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Huangdi Neijing , abbreviated as Neijing , is a theoretical work of Traditional Chinese Medicine, not the work of a single person or a single period. The main parts of the book were formed during the Warring States period, with some content added by medical practitioners from the Qin, Han, and even Tang dynasties. During its long circulation, various versions with different names emerged, among which the most popular are Suwen and Lingshu . Suwen and Lingshu together are referred to as Huangdi Neijing .

The existing Suwen and Lingshu mainly contain the following content:

Suwen consists of 81 chapters:

• Chapters 1-2 discuss the laws of human development, the principles and methods of health preservation, and the preventive medical thought of "treating disease before it arises";
• Chapters 3-7 discuss the connections of the yin-yang and the five phases theory in nature, human body functions, and disease treatment;
• Chapters 8-11 discuss the physiology of zang-fu organs and their associated diseases;
• Chapters 12-14 discuss treatment methods such as acupuncture, stone needles, moxibustion, massage, decoction, medicinal wine, and warm compresses;
• Chapters 15-21 focus on pulse diagnosis, including color diagnosis and inquiry, as well as disease prognosis and signs of death;
• Chapters 22-30 discuss the clinical differentiation patterns of diseases related to zang-fu organs, meridians, and collaterals;
• Chapters 31-48 discuss the symptoms and acupuncture treatment methods of several major disease categories (including Rebing, malaria, Juebing, abdominal diseases, wind diseases, Bi disease, and rare diseases);
• Chapters 49-65 discuss the names, locations, and acupuncture techniques of various acupoints ("Qixue (KI13)", "Qi Fu", "Gu Kong"), as well as the explanation of meridian disease symptoms and disease progression;
• Chapters 66-71 and 74 (Chapters 72 and 73 only have titles, the original text is lost) consist of seven chapters added by Wang Bing of the Tang dynasty based on ancient medical texts, mainly explaining the application of the theory of five movements and six climates in medicine;
• Chapters 75-81 discuss miscellaneous medical theories and some issues in diagnostic methods.

Lingshu :

• Chapters 1-9 discuss the forms of nine needles, twelve source points, five transport points (well, spring, stream, river, sea), Genjie points, acupuncture methods (nine variations, twelve sections, three needles, five needling techniques, etc.), reinforcing and reducing techniques, moxibustion, zang-fu organ symptoms and their relationship with emotions;
• Chapters 10-18 discuss the human meridian and collateral system (meridian , Jingbie , Jingshui , meridian sinew ), body surface measurements (Gudu , Maidu ), and the concepts of Ying, Wei, Qi, and blood, and the functions of the triple energizer;
• Chapters 19-30 discuss seasonal Zabing, five zang-organ diseases, Hanrebing, manic and depressive psychosis, Juebing, Bi syndrome, and other Zabing symptoms and acupuncture methods;
• Chapters 31-41 discuss zang-fu organ anatomy, color diagnosis, acupuncture methods for different body types, bloodletting, the theory of four seas, Wuluan, Yinyang Qingzhuo, yin-yang corresponding to the twelve months, and diseases like distension and urinary retention;
• Chapters 42-46 discuss the five elements and five transport points, the principles of acupuncture, disease transmission, dreams and diseases, and Wubian disease;
• Chapters 47-55 discuss zang-fu organ types, pulse diagnosis (Renying (ST9), cus kou), inspection, pain mechanisms, reinforcing and reducing techniques in moxibustion, human development, key acupoints (Biao, Ben, Qi pathway), and contraindications in acupuncture.
• Chapters 56 to 66 discuss twenty-five types of human body, Dongshu, Baibing Shisheng, the disease of Nishun, Weiqi Shichang, Zefeng, Shuizhang diseases, the five elements, and Wuwei, etc.;
• Chapters 67 to 81 discuss the relationship between humans and nature, the dominance of the five elements, the five types of people, the diagnostic method of skin measurement, Weiqi Xing, Jiugong Bafeng, the theory of nine needles, the methods of needle manipulation, the five sections of acupuncture, and various diseases (such as Shangge, speechlessness, cold and heat, insomnia, malaria, wind diseases, eye diseases, Yongju, etc.).

