水 性各不同。味淡。
天雨水 (性平。久下淫雨为潦水)
〔宜〕 治心病狂邪。
露水 (性平)
(露能解暑,疟疾由于暑,故治疟之药宜露一宿服)
〔宜〕 止烦,清心。
雪水 (性冷)
〔宜〕 解疫,去酒热,消痧扉。洗目退赤。
冰水 (性冷)
〔宜〕 去烦热,解暑毒酒毒。
〔忌〕 多食,寒热相激,成脾疾。
海水 (性温)
〔宜〕 去风瘙,消食胀。
江河水 (性平)
〔宜〕 煎通二便药。急流者,性速而达下,回流者,性逆而倒上。
泉水 (性寒)
〔宜〕 解热闷烦渴。
温泉水 (性热。下有硫硖)
〔宜〕 治疥癣。
井水 (性平)
(山泉者上,城市者下。清晨初汲,为井华水)
〔宜〕 治热解烦。
地浆水 (性寒)
(掘地作坑,用新汲水搅浊 待澄取用)
〔宜〕 治中暑 。
阴阳水 (性平。生熟各半)
〔宜〕 治上吐下泻,仓卒霍乱。
扬劳水 (性速。用勺扬起千遍。又名甘澜水)
〔宜〕 通二便。
百沸水 (性温。滚水久沸)
〔宜〕 主发散,助阳气。
屋漏水 (性寒)
〔忌〕 有毒不可用。
花瓶水 (性热)
〔忌〕 有毒不可饮。
盐卤水 (性热。有毒。熬盐初热,槽中滴下黑水)
〔忌〕 有大毒。
碱水 (性温涩)
(取蒿、蓼等草,用水浸过,晒干烧灰,以所浸之水淋汁,入白面凝结成碱)
〔宜〕 消食磨积,洗衣去垢。
〔忌〕 多用损肠胃。
米泔水 (性甘平)
〔宜〕 常饮调和脾胃。浸洗药良。
甑气水 (性凉)
〔宜〕 洗面上口唇烂疮。
饭汤水 (性温)
〔宜〕 调中开胃,理脏腑。
茶 性微寒。新茶性热,陈茶性凉。
〔宜〕 除烦止渴,消食下气。解食物油腻烧炙之毒。浓煎引吐。和生姜煎,名姜茶饮,茶助阴,
姜助阳,使寒热平,治小伤风寒可常用。
〔忌〕 多食寒胃,消脏腑脂膏。(嗜茶面黄,寒伤胃也)酒后饮茶,引入肾经、膀胱,多患瘕疝
水肿。空心早起亦忌。
《本草拾遗》云∶饮茶能消食除痰,止烦去腻,然过饮则伤脾胃。每食后,以浓茶漱口,烦腻既去
,脾胃不损,且食物之在齿间者,得茶漱涤之,尽消缩脱去,不烦刺剔,而齿亦因此坚密。
孩儿茶 (性涩)
(出南番。以细茶末入竹筒埋土中,日久取出,捣汁熬成块)
〔宜〕 清热,收湿,止血,化痰,生津。涂肌定毒疼。
酒 性热。
味辣者能散,味苦者能降,味甜者能和,味淡者利小便,味浓者性烈毒。最宜温服,宜少饮有益。
〔宜〕 和血行气,壮神御寒,消愁却邪,逐秽暖水,能通行一身之表,引药至极高之分。此少饮之益。
〔忌〕 热饮伤肺,冷冻饮料伤脾,多饮伤胃,成蛊膈,动火致吐血消渴,积湿生痰气足病,蓄热生痈疽及
成痔漏,为害无穷,至丧命不可救药。
烧酒 (性大热)
(宜浸药饮,贴汤火伤。不宜多饮热饮)
高粱酒 (性平。即稷米酒)
(和中止泄,治腹疾良)
粟米酒 (性寒)
(胃热稍渴者,饮之良。泄泻者不宜饮)
戒酒语∶
陈宗泗曰∶斟于杯中者,酒也。吸于口,入于喉,则流毒无穷。伤脏坏腑,乱性昏神,失事废
时,生嫌惹厌。助狂徒之气,发钝夫之言,致无形之疾,损有限之年。内受种种暗伤,外现般般丑
态。本能者纵而不节,不能者效而强贪。习惯难移,悔而莫及。今为改酒之名,谓之祸水。
麻油 性热。
〔宜〕 解毒润肠。调疮毒药良。
〔忌〕 生食滑肠胃。
菜油 性热。生则热,煎则寒。
茶油 性平。
〔宜〕 腌小菜。
豆油 性热。气膻。
〔宜〕 润肠。
〔忌〕 多食反困脾。
桐油 性冷。
〔宜〕 熬膏药。解热毒。
〔忌〕 误食大作泄泻。用陈柿饼煎水即解。
盐 性寒。
人心火盛,笑不止似疯者,用盐 赤,煎水饮之,即止。
〔宜〕 清火,解毒,固齿。善入而软坚。
〔忌〕 多食,伤肺发咳,伤肾发渴,助水肿,损容颜,泄胃中津液。(过食咸味必口干,可知)
