🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Sun Simiao was a distinguished physician and health expert of the Tang Dynasty, revered posthumously as the "King of Medicine." He lived to 101 years old, dedicating his life to treating patients, collecting medical literature, and writing extensively based on his clinical experience. At age 71, he compiled the *Qianjin Yaofang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), containing over 4,500 prescriptions across 30 volumes. At age 100, he remained robust and energetic, continuing to write and complete the *Qianjin Yifang* (Supplementary Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), which included over 800 herbal entries, along with works such as *She Sheng Lun*, *Fu Lu Lun*, *Cun Shen Lian Qi Ming*, and *She Yang Zhen Fang*. His writings comprehensively outlined his health preservation philosophy, forming a valuable legacy in Chinese medicine and health care, making immense contributions to the nation’s medical field. Sun Simiao’s longevity can be summarized in the following points:
Natural Flow
The human body follows its own natural developmental patterns. Health preservation must align with nature to benefit health. Especially after entering old age, physiological, psychological, physical, temperament, personality, interests, and behavior undergo changes. Only by adapting to these changes and avoiding resistance to natural processes can health remain intact. In *Qianjin Yifang*, Sun Simiao wrote: "After age fifty, yang energy declines daily, mental strength wanes, memory fades, daily routines become sluggish. Tasks seem overwhelming, senses grow unstable... All matters fall apart, spirits grow listless, forgetfulness and irritability emerge, emotional states shift, appetite diminishes, sleep becomes restless." He warned descendants to fully understand these characteristics of aging, not mistakenly believe "adults grow irritable with age" and blame them. Instead, they should adapt to elders’ physiological and psychological traits, "be prepared in advance," and "never let them suffer frustration," thus preserving health. Because "extreme anger injures qi, excessive thinking harms spirit"; "when spirit is weary, the mind is easily exhausted; when qi is weak, illness invades." Thus, descendants must learn to adapt and regulate elders’ emotions: "Avoid extreme sorrow or joy, maintain balanced diet; guard against night drinking, above all, avoid anger." This enables natural flow and a calm mindset. Sun Simiao’s approach stemmed from personal practice and insight—his invaluable secret to longevity.
Emphasis on Dietary Nourishment
Sun Simiao placed great importance on dietary nourishment, believing, "The foundation of calming the spirit lies in proper food." Only good eating supports health and prevents disease. He said: "In spring, for 72 days, reduce sour tastes and slightly increase sweetness to nourish spleen qi; in summer, for 72 days, reduce bitterness and increase spiciness to nourish lung qi; in autumn, for 72 days, reduce sour tastes and increase sweetness to nourish liver qi; in winter, for 72 days, reduce saltiness and increase bitterness to nourish heart qi; in each seasonal month, for about ten days, reduce sweetness and increase saltiness to nourish kidney qi." He linked diet to seasonal changes, adjusting intake based on season and bodily needs, turning daily meals into tools for health and fitness, avoiding impulsive eating. Furthermore, he strongly advocated a light diet, moderation, slow chewing, and avoiding overeating. Reflecting on his own eating habits, he wrote: "A bowl of porridge in the morning, don’t overeat at night. Avoid drunkenness, and diseases will not arise. Walk a hundred steps after meals, rub your abdomen with hands." He believed that older adults have declining digestive capacity and should eat in moderation, not to excess. Practice small, frequent meals: "When you feel hungry, eat immediately—do not endure hunger." He preferred plain food, rarely ate meat, and regularly consumed honey, lotus seeds, yam, sesame, and milk—undoubtedly beneficial to his longevity.
Moderate Exercise
Sun Simiao said: "The essence of health preservation is gentle activity—never exhausting oneself. Like flowing water never stagnates, and door hinges never rot." He never lay down immediately after eating, but instead walked slowly—"after meals, walk and pace"—and rubbed his face and abdomen to stimulate saliva flow, aiding digestion and eliminating illness. Sun Simiao not only exercised his body but also actively engaged his mind. He knew the brain is the command center of the body, and aging first shows in the brain. He stayed mentally active, thoughtful, and continued reading until old age. His masterpiece, *Qianjin Yifang*, was completed at age 100. To write it, he tirelessly walked outdoors collecting folk remedies, personally testing and verifying them before including them. This combination of physical and mental exertion contributed significantly to his enhanced constitution, delayed brain aging, and long life.
Maintaining Balance
Sun Simiao left behind twelve secrets for health and longevity: "Less thinking, less worrying, less doing, less talking, less laughing, less sorrow, less joy, less happiness, less liking, less disliking, less desire, less anger." He believed human emotions and desires are inevitable, but indulgence or suppression harms the body. Thus, moderation is key—embodied in the word "less." That is, practice restraint, avoid extremes, maintain balance, and steer clear of extremes—greatly beneficial for health and longevity.
While advocating the "Twelve Less," he also listed what he avoided: "Too much thinking exhausts the spirit; too much worry disperses the will; too much desire clouds the mind; too many tasks tire the body; too much talk depletes qi; too much laughter harms the organs; too much sorrow crushes the heart; too much joy overflows the mind; too much happiness causes confusion; too much anger disrupts the meridians; too much preference leads to obsession; too much hatred causes decay and unhappiness." He regarded these "Twelve More" as the root of death. According to his philosophy, the "Twelve Less" represent true health preservation, while the "Twelve More" are fatal. Only by combining advocacy and avoidance can one achieve genuine health. He practiced this diligently—thus surpassing the average lifespan of 40 years in his era to live beyond a century.