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Huang Di Nei Jing

Synonyms:
  1. Yellow Emperor's Canon of Medicine
  2. 黄帝内经

Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Canon of Medicine), the earliest extant canon of TCM, is composed of two parts, Su Wen (Plain Conversation) and Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot), each containing 81 chapters. Huang Di Nei Jing is generally believed to be compiled in the period between Warring States and Qin and Han Dynasties. It is a collection of the theories and experiences of doctors from different schools.

Early in the book entitled Qi Lue 七略 (Records of Books) compiled by Liu Xiang and his son Liu Xin, Huang Di Nei Jing was mentioned. Now there is still dispute over whether Huang Di Nei Jing mentioned in Qi Lue was the one composed of Su Wen (Plain Conversation) and Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) and handed down to now.

Su Wen and Ling Shu contain the following contents:

  1. Theoretically, Su Wen discusses the principles of yin-yang, cultivation of health in different seasons as well as the physiology and pathology of viscera and Channels. While Ling Shu mainly deals with acupuncture and moxibustion. Both fascicles seldom mention specific treatment with drugs, just discussing viscera, diet and the compatibility between drugs based on the theory of Wu Xing.

  2. Most parts of the two fascicles were written in conversation between Huang Di (a great legendary king in ancient China) and his ministers like Qi Bo, Lei Gong and Bo Gao. The questions and answers asked and replied by different people reflect different ideas in medicine. These ideas were either based on the theory of Wu Xing to divide people into five categories known as Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth, or based on the theory of yin-yang to classify people into five groups known as tai yang, shao yang, tai yin, shao yin and balanced yin and yang.

  3. It is generally recognized that Ling Shu is easy to read and must be compiled after Su Wen. But in Su Wen quotations of Ling Shu also can be found. This shows that both fascicles were influenced each other. The theories in Su Wen and Ling Shu had greatly influenced the development of TCM in different dynasties.