January: The kidney qi is susceptible to illness, and lung qi is relatively weak. In terms of diet, one should reduce salty and sour flavors and increase pungent flavors to help nourish the kidneys, benefit the lungs, and stabilize and regulate stomach qi. Avoid exposure to freezing cold, but also do not seek excessive warmth. One should go to bed early and rise late (Note: The original text says "rise early and sleep late," which in the context of health preservation often differs from the winter principle of "early to bed, late to rise." This translation follows the literal text, possibly due to a transcription error in later copies. The translator adheres to the original.), allowing the body and spirit to relax. Do not eat raw spring onions, as they deplete the body's fluids and qi-blood. Do not eat raw Polygonum hydropiper (a plant), as it will certainly lead to stubborn accumulations and formations, and cause wandering wind (similar to urticaria) on the face. Do not eat animals that hibernate or hide (winter-hiding creatures), as this will shorten one's lifespan. Do not eat the meat of tigers, leopards, or wildcats, as it will make one's spirit restless. On the fourth day of this month, it is suitable to pluck white hairs; on the seventh day, it is suitable to meditate quietly, contemplate the true Dao, and fasting can increase blessings; on the eighth day, it is suitable to bathe, but on this day it is taboo to travel far.

February: Kidney qi is weak, and liver qi is at its peak. One should reduce sour flavors and increase pungent flavors in the diet to help the kidneys and benefit the liver. One should keep the chest and diaphragm clear, dispel phlegm-dampness, and induce slight sweating to disperse the cold qi accumulated and latent from deep winter. Do not eat daylilies, aged vinegar, or pickled vegetables, as they can trigger old illnesses. Do not eat garlic or scallions, as they can cause qi stagnation and blockage in the chest and diaphragm. Do not eat mallows or eggs, as they can obstruct the flow of qi and blood, causing essence to congeal. Do not eat rabbit meat or the meat of foxes and raccoon dogs, as it can make one's spirit restless. On the eighth day of this month, it is suitable to pluck white hairs; on the ninth day, it is taboo to eat all types of fish, which practitioners of immortality greatly fear. The fourteenth day is not suitable for long journeys. In mid-spring, when yang qi is harmonious, one should moderate alcohol consumption to preserve one's true nature.

March: Kidney qi has calmed, heart qi is gradually arriving, and liver wood qi is at its peak. One should reduce sweet flavors and increase pungent flavors in the diet to supplement essence and boost qi. Be careful to avoid west winds, relax the body, and maintain a peaceful and calm temperament. Do not engage in wanton killing, in accordance with the Dao of nature. Do not eat daylilies, aged vinegar, or pickled vegetables, as they can trigger stubborn accumulations and attract epidemics. Do not eat raw mallows, as they can cause abdominal distension and transform into water-dampness disorders. Do not eat the spleen of any animal, as the spleen spirit is currently dominant (it is not suitable to eat the organ that is in season). Do not eat eggs, as they can cause lifelong mental confusion. On the third day of this month, it is taboo to eat animal entrails or the hearts of plants, as eating them will incur heaven's displeasure. The sixth day is suitable for bathing; the twelfth day is suitable for plucking white hairs; the twenty-seventh day is taboo for long journeys and is suitable for fasting and quiet contemplation of the true Dao.

April: The liver already has some pathogenic qi, and heart qi is gradually strengthening. One should increase sour flavors and reduce bitter flavors in the diet to nourish the kidneys, assist the liver, and harmonize stomach qi. Do not expose the body under the starry sky, and avoid winds from the northwest. Do not eat garlic, as it damages the spirit and harms gallbladder qi. Do not eat raw Chinese leek (Allium chinense), as it increases phlegm and nasal discharge. Do not eat chicken or pheasant meat, as it can cause abscesses and ulcers, and opposes the primordial qi. Do not eat eel, as it is harmful to people. On the fourth day of this month, it is suitable to bathe and pluck white hairs. On the seventh day, it is suitable to calm the mind, contemplate quietly, and fast; this will certainly bring blessings. On this day, it is taboo to travel far.

May: Liver qi is at rest, and the heart is at its peak. One should reduce sour flavors and increase bitter flavors in the diet to benefit the liver and kidneys, secure and conserve essence-qi. Both sleeping and waking should be earlier. After each time of exertion (sweating), do not expose the body under the starry sky, and be careful to avoid north winds. Do not stay in damp places, lest you attract pathogenic qi. Do not eat Chinese leek (Allium chinense) or chives, as they can lead to stubborn accumulations and damage spirit and qi. Do not eat horse meat or the meat of roe deer and deer, as it can make one's spirit restless. On the fifth day of this month, it is suitable to fast and maintain purity. On this day, it is taboo to see any fresh blood, and do not eat any vegetables. On the sixteenth day, be extremely careful to restrain desires; violating this will shorten life and damage the spirit. On this day, it is taboo to travel far. The twenty-seventh day is suitable for bathing and plucking white hairs.