醋 性温能敛。
〔宜〕 消食,解毒,开胃,令人思食。治口舌热疮,含
漱即愈。
〔忌〕 多食损齿、悴颜、伤筋。(因收缩太过也)
酱 性微寒。以豆造。陈久者良。
〔宜〕 除热及汤火毒,杀一切鱼肉菜毒。
〔忌〕 多食助湿损精。(因咸入肾也)患疮疖愈后勿食,防疤黑。
糟 性热。陈者性平。
〔宜〕 消食化滞。
〔忌〕 有痰火病者勿食。
红曲 性温。
〔宜〕 消食活血。
芥辣 性温。
〔宜〕 入肺,发汗散寒,利气豁痰。敷痈毒,消肿止痛。
〔忌〕 久嗽肺虚者勿食。
茴香 性热。
如麦大者为小茴,有棱瓣者为大茴。
〔宜〕 和中益肾,暖丹田。最利下部。
〔忌〕 多食发疮。因香辛故也。
花椒 性热纯阳。
秦产者名秦椒,蜀产者名川椒。椒之子名椒目。
〔宜〕 入肺发汗散寒,治咳嗽。入脾暖胃燥湿,消食除胀,除心腹冷痛。治阳衰溲数阴汗,补肾
,坚齿,明目,通经,杀痨虫,安蛔虫。
〔忌〕 肺胃热者不宜多食。
椒目
〔宜〕 治水蛊、肾虚耳鸣。
胡椒
性热。久蒸久晒,可用暖胃。
〔宜〕 暖胃快膈,治寒痰冷痢、胃寒吐水。
〔忌〕 多食损肺走气,痛齿昏目,动火发疮发痔。(此言生椒)
红椒 性热。
色红如珊瑚。有长而尖者,有短而圆者。又名海椒。
〔宜〕 入大肠。(解毒)切细和酱及猪油炒作菜料,治各痔疮神效。
〔忌〕 生食多食,致齿痛唇肿。
烟草 性热。
〔宜〕 散食胀、风寒湿痹,消滞气停痰,解山岚瘴气。
〔忌〕 多食,火气熏灼,耗精损神。
此烟草自明·万历年间始出于闽广。其相习食烟之始,以征滇之役,师入瘴地,无不染病,
独有一营无恙,因众皆食烟故也。
性属纯阳,其气强猛,故下咽即醉。虽散瘴邪,亦耗正气,凡火盛气虚之人,决不可用。
食烟醉闷者,噙冷水可解。或红白砂糖亦解。
戒烟语∶
汪三侬曰∶近日尚吃烟。予每语人曰∶为何以火烧五脏?请看吃烟之管,其中垢腻积满,人
之腹内亦必如此,其何以堪。有人闻予言,忽猛醒,誓戒不用。初甚决绝,少焉忆及,便开戒
矣。予曰∶病酒而禁酒之夫,破戒不待终朝;难产而畏产之妇,好合何须盈月。嗜烟之癖,甚
于酒色,惑溺殊可怪也。
斋戒语∶
人能斋戒,本是好念,何可尽非,然须问其发念果属何为。若只为畜类惜生,为福利求佑,为媚
悦佞佛,此三者皆可不必也。何也?如谓物与己同类,不宜宰食,则六畜原为人用,圣王立政,令畜五
鸡二彘者为何也。且卿大夫食肉,祠先者血食,奉亲者有酒肉,岂皆不仁不慈之事也。如谓福利于己
由此可求,世间善食甚多,积善必有余庆。其他善事可以不为,而独借持斋,冀必获福,有是理乎?至谓
以慈佞佛,媚而悦之,夫慈本仁德,仁者人也,当以爱人为先。论爱人泛而同类,近而亲友,至切而家庭
,皆在当爱。今人于一体人类,漠不相关,独区区惜此畜类,何慈之有。而谓为佛者不论真慈假慈,惟佑
持斋之人以为媚己,恐无是佛矣。夫所谓斋者,在明洁其心,内外兼持。一为虔修祀事。当奉祭祖先神明,
斋明盛服,饮食必改常。以昭敬也。一为抑制嗜欲。口之于味,为嗜欲之首,人所最难餍足者。而昏志气
,生疾病,皆原于此,所谓祸从口出,病从口入者是也。能斋,则滋味淡泊,气血不强悍,主宰清明,肉
躯皆得其职矣。一为扶助德行。凡人,见善不能决从,见恶不能决去。一念坚持其斋,捐所甚爱,就所不爱
,以此洁诚,增长善念,愈积善功。此皆奉斋者之所为,不缘畜类,不缘福利,不缘媚悦,内外兼持,克
己正志。人能克己,方许持斋,不然,徒成痴妄之人而已矣。
水的性质各不相同,味道清淡。
天雨水(性质平和。长期阴雨连绵形成的积水称为潦水)
【适宜】治疗心经病变引起的狂乱邪症。
露水(性质平和)
