To live longer, kidney tonification is the key

Seeking good methods to prolong life in order to achieve the goal of healthy longevity and dying without illness has always been a beautiful wish of people. People gradually discovered that the kidneys are closely related to a person's life span and survival. Strong kidneys are a reflection of vigorous vitality, kidney deficiency is the main cause of frequent diseases, and kidney failure is the root cause of body aging. Only by tonifying the kidneys can you achieve the goal of prolonging life.

The ancients pointed out that when a person is ten years old, his five internal organs begin to be established, his blood and qi are flowing, and his qi is in the lower part, so he likes to run. At the age of twenty, blood and energy begin to flourish and muscles begin to grow, so it is good to walk briskly. At the age of thirty, the internal organs are stable and the muscles are firm, so it is better to walk slowly. At the age of forty, all the internal organs have been stabilized, so it is good to sit.

At the age of fifty, the liver qi begins to decline and the eyesight begins to become unclear. At the age of sixty, the heart energy begins to decline, one becomes prone to worry and sadness, the blood and energy become sluggish, and therefore one likes to sleep. Seventy years old, weak spleen, dry skin. At the age of eighty, the lung qi declines, so one is prone to making mistakes in speech. At the age of ninety, the organs and meridians are empty. At the age of a hundred, the five internal organs are all weak, the spirit and energy are gone, and the body dies alone. It can be seen from this that the growth and aging of the human body are closely related to the strength and weakness of kidney Qi, and the method of tonifying the kidney is the key to prolonging life. Therefore, it is said that "if the kidney qi is strong, life will be prolonged, while if the kidney qi is weak, life will be short."

Kidney-nourishing and Yin-nourishing for People Over 40

"Suwen·Da Lun of the Five Constant Virtues" says: "Longevity is guaranteed by the Yin essence." "Suwen·Da Lun of the Correspondence of Yin and Yang" also says: "At the age of forty, most of the Yin energy is gone, and one's daily life becomes weak." This shows that aging is the result of the decline of Yin energy. Yin Qi mostly refers to the essence and blood of the liver and kidneys. Insufficient essence and blood can easily lead to Yin deficiency in the elderly. Therefore, the method of prolonging life should also focus on tonifying the kidney and nourishing Yin.

In clinical practice, commonly used herbs include Rehmannia root, Lycium barbarum, Polygonum multiflorum, mulberry, Ecliptae, Ligustrum lucidum, Polygonatum odoratum, black sesame, and Chinese patent medicines such as Bushen Yishou Pills and Erzhi Pills. For those with Yin deficiency who also have symptoms such as emaciation, fever in the five parts of the body, yellow urine and dry stools, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia and nightmares, Liuwei Dihuang Pills and Zuogui Pills can be used, which are more economical.

Over fifty years old

"Suwen - Treatise on the Innocence of Ancient People" says: "At 58, the kidney qi declines, the hair falls out, and the teeth become dry." "At 78, the liver qi declines, the tendons cannot move, the essence is exhausted, the kidneys decline, and the body becomes extremely weak." This shows that as the human body ages, the kidney qi begins to decline, and the functions of organs such as the liver gradually decline. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "the liver and kidneys have the same origin", the liver stores blood, the kidneys store essence, and essence and blood are generated from each other. The liver belongs to wood and the kidney belongs to water. Water can produce wood. If the kidney water is exhausted, it cannot produce liver wood. Therefore, the liver and kidney will decline together. To prolong life, we should use both kidney and liver nourishing methods. Commonly used medicines include Ligustrum lucidum, Cornus officinalis, Schisandra chinensis, Eclipta prostrata, Polygonum multiflorum, mulberry, Achyranthes bidentata, Eucommia ulmoides, Rubus idaeus, Cibotium barometz, and Cuscuta australis.

The Shouwu Pills, Wolfberry Decoction, Erhuang Pills, and Mulberry Paste used by the ancients are all famous prescriptions for nourishing the liver and kidneys, nourishing the blood and producing essence, improving hearing and eyesight, and prolonging life. They are especially suitable for people with deafness, blurred vision, and weak tendons and veins. At the same time, Chinese medicine emphasizes the need to maintain a cheerful spirit and a happy mood, which is also beneficial to physical health and longevity.

