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Whenever taking medicine, the qi of the medicine and the qi of food should not be desired to meet. When the qi of food has been digested, then take the medicine; when the qi of the medicine has dissipated, then eat food. Various medicines have distinctions between taking them before or after meals, all of which must be carefully examined. (From *Sui Lu*)

Generally speaking, among medicines: sour flavor nourishes the bones, pungent flavor nourishes the tendons, salty flavor nourishes the vessels, bitter flavor nourishes the qi, sweet flavor nourishes the flesh, and slippery nature nourishes the orifices.

For patients with osmidrosis (fox odor) where the inner thighs and genital area are afraid of dampness and emit a foul smell, or sores develop there, soak Qingmuxiang (Indigofera tinctoria Root / Akebiae Caulis - *Note: Context suggests aromatic herb for odor, often interpreted as Indigo root or similar in ancient texts, here kept as Pinyin/English generic if specific ID ambiguous, but WHO standard for Qingmu Xiang is usually Indigo Naturalis or related. However, strictly "Qingmuxiang" refers to *Akebiae Caulis* or *Indigofera*. In context of axillary odor, it might refer to an aromatic application. Let's use standard term:* Qingmuxiang [Akebiae Caulis / Indigo Root depending on era interpretation, here literal translation]) soaked in good vinegar and placed in the armpit, it will heal. (From *Waitai Miyao Fang*)

Baicao Hui (Ash of Hundred Herbs) primarily treats axillary osmidrosis and Jinchuang (metal weapon wounds). Collect dew on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, gather one hundred types of herbs, dry them in the shade, burn them into ash, knead repeatedly with Jinghua Shui (well water), burn until white, mix with strong vinegar to form cakes, place in the armpit, change when dry. If whole-body pain and stifling sensation occur, stop when pus/blood comes out from the sores, wash with water and urine. Not exceeding two or three times. It also primarily treats Jinchuang to stop bleeding and generate flesh. Take the ash and Duanshi (Calcined Gypsum / Burnt Stone) to form balls, burn until white, scrape the powder and apply to the sores.

In every household, pregnant women often take Zhike San (Bitter Orange Powder), claiming it can shrink the fetus and make delivery easy. This is completely incorrect. Generally, if the fetus is robust, the child has strength and thus delivery is easy. Village women who eat heartily daily find their delivery particularly easy. Now, taking Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) instead leads to weakness, and combined with the child's weak qi, makes nurturing difficult. (From *Bencao Yan Yi*)

In the world, many patients have relatives, friends, and acquaintances come to inquire about their illness. These people have no experience and have not read any medical formulas, yet they boast of their understanding, pretending to be knowledgeable, discussing heterodox theories. Some say it is deficiency (Xu), some say it is excess (Shi), some say it is wind (Feng), some say it is gu poison, some say it is water retention, some say it is disease. Their confused statements vary greatly, destroying the patient's mind, leaving them unsure of what is correct. They delay treatment; time does not wait for people, leading to disaster, and then everyone scatters. Therefore, it is crucial to have good people and excellent famous doctors who can recognize the depth of the disease, explore the mysteries of medical texts,博览古今 (extensively study past and present), and understand all matters clearly to examine patients. Otherwise, great mistakes will be made in human affairs. (From Sun Taizhen's *Qianjin Fang*)

If the pulse at the three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) is equal in size, floating/sinking, slow/rapid, and regular without exceeding the normal count, and harmonious, even if the patient suffers from cold-heat symptoms that do not resolve immediately, this is because the pulse indicates Yin-Yang harmony. Although ill, recovery is certain. This is due to contracting minor pathogenic qi, so deep treatment and vigorous attack (such as emesis, purgation, sweating, or excessive bitter/cold medicines) must be strictly prohibited, as excessive medicinal force will endanger life. If the pulse responds to the four seasons' climate and is balanced, even with minor cold-heat caused by slight pathogens, this is a "Wuwang Zhi Ji" (disease arising from non-negligible external factors/minor causes). Taking no medicine may bring joy (recovery). Do not rigidly adhere to days or sequences to forcibly attack and expel, otherwise major disasters will inevitably follow.