(露水能解除暑热,疟疾多由暑邪引起,因此治疗疟疾的药物宜用露水浸泡一夜后服用)
【适宜】止烦躁,清心火。
雪水(性质寒冷)
【适宜】解除瘟疫,去除饮酒后的内热,消除痧气。清洗眼睛可退红赤。
冰水(性质寒冷)
【适宜】去除烦热,解除暑毒和酒毒。
【禁忌】过量食用,寒热相互激荡,会形成脾脏疾病。
海水(性质温和)
【适宜】去除皮肤风疹瘙痒,消除食积胀满。
江河水(性质平和)
【适宜】煎煮通利大小便的药物。急流的水,药性迅速直达下焦;回流的水,药性逆上。
泉水(性质寒凉)
【适宜】解除热闷、烦躁和口渴。
温泉水(性质热。地下有硫磺等矿物)
【适宜】治疗疥疮和癣症。
井水(性质平和)
(山间的泉水位置高,城市的井水位置低。清晨第一次汲取的井水,称为井华水)
【适宜】治疗热证,解除烦躁。
地浆水(性质寒凉)
(挖掘地面做成坑,用新汲的水搅拌浑浊,待澄清后取用)
【适宜】治疗中暑。
阴阳水(性质平和。生水和熟水各占一半)
【适宜】治疗上吐下泻,突发霍乱。
扬劳水(性质流动迅速。用勺子扬起千遍而成。又名甘澜水)
【适宜】通利大小便。
百沸水(性质温和。滚水长时间煮沸)
【适宜】主要起发散作用,助长阳气。
屋漏水(性质寒凉)
【禁忌】有毒,不可使用。
花瓶水(性质热)
【禁忌】有毒,不可饮用。
盐卤水(性质热。有毒。熬制食盐初期产生的热,从槽中滴下的黑水)
【禁忌】有大毒。
碱水(性质温涩)
(取蒿草、蓼草等植物,用水浸泡,晒干烧成灰,用浸泡过的水淋滤出汁液,加入白面凝结成碱)
【适宜】消食化积,洗衣去垢。
【禁忌】多用损伤肠胃。
米泔水(性质甘平)
【适宜】常饮可调和脾胃。用来浸泡或清洗药材效果良好。
甑气水(性质凉)
【适宜】清洗面部和嘴唇上的烂疮。
饭汤水(性质温和)
【适宜】调和中焦,开胃,调理脏腑。
茶 性质微寒。新茶性质偏热,陈茶性质偏凉。
【适宜】除烦躁止渴,消食下气。解除食物油腻及烧烤食物的毒性。浓煎可催吐。与生姜同煎,名为姜茶饮,茶助阴,姜助阳,使寒热平衡,治疗轻微的风寒感冒可以常用。
【禁忌】多食伤胃寒,消耗脏腑脂膏。(嗜茶导致面色发黄,是寒邪伤胃所致)酒后饮茶,引邪入肾经和膀胱,容易患瘕疝和水肿。空腹早起也忌饮茶。
《本草拾遗》说:饮茶能消食除痰,止烦去腻,然而过量饮用则损伤脾胃。每餐饭后,用浓茶漱口,烦腻去除,脾胃不损,而且残留在齿缝中的食物,经茶漱涤荡,全部脱落,无需牙签剔挖,牙齿也因此坚固紧密。
孩儿茶(性质涩)
(产于南洋。将细茶末装入竹筒埋入土中,日久取出,捣汁熬成块状)
【适宜】清热,收湿,止血,化痰,生津。涂抹肌肤可定毒止痛。
酒 性质热。
味辣的能发散,味苦的能降泄,味甜的能调和,味淡的利小便,味浓的性质猛烈有毒。最适宜温服,少量饮用有益处。
【适宜】调和血液,运行气机,振奋精神,抵御寒冷,消除忧愁驱除邪气,驱逐秽浊温暖水道,能通行全身体表,引导药力到达身体最高部位。这是少量饮用的益处。
【禁忌】热饮伤肺,冷饮伤脾,多饮伤胃,形成蛊膈,动火导致吐血、消渴,积湿生痰引发足部疾病,蓄热生痈疽及痔疮漏管,危害无穷,甚至丧命无法救治。
烧酒(性质大热)
(适宜浸泡药物饮用,贴敷烫伤火伤。不宜多饮热饮)
高粱酒(性质平和。即稷米酒)
(调和脾胃止泄泻,治疗腹部疾病效果好)
粟米酒(性质寒凉)
(胃热稍渴者,饮用效果好。泄泻者不宜饮用)
戒酒语:
陈宗泗说:斟在杯中的,是酒。吸入口中,进入喉咙,则是无穷的毒药。损伤脏腑,扰乱性情昏昧精神,耽误事情荒废时间,产生嫌隙招致厌恶。助长狂徒的气焰,激发愚钝者的言语,导致无形的疾病,损害有限的寿命。内部受到种种暗伤,外部呈现各种丑态。本能的欲望放纵而不节制,不能做到的却效仿而强求贪恋。习惯难以改变,后悔也来不及了。现在更改酒的名字,称之为祸水。
