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If the disease is located above the chest and diaphragm, one should eat first and then take medicine; if the disease is located below the heart and abdomen, one should take medicine first and then eat; if the disease is located in the four limbs, blood vessels, or the lower part of the body, it is suitable to take medicine on an empty stomach.

In the morning (dan), if the disease is located in the head, eyes, or bone marrow, it is suitable to take medicine after a full meal (ye); whether before or after meals, one should pause for a moment before taking medicine. Food should not be taken simultaneously with medicine because the medicinal power and food qi will mix and cause stagnation. The *Tang Jing* states: The qi of medicine and the qi of food do not wish to meet. Take medicine after the food qi has slightly dissipated, and take food after the medicine qi has slightly dissipated. There is profound meaning in "before eating" or "after eating."

There are also distinctions between taking medicine with wine, with water, cold administration, and warm administration; there are differences in the frequency of taking decoctions (sparse vs. frequent); and there are distinctions in boiling decoctions using raw versus cooked herbs. Each has its own sequence and must be carefully examined without omission.

Heat-clearing decoctions are suitable for cool administration, such as Sanhuang Tang (Three-Yellow Decoction); summer-heat-resolving medicines are suitable for cold administration, such as Xiangru Yin (Elsholtzia Drink); cold-dispelling medicines are suitable for hot administration, such as Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction); middle-warming medicines are suitable for hot administration after being thoroughly cooked, and middle-tonifying medicines are all like this; purgative/laxative medicines are suitable for raw administration and warm temperature, such as Chengqi Tang (Chengqi Decoction).

For diseases located in the upper part, frequent but small doses are preferred; for diseases located in the lower part, large single doses are acceptable. Small frequent doses nourish the righteous qi in the upper part; large single doses vigorously tonify the lower part.

Whenever it says to divide into two or three doses, the medicinal strength should be continuous, and adjustments should be made based on the patient's strength, emaciation, and the severity of the illness, rather than rigidly adhering to the prescriptions, so that the treatment remains flexible and dynamic. It also mentions "time cycles," referring to periods from one morning to the next morning, or sometimes just overnight.

When taking Chaihu (Bupleurum Root), avoid beef. When taking Fuling (Poria), avoid vinegar.
When taking Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) and Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), avoid pork. When taking Rushi (Mineral Drugs), avoid Ginseng and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome); violating this taboo can be fatal.
When taking Danshi (Cinnabar/Mineral Pills), do not eat clams, as this may cause abdominal pain due to knotting.
Using Dahuang (Rhubarb Rhizome) and Badou (Croton Seed) together in one dose may反而 fail to induce diarrhea.
When taking Zaojian (Vitriol), avoid buckwheat noodles. When taking Tianmendong (Asparagus Root), avoid carp.
When taking Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), avoid Huisu (Coriander). When taking Changshan (Dichroa Root), avoid scallions.
When taking Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) and Changpu (Acorus Rhizome), avoid Yitang (Maltose) and mutton.
When taking Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) and Canshu (Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome), avoid sparrow meat, clam meat, green fish, Huisu (Coriander), garlic, plums, and peaches.
When taking Biejia (Tartar Testudo Carapace), avoid Amaranth and Purslane, especially Purslane which is particularly harmful.
When taking Shanglu (Phytolacca Root), avoid dog meat. When taking Dihuang (Rehmannia Root), avoid radishes.
When taking Xixin (Asarum Root), avoid raw vegetables. When taking Gancao (Licorice Root), avoid Songcai (Chinese Cabbage).
When taking Sukeshell (Poppy Shell), avoid vinegar. When taking Yuanhua (Kadua Flower) and Gansui (Euphorbia Lathyris Root), avoid salt and Gancao (Licorice Root).
When taking Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike), avoid donkey/horse meat and Yellow Catfish.
When taking Shidi (Persimmon Calyx), avoid crabs. If this taboo is violated, Muxiang Tang (Costus Decoction) can resolve it.
When taking Badou (Croton Seed), avoid reed shoots. When taking Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), avoid beef and cow's milk.
When taking Honey or honey-preserved fruits, avoid fish.
When taking Lilu (Veratrum Root), avoid fox meat.

If sores and toxins have not yet healed, avoid consuming ginger and eggs; violating this causes flesh to grow protruding into lumps and turn white.
Generally, while taking medicine, one must not consume fatty pork, dog meat, greasy soups, sashimi, pungent/foul-smelling foods, or any stale and rotten items.
Generally, while taking medicine, one must not consume excessive amounts of raw garlic, coriander, raw scallions, various fruits, or slippery/stagnating foods.
Generally, while taking medicine, one must not encounter sights of dead bodies, childbirth, or filth.