The Sixtieth Year: Water and Fire Help Each Other

"Lingshu Tiannian" said: "At the age of sixty, the heart qi begins to decline." The heart is based on the kidneys, and when the kidneys fail, the blood dries up and the heart vessels fail. The heart belongs to fire and governs blood vessels, while the kidneys belong to water and govern essence storage. Under normal circumstances, essence and blood are generated from each other, and water and fire complement each other. The water from the kidney goes up to the heart, and the fire from the heart goes down to the kidney. When the heart and kidney interact, and water and fire are in harmony, the person will be healthy. Otherwise, diseases are likely to occur and the body will age easily. Therefore, to prolong life, it is advisable to use methods to nourish the kidney and nourish the heart, such as using longan meat, pine nuts, etc.

The Shennong's Herbal Classic believes that the former "strengthens the soul and makes one smart, keeps the body light and prevents aging if taken for a long time", while the latter "calms the five internal organs and replenishes Qi - making the ears and eyes smart, preventing hunger and aging, keeping the body light and prolonging life". There is also Baiziren Pill, which can nourish the heart and kidneys and prolong life. Kongsheng Zhenzhongdan can cure insomnia caused by weak heart blood, mental confusion and restlessness in the elderly. While taking the medicine, you should keep your mind clear, calm and focus on self-cultivation, which will also help delay the aging of the heart.

70 Years of Life: Nourishing the Kidneys and Strengthening the Earth

The spleen is the foundation of the acquired constitution, and the kidney belongs to water and is the foundation of the innate constitution. The two nourish each other physiologically and influence each other pathologically. The spleen also plays an important role in the aging process of the human body. If the spleen and stomach are weak, the acquired constitution cannot nourish the innate constitution, which will cause kidney weakness and accelerate the aging process. Therefore, nourishing the kidney and strengthening the soil is also the key to prolonging life. Medicines such as Qiong Yu Gao, Ginseng Gujing Pills, Da Fuling Pills, and Qianlong's longevity medical prescriptions for strengthening the spleen, nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the essence can all be used. For the elderly who suffer from both spleen and kidney deficiency, the above prescription is more appropriate.

People in their eighties should nourish the kidneys and moisten the lungs

Elderly people often have shortness of breath when they move and cough when they are sick, which is often related to the dysfunction and decline of the lungs and kidneys. The lungs belong to metal, the kidneys belong to water, and metal can produce water. When the lung yin is sufficient, it transfers essence and energy to the kidney, replenishing kidney yin and ensuring vigorous kidney function. At the age of 80, the lung qi declines (Lingshu Tiannian Pian). As people age, their bodies weaken, and their lung function also declines severely. Aging can be delayed by nourishing the kidneys and moistening the lungs. For example, wolfberry nourishes the kidneys and moistens the lungs, yam replenishes the lungs and strengthens the kidneys, schisandra chinensis replenishes the kidneys and replenishes qi, promotes fluid production, astringes the lungs and relieves coughs, and coix seed strengthens the spleen and nourishes the lungs. Or you can use Astragalus paste, Shenlian drink, etc., all of which have the effect of nourishing the lungs and kidneys.

Regulating Kidney Qi after 90

After the age of 90, the kidney qi will be exhausted and the meridians will be empty, and the body will show symptoms of kidney deficiency such as sore waist and knees, fear of cold and multiple diseases. To replenish kidney qi, you can use aphrodisiac products such as deer antler, Morinda officinalis, epimedium, Cistanche deserticola, Gecko, Placenta, etc. to replenish yang and fight aging. You can also use 15 grams each of Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, Cistanche deserticola, and Achyranthes bidentata, decoct them in water to extract the juice, stew the ribs, add onion, ginger, and various seasonings, eat the meat and drink the soup, and consume it frequently. You can also take ready-made medicines such as Yansheng Hubao Dan and Guilingji to nourish the kidneys, boost yang, and prolong life.

In short, since the kidneys are closely related to a person's life span and survival, during the aging process, as the body's yin and yang, qi, blood, essence, and body fluids change, the kidneys and the spleen, heart, lungs, and liver also undergo corresponding changes. Therefore, in order to nourish the kidney and prolong life, we should take into account both the symptoms and the root causes and adopt comprehensive conditioning methods. Only in this way can one achieve health and longevity, and “live to be a hundred years old.”