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Qi and blood flow smoothly, and the four limbs are relaxed and harmonious. Even in midsummer, one must not expose the body. The area connecting the neck to the nape should be covered with soft purple layered silk, hanging down from the headscarf at the back of the neck, touching the flesh, entering the collar, and extending to the region between the back and the Pishu (BL-20) acupoint, to protect the Couli (skin pores and interstices). Middle-aged people have thin and weak muscles, and their Couli are open and sparse. If wind pathogen invades the Couli, it will lead to serious trouble. One should be extremely cautious about this.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: "The elderly do not treat wind diseases." It does not mean they do not treat wind diseases, but rather that they should regulate Qi. "The young do not treat labor injuries," it does not mean they do not treat labor injuries, but rather that they should regulate the Spleen.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: People often invert their self-care priorities. Brushing teeth in the morning is not as effective as brushing them when feeling sleepy; this removes accumulated residue between teeth and strengthens them.

The *Qianjin Yaofang* states: One should not engage in sexual intercourse during periods of extreme joy or grief, while suffering from heat diseases that have not yet resolved, or for women during menstruation or immediately after childbirth. Engaging in intercourse shortly after recovering from a heat disease can lead to death.

The *Qianjin Yaofang* quotes Laozi: "People who suffer from many diseases are those born on 'Wind Days'. Those who die early are those born on the 'Hui Day' (the last day of the lunar month). Those injured in utero are those born on the 'Shuo Day' (the first day of the lunar month). Those who die along with their mothers at birth are those born on days of thunder and lightning. Those who die after being able to walk and having consciousness are those born in the latter half of the month. Those who die by sword or bloodshed are those born at the end of the lunar month or on days of lunar eclipse. Those whose pregnancies fail to form are those born on the days of the quarter moon or full moon. Those with short lifespans are those born on days of heavy drunkenness. Those who are either insane or manic are those born on days of great fatigue. Those born dead or deformed are those born at dawn. Those prone to fear and palpitations are those born at sunrise. Those inclined to theft and greed are those born at 'Yu Zhong' (9-11 AM). Those with bad character are those born at noon. Those whose lives are not preserved are those born when the sun casts shadows (3-5 PM). Those prone to deceit and falsehood are those born at 'Bu Shi' (3-5 PM). Those who are mute or deaf are those born at 'Ren Ding' (9-11 PM). When heaven and earth close and Qi does not flow, the child dies. Intercourse at midnight produces children who are long-lived and virtuous. Intercourse after midnight produces children of medium lifespan, intelligent and wise. Intercourse at cockcrow produces children with short lifespans who harm their parents. This is the constant principle of heaven and earth.

The *Qianjin Yaofang* states: Patients with red eyes must abstain from sexual activity. Otherwise, they may develop internal eye diseases (Neizhang).

The *Qianjin Yaofang* states: Those skilled in health preservation, upon feeling an surge of Yang energy (sexual desire), must strictly restrain themselves and not indulge their mind to exhaust their essence, thereby harming themselves. Each time one succeeds in restraint, it is like extinguishing a fire and adding oil. If one cannot restrain oneself and indulges in ejaculation, it is like a candle flame about to go out and removing its oil. How can one not guard against this deeply?

The *Qianjin Yaofang* states: If you have bad dreams at night, do not tell anyone. In the morning, face east towards water and chant: "Bad dreams attach to grass and trees; good dreams become precious jade." Then there will be no disaster.

Chao Yuanfang's *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* states: Waking up unsettled from sleep is due to the Hun and Po wandering outside, disturbed by other pathogens, unable to return, resulting in nightmare suffocation (Yan). Avoid using light to shine on them, otherwise the Shen and Hun will not re-enter, leading to death. However, if someone has nightmares in front of a lamp, it is because the origin comes from brightness, so light is not contraindicated.

Ge Hong's *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* states: If someone suddenly faints and does not wake up, do not shine a lamp on them, as it can kill. Instead, bite hard on their heels and the edges of the big toenails, and spit on their face to revive them. Crush fresh garlic chives (Jiu) to extract juice and blow it into the nose. Juice from wild leeks (Xie) also works. In winter, use garlic chive root juice poured into the mouth.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: After bathing, do not sleep soundly in thin shirts and skirts. This may cause pain in the external kidneys and curvature of the waist and back.

Fang Yun's *Bozhai Pian* states: Do not bathe if you have eye diseases. Bathing worsens the condition, potentially leading to blindness. If one stops washing hair, one will never have eye diseases in their life.

