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The origin of diseases lies in indulging the mind, going against the joy of life, sacrificing spirit to pursue cleverness, sacrificing worry to calculate gains and losses, sacrificing labor to comply with rituals, and sacrificing one's existence to covet wealth and profit. If these four "sacrifices" (obsessions) are not restrained, the Heart will become diseased. Exhausting the body through overwork, irritability and anger causing Qi rebellion, drinking alcohol facing the wind, and craving spicy and salty foods will cause the Liver to become diseased. Irregular diet, improper temperature regulation, prolonged sitting or lying, excessive fullness or hunger will cause the Spleen to become diseased. Excessive shouting, arguing and socializing, exposure to cold and heat, and indulging in sour and salty foods will cause the Lung to become diseased. Sitting long on damp ground, forcing oneself to travel far, indulging desires and exhausting the body, leading to leakage of the Lower Yuan essence, will cause the Kidney to become diseased. Once these five diseases manifest, one becomes emaciated before old age, sick before emaciation; when the disease is severe, death is inevitable. Alas! These are all self-inflicted due to lack of reflection. Now that illness has occurred, treating it with medicine is like digging a well only when thirsty! However, one must be cautious in daily life: avoid violent anger, simplify speech, clear the mind and reduce desires,轻视 gains and losses, restrain sensory input, regulate diet, and avoid fatty, roasted, and raw/cold foods. Do not eat too much at once; it is better to eat small amounts frequently. Eating should not be rushed, as rushing injures the Spleen. One should chew carefully and swallow slowly. Food should not be too hot or too cold, nor mixed indiscriminately, as mixing may cause conflicting properties, worrying the Spleen and Stomach. If one can be cautious, medication will naturally be effective. If one continues to act recklessly and ignores taboos, not only will the medicine be ineffective, but the disease will worsen. This must not be neglected.

Be cautious in selecting water. According to medical texts:
Long-flowing water (Changliu Shui), also known as Thousand-Li Water, refers to water flowing from a distance. It is not necessary to strictly seek water from exactly a thousand li away, but rather to choose water with a distant source and smooth flow. It is used to decoct medicines for treating limb diseases and promoting urination and defecation.
Rapid-flowing water (Jiliu Shui) is swift and turbulent water. Due to its rapid downward flow, it is used to decoct medicines for promoting urination/defecation and treating wind-dampness in the lower legs.
Downward-flowing water (Shunliu Shui) flows naturally downwards. It is used to treat diseases of the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner), such as waist and knee pain, and for promoting urination/defecation.
Counter-flowing water (Niliu Shui) is slow, swirling water. Due to its逆流 nature, it is used to harmonize medicines that induce vomiting of phlegm-fluids.
Half-sky River Water (Bantian He Shui) refers to the high-altitude water given by Chang Sang Jun to Bian Que. It is rainwater collected in bamboo tubes or fences. Being fallen from the sky, it has not absorbed heavy turbid qi from below, making it suitable for refining elixirs and preparing immortal medicines.
Spring Rainwater (Chunyushui) is rainwater collected in an open vessel on the day of Lichun (Start of Spring). It possesses the rising and generating Qi of spring. It is used to decoct formulas tonifying Middle Qi or lifting sinking Clear Qi. Ancient texts state that women infertile can drink this rainwater or morning dew on Lichun morning with their husbands to conceive, symbolizing the nurturing of life.
Autumn Dew (Qiulushui) carries the contracting and肃杀 (astringent/killing) Qi of autumn. It is used to decoct anti-parasitic medicines and for topical application on sores, tinea, and leprosy-like conditions.
Well-water First Drawn (Jinghua Shui) is the first bucket drawn from a well in the early morning. The primordial Qi of Heaven floats on the surface. It is used to decoct Yin-nourishing formulas and for alchemical purposes.
Freshly Drawn Well Water (Xinji Shui) is well water freshly drawn but not yet stored in jars. It is considered pure and unadulterated, ideal for decocting medicines.
Ganlan Water (Ganlan Shui) is made by pouring water between vessels repeatedly until foam covers the surface (about 100 times). Its nature becomes gentle, suitable for treating Cold syndromes in Shaoyin/Taiyin.
Rainwater/Puddle Water (Lao Shui), also called Rootless Water, is stagnant water in new pits in uninhabited valleys. It is still and contains Earth Qi. Clear versions are used to decoct formulas regulating the Spleen/Stomach and tonifying Middle Qi.
Winter Frost Water (Dongshuang Shui) forms when Yin Qi condenses dew into frost. Frost kills living things, and its nature varies with seasons. It resolves alcohol toxicity and treats febrile diseases. To collect: brush with chicken feathers, store in sealed bottles. For chills and fever, take one qian of autumn frost with warm wine; it is miraculous.
Lunar Month Snow Water (Laxue Shui) is snow collected after the third Wu day following Winter Solstice (La month). It resolves epidemic toxins and mineral drug toxicity. Used for tea/congee to treat thirst, washing red eyes, and mixing with insecticidal herbs.
Yin-Yang Water (Yinyang Shui) is a mixture of fresh cold well water and boiling water. Adding burnt salt and drinking it resolves overeating/drinking. For cholera with abdominal distension, drinking 1-2 sheng induces vomiting of phlegm/food, curing the condition. For severe cholera/vomiting preventing food intake, a few sips stabilize the patient.
Chrysanthemum Water (Juying Shui) comes from sources in Shu where chrysanthemums grow abundantly, imparting fragrance to the water. Locals drinking it live 200-300 years. Tao Yuanming planted chrysanthemums and steeped flowers in water for tea to prolong life. Although Bencao lists these waters, their uses were not fully detailed; here they are presented.
According to Qianjin Fang: Ginseng must be decocted with flowing water; stagnant water is ineffective. Using overnight water not only fails but may introduce parasites or Yin pathogenic factors, worsening harm. Even boiled water left overnight causes dull skin and tinea when used for bathing. Each water type has specific applications; choose carefully.

