Library

The *Suwen* (Plain Questions) states: If one engages in excessive physical exertion (*Qiangli*), the Kidney Qi will be injured, and the high bones (referring to the lumbar region) will deteriorate. The commentary notes that "excessive exertion" refers to sexual intercourse. Forcing sexual intercourse leads to the depletion of Essence (*Jing*); depletion of Essence injures the Kidneys; injury to the Kidneys causes the Marrow Qi to wither internally, resulting in lower back pain and an inability to bend or straighten the body.

The *Huangdi Jing* (Yellow Emperor's Classic) states: Urgently guard the Essence chamber and do not leak it recklessly; by closing and preserving it, one can achieve longevity.

Books state: In cases of impotence where sexual desire cannot be satisfied, forcibly taking cinnabar and stone minerals to aid Yang will deplete Kidney Water, causing Heart Fire to burn like a flame. The Five Zang organs become dry, leading to Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting syndrome). Ne states: A small amount of water cannot extinguish a raging fire, potentially leading to sores and ulcers.

Those who force themselves into sexual labor develop the condition of "Extreme Exhaustion of Essence" (*Jing Ji*), characterized by emaciation, palpitations and fright, nocturnal emission, turbid urine, impotence with abdominal urgency, dark complexion, and deafness.

The True Person says: The way of nurturing life is not to force oneself beyond what one can endure.

Baopuzi says: If talent is insufficient but one forces thinking; if strength is inadequate but one forces lifting, injury occurs. Indeed, the character "force" (*Qiang*) is truly the root of destroying life and reducing longevity.

Diet and drink are for nourishing life. However, forcing alcohol when drunk, or forcing food when full, invariably leads to illness and harm to the body, let alone forcing sexual activity. Forcing sexual activity causes Yuan Jing (Original Essence) to depart and Shen Qi (Spirit Qi) to scatter; this must be guarded against!

Books state: Overeating combined with sexual fatigue causes Qi and Blood to overflow and seep into the Large Intestine, resulting in frequent passage of clear blood accompanied by abdominal pain; this disease is named Chang Pi (Intestinal Dysentery).

Having sex while heavily intoxicated exhausts Qi and injures the Liver. Men suffer from decreased semen and impotence; women suffer from diminished menstruation, retention of evil blood, and the development of malignant sores.

Engaging in intercourse with lamps or candles lit is a lifelong taboo. Forcing sexual activity while angry damages Essence and Qi, leading to carbuncles and sores. Engaging in intercourse while fearful causes Yin and Yang to become deficient on one side, leading to Jue Ni (cold extremities/fainting), spontaneous sweating, night sweats, and eventually chronic exhaustion.

Engaging in intercourse after long travel and fatigue results in the Five Excesses and Deficiency Damage. Having intercourse before menstruation has ceased causes Bai Bo disease (vitiligo). Additionally, cold qi enters the interior, causing sallow complexion and infertility. Having intercourse while metal wounds (lacerations) have not healed disturbs Qi and Blood, causing the wound to deteriorate. Holding urine during intercourse leads to Lin Syndrome (dysuria), pain in the urethra, loss of facial color, or bladder torsion causing acute pain below the umbilicus and death.

Either engaging in intercourse immediately after recovery from illness, young people indulging without restraint, or elderly people failing to reduce desires—miraculous medicines cannot take effect instantly, thus leading to disease. As time passes, until flesh disappears and bones waste away, one may resent spirits and ghosts; thus it is said: When oil is exhausted, the lamp goes out; when marrow is depleted, the person dies. To add oil and replenish marrow, what use is forced effort? Invading demons and ghosts are always disasters self-attributed.

Ejaculation during intercourse inevitably moves the San Jiao (Triple Burner), Heart, Spleen, and Kidneys. Movement generates heat and blazes desire fire; if one then enters water (bathes or contacts cold water), it causes middle Jiao heat stagnation and jaundice, excess Qi in the lower Jiao with blackening of the forehead, and upper Jiao blood stasis with dark, loose stools due to heat moving downward. Men and women bathing together often suffer from this.

Taking Nao She (Camphor and Musk, aromatic opening agents) before intercourse opens the orifices and scatters True Qi. Severe cases result in deficiency vertigo; mild cases result in diarrhea.

The *Bencao* (Materia Medica) states: Eating too much garlic before intercourse injures the Liver, causing a dark, lusterless complexion. (Garlic here refers to Allium sativum.)

Books state: Sweating during intercourse makes one susceptible to Lao Feng (Wind caused by fatigue). Red eyes should avoid intercourse to prevent internal eye obstructions. Violating abstinence during the recovery phase of acute diseases leads to death with the tongue protruding several inches.

The *Records of the Three Kingdoms* records: Zi Xian's illness had healed. Hua Tuo examined his pulse and said: "He is still deficient and not yet recovered; do not engage in strenuous activities." If he engages in sexual activity again, he will die, and upon death, his tongue will protrude several inches. His wife traveled a hundred li to visit him, stayed overnight, and they engaged in intercourse. Three days later, the illness returned exactly as Hua Tuo predicted. How terrifying!