The *Muyu Shenshen Jing* states: Use five types of fragrant baths for bathing. 1. Angelica dahurica (Baizhi) removes the Three Corpses. 2. Peach bark wards off evil qi. 3. Cypress leaves subdue true immortals. 4. Linglingxiang gathers spirits and sages. 5. Qingmuxiang eliminates filth and summons truth.

The *Bencao* states: Bathing with water steamed from a rice cooker makes hair grow thick, black, and lustrous.

The *Bencao* states: Dry cooked japonica rice, if eaten regularly, causes heat in the middle jiao, dry lips, and dry mouth. Do not eat it with Xanthium (Canger), as it causes sudden heart pain. Burn charcoal from stored rice urgently, mix with honey water, and drink. Otherwise, death ensues. Do not eat it with horse meat, as it triggers chronic diseases. Stored rice behaves similarly.

Zhang Wenqian says: Zhang Andao drinks a large bowl of porridge every morning. With an empty stomach and deficient Wei Qi, grain Qi is generated. The benefits are subtle, and it is very soft and smooth, harmonizing with the Zang-Fu organs. Monk Miaoqi said: Monks in the mountains drinking a bowl of porridge at dawn is very beneficial. If they do not eat, they feel dry and thirsty in their Zang-Fu all day. Porridge promotes Wei Qi circulation and generates body fluids. Su Dongpo said: Sitting at night feeling very hungry, Wu Ziye advised eating white porridge, saying it promotes the elimination of turbidity and generation of new Qi, benefiting the diaphragm and nourishing the Stomach.

The *Shizhi Tongshuo* states: Eating and drinking at regular times, with appropriate hunger and satiety, allows food and water to transform properly. The Harmonious Qi blends, Essence and Blood are generated, Ying and Wei circulate, Zang-Fu organs are balanced, and Spirit and Mind are peaceful. Righteous Qi is full inside, and Original Truth connects outside. External and internal pathogens cannot interfere, and all diseases cannot arise.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: If one feels unwell after eating too many pastries or snacks, getting drunk on alcohol is the remedy. After waking up, all discomforts will heal. Its effect surpasses taking medicine. Tangerine peel decoction can also resolve this.

The *Shizhi Tongshuo* states: During peak summer, pay attention to regulating diet. Since latent Yin is inside, digestion is slightly slower. Also, fruits and vegetables are often eaten raw. Cold drinks like Su water and Gui syrup involve cold meeting cold, making digestion particularly difficult. Minor injury leads to undigested diarrhea; severe injury leads to cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, food intake in summer months must be reduced to facilitate Spleen and Stomach digestion. Avoid cold and raw foods to prevent abdominal organ disorders.

The *Shizhi Tongshuo* states: Those who love cold and raw foods may suffer from abdominal pain, heart pain, vomiting, and dysentery. Those who love roasted/grilled foods may suffer from mouth ulcers, sore throat, heat stagnation, and abscesses.

The *Hanfu Mingtan* states: Nowadays, people eat cold things and then drink hot soup to warm their Spleen. But since the Spleen is already chilled, how can it be warmed? It is better to drink hot soup before eating cold things to warm the Spleen, then eat cold things without worry.

The *Qianjin Yaofang* states: Those skilled in nurturing nature eat before feeling hungry and drink before feeling thirsty. Appetite should be frequent but small in quantity, not infrequent and large, as large meals are hard to digest. Always aim to feel slightly hungry when full, and slightly full when hungry. Being too full injures the Spleen; being too hungry injures Qi. Thus, learn to eat bland food. Chew food thoroughly so that rice essence enters the abdomen.

The *Shizhi Tongshuo* states: The proper way to eat and drink is to eat only when hungry, chewing thoroughly. Drink only when parched, sipping slowly. Do not wait until very hungry to eat, and do not eat until too full. If slightly thirsty, reduce drinking; do not drink too frequently. Food should be fine and warm.

Wang Shuhe had deep insight into health preservation and often said: Do not mix foods indiscriminately; mixing may violate taboos. There may be no immediate disaster, but over time it causes disease. Ordinary diet should be appropriate. Frequent meals cause bloating and shortness of breath, or even sudden illness. From Summer Solstice to Autumn Equinox, eat less fatty and greasy pastries. These conflict with wine, food, fruits, and melons. No sickness is felt initially, but in autumn when Yang declines and Yin rises, cold Qi arrives, causing many sudden deaths. This is indeed due to excessive cooling in summer and irregular diet. Ignorant people think the day they get sick is the start of the disease, not knowing the cause accumulated gradually. Is this not confusing?

