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Water has a sweet and bland taste, is non-toxic, greatly benefits the human body, and is an indispensable daily necessity. People often overlook its efficacy, so it cannot be absent for even one day. Wine has a pungent and hot taste; drinking it causes the body to become soft and the spirit to become confused, which indicates its toxicity. Only in small quantities (three, five, or seven cups) can it ward off wind-cold, unblock blood vessels, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. However, if consumed excessively over a long period, it will scorch the heart and lungs, generate phlegm and stir up fire, and in severe cases, damage the intestines, corrode the stomach, ulcerate the marrow, steam and injure the sinews, harm the spirit, and shorten life. When drunk to the point of seeing no reflection in wine or water, one must not eat mustard greens or spicy foods, as this will loosen the sinews and bones. Any poisoning from Chinese herbal medicines or other toxins that enters the body through alcohol is difficult to treat because wine can guide toxins into the meridians.

Vinegar, when eaten in excess, aids the liver but damages the spleen and stomach, harms the bones, and ruins complexion. Tea has a bitter taste and clear aroma, capable of resolving miasma and pestilential qi from mountainous regions, toxicity from oceanic fog and dew, and heat from five pungent spices and roasted/fried foods. It should be consumed sparingly; otherwise, abstention is better. Excessive consumption depletes fetal essence and causes deficiency-cold in the lower jiao, especially on an empty stomach. Drinking one or two cups after a full meal is acceptable. The most taboo practices are adding salt to tea and drinking tea on an empty stomach, as these severely damage kidney qi. Ancient sayings advise: drinking tea on an empty stomach, drinking wine at Mao hour (5-7 AM), and eating dinner after You hour (5-7 PM) should all be minimized. Rinsing the mouth with strong tea after meals prevents dental decay. Congee made from Jingmi (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa) should be well-cooked; it is contraindicated with Cang'er (Xanthium sibiricum) and horse meat. The damp-heat generated from piled rice during winter/spring milling has a clearing nature for the zang-fu. Glutinous rice (Nuomi), when eaten long-term, causes bodily weakness, induces wind disorders, and disturbs qi. Pregnant women consuming it with mixed meats may give birth to children with tapeworms (Cunbai). Shumi (Sorghum vulgare) resembles Shumi (Panicum miliaceum) but is smaller; it induces wind and disturbs qi, so it should not be eaten regularly, though it can be used to brew wine. Shumi (Panicum miliaceum) exacerbates chronic diseases, and children who eat it may experience delayed motor development. Yitang (Maltose) strengthens the stomach and moves the spleen, but excessive consumption by those with wind conditions damages teeth. Eating Apricot kernels (Xingren) after Millet (Sumi) causes vomiting and diarrhea. Consuming five types of millet with Okra (Kuicai) leads to stubborn diseases. Jimi (Setaria italica) induces thirty-six types of wind disorders and is contraindicated, especially with Chuanwu (Aconitum carmichaelii) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata). Wheat varies by season; autumn-sown and summer-harvested wheat in snowy northern regions is cooling and beneficial, while southern wheat with damp-heat toxicity is harmful. Barley (Damai) consumed long-term increases strength, promotes walking, prevents graying hair, and treats Gu distension; decocted for fumigation, it is effective. Barley resolves accumulation, strengthens the stomach, and expands the middle; excessive use depletes the kidneys. Buckwheat (Qiaomai) is cold and heavy; long-term consumption induces wind, causing chest/abdominal oppression, dizziness, and eyebrow loss when eaten with pork, and death when taken with Bai Fan (Alumen). White Hyacinth Bean (Baidou) clears the stomach and detoxifies, preventing graying of hair/beard and resolving alcohol/toxin heat; black beans purge, while green beans clear heat and detoxify. Do not remove the skin of Green Mung Beans (Lvdou) as it causes qi stagnation; they can be used as pillows to brighten eyes. Adzuki Beans (Chixiaodou) detoxify, promote urination, and drain fluids; long-term use weakens deficient individuals. Mixed green/yellow beans generate damp-heat and are less beneficial; combined with fish, they cause Xiaoke (Wasting-Thirst). Soybeans (Dadou) are contraindicated with pork; fried soybeans with pork for children under twelve cause fatal qi stagnation. Bean paste is best; pure wheat flour paste reduces medicinal efficacy. Sesame