🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The Divine Physician Sun Simiao was born during the Western Wei dynasty and is traditionally believed to have lived to 141 years before passing away. His longevity secrets must have been extraordinary. In fact, Sun Simiao was frail in childhood, leading him to study medicine out of illness. He compiled two monumental medical works—“Qianjin Yaofang” and “Qianjin Yifang”—based on clinical experience and medical theories from before the Tang Dynasty. Sun Simiao’s health preservation methods may greatly benefit you.
Brush your hair regularly
Interlock palms and rub them 36 times until warm. Then sweep from forehead upward across the crown to the back of the neck. Repeat 10 times each morning and evening. The head contains many important acupoints. Regularly brushing hair prevents headaches, tinnitus, premature graying, and hair loss.
Movements of the eyes
Close eyes, then forcefully open them while rotating the eyeballs clockwise to look left, up, right, down. Close again, open forcefully, rotate counterclockwise to look right, up, left, down. Repeat 3 times. This practice supports eye health and helps correct myopia.
Chew teeth regularly
Close mouth slightly and gently tap upper and lower teeth together without force, but ensure audible sound. Perform 36 repetitions. This stimulates the meridians of the jaw, keeps the mind alert, enhances digestion, and prevents tooth decay and bone deterioration.
Rinse with saliva (Yujin)
Close mouth slightly, extend tongue beyond teeth, slowly rotate it leftward from top to bottom, completing 12 circles. Swallow the saliva. Then repeat 12 circles in reverse direction. From a modern scientific standpoint, saliva contains numerous enzymes that help regulate hormone secretion, thereby strengthening the digestive system.
Stimulate ears regularly
Place palms over both ears, press inward firmly, then release—producing a “puff” sound. Repeat 10 times. Next, cover ears with hands, fold the ears backward, use index fingers to press middle fingers, and tap the Fengchi point at the back of the head 10 times with the index finger. Perform this before sleeping and upon waking to enhance memory and hearing.
Sway waist regularly
Move body and arms rhythmically. When turning left, place right hand forward, left hand behind; lightly pat the abdomen with the front right hand and the “Mingmen” acupoint with the rear left hand. Repeat in the opposite direction. Perform at least 50 times, ideally 100. This strengthens the digestive system, fortifies kidney energy, prevents indigestion, stomach pain, and back pain.
Massage abdomen regularly
Rub hands 36 times until warm, then cross them and circle around the navel clockwise, gradually increasing the range. Perform 36 times. This aids digestion, absorption, and relieves abdominal distension.
Contract the anal sphincter (Kegel exercise)
Inhale and tighten the anal muscles. Hold breath briefly, until discomfort arises, then exhale and relax. Practice anytime. Best done 20–30 times each morning and evening. Legend holds this exercise was the favorite health regimen of Emperor Qianlong, known as the “Ten Full Man.”
Twist knees regularly
Stand feet together, knees pressed tightly, slightly squat, hands on knees, and twist left and right, 20 times each side. This strengthens knee joints. As the saying goes: “Old age begins with the legs; kidney deficiency first affects the knees.” To prolong life, start with the legs.
Rub feet regularly
Use right hand to rub left foot, left hand to rub right foot. From heel to toe, then back to heel—count as one. Repeat 36 times. Use thumbs alternately to rub the Yongquan acupoint on the sole, 100 times total. The soles contain reflex zones for all organs. Regular foot rubbing strengthens organs, treats insomnia, lowers blood pressure, and relieves headaches.