8 Ancient Chinese Tips for Long Life

Since the beginning of time, or so it seems, people have continually sought after the elusive dream of immortality, and this desire has resulted in many traditional techniques for longevity being passed down from generation to generation. 

Here are several ancient Chinese health tips that are inexpensive, simple to do, and believed to be very beneficial for health. : 

1. The head is the center of intelligence: comb three times daily to prevent diseases. 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the twelve meridians of the human body, forty-plus acupuncture points, and more than a dozen unique acupressure points, all come together at the head. 

Using a comb to apply “acupuncture-like” massage or stimulation to these points and meridians can clear the twelve meridians, promote blood circulation, enhance brain cell metabolism, delay the aging of brain cells, enhance memory, strengthen hearing and eyesight, and refresh the mind. It can also eliminate fatigue, insomnia, trigeminal neuralgia (extreme facial pain), and migraines. It can even have unexpected effects on beauty. 

The normally suggested routine is to comb three times a day: once in the morning, once after lunch, and again before going to bed—each time for two minutes, using 60-100 strokes, for the best results. As long as you persevere in combing your scalp regularly, you’ll feel more clear-headed and energetic, sleep better, your white hair will turn black again, and you’ll have a bigger appetite. 

2. The foot is often considered the second heart: rub the feet often to preserve health. 

Traditional Chinese medicine states that the foot has more than 60 acupuncture points which are closely linked with the 12 meridians of the internal organs. However, due to the large distance between the foot and the heart, the foot’s resistance is low and is the body’s weakest area, since it is vulnerable to cold and dampness. Therefore the health of the foot is believed to be closely related to the health of the human body as a whole. 

Ancient medicine says that the best way to maintain foot health is to rub the Yongquan acupuncture point (center of the arch). Consistent massage of the soles of the feet after soaking in hot water can have a variety of beneficial effects on the tendons, blood circulation, and muscles of the feet, and even other areas of the body. It can alleviate headaches, hernias, nephritis, convulsions, insomnia, hypertension, heart disease,, sore throat, cracked feet, numbness from old age, and a variety of other illnesses.

Because of the overall health effects related to the health of the feet, Chinese medicine refers to the Yongquan point as the “fitness point.”

3. Swallow saliva three hundred times a day to live longer. 

The Chinese dictionary, or Ci Hai, defines saliva as: the liquids secreted by salivary glands and the mucus secreted by many small glands in the oral wall, which are mixed together in the mouth. The average adult salivates about 1 to 1.5 liters every day. 

Chinese medicine states that saliva, in conjunction with the spleen and stomach, moistens the orifices and limbs and internal organs, replenishes energy, lubricates the joints, and clears the mind. 

Modern medicine states that saliva stops bleeding, eases contraction of theblood vessels, dissolves bacteria, kills microbes, preserves dental health, combats viruses, aids digestion, and serves a variety of other functions. 

In recent years, American scientists have also discovered that saliva can promote nerve and epidermal cell growth. The Japanese Food Research Institute found that “saliva can eliminate very harmful substances existing in the air and in food” and has a strong effect in preventing cancer.

Studies by experts at the University of Georgia’s School of Medicine show that aflatoxin, which is among the most carcinogenic substances known, as well as benzene and nitrite, will disintegrate 30 seconds after direct contact with saliva. They suggest that “It is best to chew every bite 30 times.”

These studies seem to support the ancient advice to swallow saliva 300 times a day.

4. Click your teeth every day to help prevent their falling out. 

Clicking your teeth means to rhythmically tap your upper and lower teeth together repeatedly. 

Su Wen: Shang Gu Tian Zhen Lun, an ancient Chinese text, suggests that the health of human bones depends on marrow nutrition, and that bone marrow is the origin of the essence of the human body. If this essence diminishes, it may not be sufficient to support the bone marrow, and one’s teeth will become loose or diseased, or fall out entirely. 

Traditional Chinese medicine also believes that often tapping one’s teeth can balance yin and yang, encourage blood circulation and meridian energy flow, maintain and enhance the overall function of the jaw muscles and the root portions of teeth, and delay atrophy. 

In addition, often tapping one’s teeth can effectively enhance the tenacity of mucosal tissue, improve chewing, promote the overall blood circulation of the mouth and gums, increase saliva secretion, enhance antimicrobial resistance of teeth, and therefore make the teeth more robust, white, and shining. 

Read the other four here

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