The Yellow Emperor Chapter 56 - The Spiritual Pivot – The Five Flavors 五味

This Chapter is a dialogue from The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, exploring the relationship between five flavors (sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, salty) and the five internal organs (liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys). It details how different foods, categorized by flavor, influence organ health, suggesting specific foods for treatment and those to avoid based on the affected organ. The text establishes correspondences between flavors, colors, and food types (grains, fruits, meats, vegetables). The importance of balanced consumption to maintain Qi, or vital energy, is also emphasized.