The hermit [Táo Hóngjîng] states: All those generations of students of the Dào, they pursue eternal life. But first they must get rid of illness. Regardless of whether they suffer from long-standing ailments or seasonal trouble, they must rely on the single rule of supplementing and draining the five zàng organs.Taking numerous preparations of medicinal formulas, they must make their zàng qì balanced and harmonious, and only then may they advance to cultivate the Dào of internal visualisation. Otherwise the five jïng essences will not be joined, the Perfected One will be difficult to safeguard, and they will fail to enter the state of Perfection.
Even though taking medicinals and getting rid of illness may be associated with trifling affairs [compared to the lofty goals of seeking immortality], it is nevertheless the core to beginning one’s studies. For all the various illnesses, after you have taken medicine to induce sweating, vomiting, or downward discharge, even though the evil qi has been balanced, the jïng essence qi has been carried off as well. This has caused the five zàng organs to be vacuous and exhausted, so that you must now take several preparations of supplementing decoctions in accordance with the pattern, to supplement them. Otherwise they will be laid waste over time or the situation will transform into a pattern of true detriment, with the eventual result of life being replaced with death! Vigilantly take the signs and symptoms of vacuity and repletion in the five zàng organs that are listed comprehensively below, so that you may be able to discriminate
between them and make no mistakes
