🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Yang Guifei, originally from Sichuan Province, was named Yu Huan—a legendary ancient beauty. The idiom “plump Yuhuan, slender Zhao Feiyan” contrasts her with Zhao Feiyan, a famous beauty from Emperor Chengdi’s era, representing two different ideals of female beauty in ancient China. Yang Yu Huan was initially the wife of Emperor Xuanzong’s son. After the death of Wu Huifei, she was recommended into the palace by Gao Lishi. Due to naming concerns, Emperor Xuanzong could not directly bring his daughter-in-law into the palace. So, he officially ordained her as a Daoist nun under the name “Tai Zhen Gong,” living in the Tai Zhen Palace. In the fourth year of Tianbao, Emperor Xuanzong formally bestowed her title as Consort. At that time, Yang Guifei was already a mature woman. Her charm lay in her natural, tender skin, earning her the affection of thousands and leaving all other palace beauties pale in comparison. This indicates she possessed exceptional beauty techniques, enabling her to retain favor for a long time.
Secret One: Reject heavy makeup, favoring light, natural cosmetics to highlight innate beauty. In Tang Dynasty, cosmetics were primarily made from lead and mercury. Long-term use caused chronic poisoning, leading to dark spots and skin aging. During her five or six years as a Daoist nun, Yang Guifei stayed away from heavy makeup and avoided lead and mercury exposure. Later, she continued avoiding heavy makeup, preferring subtle eyebrow drawing.
Secret Two: Hot Spring Baths and Body Tapping. The Tang Dynasty inherited Northern Dynasty customs, establishing hot spring palaces. The Huaqing Pool was the most renowned. Legend holds that hot springs eliminate evil spirits and prevent epidemics. Modern medicine confirms that sulfur and other minerals in hot spring water can treat skin diseases. Bai Juyi’s poem “Song of Everlasting Regret” says: “In spring cold, the emperor grants a bath at Huaqing Pool—the warm water is smooth, washing away the creamy skin. The attendants lift her, weak and dazed—this was the moment she first received imperial grace.” While bathing, Yang Guifei often soaked mulberry leaves and stinging nettles in the water. These plants soothe nerves and promote skin regeneration, making the skin smooth and glossy. In Dream of the Red Chamber, Jia Baoyu wrote: “After bathing, Taizhen appears like ice and shadow.” During baths, Yang Guifei practiced body tapping—lightly slapping her entire body, especially the face—to stimulate acupoints, enhance blood circulation, and improve skin function.
Secret Three: Making Yang Taizhen’s Red Jade Cream from Almonds, Talc, and Light Powder. It was said that after applying this mixture for ten days, the complexion resembled red jade—a secret beauty formula used by generations of beauties, even adopted by Empress Dowager Cixi daily. Almonds contain abundant bitter almond oil, offering unique skin moisturizing effects. Light powder inhibits bacteria and lubricates pores, acting “to open pores above and clear urinary passages below.” Combined, these three ingredients cleanse dirt, moisturize skin, and open pores—effectively avoiding the hazards of traditional cosmetics containing lead and mercury.
Secret Four: Eating Lychees and Taking Ginseng to Maintain Health and Win Favor. Yang Guifei loved lychees—well-known to all. Du Mu wrote: “Looking back at Chang’an, the city looks like embroidered mountains; thousand gates open one after another on the peak. A rider raises red dust—her smile, none know it’s lychees coming.” To please Yang Guifei, Emperor Xuanzong ordered rapid transport of lychees from Fujian and Guangdong to Chang’an, costing immense manpower and resources—just to make her happy. Lychee, a tropical southern fruit, is rich in nutrients, sweet and neutral in nature, non-toxic. Regular consumption strengthens heart and spleen, nourishes liver blood, and enhances complexion. Yang Guifei’s diet always included ginseng. Small amounts of ginseng provide “tonifying the five organs, calming the spirit, improving eyesight, and enhancing intelligence.” Today, ginseng remains a top tonic in medicinal and health practices. Regular, moderate use reduces fatigue and balances yin and yang.