麻油 性质热。
【适宜】解毒润肠。调制疮疡毒药效果好。
【禁忌】生食滑利肠胃。
菜油 性质热。生时热,煎煮后变寒。
茶油 性质平和。
【适宜】腌制小菜。
豆油 性质热。气味膻腥。
【适宜】润肠。
【禁忌】多食反而困阻脾运。
桐油 性质冷。
【适宜】熬制膏药。解热毒。
【禁忌】误食会导致严重腹泻。用陈年柿饼煎水即可解毒。
盐 性质寒。
人心火旺盛,大笑不止像发疯的人,用赤盐煎水饮用,立即停止。
【适宜】清火,解毒,坚固牙齿。善于入里软坚散结。
【禁忌】多食,伤肺引发咳嗽,伤肾引发口渴,助长水肿,损害容颜,泄露胃中津液。(过食咸味必然口干,由此可知)
醋 性质温能收敛。
【适宜】消食,解毒,开胃,让人产生食欲。治疗口舌热疮,含漱即愈。
【禁忌】多食损伤牙齿,憔悴容颜,损伤筋脉。(因为收缩太过所致)
酱 性质微寒。以豆类制造。陈久的为好。
【适宜】清除热毒及汤火烫伤之毒,杀灭一切鱼肉蔬菜的毒素。
【禁忌】多食助湿损耗精气。(因为咸味入肾)患疮疖痊愈后勿食,防止留下黑色疤痕。
糟 性质热。陈旧的性质平和。
【适宜】消食化滞。
【禁忌】有痰火病的人勿食。
红曲 性质温。
【适宜】消食活血。
芥辣 性质温。
【适宜】入肺,发汗散寒,利气豁痰。敷于痈毒处,消肿止痛。
【禁忌】久咳肺虚者勿食。
茴香 性质热。
如麦粒大小的为小茴香,有棱瓣的为大茴香。
【适宜】调和脾胃益肾,温暖丹田。最利于下部身体。
【禁忌】多食诱发疮疡。因为是香辛之物故也。
花椒 性质热纯阳。
秦地出产的叫秦椒,蜀地出产的叫川椒。花椒的种子叫椒目。
【适宜】入肺发汗散寒,治疗咳嗽。入脾暖胃燥湿,消食除胀,消除心腹冷痛。治疗阳气衰弱尿频、阴汗,补肾,坚固牙齿,明目,通经,杀灭劳虫,安蛔虫。
【禁忌】肺胃有热者不宜多食。
椒目
【适宜】治疗水蛊、肾虚耳鸣。
胡椒
性质热。长时间蒸煮晾晒后,可用于暖胃。
【适宜】暖胃宽胸,治疗寒痰冷痢、胃寒吐水。
【禁忌】多食损肺耗气,牙齿疼痛眼睛昏花,动火诱发疮疡痔疮。(这里指生花椒)
红椒 性质热。
颜色红如珊瑚。有长而尖的,有短而圆的。又名海椒。
【适宜】入大肠。(解毒)切碎混合酱料及猪油炒作菜料,治疗各种痔疮神效。
【禁忌】生食或多食,导致牙痛唇肿。
烟草 性质热。
【适宜】消散食积胀满、风寒湿痹,消除停滞的气机和痰液,解除山岚瘴气。
【禁忌】多食,火气熏灼,耗损精气和精神。
这种烟草自明代万历年间开始在福建、广东出现。人们开始习惯吸烟,源于征讨云南的战役,军队进入瘴气之地,无不染病,唯独有一营人安然无恙,因为大家都吸烟的缘故。
烟草性质属纯阳,其气强猛,所以下咽即醉。虽然能散除瘴邪,但也耗损正气,凡是火盛气虚的人,绝对不可使用。
吸烟醉闷的人,含冷水可解。或者红白糖也可解。
戒烟语:
汪三侬说:近日崇尚吃烟。我常对人说:为什么要用火烧五脏?请看吸烟的管子,其中污垢腻积满,人的腹内也必定如此,怎么能承受得住。有人听了我的话,忽然猛醒,发誓戒除不再使用。起初非常坚决,过了一会儿想起,就破戒了。我说:患有酒病而禁酒的人,破戒不用等到一天结束;害怕分娩而难产的妇人,和好何须等到满月。嗜烟的癖好,比酒色更甚,迷惑沉溺实在奇怪。
斋戒语:
