🌿 Folk Prescriptions

More and more elderly people are now aiming for longevity beyond 90 or even 100 years. How to enjoy a healthy old age is a concern for all. I am 85 years old, with good hearing, vision, and memory, normal blood pressure, and weight consistently maintained between 52–53 kilograms. I sleep about six hours each night in continuous blocks. My female friends and younger relatives often say I look like I’m just 70. Naturally, I’m delighted. People frequently ask me about my secret to health preservation, suspecting I must be taking some ancestral herbal remedy. I always smile: I’m no immortal. Even if there were a real elixir for eternal youth, I’d gladly share it with all middle-aged and elderly friends.
This is merely idle talk—there is no magic pill for everlasting life. However, health preservation is indeed a science. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes that diseases never occur in isolation; treating symptoms requires addressing the root cause. I believe, just as diagnosis and treatment require differentiation, health preservation must also follow a dialectical approach based on one’s innate constitution. Below are my personal insights on health preservation, shared here for your reference.
First, embrace life with laughter. At our age, everyone has experienced storms and trials. When faced with unpleasant events, learn to handle them properly. I am naturally optimistic and love physical activity. In my youth, I played basketball and tennis quite well, enjoyed singing operas and dancing, and was always an energetic presence at workplace gatherings. Exercise keeps the body vibrant and fosters harmonious relationships. People find me cheerful and approachable, even young people enjoy interacting with me. Engaging with diverse generations helps avoid social detachment—the true shortcut to lasting youth.
Second, pay attention to diet. I rarely take tonics. I’ve never tried those “miraculous” nutritional supplements advertised everywhere. The only exception is American ginseng brought back by my son—I find it has a nourishing yin effect, so I occasionally consume it. Osteoporosis is a major issue for the elderly. Since I had surgery on one leg, I must be extra careful and thus persistently take multivitamins. Compared to medicinal tonics, I prefer dietary tonification. I eat lightly, avoiding fried, greasy, or other yang-excessive foods that easily cause internal heat. Otherwise, I have no strict dietary restrictions, but I still limit intake of favorite foods. Elderly friends with the means can prepare their own medicinal cuisine—for instance, those with qi and blood deficiency should eat more Angelica and mutton soup; those with weak spleen can consume more yam. As long as it’s appropriate and consistent, gastrointestinal health can be effectively regulated. After all, “food is paramount”—good nutrition leads to good health.
Third, maintain balance between work and rest. Medical research shows the human body is a complex machine; any malfunction triggers early warning signals. Thus, we must learn to “listen” to these signals and prevent minor issues from escalating into serious problems. I’m restless by nature and participate in many free clinics and social activities. I constantly remind myself not to overexert. Gynecological consultations cannot be resolved in a few words—listening and questioning are required—so I limit myself to 20 patients per session. If tired during the day or troubled mentally, to preserve sleep quality, I soak my feet before bed—slightly hotter water, soaking for 15–20 minutes—to lower blood pressure. I also enjoy traveling to appreciate China’s magnificent landscapes, but mindful of my age, I usually choose short routes like Suzhou, Hangzhou, or Nanjing—returning within one or two days without disrupting regular routines. One point especially important for women: some young people don’t take postpartum care seriously, but maintaining proper diet, rest, and emotional well-being during this crucial month profoundly impacts long-term health.
In conclusion, I believe there is no secret to health preservation—key is adjusting one’s mindset, living with openness and optimism, and caring for oneself bit by bit. May all middle-aged and elderly friends enjoy happiness and vitality, growing ever younger!