《孫真人攝養論》

"Plain Interpretation of Master Sun's Nourishment Theory"

Key points for January health preservation:

The kidneys are prone to illness while lung Qi is relatively weak. Reduce salty and sour foods while increasing pungent flavors to nourish the kidneys, supplement the lungs, and regulate stomach Qi. Avoid extreme cold or heat exposure. Retire early and rise early to relax body and mind. Abstain from raw scallions (which deplete bodily fluids), raw smartweed (may cause skin sores and rashes), hibernating animals (shortens lifespan), and meat from tigers, leopards or foxes (disturbs Shen/spirit). The 4th day is auspicious for removing white hairs, the 7th day ideal for seated meditation and purification rituals, while the 8th day suits bathing (but avoid long journeys on this date).

February health essentials:

Kidney Qi remains weak while liver Qi becomes vigorous. Decrease sour flavors and increase pungent ones to tonify kidneys and nourish the liver. Maintain smooth breathing to expel phlegm-dampness, and induce mild sweating to disperse winter-accumulated cold. Avoid daylilies and pickled vegetables (may trigger old ailments), garlic (causes Qi stagnation), mallows and eggs (obstruct Qi-blood circulation). Rabbit and fox meat disturb mental clarity. The 8th day suits hair treatment, the 9th prohibits all fish (especially for Daoist practitioners), and the 14th avoids travel. Moderate alcohol consumption preserves primordial Qi in spring.

March cultivation methods:

Kidney Qi stabilizes, heart Qi strengthens, and Wood Phase energy peaks. Reduce sweet flavors, increase pungency to boost Jing/essence. Avoid western winds and keep limbs relaxed. Refrain from killing to align with natural rhythms. Prohibited items include daylilies (may cause epidemics), raw mallows (leads to bloating), animal spleens (as spleen Shen governs this season), and eggs (clouds consciousness). The 3rd forbids organ meats and sprouts (violates cosmic harmony), the 6th favors bathing, the 12th suits hair maintenance, while the 27th prohibits travel but encourages purification rituals.

April nourishment principles:

Liver becomes vulnerable as heart Qi grows stronger. Increase sour flavors while decreasing bitter ones to reinforce kidneys, protect liver and regulate stomach. Avoid stargazing at night and northwest winds. Abstain from garlic (harms Shen), raw shallots (generates phlegm), and pheasant meat (causes abscesses and depletes vital energy).

(Note: The character "王" here indicates the corresponding organ's seasonal dominance; "斋戒/Zhaijie" refers to purification practices involving dietary restrictions; "念静思真" denotes Daoist visualization and contemplation techniques)

"Plain Interpretation of Master Sun's Nourishment Theory":

Key points for April health preservation:

• Avoid eating eel (harmful to health)
• The 4th day is suitable for bathing and removing white hairs
• The 7th day is ideal for meditation; practicing purification rituals brings blessings
• Avoid long journeys on important seasonal days (Zhenri)

May health preservation:

• Liver Qi weakens while Heart Qi flourishes; reduce sour foods, increase bitter flavors
• Focus on nourishing liver and kidneys, consolidating vital essence (Jing)
• Maintain early bedtime and early rising
• Avoid exposing bare skin under starlight
• Guard against northern winds and damp environments to prevent pathogenic invasion
• Abstain from shallots and chives (may trigger chronic ailments)
• Avoid horse and deer meat (causes mental restlessness)
• The 5th day requires purification and meditation (bloodshed taboo)
• Strict celibacy on the 16th (violators risk shortened lifespan and spirit damage)
• The 27th is suitable for bathing and removing white hairs

June health preservation:

• Weak Liver Qi but strong Spleen Qi; reduce bitter tastes, increase salty flavors
• Control greasy foods; strengthen liver, kidneys and tendons
• Beware eastern winds (may cause paralysis)
• Avoid soaking hands/feet in cold water
• Abstain from mallow greens (may cause edema)
• Avoid dogwood (may cause Qi stagnation)
• The 6th is auspicious for purification baths
• Also favorable for construction projects
• The 24th suits white hair removal
• The 27th ideal for bathing, contemplation, and accumulating merit (Daoist "hidden virtue")

July health preservation:

• Weak Liver/Heart Qi, flourishing Lung Qi
• Maintain emotional calm; increase salty, reduce pungent foods
• Focus on Qi nourishment, tendon care, and spleen/stomach regulation
• Avoid extreme heat or excessive cooling
• Prevent profuse sweating
• Abstain from dogwood and pork (damages spirit-energy)
• Strict prohibition against wrongdoing (major Daoist taboo)
• The 5th suits bathing
• The 7th ideal for meditation and purification
• The 9th favorable for repentance and blessings
• The 28th suits white hair removal
• The 29th prohibits long journeys

August health preservation:

• Weak Heart Qi but strong Metal-Lung Qi; reduce bitter, increase pungent flavors
• Focus on tendon nourishment, blood enrichment, and heart/liver care
• Avoid pathogenic winds (may cause ulcers/dysentery)
• Abstain from wild garlic (harms spirit and disturbs soul)
• Avoid pork tripe (may cause winter coughs that linger)
• Abstain from pheasant meat (damages spirit-energy)
• The 4th unsuitable for purchasing footwear (Daoist practice taboo)

Plain Interpretation of "Master Sun's Treatise on Nourishing Life"

[August Health Guidelines]

The 18th day is ideal for fasting (purifying body and mind, reducing food intake) and focusing on auspicious thoughts, as this is an opportune time for celestial-human resonance to bring blessings. On the 21st day, it is favorable to pluck white hairs but inadvisable to travel far (as one might not return). Bathing on this day is also considered auspicious.