oil, refined and cooked, is beneficial and detoxifying. Black Sesame (Heizhima) roasted does not induce wind and cures wind disorders. Hu Ma (Sesamum indicum) prevents aging, resists wind-cold, and rejuvenates; processed nine times steaming and nine times sun-drying, formed into pills with dates, it reverses white hair. Okra (Kuicai) is harmful with Carp; raw okra triggers chronic diseases and contradicts hundred medicines. Raw Scallion (Cong) with Honey causes bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain; roasted scallion with honey causes fatal qi stagnation. Scallion with Chicken, Pheasant, or White Dog meat causes bleeding from the nine orifices. Scallion mainly induces sweating; excess confuses the spirit. Leek (Jiu) should be eaten sparingly by patients; excess aids yang, confuses the spirit, dims vision, and is forbidden after wine and with honey/meat (causing masses). Jiuhuang (Leek shoots) stagnates qi and induces wind. Xie (Allium macrostemon) generates phlegm and stirs evil fire; contrary to Beef. Garlic (Suan) repels evil, benefits the stomach, and resolves stagnation, but long-term use generates phlegm, stirs fire, damages the liver/eyes, and weakens yang; sexual activity after garlic consumption damages liver qi and complexion. Coriander (Husu) causes forgetfulness; roots severely damage yang, cause seminal emission, and trigger chronic diseases. White Radish (Luobo) resolves phlegm, directs qi downward, opens the diaphragm, and expands the middle; long-term use depletes lung qi, raw consumption leaches blood, and it is contraindicated with Ginseng (Renshen) and Rehmannia (Dihuang) to prevent premature graying. Mustard Greens (Jiecai) induce wind and qi; contraindicated with Rabbit meat. Amaranth (Xiancai) induces qi and irritability; with Turtle or Fern, causes Turtle masses. Deer Horn Vegetable (Lujiaocai) causes disease, damages meridians, and dulls complexion. Spinach (Bo cai) slides the intestines; long-term use causes leg weakness and lumbar pain. Water Shield (Chun cai) slides and induces hemorrhoids. Celery (Qin) from high fields is beneficial; with vinegar damages teeth; red variety is harmful. Bitter Vegetables (Ku cai) benefit the heart in summer; raw consumption damages the spleen; sericulturists should avoid them. Lettuce (Woju) promotes urination; long-term use dims vision. Various vegetables induce qi. Fern (Jue) causes seminal emission, leg/knee weakness, blurred vision, somnolence, nasal congestion, hair loss, and Snake masses if raw. Eggplant (Qie) is cold; excess causes sores and qi disturbance; autumn consumption damages eyes. Winter Melon (Donggua) promotes urination; excess stimulates stomach fire, causing gum swelling, toothache, genital itching, sores, and jaundice; Gallbladder month (9th lunar month) forbids it; elderly people poisoned by it develop malaria/dysentery in autumn. All bitter melons are toxic; those with two noses/tips are harmful. Calabash (Huzi) slides intestines and creates cold qi; bitter varieties are inedible. Purple Seaweed (Zicai) induces qi and abdominal pain; resolved with vinegar. Wild Rice Stem (Jiaobai) contradicts raw vegetables and honey (causing chronic diseases and damaging yang). Bamboo Shoots (Sun) resolve phlegm and disturb qi; Bitter Shoots cause insomnia, facial/mouth heat, yellow tongue, Xiaoke, and brighten eyes, but excess causes gastric discomfort. Mushrooms (Jun): Earth-grown vs. Wood-grown (Wood Ear, Ganoderma). New mushrooms with hairs, no gill lines, glowing at night, rotting without worms, leaving no shadow when boiled, or crossed by snakes/insects in spring/summer are fatal. Maple tree mushrooms cause uncontrollable laughter and death; treated by digging a pit, filling with water, stirring, and drinking the clear liquid. Edible wood mushrooms come only from Zifu, Elm, Willow, Locust, Mulberry, and Date trees; they are very cold and hard to digest. Red, upward-facing, or wild field mushrooms are toxic. Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) causes Tapeworms and Fanwei (vomiting) with fish. Zhuyu (Cornus officinalis) is only suitable in deep winter; summer consumption damages spirit. Tonghao (Chrysanthemum coronarium) causes Qi fullness. Shiluo (Anethum graveolens) awakens the spleen; roots are fatal. Man Qingcai is most beneficial, promoting qi and health. Qianshi (Euryale ferox seeds) should be cooked to tonify kidney and secure essence; raw is unsuitable. Yam (Shanyao) cools and tonifies spleen; Shuyu is slightly inferior but also good. Taro, Cigu, and Ezhu fill hunger; safe in winter and useful for famine. Ezhu in excess moves cold qi, causing abdominal distension and umbilical pain in children. Ginger (Shengjiang) opens the stomach, stops vomiting, moves drug stagnation, and