Dialogue Between Qibo and Huangdi(Yellow Emperor)
Qibo is known as the founder of TCM theory, great physician and naturalist in Chinese ancient times. Since childhood, he has been a talented and wise person with ambitious thinking and versatility. When he came to find that many ordinary people at his times died from diseases, he resolved to study medicine by looking for good teachers and helpful friends. His diligence made him a famous doctor with superb medical knowledge and skills. He is said to be both the minister and imperial physician of Huangdi(Yellow Emperor). As ordered by Huangdi, he travelled around the country to try different kinds of herbs and sponsored health care service. In order to give rescue and treatment to his people, Huangdi respected Qibo as his teacher and often discussed medical problems with him.
Huangdi(Yellow Emperor) is the leader of ancient Huaxia tribal league and the common emperor of Huaxia nationality in ancient China. He united the country, and created the foundation of Chinese civilization. Being an emperor who loved people and cherished the property of his country, he was respected as the earliest ancestor of Chinese nation. He was said to be skillful at medical technique. The dialogue between Huangdi and Qibo regarding medical problems were compiled as the Huangdi Neijing (Huangdi’s Canon on Medicine). He was therefore deemed as the creator of Chinese medicine in TCM history.
Huangdi Neijing (also known as The Huangdi’s Canon on Medicine) is the extant medical canon in China that records the dialogue between Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor) and Qibo in a question-and-answer format regarding discussions on etiology and pathogenesis. As a medical masterpiece dealing with physiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment principle and materia medica, it was proposed in the book that attention should be paid to preventive treatment before a disease occurs and encouraged regimen, life conservation, and longevity.
Summary of some classical excerpts from Huangdi Neijing (Huangdi’s Canon on Medicine)
The sages in ancient times who knew the DAO (the tenets for cultivating health) followed the rules of Yin and Yang and adjusted Shushu (the ways to cultivate health). They were moderate in eating and drinking, regular in working and resting, avoiding any overstrain. That is why they could maintain a desirable harmony between the Shen (mind or spirit) and the body, enjoying good health and a long life.
When the sages in ancient times taught the people, they emphasized the importance of avoiding Xuxie( Deficiency- Evil) and Zeifeng (Thief-Wind) in good time and keep the mind free from avarice. Zhenqi in the body will be in harmony, Jingshen (Essence-Spirit) will remain inside, and disease will have no way to occur. Therefore people in ancient times all lived in peace and contentment, without any fear. They worked, but never overstrained themselves, making it smooth for qi to flow.
The changes of Yin and Yang in the four seasons are the roots of all the things in nature. So the sages cultivate Yang in spring and summer while nourish Yin in autumn and winter in order to follow such roots (the changes of Yin and Yang in different seasons). Violation of these roots means destruction of Ben (primordial base) and impairment of the body. Thus the changes of Yin and Yang in the four seasons are responsible for the growth, decline and death of all things. Violation of it brings about disasters while abidance by it prevents the occurrence of diseases. This is what to follow the Dao (law of nature) means. The Dao (law of nature) is followed by the sages, but violated by the foolish.
