The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine - Maoshing Ni

The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, also known as the Neijing, is one of the most important classics of Taoism and a foundational authority in traditional Chinese medicine. Traditionally attributed to Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, who is said to have ruled during the third millennium BCE, this edition presents a new translation of the eighty-one chapters of the Suwen, or “Questions of Organic and Fundamental Nature.” The Lingshu, the second section of the Neijing devoted primarily to acupuncture techniques, is not included in this volume.

Presented as a dialogue between Huang Di and his ministers, the work explores a remarkable range of subjects, including the causes and development of disease, physiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It also examines ethics, psychology, and cosmology, bringing these diverse areas together within a holistic understanding of human life and health.

Rather than viewing life as a collection of separate parts, the Neijing presents the body, mind, nature, and the universe as an interconnected whole governed by natural principles. By exploring these principles, the book offers practical insights into maintaining balance, health, and longevity, while providing a profound introduction to the philosophical foundations of traditional Chinese medicine.