counters Banxia toxicity. Saying: "Radish at bed, Ginger out of bed." Night radish resolves food stagnation; morning ginger opens appetite, wards off wind/cold, and resolves accumulation. Sept 9th forbids it. Lotus Seed (Lianzi) harmonizes spleen and tonifies stomach; cooked and deseeded. Raw causes bloating; undeseeded causes vomiting. Lotus Root (Ou) long-term use lightens the body and prolongs life; raw clears heat, breaks blood, relieves irritability/thirst, and detoxifies alcohol; cooked tonifies five zang, secures lower jiao, and with honey prevents parasites. Water Chestnut (Ling) in excess chills organs and damages spleen; cooked is slightly tonifying. Jujube (Zao) raw moves zang-fu, damages spleen/causes diarrhea, and with honey damages five zang; steamed/cooked tonifies spleen and harmonizes drugs; contraindicated in fullness/distension. Plum (Meizi) generates fluids and quenches thirst; excess damages teeth and sinews. Cherry (Yingtao) in excess induces hidden wind, damages sinews/bones, and causes heat in children. Citrus (Ju/Gan): Sour gathers phlegm; sweet moistens lungs; do not eat too much. Orange Peel (Chengpi) damages liver; with Areca nut causes vertigo/nausea. Bayberry (Yangmei) in excess causes fever and tooth damage. Apricot (Xingzi) in excess damages sinews/bones; kernel purges lung fire, resolves phlegm, stops cough, but long-term use causes blindness, beard loss, and reactivates old diseases; double-kernel is fatal. Peach (Tao) damages stomach; excess causes heat; kernel breaks blood and moistens large intestine; double-kernel is fatal. Plum (Li) induces malaria; excess causes deficiency-heat; with honey damages internal organs; avoid drinking near water or eating with Sparrow meat; floating plums are highly toxic. Pear (Li) treats upper jiao heat; excess chills the middle; contraindicated for postpartum/wound patients as it causes flaccidity; benefits teeth but damages spleen/stomach; excess causes diarrhea/edema; forbidden in Zheng/Er months. Abnormal large pears may contain snake venom and kill. Pomegranate (Shiliu) generates fluids; excess damages lungs/teeth. Chestnut (Li) raw is hard to digest; cooked stagnates qi; roasting reduces wood qi; excess causes qi obstruction, unsuitable for wind patients. Persimmon (Shi) dried is cold, raw colder; treats lung heat and thirst; excess causes abdominal pain. Ginkgo (Baiguo) raw induces malnutrition and resolves alcohol; cooked is beneficial but limited; children under fifteen risk convulsions. Walnut (Hetao) tonifies kidney, promotes urination, but induces wind/phlegm, causes eyebrow loss, and hemoptysis with wine/meat; skin juice darkens hair; beneficial for cracked teeth. Loquat (Pipa) in excess generates phlegm-heat. Torreya (Feizi) aids digestion, sinews, circulation, eyes, body, lungs, and cough; excess slides intestines. Hazelnut (Zhenzi) boosts qi and stomach. Pine Nut (Songzi) moistens dryness, brightens eyes, but generates phlegm. Grape (Putao) generates fluids; dried form induces phlegm/cough; patients should use sparingly. Double-kernel fruit pits are harmful. Sweet Melon (Tiangua) in excess triggers chronic diseases and deficiency-heat; sunken/double-tipped ones are fatal. Watermelon (Xigua) promotes urination, resolves summer-heat, quenches thirst; excess causes dysentery; southerners particularly avoid it. Damaged stored fruits are inedible. Sugarcane (Ganzhe) resolves alcohol toxicity; excess causes epistaxis. Rock Sugar (Shatang) in excess causes heart pain; with Crucian Carp causes malnutrition; with Okra causes flowing masses; with bamboo shoots causes food masses; children risk malnutrition/heat/tooth damage. Pork is common but excessive consumption induces wind/phlegm/qi; white pigs with white hooves and green claws are forbidden. Pig Kidney regulates kidney qi but excess causes deficiency/infertility. Pig Heart damages heart. Pig Liver aids liver qi. Intestines slide. Pork with Sheep liver causes irritability. Pig brain damages yang and causes impotence. Pig snout/ears induce wind and are toxic. Mutton tonifies deficiency and moves qi; similar to Ginseng; with certain herbs damages heart/brain and reduces essence/fertility. Sheep liver brightens eyes but lung moves qi. Holey sheep heart kills. Holey sheep liver, single-horned sheep, black-headed/white-bodied sheep are forbidden. Pig/Sheep blood damages blood; forbidden in June. Yellow Ox tonifies spleen/stomach/five zang; blood tonifies blood; milk nourishes middle/blood; contraindicated with vinegar. Black ox with white head/single liver is forbidden. Dead oxes in heat/plague are extremely toxic; smell is also harmful. Horse meat is useless and forbidden; horse sweat/hair entering food is harmful; contact with sweaty/genital sores is fatal. Donkey meat