🌿 Folk Prescriptions

I wonder if there exists a flower that blooms brilliantly for a hundred years? Facing Grandma Yin Guizhen, I couldn’t help but describe her beauty as radiant as a flower. I believe that the passage of time creates a new kind of beauty for women.
That day, hearing someone had come to visit, Grandma Yin Guizhen from Dongxiang County Hospital residential area happily walked from her room to the front gate, exclaiming joyfully: "How wonderful! Someone came to see me!" Her face, though lined with wrinkles, still had a rosy glow; her lips were thin but red, her eyes gentle and clear. Her carefully groomed eyebrows, neatly combed white hair, well-tailored attire, and lively conversation gave her a transcendent quality. According to her fourth daughter, Wang Shuren, Grandma Yin was born on August 19, 1904, in Lulong County, Hebei Province. She is now exactly 100 years old. She once studied at a girls’ secondary school in Hebei and served as a private teacher. She raised three daughters and two sons, and now her family spans four generations, totaling 50 descendants.
Grandma Yin has no bad habits—she neither smokes nor drinks. She maintains regular routines: waking at 5:30 AM, sleeping at 8:30 PM, and taking a two-hour nap at noon. She walks daily in the neighborhood. She enjoys both solitude and socializing—when quiet, she tends to flowers and plants; when wanting company, she visits relatives and friends. Educated and cultured, she loves reading newspapers and books. Her favorites include *China Traditional Medicine News*, *Family Doctor*, classical masterpieces like *Dream of the Red Chamber*, and historical stories, which she often shares with her grandchildren. She also stays informed about national affairs, reading party newspapers as a habit. Even now, she reads *People’s Daily* and *Jiangxi Daily* daily, watches TV, and keeps up with global events. Her thoughts always stay current.
She eats without major restrictions—chicken, duck, fish, meat, and various vegetables are all acceptable. She doesn’t mind temperature extremes. Her favorite foods are milk, fruits, and egg cakes. However, she eats at fixed times and in fixed amounts, usually stopping at eight-tenths full, chewing slowly and never binge-eating. She prefers mild flavors and avoids spicy food.
Grandma Yin loves cleanliness and elegance. Besides keeping her home spotless, she frequently cleans the community’s public spaces. She insists on brushing her hair and applying makeup daily. In spring, summer, and autumn, she bathes every two to three days; in winter, once a week. She has never suffered serious illness—minor ailments are treated with medication and resolve within a day or two. Two years ago, her hearing slightly declined, but she remains sharp-eyed, agile, and nimble. Most astonishingly, her memory is excellent, and her thinking is keen. When discussing life, philosophy, or society, she speaks eloquently, and her words—woven with personal insights—become as fragrant as aged wine.
According to her own account and family testimony, the main reasons for her remarkable vitality at 100 are:
First, a good living environment. Her residence is shaded by trees, with fresh air, low pollution, and minimal noise. She enjoys gardening and growing vegetables. Her home is lush with greenery, and outside, greenery blankets the surroundings.
Second, excellent lifestyle habits. Born into poverty, she learned to work early—by age 5, she could wash clothes; by 9, she could cook. Known for her skill and diligence, even at 100, she still cooks, washes dishes, and cleans.
Third, a positive mindset. She is gentle, optimistic, empathetic, and generous. She often tells her descendants: "Never do wrong deeds; be upright, honest, kind to others, do good, help people, because helping others brings happiness—and brings happiness to yourself." For 100 years, she has never quarreled with neighbors or raised her voice. As the eldest elder, she commands great respect. Neighbors of all ages and statuses affectionately call her "Grandma." For any celebration, the first invitee is always Grandma Yin.
The greatest source of her joy is that life has improved, and her descendants have grown up. In her large family, one person holds a deputy ministerial-level position, one is a doctoral graduate, three are master’s degree holders, and fifteen have achieved senior professional titles in various fields. Her descendants mostly work in medicine and education, located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and even in the U.S. and UK.
Due to her exemplary upbringing, her descendants are filial and eager to care for her. They compete to have her live with them, attending to her needs meticulously. During holidays, they bring gifts, check on her well-being, and the family enjoys warm, joyful gatherings.