人能斋戒,原本是好念头,怎么可以说完全不对,然而必须问他的发念究竟属于什么目的。如果只是为了爱惜畜类生命,为了求福报保佑,为了谄媚取悦佛陀,这三者都可以不必。为什么呢?如果说物与我同类,不应该宰杀食用,那么六畜本来就是为人所用,圣王建立政令,让百姓饲养五鸡二彘是为了什么?况且卿大夫吃肉,祭祀祖先用血食,奉养父母有酒肉,难道都是不仁不慈的事情吗?如果说福报利益可以通过此求得,世间善事很多,积善必然有余庆。其他善事可以不做的,却独借持斋,希望必定获得福报,有这样的道理吗?至于说以慈悲谄媚佛陀,取悦它,夫慈悲本是仁德,仁就是人,应当以爱人为先。论爱人广泛到同类,亲近到亲友,至切近到家庭,都在应当爱的范围内。今人对整个人类漠不相关,唯独吝惜这些畜类,有什么慈悲可言。而说对于佛来说不论真慈悲假慈悲,只保佑持斋的人以为是在谄媚自己,恐怕没有这样的佛了。所谓斋,在于明白洁净自己的心,内外兼修。一是虔诚从事祭祀事务。当供奉祭祀祖先神明,斋戒明洁穿着盛装,饮食必须改变常态。以表示恭敬。一是抑制嗜好欲望。口对于味道,是嗜好的首要,人所最难满足的。而昏乱志气,产生疾病,都源于此,所谓祸从口出,病从口入就是这个意思。能斋,则滋味淡泊,气血不强悍,主宰清明,肉体都能各司其职了。一是扶助德行。凡人,见到善不能坚决顺从,见到恶不能坚决去除。一念坚持其斋,捐弃所甚爱的,趋向所不爱,以此纯洁诚心,增长善念,越积累善功。这都是奉斋者所做的事,不关乎畜类,不关乎福利,不关乎谄媚,内外兼修,克制己身端正志向。人能克制己身,才允许持斋,不然,只会成为痴妄之人罢了。
The nature of water varies, and its taste is light.
Heavenly Rainwater (Nature: Neutral. Accumulated water from prolonged continuous rain is called "Liao Shui" [floodwater].)
[Appropriate] Treats manic and psychotic disorders caused by Heart pathology.
Dew Water (Nature: Neutral.)
(Dew can resolve summer-heat. Since malaria is often due to summer-heat, herbs for treating malaria should be soaked in dew overnight before administration.)
[Appropriate] Relieves irritability, clears Heart heat.
Snow Water (Nature: Cold.)
[Appropriate] Resolves epidemics, removes internal heat from alcohol consumption, eliminates Sha Qi [toxic heat rash]. Washing the eyes reduces redness.
Ice Water (Nature: Cold.)
[Appropriate] Removes irritability and heat, resolves summer-toxin and alcohol-toxin.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption causes cold and heat to clash, leading to Spleen diseases.
Seawater (Nature: Warm.)