Huangdi Neijing comprehensively summarizes the medical achievements of China before the Qin and Han dynasties. It is an early collection of medical treatises in China, with very rich content. Under the guidance of a simple materialist perspective, it thoroughly elaborates on the relationship between humans and nature, human anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, disease prevention, and health preservation. Specific manifestations include:

1. Emphasis on the concept of holism
   1. The human body itself is a whole: Neijing views humans and their various parts as an organic whole.
   2. Humans and the natural world are also a whole: Neijing strongly emphasizes the close connection between humans and the natural world, believing that humans must be unified with nature.
2. Application of the yin-yang and the five phases theory
   1. Systematically introduces the yin-yang and the five phases theory into the medical field.
   2. The specific application of the yin-yang and the five phases theory in Neijing : Neijing places great importance on the yin-yang and the five phases theory, viewing the unity of opposites in yin-yang as a universal law of all things. Human physiological and pathological changes are no exception. For humans to be healthy and long-lived, they must follow the laws of yin-yang changes. Neijing believes that the human body itself is a unity of opposites in yin-yang, and that there are interdependent, mutually consuming, and transforming relationships between yin and yang. Under normal physiological conditions, the yin-yang in the human body is balanced. If this balance is disrupted, the body will become ill. The purpose of treatment is to adjust yin-yang, restoring the body to a healthy state of "yin balance and yang harmony." At the same time, Neijing also places great importance on the five elements theory. It uses the different attributes of the five elements?metal, wood, water, fire, and earth?to analyze human physiological and pathological phenomena. Based on the mutual generation and restriction relationships among the five elements, it believes that the zang-fu organs are also interdependent, mutually restrictive, and maintain a dynamic balance. "Excessive" or "deficient" conditions can disrupt this balance, leading to illness. The goal of treatment is to adjust this balance.
3. Emphasis on the zang-fu organ meridian and collateral theory
   1. Regarding the zang-fu organ theory: Neijing believes that the five zang-organs and six fu-organs are vital organs that sustain human life. The zang-fu organs mentioned in Neijing not only have an anatomical concept but, more importantly, a functional system concept. Each zang-fu organ has its own function, performs its duties, and cooperates with others. Especially the five zang -organs, which play a role in governing life and mental activities.
   2. Regarding the meridian and collateral theory: Neijing records the pathways of the twelve meridians, the zang-fu organs they connect, and the diseases they govern, as well as diagnosis and treatment. It believes that meridians and collaterals are pathways for the circulation of qi and blood in human physiology, connecting zang-fu organs and internal and external tissues. They are also pathways for the transmission of pathogenic factors in pathology and for the efficacy of drugs and the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment.
4. Emphasizes spiritual factors and social factorsNeijing believes that the essential qi of the five zang-organs is the material basis for generating emotions and activities. If the five zang-organs are diseased, abnormal emotions will appear. At the same time, it emphasizes the impact of spiritual factors on human health. If emotions and thoughts are excessive and lose regulation, they will also harm physical health. Therefore, Neijing emphasizes that doctors must consider social factors and spiritual factors when diagnosing diseases. In terms of treatment, in addition to using drugs and acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, psychological therapy is also used.
5. Pay attention to disease prevention and oppose superstition and ghosts. Neijing places great emphasis on disease prevention and advocates individual health preservation methods. It requires doctors to "treat before illness arises," preventing problems before they occur. Neijing states: "Those who are bound by ghosts and spirits cannot discuss the highest virtue," believing that medicine and superstition are incompatible, making it difficult to discuss medicine with those who believe in ghosts and spirits.

In summary, Neijing not only focuses on the concept of holism but also emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment. It is the foundational work of Traditional Chinese Medicine's basic theories. After its publication, Neijing has been regarded as an essential textbook by medical practitioners throughout history, and all medical works have sought their theoretical origins from Neijing . Neijing is not only valued by domestic medical practitioners but also has significant international influence. For example, historically, countries like Japan and Korea have listed Neijing as a must-read for doctors. Parts of Neijing have been translated into Japanese, English, German, French, and other languages. Some foreign acupuncture and moxibustion organizations have also listed Neijing as a required reference book for acupuncture and moxibustion practitioners.