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Sour and astringent flavors have a consolidating effect; excessive consumption leads to bladder dysfunction, resulting in strangury (difficulty or inability to urinate). Bitter flavor is drying and hardening; excessive consumption causes obstruction of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), leading to vomiting. Pungent flavor is acrid and dispersing; excessive consumption travels upward to the Lung, causing irregular circulation of Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, resulting in emptiness and discomfort in the Heart. Salty flavor has a purgative and upward-acting effect; excessive consumption causes external influx into the vessels, leading to exhaustion of Stomach Qi, dry throat, and thirst. Sweet flavor is weak and inferior; excessive consumption makes the Stomach soft and lax, allowing parasites to overact, thus causing abdominal fullness and chest oppression.

Pungent enters Qi; those with Qi disorders should not consume excessive pungent foods. Salty enters Blood; those with Blood disorders should not consume excessive salty foods. Bitter enters Bone; those with Bone disorders should not consume excessive bitter foods. Sweet enters Flesh; those with Flesh (muscle) disorders should not consume excessive sweet foods. Sour enters Sinew; those with Sinew disorders should not consume excessive sour foods.

For Liver disease, avoid pungent foods; it is suitable to eat Jingmi (Japonica Rice), Beef, and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). For Heart disease, avoid salty foods; it is suitable to eat Adzuki beans, Dog meat, Plums, and Chinese Chives. For Spleen disease, avoid sour foods; it is suitable to eat Soybeans, Pork, Chestnuts, and Soya bean leaves. For Lung disease, avoid bitter foods; it is suitable to eat Wheat, Mutton, Apricots, and Allium macrostemon (Xiebai). For Kidney disease, avoid sweet foods; it is suitable to eat Yellow Millet, Chicken, Peaches, and Scallions.

Excessive consumption of sour foods causes Liver Qi to overflow, leading to the extinction of Spleen Qi, resulting in calloused skin and peeling lips. Excessive consumption of salty foods causes Bone Qi to become fatigued and short, damaging Feiqi (accumulation in the spleen region), leading to coagulated and sluggish blood vessels and altered complexion. Excessive consumption of sweet foods causes Heart Qi to pant and feel full, darkens the complexion, and disrupts Kidney Qi, leading to bone pain and hair loss. Excessive consumption of bitter foods prevents Spleen Qi from moistening and makes Stomach Qi thick and turbid, leading withered skin and fallen body hairs. Excessive consumption of pungent foods damages sinews and vessels, harms Spirit (Shen), leading to stiff sinews and withered nails. Grains serve as food, fruits as assistance, meats as benefits, and vegetables as supplements. When the flavors and properties are harmonized and consumed together, they tonify Essence and Qi. Although the Five Flavors must be harmonized and dietary preferences indulged, none should be consumed in excess. Excess breeds disease; moderation brings benefit. One should exercise caution and restraint regarding all delicacies daily; this is the highest standard.

To treat lower back and waist pain, deficiency and wasting of marrow, inability to stand for long periods, heavy body with deficient Qi, night sweats, poor appetite, and recurrent vomiting and diarrhea.
Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix, half jin) Yitang (Maltose, five liang) Wuji (Black-bone chicken, one whole)
Take the above three ingredients. First, remove feathers and clean the internal organs of the chicken, then cut finely. Mix Shengdihuang with sugar evenly, stuff into the chicken's abdomen. Place in a copper vessel, then put inside a steamer to steam until cooked. Take and eat when ready. Do not use salt or vinegar; only consume the meat completely, then drink the broth.