典藏书目

When taking Poria (Fuling), avoid vinegar; when taking Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Rehmanniae Radixa (Dihuang), and Polygoni Multiflori Preparata (Heshouwu), avoid radish; when taking Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi) and Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (Tufuling), avoid beef; when taking Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) and Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng), avoid pork; when taking Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin) and Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi), avoid raw vegetables; when taking Quicksilver (Shuiyin), Cinnabar (Zhusha), and alchemical pills, avoid animal meat, clams, pig/sheep blood, and bean powder; when taking Dichroae Radix (Changshan), avoid raw scallions, raw vegetables, and vinegar; when taking Asparagi Radix (Tianmendong), avoid carp; when taking Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), avoid Chinese cabbage (Songcai) and Sargassum (Haizao); when taking Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Changpu), avoid malt sugar and mutton; when taking Atractylodis Rhizoma (Ershu, i.e., Cangzhu and Baizhu), avoid peaches/plums, sparrow meat, coriander (Husui), and garlic; when taking Prunus Armeniacae Semen (Xingren), avoid millet; when taking Zingiberis Radica Preparata (Ganjiang), avoid Ophiopogonis Radix (Mendong), rabbit meat, clams, and crucian carp; when taking Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), avoid coriander; when taking Phytolaccae Radix (Shanglu), avoid dog meat; when taking Crotonis Fructus (Badou), avoid asparagus and wild boar; when taking Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Wutou), avoid fermented soybeans (Chi); when taking Testudinis et Chelydrae Carapax et Plastrum (Biejia), avoid amaranth. For all medicines taken, avoid coriander, garlic, cold/raw foods, roasted/fried foods, dog meat, fishy/foul-smelling/sour/stinky foods, stale/rotten/slacky/greasy/heavy foods.

The qi of heaven and earth blends, causing the transformation of all things to become rich and pure; the interaction of male and female essence causes the generation of all things. This is the source of creation and the root of life and nature. Therefore, among human desires, none is more intimate than this. If one indulges in it without knowing restraint, it will erode one's lifespan and consume one's spirit, causing the primordial spirit (Yuanshen) and true qi (Zhenqi) to depart unknowingly. Is this not lamentable? Only those who understand the Way of health preservation restrain themselves excessively, not cutting off desire entirely. Even if beautiful sights are before them, they merely please the eyes and soothe the mind; they would never indulge their passions to harm their life and nature. Someone asked Baopuzi: "Doesn't harming life stem from lust?" Baopuzi replied: "Yes." The key to longevity lies in the art of the bedroom. The superior wise know this and can extend life and dispel disease; the next level avoids self-harm; the lowest fools indulge their desires and shorten their lives. Thus, ancient people had regular moderation: under twenty years old, once every two days; over twenty, once every three days; over thirty, once every ten days; over forty, once a month; over fifty, once every three months; over sixty, once every seven months. It is also said that at sixty, one should close the door (abstain). This is because one must constantly exercise restraint to preserve true yuan as the master of the body. Otherwise, even if diligent in breathing exercises (Tuna), guiding movements (Dao Yin), and herbal remedies, if the root is not solid, it is ultimately useless. The *Neijing* states: "If one understands the Seven Damages and Eight Benefits (Seven refers to women's menstrual blood, Eight refers to men's essence), then blood, qi, and essence can be regulated; if one does not use this, it is the gradual onset of premature aging." Thus, at forty, yin qi naturally halves, and daily activities decline; at fifty, the body feels heavy, and hearing and vision become unclear; at sixty, impotence occurs, blood and qi greatly decline, the nine orifices are obstructed, deficiency below leads to excess above, with tears and nasal discharge flowing. It is said that understanding leads to strength, while ignorance leads to old age. The wise have surplus, acting according to nature first, thus having surplus; the foolish have deficit, learning after observing actions, thus having deficit. Surplus brings clear hearing and sight, and a light, strong body; the old become stronger, the strong become well-regulated. This refers to male essence and female blood; if they can be kept in surplus, form and qi will not decline, and lifespan can be preserved. Otherwise, if the orifices leak without limit, death occurs midway, not because essence leaves the person, but because the person leaves essence. Can one not be vigilant? Those who practice health preservation should avoid nine types of partners: those who are old and frail, those with thin lips and large noses, those with loose teeth and yellow hair, those with chronic diseases, those with discordant temperaments, those with rigid physiological traits (textual error likely), those with harsh voices, those with dry skin and unmoistened limbs, or those with aggressive and jealous natures. All these harm the person and should not be engaged with. There are eleven times to avoid: after drunkenness and full meals, after long travel and fatigue, when emotions like anger or joy are unsettled, during menstruation, when exposed to extreme cold or heat, when illness has not subsided, immediately after urination, immediately after bathing, immediately after intercourse before resting, or forced intimacy without affection. These cause mental confusion, insufficient heart-mind power, weak limbs, kidney meridian deficiency, emotional imbalance, and the onset of myriad diseases. One must be cautious. Furthermore, during times of dark skies, eclipses of sun and moon, fierce winds and heavy rains, or thunderous lightning—times of great yin-yang change and abnormal six qi—one should not engage. Doing so not only causes disease but also insults the divine spirits. Offspring conceived then will likely be malformed, difficult to survive, or short-lived. Alas! The feelings within the curtains are easy to entangle but hard to sever; one must decide with wisdom. Buddhist texts say: "All suffering is rooted in greed and desire; if desire is not extinguished, suffering is not extinguished; if suffering is not extinguished, birth and death continue." How can those who practice health preservation fail to decide with wisdom?