[Appropriate] Removes wind-induced skin itching, reduces food stagnation and bloating.
River Water (Nature: Neutral.)
[Appropriate] Decocting medium for medicines that promote urination and defecation. Rapid-flowing water has a swift nature that directs effects downward; stagnant/returning water has a reverse nature that directs effects upward.
Spring Water (Nature: Cold.)
[Appropriate] Resolves heat oppression, irritability, and thirst.
Hot Spring Water (Nature: Hot. Contains underground sulfur minerals.)
[Appropriate] Treats scabies and tinea infections.
Well Water (Nature: Neutral.)
(Mountain spring water is considered superior/higher; city well water is lower. The first drawing of well water in the early morning is called "Jing Hua Shui" [Well Flower Water].)
[Appropriate] Treats heat conditions, relieves irritability.
Earth Slurry Water (Nature: Cold.)
(Dig a pit, stir with freshly drawn water until turbid, let it settle, and use the clarified liquid.)
[Appropriate] Treats heatstroke.
Yin-Yang Water (Nature: Neutral. Half raw/unboiled water and half boiled water.)
[Appropriate] Treats vomiting and diarrhea, sudden cholera-like syndromes.
Yang Lao Water (Nature: Swift/Moving. Created by lifting water with a ladle a thousand times. Also known as Gan Lan Shui [Sweet Ripple Water].)
[Appropriate] Promotes urination and defecation.
Bai Fei Water (Nature: Warm. Boiling water boiled for a long time.)
[Appropriate] Primarily induces dispersion/sweating, assists Yang Qi.
Roof Leak Water (Nature: Cold.)
[Contraindicated] Toxic, must not be used.
Vase Water (Nature: Hot.)
[Contraindicated] Toxic, must not be drunk.
Brine (Nature: Hot. Toxic. The black water dripping from the vat during the initial heating phase of salt boiling.)
[Contraindicated] Highly toxic.
Alkali Water (Nature: Warm and Astringent.)
(Take mugwort, smartweed, etc., soak in water, dry, burn to ash, leach with the soaking water, add wheat flour to coagulate into alkali.)
[Appropriate] Digests food, breaks down accumulations, cleans clothes and removes stains.
[Contraindicated] Excessive use damages the stomach and intestines.
Rice Wash Water (Nature: Sweet and Neutral.)
[Appropriate] Regular drinking harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach. Good for soaking or washing medicinal herbs.
Zeng Qi Water (Nature: Cool.)
[Appropriate] Washes sores on the face and lips.
Rice Soup Water (Nature: Warm.)
[Appropriate] Harmonizes the Middle Jiao, opens the appetite, regulates Zang-Fu organs.
Tea Nature: Slightly Cold. New tea is slightly Hot; aged tea is Cold.
[Appropriate] Relieves irritability and thirst, promotes digestion and descends Qi. Resolves toxicity from greasy foods and roasted meats. Strong decoction induces vomiting. Decocted with fresh ginger, it is named Jiang Cha Yin [Ginger Tea Drink]; tea supports Yin, ginger supports Yang, balancing cold and heat, suitable for common mild wind-cold injuries.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption injures the Stomach with cold and depletes visceral fat. (Yellow complexion from tea addiction indicates cold damaging the Stomach.) Drinking tea after alcohol introduces pathogens into the Kidney and Bladder meridians, predisposing to masses (Jia Shan) and edema. Avoid on an empty stomach in the morning.
*Ben Cao Shi Yi* states: Tea digest food and remove phlegm, relieve irritability and grease, but overdrinking damages the Spleen and Stomach. Rinsing the mouth with strong tea after meals removes irritation without damaging the Spleen and Stomach; it washes food debris from teeth, preventing the need for picking tools and strengthening teeth.
Haier Tea (Nature: Astringent.)
(Originates from Southern regions. Fine tea powder is packed in bamboo tubes, buried in soil for a long time, then taken out, juiced, and boiled into blocks.)
[Appropriate] Clears heat, dries dampness, stops bleeding, transforms phlegm, generates fluids. Applied topically to calm toxins and pain.
Wine/Liquor Nature: Hot.
Pungent flavors disperse, bitter flavors descend, sweet flavors harmonize, bland flavors promote urination, strong flavors are potent and toxic. Best taken warm; small amounts are beneficial.
[Appropriate] Harmonizes blood, moves Qi, strengthens spirit, wards off cold, dispels sorrow and evil, purges filth, warms water passages, circulates through the exterior of the body, and guides medicinal properties to the highest parts of the body. These are the benefits of moderate drinking.
