《黄帝内经·素问·藏气法时论》
肝木性喜条达而恶抑郁，故肝病急用辛味以散之，若需要补，以辛味补之；若需要泻，以酸味泻之。
肝欲散，急食辛以散之，用辛补之，酸泻之。
The element of wood related to liver favors smoothness and flow but hates depression. Therefore, pungent flavors should be applied to liver diseases to disperse the condition and pungent flavors should be used for both tonification and purgation. Acid flavors can be used as purgatives.