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Mr. Yuan Liaofan said: The methods for gathering essence include five aspects: first, reducing desires; second, conserving energy by avoiding overexertion; third, calming anger; fourth, abstaining from alcohol; and fifth, being cautious with dietary flavors. Currently, those who discuss health preservation often speak of "gathering yin to tonify yang" and pursuing prolonged intercourse without ejaculation, which is a great fallacy. The Kidney is the mansion of essence. Whenever male-female sexual intercourse occurs, it inevitably disturbs the Kidney. When Kidney qi moves, essence and blood flow along with it. Although externally no ejaculation occurs, the essence has already left its palace. Those who cannot endure restraint will inevitably have a few drops of true essence overflowing as the penis flaccidates; this serves as verification. Just as fire produces smoke and flames, how can they return to the firewood? Therefore, reducing desires is valued. Essence is formed from blood. It is not only sexual fatigue that damages our essence; all daily activities that consume blood should be deeply guarded against. For example, excessive visual strain consumes blood through vision; excessive auditory strain consumes blood through hearing; excessive mental strain consumes blood through thinking. If we moderate these according to circumstances, blood will be nourished and accumulate day by day. Therefore, conserving energy is valued. The organ responsible for closure and storage is the Kidney, while the Liver governs dispersion and excretion. Both organs contain Ministerial Fire (Xianghuo), and their connections ascend to belong to the Heart. The Heart is the Sovereign Fire (Junhuo). Anger injures the Liver and stirs up Ministerial Fire. Once stirred, the function of dispersion takes precedence, and the function of closure fails in its duty. Even without intercourse, essence will secretly flow and be consumed. Therefore, one should calm anger. Blood in the human body returns to its residence and coagulates normally. Alcohol can disturb blood; after drinking, a person's face turns red, and hands and feet become red, indicating that blood is disturbed and made to rush about. In individuals whose qi and blood are already declining, even if there is no sexual activity for several months, allowing essence to become thick and usable, a single night of heavy intoxication will cause essence to become thin. Therefore, abstaining from alcohol is advisable. The *Neijing* states: "For those lacking in essence, tonify with flavor." However, flavors that are rich and stagnant cannot generate essence; only bland and mild flavors can tonify essence. Generally, all things possess true flavors; when flavors are overly blended or intense, the true flavor diminishes. Regardless of whether meat or vegetables are used, if cooked properly, there will naturally be a harmonious, mild, and tranquil quality that benefits the stomach and intestines. The *Hongfan* discusses flavors, stating that "grains and harvest produce sweetness." Among worldly items, only the five grains obtain the correct flavor. Simply eating grain flavors lightly is best for nourishing essence. Furthermore, in any cooked porridge or rice, the thick liquid that rolls into a ball is where the essence of the rice gathers. Consuming it can rapidly generate essence; trials have proven effective.