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If the disease is located above the chest and diaphragm, take food first and then medicine; if the disease is located below the heart and abdomen, take medicine first and then food; if the disease is in the four limbs, blood vessels, or the lower part of the body, it is advisable to take it on an empty stomach in the morning; if the disease is in the head, eyes, or bone marrow, it is advisable to take it when full at night. Whether taken before or after meals, one should pause for a moment before taking the medicine. Food should not be taken simultaneously with medicine, as this causes the medicinal power to become slightly turbid and stagnant. The *Tangye* (Classic of Decoctions) states: "The qi of medicine and the qi of food do not wish to meet; take medicine when the food qi has slightly dissipated, and take food when the medicine qi has slightly dissipated." The concepts of taking medicine before or after meals contain profound meaning. There are also distinctions between administration with wine, water, cold temperature, and warm temperature. The administration of decoctions varies in frequency (sparse vs. frequent), and the decoction process varies by using raw or cooked ingredients; each has its sequence and must be carefully examined without neglect.

Clearing-heat decoctions should be taken cool, such as Sanhuang Tang (Three-Yellow Decoction); summer-heat dispelling medicines should be taken cold, such as Xiangru Yin (Elsholtzia Drink); cold-dispersing medicines should be taken hot, such as Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction); middle-warming medicines should be thoroughly cooked and taken hot, and all tonifying-middle medicines follow this rule; purgative-lowering medicines should be used raw and taken warm, such as Chengqi Tang (Order the Qi Decoction).

For diseases in the upper part, do not disdain frequent but small doses; for diseases in the lower part, do not disdain single large doses. Small doses nourish the upper part; large doses strongly tonify the lower part.

When it is stated to divide into two or three doses, ensure the medicinal force connects continuously, and adjust based on the patient's strength or emaciation, and the severity of the illness, rather than being rigidly bound by the prescription instructions, thus allowing flexibility. "One zhou" (周时) refers to a full cycle of time, from today's dawn to tomorrow's dawn, though sometimes it may refer only to passing through one night.

When taking Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), avoid beef. When taking Fuling (Poria), avoid vinegar. When taking Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), avoid pork. When taking Rushi (Mineral Drugs), avoid Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma); violation leads to death. When taking Danshi (Cinnabar/Realgar preparations), avoid clams, which cause abdominal knotting pain. Taking Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Badou (Crotonis Fructus) together results in failure to induce purgation. When taking Zaojian (Vitriol), avoid buckwheat noodles. When taking Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Changpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), avoid Yitang (Maltose) and mutton. When taking Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), avoid sparrow meat, Huyu (Coriander), and garlic. When taking Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix), avoid carp. When taking Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), avoid Huyu (Coriander). When taking Changshan (Dichroae Radix), avoid scallions. When eating soft-shelled turtle, avoid amaranth. When taking Shanglu (Phytolaccae Radix), avoid dog meat. When taking Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), avoid radishes. When taking Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), avoid raw vegetables. When taking Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), avoid Songcai (Chinese Cabbage). When taking Suske (Poppy Capsule), avoid vinegar. When taking Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos) and Gansui (Euphorbiae Kansui Radix), avoid salt and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). When taking Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), avoid donkey meat and yellow catfish. When taking Shidi (Kaki Calyx), avoid crabs; violation can be resolved with Muxiang Tang (Aucklandia Decoction). When taking Badou (Crotonis Fructus), avoid reed shoots. If various medicines have not yet digested, do not eat pufferfish; taking medicine after eating fish leads to bleeding from the mouth and nose (from *Yi Shuo*). When taking Lilu (Veratrum), avoid fox meat. When taking honey and honey-cooked fruits, avoid vinegar. If sores/toxins are not healed, avoid ginger and eggs; violation causes flesh to grow protruding into lumps and turn white.