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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: Heaven nourishes humans with the Five Qi, and Earth nourishes humans with the Five Flavors. Fruits, vegetables, and grains are all products of the Earth. It further says: The Five Grains serve as the foundation for nourishment, the Five Fruits as assistance, and the Five Vegetables as supplementation. Therefore, the fruit of herbaceous plants is called "luo" (gourd-like fruit), and the fruit of woody plants is called "guo" (fruit). The *Book of Rites* states: Dates are to be prepared anew, chestnuts are to be selected, peaches are to be processed, and medlars and pears are to be gathered; this indicates that there are methods for treating fruits. The *Odes of Bin* in the *Classic of Poetry* records boiling okra and cutting the pot handle, and using mustard sauce to garnish soup to nourish parents, indicating that there is a proper way to use vegetables. Beef pairs well with rice (*Tu*), mutton with millet (*Shu*), pork with broomcorn millet (*Ji*), dog meat with foxtail millet (*Liang*), and wild goose meat with wheat; this shows that pairing with grains follows specific principles. However, some of these substances are not suitable for frequent consumption, while others are not suitable for consumption at all. The classics state: The generation of Yin essence originates from the Five Flavors, yet the injury to the Five Zang Organs (the palaces of Yin) also stems from the Five Flavors. How can one fail to know their contraindications?

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Consuming raw fruits may induce sores.
[Annotation]
Raw fruits possess properties of dampness and heat, and often contain toxicity. If consumed raw, they may cause sores, abdominal distension, and diarrhea.

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Fruits that have fallen to the ground and remained overnight, or those eaten by insects and ants, are strictly contraindicated for human consumption.
[Annotation]
Any fruit that has fallen to the ground should not be eaten even if it is only left overnight, let alone those eaten by insects and ants. One must absolutely avoid eating such fruits upon seeing them.

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Uncooked rice stored for many days, especially if damaged, is harmful if consumed.
[Annotation]
Any food stored for many days or left overnight, if showing signs of damage, is likely remnants gnawed by insects or rodents. These contain toxins and will harm the body.

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Excessive consumption of peaches causes internal heat. One must not bathe in water immediately after, as this may induce alternating chills and fever, and strangury-like symptoms.
[Annotation]
Peaches are sweet in taste, sour in nature, and hot in property. Excessive consumption induces heat. Bathing in water afterward causes dampness and heat to clash and prevents dispersion, resulting in external chills and fever, and internal strangury (difficulty in urination).

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Unripe apricot curd injures the person. (Some say: it kills.)
[Annotation]
Apricots are sour and bitter in taste and toxic. If apricot curd is fermented but not fully ripe/cooked, consuming it may cause harm.

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Excessive consumption of plums damages the teeth.
[Annotation]
Plums are bitter and sour in taste. Excessive consumption damages the teeth. Teeth are considered the surplus of bone; since the Kidney governs fluids and connects to bones, damaging the teeth reflects kidney injury.

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Plums should not be consumed in excess, as they cause abdominal distension.
[Annotation]
Plums are sour and astringent. Excessive consumption stagnates the Qi of the Middle Jiao, leading to abdominal distension.

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Excessive consumption of "Lin Qin" (wild fruits/birds, contextually implying astringent wild produce) weakens the blood vessels throughout the body.
[Annotation]
"Lin Qin" is sour and astringent. Excessive consumption prevents the free flow of Qi and Blood in the meridians, leading to weak pulses.

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Excessive consumption of tangerines and pomelos disrupts taste perception, making one unable to discern the Five Flavors.
[Annotation]
The commentary on the *Book of Documents* states: Small ones are called tangerines, large ones are called pomelos. Both are sour in taste and cold in nature. Overconsumption, while refreshing the mouth, disrupts taste sensation, rendering the Five Flavors indistinguishable.

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Pears should not be consumed in excess, as they cause cold in the Middle Jiao. They are also unsuitable for patients with metal wounds (traumatic injuries) and postpartum women.
[Annotation]
Pears are sweet, sour, and cold in nature. Overconsumption causes cold in the Middle Jiao. Patients with traumatic injuries and postpartum women should strictly avoid them.

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Excessive consumption of cherries and apricols damages the sinews and bones.
[Annotation]
Cherries and apricots are sour in taste and cold in nature. Excessive consumption damages sinews and bones. The *Neijing* states: Sourness injures the sinews. Cold pathogenic factors injure the Kidneys; thus, both sinews and bones are damaged.

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Pomegranates should not be consumed in excess, as they injure the Lungs.
[Annotation]
Pomegranates are sour and astringent. Astringency causes Qi stagnation. The Lung governs Qi and prefers free flow rather than stagnation. Stagnation leads to injury; therefore, overconsumption is prohibited.

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Walnuts should not be consumed in excess, as they may provoke Phlegm-Fluid retention.
[Collected Commentary]
Cheng Lin said: Waltons moisten the Lungs and resolve Phlegm; how can they provoke Phlegm-Fluid? Because their nature is hot, excessive consumption stirs up Fire, which scalds Body Fluids into Phlegm-Fluid.

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Excessive consumption of raw dates causes heat, thirst, Qi distension, and alternating chills and fever. Emaciated individuals must absolutely avoid them, as they are harmful.
[Annotation]
Dates are hot in nature and generate thirst; sweet in taste and generates fullness. Emaciated individuals typically have abundant internal Heat and deficient Spleen-Stomach Qi. Thus, consumption leads to alternating chills and fever and is particularly inadvisable.