🌿 Folk Prescriptions

I don’t know if there exists a flower that blooms brilliantly for a hundred years? Facing Old Lady 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, Ms. Yin Guizhen, residing in the residential compound of Dongxiang County People’s Hospital in Jiangxi Province, heard someone was coming to visit her. She happily walked from her room to the front gate, smiling and saying: "How wonderful, someone came to see me." Her face, though wrinkled, still had a healthy glow, lips naturally red, eyes gentle and calm. 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, Ms. Yin was born on August 19, 1904, in Lulong County, Hebei Province. This year, she has just turned 100. She attended a girls’ secondary school in Hebei and worked as a private teacher. She raised three daughters and two sons. Now, her family spans four generations, totaling 50 descendants including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ms. Yin Guizhen 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. Every day, she walks in the neighborhood. She enjoys both solitude and social gatherings—when quiet, she tends to flowers and plants; when wanting company, she visits relatives and friends. Educated and cultured, she loves reading books and newspapers. Her favorite reads include *China Traditional Medicine News*, *Family Doctor*, classical masterpieces like *Dream of the Red Chamber*, and various historical stories, which she enjoys sharing with children. She also pays close attention to national affairs, making reading party newspapers a daily habit. To date, she still reads *People’s Daily* and *Jiangxi Daily* daily, watches TV, and stays informed about domestic and international events. Her thoughts always keep pace with the times.
She eats without major restrictions—chicken, duck, fish, meat, and various vegetables are all acceptable. She doesn’t mind temperature extremes. Her favorites 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 overeating. She prefers light meals and dislikes spicy food.
Ms. Yin Guizhen loves cleanliness and beauty. Besides keeping her home spotless, she frequently cleans the residents’ community area. She still insists on combing 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. Occasionally getting minor ailments, she recovers after taking medicine within one or two days. Two years ago, her hearing slightly declined, but she remains sharp-eyed, agile-handed, and flexible-legged. Most astonishingly, her memory is excellent, and her thinking is keen. When discussing life, philosophy, or society, she speaks fluently, turning profound sayings into eloquent, mature reflections like fine aged wine.
According to her own account and family members, the main reasons for her remarkable vitality at 100 are three:
First, favorable living environment. Her residence is surrounded by lush trees, clean air, minimal pollution, and little noise. She enjoys gardening and growing vegetables. Inside her home, she has a garden full of springtime charm; outside, greenery blankets the landscape.
Second, excellent lifestyle habits. Born into poverty, she learned early responsibility—she could wash clothes at age five, cook at nine, and has been known for her skillfulness and diligence throughout life. 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 anything unjust. Be upright, stay true to yourself, be kind to others, do good deeds, and help people, because helping others brings happiness—and brings you happiness too." For 100 years, she has never quarreled with neighbors or shown anger. As the eldest in the family, she commands great respect. Everyone, regardless of age or status, calls her "Grandma." Whenever there’s a celebration, the first person invited is always Ms. Yin Guizhen.
The greatest source of pride for Ms. Yin Guizhen is that life has improved, and her descendants have grown up. In her large family, there is currently one deputy minister-level official, one PhD graduate, three master’s degree holders, and fifteen professionals with senior titles across various fields. Her descendants mostly work in medicine and education, located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and even in the US 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, providing meticulous care. During holidays, they bring gifts, check on her health, and create a warm, joyful atmosphere.