新暑乍却。凉风渐至。日长似岁。闷坐无聊。适有友以食鉴本草见投。披阅一通。乃知
人生之一饮一食。莫不各有宜忌存焉。若五谷菜蔬。以及瓜果六畜等类。靡不毕具。或食以
延年。或食以致疾。或食发寒热。或食消积滞。或补腰补肾。益脾滋阴。或动气动风。损精
耗血。种种详明。条条是道。此费氏之一片婆心以济世者也。吾愿摄生者。以有益者就之。
无益者违之。庶养生却病。两有裨焉。是为序。
光绪九年秋七月兰庭逸史
（人之养生。全赖谷食为主。若或一日不食。则饥饿难度。因以谷食居首。）
【粳米】
过熟甚佳。冬春堆过粘热之性。不独易于消化。且最能补胃。老弱小儿便宜。陈稻新碾
者尤佳。凡新谷初成。老人体弱者不可食。
【糯米】
脾虚气弱。食之粘滞。不能消运。新者尤不可多食。妊娠与鸡肉同食。令子生寸白虫。
【黍米】
发宿疾。秫米似黍。而小发风动气。不可常食。
【稷米】
即 米。发诸风。不宜多食。又与川乌附子大忌。
【大麦】
久食多方健行。头发不白。又治蛊胀。大麦 消积。健胃。宽中。多食消肾。
【小麦】
占四时秋种夏收。北方多霜雪。面无毒益人。南方少霜雪。面有湿热损人。面筋性冷难
消运。
【荞麦】
性沉寒。久食动风。心腹闷痛。头眩。同猪肉食。落眉发。同白矾食杀人。
【芝麻】
压油炼熟。宜食。能解诸毒。乳母食之。令小儿不生热病。黑芝麻炒食。不生风疾。有
风人食遂愈。
【黑大豆】
同猪肉食。壅气至危。十岁以内小儿勿食。炒豆煮豆。脾虚人食最泻肚。
【白扁豆】
清胃解毒。久食须发不白。又能解酒毒及煎 热毒。又和中下气。惟患寒热及冷气人忌
食。
【绿豆】
清热解毒。不可去皮。去皮壅气。作枕明目。服药人不可食。令药无力。
【赤小豆】
解毒利小便。能逐津液。久食虚人。和鲤鱼煮食。能治香港脚水肿。
The new summer heat has just receded, and the cool breeze is gradually arriving. The days are long as if they were years; sitting idly with nothing to do, one feels bored. Just then, a friend presented me with *Shijian Bencao* (Food Inspection Materia Medica). After reading through it once, I came to know that every drink and meal in human life has its own appropriateness and taboos. Categories such as the five grains, vegetables, fruits, melons, and the six domestic animals are all comprehensively included. Some foods can prolong life when consumed, while others may cause disease. Some may induce cold or fever, some can resolve accumulation and stagnation, some tonify the waist and kidneys, benefit the spleen, and nourish yin, whereas others may disturb qi, stir up wind, damage essence, and consume blood. All these conditions are detailed and clear, each following proper principles. This reflects the compassionate heart of Fei (the author) in aiding the world. I hope those who practice health preservation will approach what is beneficial and avoid what is not, so that they may benefit from both preserving health and preventing illness. This serves as the preface.
Autumn, Seventh Month, 9th Year of Guangxu, Lanting Yishi
(Human health preservation relies primarily on grain food. If one does not eat for a day, hunger becomes difficult to endure. Therefore, grain food is placed first.)
[Jingmi / Glutinous Rice? No, Non-glutinous Rice]
Cooking it thoroughly is very good. Storing it through winter and spring removes its sticky and hot nature. It is not only easy to digest but also best at tonifying the stomach. It is suitable for the elderly, the weak, and children. Jingmi newly milled from aged rice is especially good. When new grain is first harvested, the elderly and those with weak constitutions should not consume it.
[Nuomi / Glutinous Rice]
For those with spleen deficiency and weak qi, consuming glutinous rice causes stickiness and impedes digestion and transformation. Newly harvested glutinous rice should especially not be eaten in large quantities. If pregnant women consume glutinous rice together with chicken meat, it may cause their child to be born with tapeworms (Cestoda).
[Shumi / Foxtail Millet]
It tends to trigger old diseases. Shumi resembles Shumi but is smaller; it stirs up wind and disturbs qi, so it should not be eaten regularly.
[Jimi / Proso Millet]
Also known as Jizi. It induces various wind syndromes and should not be eaten in excess. It is strictly contraindicated with Chuanwu (Aconitum carmichaelii radix preparata) and Fuzi (Aconiti lateralis radix preparata).
[Damai / Hordeum vulgare / Barley]
Long-term consumption promotes vigorous walking and prevents hair whitening. It also treats Gu distension (abdominal swelling due to parasites or stagnation). Damaicai (Barley sprouts?) resolves accumulation, strengthens the stomach, and expands the middle jiao, but excessive consumption damages kidney qi.
[Xiaomai / Triticum aestivum / Wheat]
It corresponds to the four seasons: sown in autumn, harvested in summer. In the north, where there is much frost and snow, wheat flour is non-toxic and beneficial to humans. In the south, where there is little frost and snow, wheat flour carries damp-heat and is harmful. Gluten has a cold nature and is difficult to digest and transform.
[Qiaomai / Fagopyrum esculentum / Buckwheat]
Its nature is heavy and cold. Long-term consumption stirs up wind, leading to chest and abdominal stuffiness and pain, and dizziness. Consuming it with pork causes eyebrows and hair to fall out. Consuming it with Mingfan (Alumen / Alum) can be fatal.
[Zhima / Sesamum indicum / Sesame]
Pressed into oil and refined/cooked thoroughly, it is suitable for consumption. It can resolve various toxins. If nursing mothers consume it, their infants will not suffer from febrile diseases. Stir-fried black sesame does not induce wind diseases; those suffering from wind diseases may recover after consuming it.
[Heidouda / Glycine max var. nigra / Black Soybean]
Consuming it with pork causes qi obstruction, which can be critical. Children under ten years old should not eat it. Fried or boiled beans are most likely to cause diarrhea in people with spleen deficiency.
[Baibiandou / Lablab purpureus / White Hyacinth Bean]
It clears the stomach and resolves toxins. Long-term consumption prevents whitening of hair and beard. It also resolves alcohol toxicity and the heat toxicity from fried foods. It harmonizes the middle jiao and directs qi downward. However, those suffering from alternating chills and fever or cold qi syndromes must avoid eating it.
[Lvdou / Vigna radiata / Mung Bean]
It clears heat and resolves toxins. The skin should not be removed; removing it causes qi obstruction. Made into pillows, it brightens the eyes. People taking medicine should not consume it, as it renders the medication ineffective.
[Chixiaodou / Vigna umbellata / Red Adzuki Bean]
It resolves toxins and promotes urination. It can drive away body fluids. Long-term consumption leads to deficiency in weak individuals. Boiled with carp, it can treat Hongkong foot (podagra/edema of the feet) and edema.