today can still learn from it. However, just as there are differences 

 in intelligence, so are there differences in herbalists. To eliminate doubt, 

 people should consult Fong Wan, a scholarly and reliable herbalist. 



In the beginning of Chinese civilization, there was an emperor 

 known as Shin Nong. He not only classified the herbs under five nat- 

 ural elements, according to their color and taste, but he also classified 

 the five vital organs of the body under the five principal elements. 



1 The stomach is yellow like the earth. 



2 The heart is red like the sun. 



3 The kidneys are dark colored like the ocean water. 



4 The lungs are white like the minerals. 



5 The secretions of the liver are greenish like vegetation. 



Each of these organs has related organs. 



The kidneys are those organs of the human system that resemble 

 the water in the ocean. They distribute nourishment through the body 

 by means of the nerves. The nerves of the lower limbs come through 

 the kidneys and pass up the back, through the*neck, and over the head 

 and eyes. All these nerves depend on the kidneys for their strength 

 and nourishment, just like the earth depends on the water element of 

 the oceans for its rains and moisture. 



When the kidneys fail to function properly because of inflammation, 

 or by reason of weakness, they become the source of numerous ail- ) 

 ments. In case of inflammation, people sometimes have Slight's dis- 

 ease, floating kidneys, etc. The tendency of inflammation (the fire 

 element) is to cause swelling, especially of the lower limbs, which fre- 

 quently develops into dropsy. Sometimes inflammation of the kidneys 

 causes the lower limbs to cramp. This is accompanied by burning pain 

 from the small of the back down to the toes, and is commonly known 

 as Rheumatism, or Neuritis. When it gets a strong and lasting grip, 

 the sufferer is crippled for life. 



Inflammation of the kidneys also causes constipation, because it 

 dries up the moisture of the blood circulation in the bowels. In inflam- 

 mation of the kidneys, or prostatic trouble, the urine is dark colored, 

 and there is frequent voiding of small quantities. 



In cases where kidneys are weak and inactive, they cause dizziness,^, 

 weakness, backache, headache, stiffness and pain in the back of the -, 

 neck, which continues up into the nerves of the head, ringing or buzz- j 



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