[Contraindicated] Hot drinks injure the Lungs; cold drinks injure the Spleen; excessive drinking injures the Stomach, leading to Gu Ge [distension/masses], fire stirring causing hematemesis and Xiao Ke [wasting-thirst syndrome], dampness accumulation generating phlegm and foot diseases, heat retention causing carbuncles and hemorrhoids/fistulas. Harm is endless, potentially fatal and incurable.
Baijiu (Distilled Spirits) (Nature: Very Hot.)
(Appropriate for infusing herbs or applying to burns/scalds. Not appropriate for excessive hot consumption.)
Sorghum Wine (Nature: Neutral. Made from broomcorn millet.)
(Harmonizes the Middle, stops diarrhea, good for abdominal diseases.)
Millet Wine (Nature: Cold.)
(Good for those with Stomach heat and slight thirst. Not suitable for those with diarrhea.)
Words on Abstaining from Alcohol:
Chen Zongsi said: What is poured in the cup is wine. Once inhaled into the mouth and throat, it becomes infinite poison. It injures viscera and bowels, confuses nature and clouds the spirit, causes loss of affairs and wastes time, creates resentment and disgust. It aids the arrogance of madmen and incites the words of the dull, causing invisible illnesses and shortening finite life. Internally suffering hidden injuries, externally displaying various ugly states. Instincts are indulged without restraint; impossible feats are imitated with forced greed. Habits are hard to change, regret comes too late. Now changing the name of wine to "Huo Shui" [Disaster Water].
Sesame Oil Nature: Hot.
[Appropriate] Detoxifies and moistens intestines. Good for preparing topical ulcer medications.
[Contraindicated] Raw consumption slides the intestines.
Vegetable Oil Nature: Hot. Raw is hot; cooked/fried becomes cold.
Camellia Oil Nature: Neutral.
[Appropriate] Pickling vegetables.
Soybean Oil Nature: Hot. Odor: Fishy/Muttony.
[Appropriate] Moistens intestines.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption traps the Spleen.
Tung Oil Nature: Cold.
[Appropriate] Making medicated plasters. Resolves heat toxins.
[Contraindicated] Accidental ingestion causes severe diarrhea. Resolved by decocting old persimmons in water.
Salt Nature: Cold.
For cases of excessive Heart Fire where laughter is uncontrollable like madness, boil red salt in water and drink to stop it immediately.
[Appropriate] Clears fire, detoxifies, strengthens teeth. Penetrates inward to soften hardness.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption injures the Lungs causing cough, injures the Kidneys causing thirst, exacerbates edema, damages complexion, and leaks Stomach fluids. (Dry mouth from excess salt proves this.)
Vinegar Nature: Warm and Astringent.
[Appropriate] Digests food, detoxifies, opens appetite, stimulates hunger. Treats hot sores in the mouth and tongue; rinse and it heals.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption damages teeth, saps facial vitality, and injures sinews (due to excessive contraction).
Soy Sauce Nature: Slightly Cold. Made from beans. Aged is better.
[Appropriate] Clears heat and toxin from scalds/burns, kills toxins in meat, fish, and vegetables.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption aids dampness and depletes essence (as salty flavor enters the Kidneys). Avoid after healing from boils/carbuncles to prevent dark scarring.
Lees/Dregs Nature: Hot. Aged is neutral.
[Appropriate] Digests food and resolves stagnation.
[Contraindicated] Contraindicated for those with Phlegm-Fire conditions.
Red Yeast Rice Nature: Warm.
[Appropriate] Digests food and invigorates blood circulation.
Mustard/Horseradish Spiciness Nature: Warm.
[Appropriate] Enters the Lungs, induces sweating to dispel cold, benefits Qi, resolves phlegm. Applied to carbuncles/toxins to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
[Contraindicated] Contraindicated for chronic cough with Lung deficiency.
Fennel Nature: Hot.
Small fennel is wheat-sized; large fennel has ridges and segments.
[Appropriate] Harmonizes the Middle, benefits the Kidneys, warms the Dan Tian. Most beneficial for the lower body.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption triggers sores due to its pungent/spicy nature.
Sichuan Pepper Nature: Hot and Pure Yang.
From Qin region: Qin Jiao. From Shu region: Chuan Jiao. Seeds are called Jiao Mu.
[Appropriate] Enters Lungs to induce sweating and dispel cold, treats cough. Enters Spleen to warm Stomach, dry dampness, digest food, relieve distension, and remove cold pain in heart/abdomen. Treats Yang deficiency with frequent urination and genital sweating, tonifies Kidneys, strengthens teeth, brightens eyes, unblocks meridians, kills TB worms, calms roundworms.