June: Liver qi is weak, and the spleen is dominant. One should reduce bitter flavors and increase salty flavors in the diet, and be sparing with rich, fatty foods to benefit the liver, assist the kidneys, and strengthen tendons and bones. Be cautious of east winds; offending them can cause paralysis of the hands and feet. Do not soak hands and feet in cold water. Do not eat mallows, as it will certainly form water aggregation disorders. Do not eat dogwood (Cornus officinalis), as it causes qi stagnation. On the sixth day of this month, it is auspicious to fast and bathe. This day is also suitable for starting construction work. The twenty-fourth day is suitable for plucking white hairs; on this day, it is taboo to travel far. The twenty-seventh day is suitable for bathing, quietly contemplating the true Dao, and performing good deeds in secret is auspicious.

July: Liver and heart qi are insufficient, and the lungs are dominant. One should pacify the temperament. In the diet, increase salty flavors and reduce pungent flavors to assist qi, nourish tendons and bones, and thereby regulate the spleen and stomach. Do not expose yourself to extreme heat, nor indulge in excessive coolness, and do not sweat profusely. Do not eat dogwood, as it causes qi stagnation. Do not eat pork, as it damages a person's spirit and qi. Do not think of evil matters this month; it is a major taboo for those cultivating immortality. The fifth day is suitable for bathing; the seventh day, one should abandon worries and fast; the ninth day, repent past faults and pray for new blessings. The twenty-eighth day is suitable for plucking white hairs. The twenty-ninth day is taboo for long journeys.

August: Heart qi is weak, and lung metal is in charge. One should reduce bitter flavors and increase pungent flavors in the diet to assist the sinews, supplement blood, and thereby nourish the heart and liver. Do not be exposed to pathogenic winds, lest they cause sores on the bones and flesh, becoming virulent wind dysentery. Do not eat wild garlic, as it damages a person's spirit and qi, causing the ethereal and corporeal souls to be restless. Do not eat pig stomach, or you will develop a cough in winter that does not heal for years. Do not eat chicken or pheasant meat, as it damages a person's spirit and qi. On the fourth day of this month, do not buy shoes or items that attach to the feet; it is a major taboo for those cultivating immortality. The eighteenth day is suitable for fasting and contemplating auspicious matters; it is a time when heaven and humans increase blessings. The twentieth day is suitable for plucking white hairs; it is taboo to travel far, lest you leave and not return. It is also auspicious to bathe.

September: Yang qi has declined, yin qi is very strong, and storms frequently arise; be sure to avoid thieving, pathogenic winds. One should reduce bitter flavors and increase salty flavors in the diet to nourish the liver and kidneys, and assist the spleen and stomach. Do not expose yourself to wind and frost, and do not indulge in drunkenness or overeating. Do not eat water shield (Brasenia schreberi), as it may contain unseen insects. Do not eat ginger or garlic, as they damage a person's spirit and qi. Do not eat leafy greens or melons that have been touched by frost, as they can cause heart pain. Do not eat mallows, as they transform into water disorders. Do not eat dog meat, as it shortens the lifespan. On the ninth day of this month, it is suitable to fast. The sixteenth day is suitable for bathing and plucking white hairs. The twenty-seventh day is taboo for long journeys; it is called the "day of nets."

October: Heart and lung qi are weak, and kidney qi is strong. One should reduce pungent and bitter flavors in the diet to nourish the kidney organ. Do not injure the tendons and bones, and do not cause the skin to open (excessive sweating). Do not perform acupuncture or moxibustion casually, as at this time the blood vessels are sluggish and fluids do not flow smoothly. Do not eat raw Sichuan pepper, as it damages the blood vessels. Do not eat raw Chinese leek (Allium chinense), as it increases phlegm-dampness. Do not eat bear meat, pork, or water shield, as they cause a person's complexion to deteriorate. On the first day of this month, it is suitable to bathe. On the fourth and fifth days, do not punish or blame others; it is a major taboo for those cultivating immortality. The tenth day of this month is taboo for long journeys; the thirteenth day is suitable for plucking white hairs; the fifteenth day is suitable for fasting, quietly contemplating the true Dao, and will certainly obtain blessings. On the twentieth day, be sure not to travel far.

November: The kidneys are at their peak, and heart-lung qi is weak. One should increase bitter flavors and eliminate salty flavors in the diet to nourish and regulate the lungs and stomach. Do not apply moxibustion to the abdomen or back; do not suddenly seek excessive warmth. Carefully avoid thieving, pathogenic winds; offending them will cause facial swelling and stiffness and pain in the waist and spine. Do not eat raccoon dog meat, as it damages a person's spirit. Do not eat snails, clams, crabs, or soft-shelled turtles, as they damage the primordial qi and foster corpse worms. Do not eat vinegar that has been kept through the summer, as it can trigger head wind and form water disorders. Do not eat raw leafy greens, as they can cause heart pain. On the third day of this month, it is suitable to fast and meditate quietly. The tenth day is suitable for plucking white hairs; on this day it is taboo to travel far, one should not go out, and should think good thoughts; heaven will bestow blessings and remove disasters. The sixteenth day is suitable for bathing, which is auspicious.

December: The spleen earth is dominant, and kidney water qi does not flow smoothly. One should reduce sweet flavors and increase bitter flavors in the diet to nourish the heart, assist the lungs, and regulate the kidneys. Do not expose yourself to frost and dew; do not leak fluids and sweat. Do not eat mallows, as they transform into water-dampness disorders. Do not eat Chinese leek (Allium chinense), as it frequently triggers old illnesses. Do not eat soft-shelled turtles or giant salamanders.