresh and dry lips; and over-intake of sweet food and drink causes painful bones and the loss of hair.”Therefore, the five flavors of food and drink should be balanced appropriately; daily food and drink intake should be free of flavor preference ; and patients should pay particular attention to their diet regulation. Intake of appropriate food and drink can help in the treatment of disease and can promote the condition of patient; otherwise, the condition of a patient will suffer.
2. Impairment due to Overstrain and Over-Ease
Overstrain and over-ease refer to over-working and over-resting. Normal work and physical exercise can help the circulation of qi and blond, which can promote health. Necessary relaxation can dispel tiredness and restore physical and mental strength. However, excessive work or rest or is not health. Long periods of mental or physical over-exertion, excessive sex, or living without doing any work or physical exercise can lead to diseases.
1) Overstrain。