🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Empress Dowager Cixi was elevated to empress after Emperor Tongzhi ascended the throne and presided over court affairs three times; she died at the age of 74.
Current research suggests her longevity may be linked to Li Lianying, her beloved eunuch who excelled in massage techniques. Li was skilled in flattery and sycophancy, but more importantly, he had been trained by a master in massage and later devoted himself to refining his skills, achieving extraordinary proficiency in the imperial court. His expertise won him great favor with Empress Dowager Cixi, who always kept him close wherever she went.
Massage involves applying techniques such as pushing, grasping, rubbing, pressing, kneading, tapping, moving, rolling, finger acupuncture, joint manipulation, pinching, and stepping on specific acupoints to achieve goals like relaxing tendons, strengthening the body, preventing and treating diseases, and prolonging life. This practice has existed in China for thousands of years. Massage effects include direct impact on qi and blood, relaxing tendons and unblocking meridians, regulating nervous system function, promoting blood and lymph circulation, enhancing disease resistance, removing stasis, relieving pain, adjusting bodily functions, improving metabolism, eliminating fatigue, promoting sleep, and slowing aging.
It acts quickly and is easy to spread. It can be performed by others or oneself, covering the whole body or specific areas, without restrictions on time or environment.
It is now widely adopted in hospitals and homes.
Self-massage is one of the fundamental methods of self-care. Ancient Luoyang resident Liu Ji was skilled in warming the testicles (testes) and conserving essence to nourish the brain, remaining mentally sharp past the age of seventy. Su Dongpo was known for foot sole massage leading to longevity.
People throughout history have known that massaging the face and washing the head keeps the complexion radiant and prevents hypertension; massaging the ears helps prevent ear and internal organ diseases; massaging the Jiache point aids smooth flow of qi and blood through all meridians, preventing various illnesses; massaging the rib area helps regulate liver and gallbladder meridians, effectively preventing abdominal distension; massaging the abdomen aids digestion and strengthens the spleen and stomach; massaging the Shenting and Yintang points regulates emotions and relaxes nerves; massaging Quchi and Zusanli points provides protective effects against hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Massage can be done anytime and anywhere, suitable for people of all ages.
However, despite being beneficial, massage has contraindications: 1. Avoid vigorous massage when fasting, overly full, drunk, or immediately after intense exercise; 2. Do not massage over painful areas, boils, tumors; 3. Do not massage over fractures or dislocated joints; 4. Do not massage individuals with infectious diseases, skin diseases, lymphangitis, or hemophilia; 5. Avoid strong stimulation of Hegu and Sanyinjiao points in pregnant women; 6. Avoid strong pressure on pulse points in patients with hypertension or anemia; 7. Do not massage newborns’ heads.