The *Suosuo Lu* states: After eating, sneeze several times using a small paper twist. When Qi flows freely, eyes become clear, and phlegm resolves naturally.

The *Shiliao Bencao* states: Wild ducks caught after September are excellent for eating, superior to domestic ducks. Although cold in nature, they do not disturb Qi. For small heat sores on the body that have not healed for years, eating plenty of wild duck will cure them.

The *Bencao* states: Food and drink must be cooked daily. Leftover food disturbs Qi. People with dental or Spleen diseases must absolutely avoid it.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: Those with latent heat should not drink water. Those exposed to cold should not drink hot soup.

The *Bencao Shiyi* states: In the onset of warm diseases, eating too many vegetables leads to death.

The *Bowuzhi* states: Autumn crabs are toxic, with no cure. Crabs facing each other with spotted legs are especially toxic.

The *Shiliao Bencao* states: For women with breech presentation, swallowing two or three hemp seeds ensures normal delivery.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: To sober up, eat olives.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: After eating garlic chives, rub teeth with willow branch bark and rinse with cold water to prevent bad breath.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: Walking barefoot in heavy snow, do not immediately wash with hot water or drink hot wine, or toes may fall off.

The *Yunji Qiqian* states: Eating while lying on the bed is ominous; do not eat facing north.

Herbal Dietary Taboos:
If a prescription contains Licorice Root (Gancao), avoid pork, Chinese cabbage (Songcai), and seaweed.
Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) and Picrorhiza Rhizome (Huhuanglian) avoid pork and cold water.
Xanthium Fruit (Canger) avoids pork, horse meat, and rice wash water.
Platycodon Root (Jiegeng) and Dark Plum (Wumei) avoid pig internal organs.
Curculigo Rhizome (Xianmao) avoids beef and cow's milk.
Pinellia Tuber (Banxia) and Acorus Rhizome (Changpu) avoid mutton, sheep blood, and malt sugar (Yitang).
Achyranthes Root (Niuxi) avoids beef.
Psoralea Fruit (Yangqishi), Mica (Yunmu), Stalactite (Zhongru), Cinnabar (Zhusha), and Alum (Fanshi) all avoid sheep blood.
Phytolacca Root (Shanglu) avoids dog meat.
Cinnabar (Dansha), Azurite (Kongqing), and Calomelas (Qingfen) all avoid all blood.
Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu) avoids pig heart and pork.
Rehmannia Root (Dihuang) and Polygonum Multiflorum (Heshouwu) avoid all blood, green onion, garlic, and radish.
Psoralea Fruit (Buguzhi) avoids pig blood and rapeseed (Yuntai).
Asarum Root (Xixin) and Veratrum Rhizome (Lilu) avoid fox meat and raw vegetables.
Schizonepeta Spike (Jingjie) avoids donkey meat, yellow catfish, pufferfish, and all scaleless fish/crabs.
Perilla Leaf (Zisu), Asparagus Stem (Tianmendong), Cinnabar (Dansha), and Dragon Bone (Longgu) avoid carp.
Croton Seed (Badou) avoids wild boar meat, arrowhead shoots, bamboo shoots, soy sauce, and cold water.
Atractylodes Rhizome (Cangzhu/Baizhu) avoid sparrow meat, blue fish, Chinese cabbage, peaches, and plums.
Peppermint Leaf (Bohe) avoids turtle meat.
Ophiopogon Tuber (Maimendong) avoids crucian carp.
Dahurian Sweetflag Root (Changshan) avoids raw green onion and raw vegetables.
Aconite Lateral Root (Fuzi), Aconite Root (Wutou), and Aconite Lateral Root (Tianxiong) avoid fermented soybean juice (Chijiazhi) and millet (Jimi).
Moutan Cortex (Mudan) avoids green onion and cilantro.
Magnolia Bark (Houpo) and Castor Seed (Bima) avoid fried beans.
Tartar Shell (Biejia) avoids amaranth.
Spirit Flower Root (Weilingxian) and Smilax Glabra Rhizome (Tufuling) avoid vinegar and all sour flavors.
Honey avoids Genkwa Flos (Yuanhua) and raw green onion.

When taking medicine, do not eat fatty pork, dog meat, greasy foods, soups, raw minced meat, fishy/foul smells, or stale/rotten items.

When taking medicine, do not eat too much raw garlic, cilantro, raw green onion, various fruits, or slippery/stagnating foods.

The *Suosuo Lu* states: When taking medicine, the medicinal Qi and food Qi must not meet. When the food Qi has digested, take the medicine. When the medicinal Qi has dispersed, eat food. Whether the medicine is taken before or after meals, one should examine this carefully.