🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Since ancient times, people have wished for good health and long life, even resorting to mystical rituals, but these efforts proved futile. From the perspective of modern science and the current level of human material and cultural living standards, it is possible to extend human lifespan universally, with the key lying in anti-aging. As Dr. Gerald Greer, Director of the National Institute on Aging, stated: "Our greatest effort so far has been to better understand the aging process; this endeavor will inevitably lead to new technologies that will greatly extend average human lifespan." Currently, through research, organization, and advancement of traditional medicine, many folk remedies and proven prescriptions for anti-aging and longevity have been discovered and are introduced below. [Formula One] 5 grams ginseng, 20 grams astragalus, 80 grams glutinous rice, 5 grams sugar, 10 grams white atractylodes. Clean and slice ginseng, astragalus, and white atractylodes, soak in clean water for 40 minutes, place in sandpot, add water, bring to boil, then simmer gently until concentrated. Strain and collect juice, repeat with fresh water. Prepare glutinous rice porridge twice daily, add sugar, consume while hot. Complete one course every 5 days. This formula strengthens vital energy, treats deficiency, resists aging, suitable for five zang organ deficiency, prolonged illness with weak constitution, poor appetite, early aging. [Formula Two] Appropriate amounts of royal jelly and honey. Mix royal jelly and honey to make 1% royal jelly honey solution. Take 20 grams twice daily, complete one course in 20 days, continue for three courses. This formula nourishes and strengthens, benefits liver and spleen, suitable for post-illness weakness, elderly frailty. Regular consumption strengthens body and resists aging. [Formula Three] 4.5 grams white atractylodes, 3 grams ophiopogon (remove heart). Boil together as decoction, drink as tea. This formula strengthens qi, nourishes spleen, suitable for elderly with spleen deficiency and poor appetite; long-term use extends life and resists aging. [Formula Four] 15 grams dried bird's nest, 1000 grams chicken stock, small amount of edible alkali, appropriate salt. Soak bird's nest in warm water for about 15 minutes until soft, gently remove, use tweezers to pick out black hairs and roots, rinse with warm water to remove dust. Dissolve small amount of edible alkali in 1000 grams water, add cleaned bird's nest, gently stir with chopsticks for 5 minutes, then transfer to 1000 grams boiling water for another 5 minutes until expanded. Use 2000 grams hot water cooled to 80% temperature, soak bird's nest twice more for 4 minutes each to remove alkali residue, remove, squeeze out water, place pot on high flame, add chicken stock and salt, bring to boil, skim off foam, pour into large bowl, place bird's nest inside. This formula nourishes spleen and stomach, replenishes qi, clears heat, suitable for lung deficiency; regular consumption increases energy, relieves fatigue, prevents disease, strengthens body. [Formula Five] 250 grams schisandra berries, 500 grams ginkgo leaves, 250 grams jujubes, 1000 grams honey, 50 grams rock sugar or sugar. Wash schisandra berries, ginkgo leaves, and jujubes separately. Chop ginkgo leaves, tear apart jujube skins and flesh. Soak all in water for 2 hours, enough to submerge; if ginkgo leaves float, press down with weight. Pour soaked mixture into large clay pot, boil over medium heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 1 hour until reduced to one bowlful of concentrated juice. Filter first decoction, add 3 bowls of fresh water, simmer for another hour until reduced to one bowlful, filter second decoction, discard residue. Combine first and second decoctions in sandpot, simmer over low heat for half an hour to further concentrate. Add honey and rock sugar, do not cover, simmer for about half an hour, remove from heat, cool, bottle, seal tightly. Take twice daily, 2 spoons each time, after meals, with warm water. Complete one course in 3 months. This formula nourishes five zang organs, supports heart blood, soothes liver qi, unblocks meridians, moistens dryness, softens hardness, dilates blood vessels, regulates blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, resists aging; suitable for atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, etc. [Formula Six] 10 grams poria powder, 100 grams cornmeal, 40 grams soybean powder, 4500 grams flour. Mix flour and cornmeal, gradually add warm water, knead slowly. After fermentation, balance with alkali, mix in poria and soybean powders, knead evenly, shape into steamed buns. Steam until cooked. This formula strengthens spleen and stomach, replenishes qi and blood, regular consumption resists aging and prolongs life. [Formula Seven] Appropriate amounts of American ginseng, polygonatum, goji berries, angelica root, Buddha’s hand, baijiu, and night-blooming cereus bark. Process American ginseng, goji berries, polygonatum, angelica root, and Buddha’s hand, using Henan Linhe Daqu as base spirit, follow traditional brewing techniques, naturally age, carefully blend—available commercially. Take 5–10 ml three times daily, continuous use for one month. This formula strengthens constitution, resists aging and maintains youthful appearance; many users report feeling lighter, increased physical strength, improved appetite, enhanced sleep, fewer dreams. [Formula Eight] Appropriate amounts of lingzhi, shiitake mushrooms, and sugar. Extract active components from lingzhi and shiitake via hot water immersion, obtain concentrated extracts. Mix extracts with sugar, boil into crystals. Dissolve in hot water, take 2–3 times daily. This formula enhances brain function, improves blood circulation, boosts immunity, prevents aging, suitable for neurasthenia, insomnia, thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, etc. Regular use prevents aging and prolongs life. [Formula Nine] 4775 grams black sesame seeds (slightly stir-fried and crushed). Soak in 20,000 ml good wine overnight, drink freely. This formula prolongs life and prevents aging. [Formula Ten] 500 grams winter melon seeds, 1000 ml baijiu. Place winter melon seeds in double-layered gauze bag, tie securely, immerse in boiling water for 5–10 minutes, remove and dry. Repeat soaking and drying three times. Then soak the treated seeds in baijiu for two days, remove, dry, grind into fine powder, store in bottle. Take 6 grams per serving, dissolve in hot water, once daily. Winter melon seeds, also known as winter melon kernels, are the seeds of winter melon, rich in fatty oils, sweet taste, moist texture, highly moisturizing, long praised as a beauty food throughout history. “Makes complexion radiant, nourishes qi, prevents hunger, long-term use lightens body and delays aging” (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing). Also “removes skin roughness, dark spots, moisturizes skin” (Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao). According to the "Collected Excellent Prescriptions": long-term use of this formula “makes skin smooth like jade, prolongs life without aging.” [Formula Eleven] 10 grams poria powder, 100 grams cornmeal, 40 grams soybean powder, 500 grams flour. Mix flour and cornmeal, gradually add warm water, knead slowly. After fermentation, balance with alkali, mix in poria and soybean powders, knead evenly, shape into steamed buns, steam until cooked. Poria buns were developed based on the ingredients of small nests from the Qing Palace kitchen, adding poria powder and flour. Poria strengthens spleen and stomach; its poria polysaccharides enhance immune function and exhibit strong anticancer effects. Corn contains glutathione—a longevity factor—with anti-aging and disease-prevention properties. [Formula Twelve] 250 grams loofah, 30 grams shiitake mushrooms, 1 pig trotter, 100 grams tofu, appropriate ginger threads, salt, monosodium glutamate. Soak shiitake mushrooms in water, wash clean. Wash loofah, cut into slices. Wash pig trotter, cut open. First, boil pig trotter in pot with adequate water for 10 minutes, then add shiitake mushrooms, ginger threads, salt, simmer slowly for 20 minutes, add loofah, cook until tender, remove from heat, add monosodium glutamate. This formula unblocks meridians, promotes lactation, nourishes blood. Shiitake mushrooms also help prevent cancer and aging. Suitable for postpartum weakness, insufficient milk production. Also beneficial for hyperlipidemia and cancer patients as supportive therapy.<Anti-Aging>