[Contraindicated] Not suitable for those with Lung/Stomach heat.
Pepper Seeds (Jiao Mu)
[Appropriate] Treats Shui Gu [ascites/water distension], Kidney deficiency tinnitus.
Black Pepper
Nature: Hot. Long steaming and sun-drying make it usable for warming the Stomach.
[Appropriate] Warms Stomach, opens chest, treats cold-phlegm and cold-dysentery, Stomach cold with vomiting of water.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption injures Lungs, dissipates Qi, causes toothache and blurred vision, stirs fire triggering sores and hemorrhoids. (Refers to raw pepper.)
Red Chili Nature: Hot.
Color red like coral. Long and pointed, or short and round. Also called Hai Jiao.
[Appropriate] Enters Large Intestine. (Detoxifies.) Chopped and mixed with sauce and lard as a dish ingredient, highly effective for all types of hemorrhoids.
[Contraindicated] Raw or excessive consumption causes toothache and lip swelling.
Tobacco Nature: Hot.
[Appropriate] Disperses food stagnation, wind-cold-damp bi, resolves stagnant Qi and retained phlegm, resolves mountain miasma.
[Contraindicated] Excessive consumption burns with fire energy, depletes essence and spirit.
Tobacco originated in Fujian and Guangdong during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. Its popularity began during the campaign in Yunnan; soldiers entering miasma-infested areas all fell ill except one camp, because they smoked tobacco.
Its nature is Pure Yang, its qi is strong and fierce, hence intoxication occurs upon swallowing. Although it disperses miasma, it also depletes Zheng Qi [Upright Qi]. Absolutely contraindicated for those with excessive fire and deficient Qi.
Intoxication/stuffiness from smoking is resolved by holding cold water in the mouth, or using red/white sugar.
Words on Quitting Smoking:
Wang Sanlong said: Recently, smoking is fashionable. I often tell people: Why burn the five viscera? Look at the smoking pipe, filled with grime and residue; the human abdomen must be similar. How can one endure it? Someone heard my words, suddenly awakened, and vowed to quit. Initially very resolute, but soon remembering, they broke the vow. I say: An alcoholic trying to quit breaks the vow before the day ends; a woman fearing childbirth resumes intercourse before the month is up. The addiction to smoking is worse than alcohol and sex; bewitchment and indulgence are truly strange.
Words on Fasting/Vegetarianism:
If one fasts, it is originally a good intention, not entirely wrong, but one must ask what the intention truly is. If it is merely to spare animal lives, seek blessings/protection, or flatter Buddha, these three are unnecessary. Why? If saying animals are like us and shouldn't be slaughtered/eaten, then six domestic animals were created for human use. Sage kings established governance allowing keeping five chickens and two pigs—why? Moreover, nobles eat meat, sacrifices use blood offerings, and honoring parents involves wine and meat; are these all acts of irreverence and lack of compassion? If seeking blessings through this, there are many other good deeds; accumulating goodness surely brings surplus joy. Can one skip other good deeds and rely solely on fasting to guarantee blessings? Is there such logic? As for flattering Buddha with compassion, compassion is Ren De [Benevolent Virtue]; Ren is humanity, prioritizing love for others. Loving broadly includes kindred, closely includes relatives/friends, intimately includes family. Today, people are indifferent to humanity itself, yet only sparingly care for animals—where is the compassion? And claiming Buddha accepts any fake or real compassion, blessing only those who fast as flattery, implies no such Buddha exists. True fasting means clarifying and purifying the mind, maintaining both inner and outer aspects. One aspect is pious ritual observance: when sacrificing to ancestors and deities, one fasts, wears fine clothes, and changes diet to show reverence. Another aspect is restraining desires: taste is the primary desire, hardest to satisfy. Clouding will and causing disease stems from here—"disaster from the mouth, illness from the mouth." Fasting leads to bland tastes, non-violent Qi and Blood, clear mental mastery, and proper function of the physical body. Another aspect is supporting virtue: ordinary people hesitate to follow good or reject evil. Holding firm to fasting, giving up what is loved, embracing what is unloved, purifies sincerity, grows good thoughts, and accumulates merit. These are actions of those observing fasts, unrelated to animals, blessings, or flattery, maintaining inner and outer discipline, overcoming self and rectifying will. Only those who overcome themselves are permitted to fast; otherwise, they merely become deluded fools.