神农本草云。酒味苦甘辛。火热有毒。主百邪毒。行百药。通血脉。浓肠胃。润皮肤。久饮伤
神损寿。若耽嗜过度。其酷烈之性。挠扰于外。沉注之体。淹滞于中。百脉沸腾。七神迷乱。过伤
之毒一发。耗真之病百生。故内经曰。因而大饮则气以逆。肺痹寒热喘而虚惊。有积气在胸中。得
之醉而使内也。酒入于胃。则络脉满而经脉虚。脾主于胃行其津液者也。阴气者静则神藏。躁则消
亡。饮食自倍。肠胃乃伤。盖阴气虚则阳气入。阳气入则胃不和。胃不和则精气竭。精气竭则不营
于四肢也。若醉饱入房。气聚脾中不得散。酒气与谷气相搏。热盛于中。故热遍于身。内热而溺赤
。名曰热厥。凡治消瘅、仆击、偏枯、痿厥、气满、发逆。皆肥贵人膏
粱之疾也。古人惟麦菽之曲酿黍。而已为辛热有毒。犹严戒如此。况今之酝造。加以马兰、芫花、
乌头、巴豆、大毒等药。以增气味。尤辛热之余烈也。岂不伤冲和、损精神、涸荣卫、竭天癸、夭
人寿者也。故近年中风、虚劳、消狂、疮疡、癖积、衄 、藏毒、下血者多有之大。概由朝醉夕醒
。耽乐为常而得之也。古人云。脾热病则五脏危。岂不信哉。孔子云。惟酒无量不及乱。谓饮之无
多而且有节。则所以养精神而介眉寿也。凡饮酒之际。切宜慎之戒之也。
The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states: Wine has bitter, sweet, and acrid flavors; its nature is hot and fiery, and it possesses toxicity. It primarily treats various pathogenic toxins, facilitates the action of hundred herbs, unifies blood vessels, thickens the stomach and intestines, and moistens the skin. However, long-term consumption damages the spirit and shortens longevity. If one indulges excessively, its fierce nature disturbs externally, while its heavy and stagnant quality lingers internally, causing all meridians to boil and the Seven Spirits (referring to mental and spiritual activities) to become confused. Once the toxicity of excessive injury manifests, diseases consuming true Qi will arise in hundreds. Therefore, the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) says: "Due to excessive drinking, Qi rebels upward, leading to Lung Bi (obstruction syndrome), alternating chills and fever, wheezing, and empty fright. Accumulated Qi remains in the chest; this condition arises from engaging in sexual intercourse while intoxicated."
When wine enters the Stomach, the collateral vessels become full while the main meridians become deficient. The Spleen governs the Stomach and transports body fluids. Yin Qi is inherently quiet; when quiet, the Spirit is stored; when agitated, the Spirit perishes. If food and drink intake doubles, the stomach and intestines are injured. Generally, when Yin Qi is deficient, Yang Qi invades; when Yang Qi invades, the Stomach becomes disharmonious; when the Stomach is disharmonious, Essence and Qi are exhausted; when Essence and Qi are exhausted, they fail to nourish the four limbs.
If sexual intercourse occurs after drunkenness and overeating, Qi gathers in the Spleen and cannot disperse. The Qi of wine and the Qi of grain contend with each other, generating intense heat within. Thus, heat pervades the body, manifesting as internal heat and dark urine, a condition named "Heat Jue" (Heat Reversal). All treatments for Xiao Dao (wasting-thirst syndrome), Pu Ji (sudden collapse), Pian Ku (hemiplegia), Wei Jue (flaccidity and cold extremities), Qi Man (chest fullness), and Qi Ni (rebellious Qi) are diseases of wealthy nobles resulting from rich and greasy foods.
In ancient times, only wheat, soybeans, yeast, and millet were used for brewing, yet it was still considered acrid, hot, and toxic, warranting such strict warnings. How much more so for modern brewing methods that add highly toxic substances like Malan (*Kalimeris indica*), Yuanhua (*Genkwa flos*), Wutou (*Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata*), and Badou (*Crotonis Fructus*) to enhance flavor? This adds further to the acrid and hot intensity. Would this not damage the Harmonious Qi, deplete the spirit, dry up Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), exhaust Tian Gui (Reproductive Essence), and shorten human lifespan?
Therefore, in recent years, conditions such as Zhong Feng (Wind Stroke), Xu Lao (Deficiency Consumption), Xiao Kuang (Wasting-Thirst and Mania), Chuang Yang (Sores and Ulcers), Pi Ji (Accumulation Masses), Nu Xue (Nosebleed), Zang Du (Visceral Toxin), and Xia Xue (Lower Bleeding) have become prevalent. This is largely due to morning intoxication and evening sobriety, making indulgence a daily habit. The ancients said: "Spleen Heat disease endangers the Five Zang Organs." Is this not credible? Confucius said: "Wine has no fixed limit, but one should not drink to the point of losing self-control." This means drinking moderately and with restraint preserves the spirit and promotes longevity. One must be extremely cautious and vigilant regarding alcohol consumption.