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Regarding diet, the Qi of each person's Zang organs has its own preferences, so one need not be overly rigid or dogmatic. However, excessive alcohol consumption is inadvisable. The essence used for conception originates from innate Qi, which must be extremely clear and pure, and extremely substantial. Alcohol possesses a licentious and hot nature; it not only disturbs the mind (Shen) but also disrupts the Jing (Essence). When Jing is disrupted by alcohol, half becomes damp-heat and half suffers from deficiency of true Jing. If Jing is not substantial, the Tai Yuan (Fetal Origin) will not be secure. If Jing contains excessive damp-heat, diseases such as smallpox/rash (Dou Zhen), convulsions (Jing Feng), and spleen failure (Pi Bai) in later years are likely to have been predisposed at this stage. Therefore, those who wish to select an auspicious time for conception must exercise caution beforehand. It is better to drink less than to drink more, and better not to drink at all than to drink less. This is a critical factor regarding the Tai Yuan. Those planning for offspring should not treat this as a secondary concern.

Diseases affecting pregnancy differ between genders: in men, it concerns Jing (Essence); in women, it concerns Blood (Xue). In both cases, it is fundamentally due to insufficiency. Men's insufficiencies may manifest as seminal emission (Jing Hua), thin/clear semen (Jing Qing), or cold semen (Jing Leng); during intercourse, impotence (Lin Shi Bu Jian), dribbling without ejaculation (Liu Er Bu She), frequent nocturnal emissions (Meng Yi Pin Shu), or turbid/dysuric urination (Bian Zhuo Lin Se). Some develop Yin Deficiency (Yin Xu) due to sexual excess, leading to soreness and fatigue in the lower back and kidneys (Yao Shen Tong Bei). Some engage in homosexual acts (Hao Nan Feng), leading to Extreme Yang (Yang Ji), causing hyperactivity and depletion of Yin (Wang Yin). Some practice excessive retention (Qiang Gu), leading to disharmony between victory and defeat (Sheng Bai Bu Qia). Some suffer from Yin Hernia (Yin Shan), causing disconnection between Liver and Kidney Qi (Gan Li Gui Li). Additionally, some have Yang Decline (Yang Shuai), resulting in cold syndromes; others have Yin Deficiency, resulting in heat syndromes. These are all male pathologies and cannot be blamed on the woman. If the cause is identified and treatment is indicated, it should be administered; if reversal is needed, it should be done. One must first regulate oneself before addressing the woman, ensuring success.

For women, the focus is on Blood (Xue). Blood combines with sperm to form pregnancy. To diagnose pathology, one observes the menstrual cycle (Jing Hou). To treat it, one regulates the Yin aspect (Yin Fen). Menstrual blood is Blood, and Blood belongs to Yin. Yin corresponds to the moon, hence menstruation occurs monthly on schedule, which is normal. Pathological variations include early or late onset, twice a month, once every two months, amenorrhea (Ku Jue Bu Tong), prolonged bleeding (Pin Lai Bu Zhi), dysmenorrhea preceding flow (Xian Tong Hou Xing), flow preceding pain (Xian Xing Hou Tong), pale, black, or purple color, clotted into strips or pieces, white leukorrhea or turbidity due to insufficient Jing-Blood (Jing Xue Bu Chong), uterine cold with Yang failing to transform blood (Zi Gong Xu Leng), latent heat in Blood preventing Yin condensation (Xue Zhong Fu Re), blood stasis with Qi stagnation causing uterine laxity and amenorrhea (Xue Zheng Qi Pi, Zi Zang Bu Shou). All these are disorders of True Yin (Zhen Yin). With True Yin diseased, insufficient Yin-Blood cannot nourish the fetus, and insufficient Yin-Qi cannot secure the fetus. This power of nurturing resides in the Ming Men (Gate of Life). Ming Men is the Sea of Blood for the Chong and Ren vessels. The fetus relies on Blood, which does not generate itself but depends on Qi. This constitutes True Yin. Thus, tonifying Ming Men, whether via Qi or Blood, is considered tonifying Yin. Tonifying Yin is the method of rooting the foundation. This is indispensable from youth to old age, especially as the basis of congenital and acquired constitution. Therefore, methods for regulating menstruation and conceiving primarily involve filling Ming Men and preserving Yang Qi. However, while Jing-Blood centers in Ming Men, its source lies in the "Two Yang" (Heart and Spleen/Stomach). The Heart governs Blood; nourishing the Heart generates Blood. The Spleen and Stomach govern digestion; strengthening them distributes Qi. When both harmonize, Qi flows freely and Blood moves. Thus, emotional regulation and diet must be planned prior to treating meridians, which is essentially supplementing the source of Yin. Without understanding root and branch, priority and sequence, blind treatment cannot be called regulating menstruation and conceiving. (End of Yilin Ce)