is a concept derived from Classical elements in Chinese herbal medicine五行, Yin and yang陰陽學說, Six Excesses六淫, and Chi氣qi
| Five Element五行 | Wood木 | Fire火 | Earth土 | Metal金 | Water水 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 五味Taste | sour酸 | bitter苦 | 甘 | 辛=spiciness=hotness=heat | salt鹹 |
| efficacy | tends to be astringent (涩) in nature | drains heat, purges the bowels, and eliminates dampness | supplementing, harmonizing, and moistening | induce sweat and act on qi and blood | drains downward and softens hard masses |
| ADR when excess | |||||
| List of Chinese herbal medicine of every kinds of Five Flavors各種五味的中藥列表 | Chinese herbal medicine of sour flavor in The Five Flavors五味屬酸的中藥 | Chinese herbal medicine of bitter flavor in The Five Flavors五味屬苦的中藥 | Chinese herbal medicine of sweet flavor in The Five Flavors五味屬甜的中藥 | Chinese herbal medicine of Pungent flavor in The Five Flavors五味屬辣的中藥 | Chinese herbal medicine of salty flavor in The Five Flavors五味屬鹹的中藥 |