Be cautious with fire control. According to medical texts:
Mulberry Wood Fire (Sangchai Huo): Mulberry benefits joints and nourishes fluids. When burned, it is excellent. Baopuzi states: Immortal medicines are ineffective unless decocted with mulberry wood. Mulberry is the essence of the Ji Star, aiding medicinal power and dispelling wind-cold bi-pain. Long-term use prevents wind diseases.
Oak Charcoal Fire (Lic Tan Huo): Suitable for smelting metallic/mineral drugs due to its hardness.
Millet Husk Fire (Jinsu Huo): Millet husks, used for alchemy.
Charcoal Fire (Tan Huo): Suitable for cooking/baking pills and powders.
White Charcoal (Baitan): For ingested metals (gold, silver, copper, iron), burn red, grind to powder, decoct and sip. Severe cases: take 1 qian powder mixed with well water. Repeated if ineffective. Also resolves mercury/calomel toxicity.
Stone Coal (Shitan): Coal from Northwest China, not used in medicine.
Reed Fire (Ludi Huo) & Bamboo Fire (Zhu Huo): Suitable for decocting tonic medicines.
Fire is classified as Wen (Civil/Gentle) or Wu (Military/Strong). Wen fire is slow and steady. To prevent rapid evaporation and loss of aroma, cover the vessel mouth with paper dipped in water. Wu fire is strong and fast, used for inducing vomiting of phlegm-fluids.

Be cautious with decoction vessels. Use clay pots or ceramic jars. Wealthy families may use clean silver vessels for better results. Avoid oil, grease, fishy smells, and copper, tin, or iron pots. Vessels previously used for other medicines must be thoroughly cleaned. Cover the vessel mouth with wet paper.

Be cautious with the person decocting medicine. Reckless individuals may ignore water-fire ratios, waste excess liquid, or dilute insufficient decoctions with tea. Select careful individuals who understand fire control, preferably trusted relatives, to follow methods strictly. Filter dregs using fresh silk gauze and consume only the clear liquid.

Be cautious with taking medicine. For diseases above the chest/diaphragm, eat first then take medicine. For diseases below the heart/abdomen, take medicine first then eat. For diseases in limbs/blood vessels, take on an empty stomach in the morning. For diseases in bone marrow, take after a full meal at night. Upper body treatments prefer frequent, small doses; lower body treatments prefer frequent, larger doses. Small doses moisten the upper body; large doses strongly tonify the lower body. Medicinal Qi and Grain Qi should not clash. Take medicine after food digestion begins, and eat after medicinal effects subside. Whether taken before or after meals, consider these principles.