[September Precautions]

During this month, Yang energy declines while Yin energy flourishes, and strong winds are frequent. Guard against evil winds, reduce bitter flavors in your diet, and increase salty foods to nourish the liver, kidneys, spleen, and stomach. Key points:

• Avoid exposure to wind and frost; refrain from excessive drinking and overeating.
• Do not consume water shield vegetables infested with insects.
• Avoid ginger and garlic (they harm the spirit, Shen).
• Do not eat raw greens or melons touched by frost (may cause heart pain).
• Avoid mallow greens (can lead to edema).
• Abstain from dog meat (shortens lifespan).

Important dates:

• The 9th day is suitable for fasting.
• The 16th day is favorable for bathing and plucking white hairs.
• The 27th day is inauspicious for travel (known as the "Day of Nets").

[October Health Focus]

Heart and lung functions weaken, while kidney Qi (Qi) is vigorous. Reduce spicy foods to protect the kidneys. Key points:

• Avoid injuring tendons and bones; refrain from unnecessary acupuncture (as Qi and blood circulation may be sluggish).
• Do not eat raw peppers (damages blood vessels).
• Avoid raw shallots (increases phlegm-dampness).
• Abstain from bear meat, pork, and water shield vegetables (cause sallow complexion).

Important dates:

• The 1st day is favorable for bathing.
• The 4th and 5th days are inauspicious for reprimanding others (a major taboo for cultivators).
• The 10th day is inauspicious for travel.
• The 13th day is suitable for plucking white hairs.
• The 15th day is ideal for fasting and seated meditation (reflecting on truth brings blessings).
• The 20th day is strictly inauspicious for travel.

[November Health Adjustments]

Kidney function peaks while heart and lungs are weak. Increase bitter flavors and eliminate salty foods to regulate the lungs and stomach. Key points:

• Avoid moxibustion on the abdomen and back.
• Guard against sudden heat exposure and evil winds (may cause facial swelling and back pain).
• Abstain from raccoon dog meat (harms the spirit, Shen).
• Avoid snails, clams, and crabs (deplete vitality, Qi, and breed parasites).
• Do not consume leftover summer vinegar (triggers headaches and edema).
• Avoid raw greens (may cause heart pain).

Important dates:

• The 3rd day is suitable for fasting and quiet cultivation.
• The 10th day is favorable for plucking white hairs (but avoid travel).
• The 16th day is highly auspicious for bathing.

[December Health Principles]

The spleen and stomach dominate this month, while water energy (Qi) stagnates. Reduce sweet flavors and increase bitter foods to strengthen the heart, nourish the lungs, and regulate the kidneys. Key points:

• Avoid exposure to cold and excessive sweating.
• Do not eat mallow greens (may cause edema).
• Limit shallots (may trigger old ailments).
• Abstain from eating giant softshell turtles (large turtle species).

The Sun Zhenren's Treatise on Nourishing Life is a discourse on health preservation by the renowned Tang dynasty medical scholar and Daoist priest Sun Simiao (venerated as "Sun Zhenren"). This classic primarily explains methods for maintaining physical health and prolonging life through daily routines, dietary regulation, and emotional adjustment.

The text emphasizes "seasonal regulation" (adapting health preservation methods according to the changes of the four seasons). It proposes principles such as rising early in spring to stretch the limbs, cultivating Yang (active energy) with a tranquil heart in summer, gathering and conserving Shen (spirit) in autumn, and sleeping early while rising late in winter—all in accordance with natural rhythms. Regarding diet, it advocates "moderation in eating and drinking," opposing overindulgence, and specifically mentions the wisdom of "not eating heavily at night" for longevity.

In terms of emotional cultivation, it promotes maintaining a balanced state of mind and avoiding "unrestrained joy or anger," as excessive emotions are believed to harm the five internal organs. The text also records many practical techniques, such as massage and Daoyin (ancient therapeutic exercises) as well as breathing exercises (Qi-regulating practices).

This classic embodies the Daoist philosophy of "harmony between heaven and humanity" in health preservation, integrating medical theory with Daoist cultivation methods. It has profoundly influenced later generations of Chinese medicine and wellness practices. Many of its concepts, such as the preventive medical idea of "treating disease before it arises," remain relevant and instructive today.