The Yellow Emperor Chapter 25 - The Spiritual Pivot – The Root of Disease 病本

This Chapter from Chapter 25, "The Spiritual Pivot – The Root of Disease," of the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine details principles for treating illness based on the interplay between root causes (本) and superficial symptoms (标). The text outlines treatment strategies depending on the order of symptom appearance (e.g., cold preceding illness vs. illness preceding cold), the presence of excess or deficiency, and the severity of symptoms. It emphasizes treating the root cause in most instances, prioritizing adjustments to the system before addressing secondary issues. However, exceptions exist, particularly when superficial symptoms present as obstructions or severe manifestations, recommending treatment of those symptoms before addressing the root cause. The overall aim is a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment guided by symptom order and severity.