The "Huangdi Neijing" emphasizes that in order to achieve true health and longevity, people need to live in a socially conducive environment, with a simple and stable lifestyle, harmonious relationships with family and neighbors, and possess kindness and tolerance. They should also understand how to align with nature in order to nurture their health.
The following passages from the "Suwen: Theory of Moving Essence and Transforming Qi" and the "Suwen: Great Treatise on the Origins of the Heavenly Principles" illustrate this idea: "In ancient times, people lived among birds and animals... without the burdens of desire and ambition. It was a peaceful and serene world, in which evil could not penetrate deeply." "The cycle of numbers is small and subtle, with a visible coming and a traceable going. Those who respect it will prosper, while those who neglect it will perish. If one acts selfishly and goes against the natural order, they will surely meet with calamity. Therefore, one must faithfully follow the path of heaven."
This concept of creating a harmonious social environment, respecting the laws of nature, and preserving the natural ecological environment runs through the entire ideology of health preservation in the "Huangdi Neijing." It is also a vivid embodiment of the overall concept of "correspondence between heaven and man" in traditional Chinese medicine.
Nurturing both the physical and spiritual aspects for longevity
The "Suwen: Treatise on the Perfect Virtue of the Great Wilderness" states: "Those who understand the way follow the principles of yin and yang, master the arts of divination, regulate their diet and drinking, maintain regular daily routines, and avoid excessive labor. Thus, they can maintain harmony between their physical and spiritual aspects and live out their natural lifespan, reaching a hundred years." The "Huangdi Neijing" regards following the principles of yin and yang as the first rule for achieving a natural lifespan of a hundred years. It emphasizes the importance of regulating the spirit, controlling diet, maintaining regular daily routines, and reducing desires as methods of health preservation. This reminds us that the purpose of health preservation is to maintain the harmonious balance of yin and yang within the body, thus achieving health and longevity and preventing illness.
The "Suwen: Treatise on the Four Qi Regulating the Spirit" states: "In the spring, everything is flourishing, as both heaven and earth are in the process of creating life. Rest early and rise early, take broad steps in the courtyard, let your hair down, and relax your body to invigorate the spirit. Give life without taking it away, reward without punishing. These are the ways to respond to the energy of spring and to nurture life." The phrase "take broad steps in the courtyard, let your hair down" reflects the idea of "life lies in movement." The "Suwen: Treatise on the Perfect Virtue of the Great Wilderness" also mentions the requirement of "accumulating essence and preserving spirit." Calming the mind and nurturing the spirit is beneficial for preserving essence and energy. Therefore, the path of health preservation should avoid excessive mental exertion and depletion of yin essence, and focus on nurturing the spirit through tranquility. The combination of stillness and movement is the most important basic concept in the study of health preservation in traditional Chinese medicine.
The "Suwen: Treatise on the Perfect Virtue of the Great Wilderness" states: "With a sound physical form, the spirit will not scatter." The "Linglan Secret Classic: Treatise on Preserving Life" says: "If the ruler is clear, the lower organs will be at peace. By following this path of health preservation, one can live a long life without danger... If the ruler is not clear, the twelve organs will be in danger, and the pathways will be blocked, causing great harm to the physical form. By following this path of health preservation, one will suffer." The "Suwen: Treatise on the Eight Principles of Spirit and Clarity" states: "Therefore, in nurturing the spirit, one must be aware of the plumpness and leanness of the physical form, the strength and weakness of the blood and qi." These passages emphasize the inseparable relationship between the physical and spiritual aspects. "Unity of form and spirit" is a symbol of human health. If the physical and spiritual aspects are out of balance, illness may occur. This reminds us of the importance of nurturing both the physical and spiritual aspects for maintaining health and preserving mental well-being.
Prevention is the key to longevity
The "Suwen: Treatise on the Four Qi Regulating the Spirit" says: "Therefore, the wise do not treat diseases that have already occurred, but rather prevent diseases before they arise; they do not treat disorders that have already developed, but rather rectify disorders before they occur. Just as it is too late to dig a well when one is already thirsty, or to cast a spear when one is already in battle, is it not too late?" This emphasizes the importance of prevention in health preservation. By preventing illness before it occurs and nurturing the body before it ages, one can avoid falling ill. Only by "preventing in advance" can one delay aging and enjoy a long life. Otherwise, premature death or serious illness may occur. The "Ling Shu: Treatise on Reverse and Conformity" states: "The highest level of skill lies in treating what has not yet manifested... Therefore, it is said that the highest level of skill is to treat diseases before they occur, rather than after they have already developed." The "Suwen: Treatise on the Perfect Virtue of the Great Wilderness" also states: "Avoiding empty evils and treacherous winds, finding the right time to retreat, maintaining tranquility and emptiness, following the true energy within, guarding the spirit within, and avoiding disease. Therefore, keep your mind idle with few desires, keep your heart at ease without fear, keep your body active without fatigue, let the qi flow smoothly according to your desires, and you will achieve what you desire."
Three essential elements for health preservation
From the "Huangdi Neijing," we can see that the ancient medical practitioners measured the strength of one's constitution and predicted their lifespan by observing the condition of their physical form, energy, blood, skin, and flesh. This prompts us to focus on strengthening our vitality and making our bones, skin, and pores strong and resilient. Only then can we effectively enhance our body's disease resistance and achieve the goal of preventing illness and prolonging life.
The "Huangdi Neijing" teaches us to value the study of natural ecology and social environments in areas with long lifespans, and to use the natural geography of long-lived areas as a model. We should strive to maintain existing favorable ecological environments and improve the damaged environments in order to prolong human life.
The "Huangdi Neijing" emphasizes the importance of preventing diseases and the defense against external and internal pathogenic factors, as well as the importance of nurturing the spirit. It aims to achieve health preservation and disease prevention through strengthening the body and mind. Its academic perspective of "treating diseases before they occur" not only has guiding significance in clinical diagnosis and treatment, but also plays an important role in guiding people's health preservation and longevity.
The "Huangdi Neijing" believes that longevity is closely related to three elements: physical constitution, social and natural environments, and the unity of form and spirit. The rich content of health preservation and longevity recorded in the "Huangdi Neijing" provides valuable experience for delaying aging and preventing age-related diseases in the face of the increasing aging population today. It offers guiding theories and methods for health preservation.
