My personal idea on "seven reduction and eight boost" in plain question of inner canon.
Although ancient and contemporary scholars fail to reach an agreement on the explanation about "Qi-Sun and Ba-Yi", the following is the most acceptable. According to the medical books found in Ma-wang-dui Tombs, scholars, domestic and abroad, take the Taoist school as love-making and theory of Laozi as pornographic writings. Combining the Taoist theory with my own medical practics. I argue that "Qi-Sun and Ba-Yi" have a different meaning. Most explanations about "Qi-Sun and Ba-Yi" centre on "Qi"--seven and "Ba"--eight, the two numbers, instead of "Sun" and "Yi". Plain Questions points out the southern red colour connecting with the "heart" numbers 7--"Qi", while the "heart" is the most important organ. Once the heart was healthy, the body is at ease, thus, one can live longer. The eastern black colour connecting with the liver number 8--"Ba", so "Ba-Yi" means to strengthen the liver and kidney.
Li
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Qingdao Naval Sanatorium, Shangdong Province, China.
D002681:China; D049690:History, Ancient; D006920:Hygiene / Q000266:history*; D010686:Philosophy, Medical / Q000266:history*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000266:history*