The Yellow Emperor Chapter 63 - The Spiritual Pivot – Discourse on the Five Flavors 五味论

This Chapter is a dialogue from The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, specifically Chapter 63, "Discourse on the Five Flavors." The Yellow Emperor questions Shao Yu about the effects of consuming excessive amounts of the five basic tastes (sour, salty, pungent, bitter, sweet) on the body. Shao Yu explains the physiological pathways each flavor follows, and how an excess leads to specific ailments. The explanation details how each flavor interacts with various organs and energies (qi), causing imbalances. The dialogue explores traditional Chinese medicine principles regarding the relationship between taste, organ function, and overall health.