induces wind and chronic diseases. Mule meat induces wind/sores; fatty mules are worse; alcohol with mule meat causes sudden death. Dog meat is hot, aids yang, warms lower origin; tea is forbidden. White tigers-striped/black dogs with white ears guard homes; pure white dogs should not be kept. Late spring/early summer dogs go mad; bites are harmful. Deer meat forbidden in May. Deer blood tonifies strongly; flesh/deer meat (due to解毒 herbs) are forbidden for medicated patients. Roe Deer (Zhang) meat is superior to mutton in 6-11 months; other months induce wind/qi. Roebuck (Ji) meat triggers chronic diseases (eats snakes). Cat meat tonifies yin/blood, treats tuberculosis/paralysis/scrofula/chancres. Rabbit meat (8-11 months) in excess damages yang; rabbits with closed eyes upon death are harmful; one-eyed rabbits are forbidden. Otter meat damages yang; otter liver treats liver masses. Generally: blue bird livers, red-footed beast legs, forked tails, dust-repelling meat, water-repelling cooked meat, naturally dying animals, dog hooves with rice-like stars, sheep lungs with worm-like hairs after three days, and cured meats stored in grain jars are highly toxic. Confucius said: "Do not eat rotten fish or spoiled meat." Chicken yolk suits elderly; black suits postpartum; five-colored is best. Six-toed chickens, black chickens, white-headed four-spurred chickens, wild birds with eight-character patterns on eggs, dead chickens with extended legs/open mouths/eyes are forbidden. Black chicken with Carp causes abscesses. Chicken eggs cause blood败; forbidden for children. Old chicken heads are highly toxic; line-chickens (crowing hens) have toxic meat. Pheasants (Zhi) do more harm than good. Old ducks are tender but toxic; black ducks slide intestines/causing dysentery; gout patients should avoid. White ducks tonify deficiency; forbidden in June. White duck eyes kill. Duck eggs in excess cause disease; contraindicated with Garlic/Plum/Turtle. Wild ducks (after Sept) are safe; heal chronic sores. Goose triggers chronic diseases; white goose moves qi/causes sores; eggs are worst. Quail (Anchun) is transformed toad according to some; suitable for dysentery; with pig liver causes black spots; with mushrooms causes hemorrhoids. Sparrow contradicts liver pastes; pregnant women forbidden. Dung + Ginger powder + Honey pills whiten/weight. Pigeon is beneficial but reduces drug efficacy for patients. Carp induces wind-heat; forbidden in May. Mandarin Fish (Guiyu) has twelve bones, each toxic monthly; fatal unless treated with Olive Kernel powder in running water. White Fish causes pus; wound patients forbidden. Crucian Carp nourishes stomach; suitable in winter; spring heads contain worms; with Ophiopogon kills. Mackerel and Er Zhu (Atractylodes) are contraindicated. Silvery Bellies (Shiyu) cause malnutrition/chronic diseases. Squab (Fangyu) causes malnutrition/dysentery. Sturgeon (Xiongyu) triggers drug toxicity; with bamboo shoots causes paralysis/masses in children. Sea Bass (Luyu) in excess causes masses. Porpoise/Pig Fish (Tunyu) is harmful/toxic; purple-red spotted eyes or broken guts cause fatal distension; treated with Olive/Lu Gen juice. Eel (Shanyu) is very cold; excess causes cholera. [Unclear] fish slide intestines/stir fire. Eel/Luan/Bream clear heat/remove fatigue. Soft-shelled turtle (Bie) has single ridge; Reclining turtle (Tuanyu) has double ridge; not beneficial. Burning eel kills mosquitoes; burning head bone kills bedbugs; placing bones in clothes kills moths/lice. All fish contradict Nettle (Jingjie); fatal. Abnormally colored fish are forbidden. Abnormally red-eyed/three-legged/one-eyed/white-eyed/red-bellied/W-shaped/snake-patterned turtles are snake-transformed and forbidden. Crab is very cold, causes internal injury/pain/wind; star-spotted, incomplete legs, single claw, one-eyed, spotted feet, red eyes, hairy belly, bony belly are fatal. Shrimp induces wind/qi; whiskerless shrimp forbidden. Snail is very cold, resolves heat/intoxication, causes diarrhea. Clam (Han) benefits five zang/spleen. Mussel (Xian) in excess causes cough/kidney depletion. Dried Mussel (Dancai) in excess causes irritability. Meat juices sealed in vessels are toxic (cause bloating/diarrhea); copper-covered dripping juices are also toxic. Copper water overnight is undrinkable. Flower vase water is toxic/fatal. Outdoor food with flying silk causes throat swelling/blisters. Roof leak water causes masses. Hot summer porcelain containers cause irritability. Honey jars used for other things cause bloating/vomiting. Overnight cooked meat/poultry/fish cause bloating/vomiting/diarrhea. Sacrificial meat with moving eyes or self-consumed wine are forbidden. Animal brains damage yang/seminal emission; only Ox brain is beneficial.