Saliva and Longevity
There is a close relationship between saliva and longevity. Many traditional Chinese medicine books mention that saliva, when abundant and frequently swallowed, can moisten the five organs, delight the skin, and help people live a long and youthful life.
Ancient people attached great importance to the health benefits of saliva. Throughout history, experts in health preservation have regarded saliva as an important source of health. They endowed saliva with names such as "golden liquid" and "jade spring" to elevate its status. The character for "life" in ancient Chinese script even includes a water radical beside the tongue, suggesting that moisture on the tongue is essential for vitality. This also emphasizes the importance of saliva.
In traditional Chinese medicine, saliva is believed to "moisten the sensory organs, delight the skin, strengthen teeth and bones, promote blood circulation, and prolong lifespan." Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher, believed that although elixirs were good, one's own bodily fluids were more important. Tao Hongjing, an ancient scholar of health preservation, stated that consuming "jade spring" could help people live longer and cure many diseases.
How does saliva contribute to health?
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the five organs transform into five fluids, with the heart producing sweat, the lungs producing nasal mucus, the liver producing tears, the spleen producing saliva, and the kidneys producing saliva. Saliva is primarily produced by the spleen and kidneys. The kidneys are considered the foundation of the body's innate vitality, while the spleen represents the body's acquired vitality. The spleen and stomach gather the essence of the five organs and the vital energy of qi and blood, so saliva contains many substances beneficial for health and longevity. Ancient medical practitioners believed that individuals with abundant saliva had strong constitutions and judged their health conditions based on the abundance or scarcity of saliva.
Some people believe that the practice of saliva health preservation is a form of qigong, containing profound principles of health preservation. Regardless, various practices of saliva health preservation in ancient times have proven to have good effects in preventing disease, strengthening the body, prolonging life, and improving appearance.
Modern medicine also indicates that saliva contains various plasma components, more than ten types of enzymes, nearly ten types of vitamins, multiple minerals, organic acids, and hormones. Saliva also contains a saliva gland hormone that stimulates the body's hematopoietic function, delays the aging of various tissues and organs, and prevents age-related diseases, promoting overall health and longevity. Saliva contains an enzyme called peroxidase, which can inhibit the toxicity of carcinogens. Saliva also has functions such as anti-inflammatory properties, detoxification, aiding digestion, and moisturizing the skin for weight loss.
Research from the University of Georgia in the United States shows that cancer-causing substances such as aflatoxin and nitrite are diluted and inhibited when in contact with saliva for thirty seconds. In other words, saliva has a strong anti-cancer effect and acts as a natural anti-cancer agent.
In addition, due to its ability to eliminate harmful free radicals generated from oxygen and food, as well as its bactericidal properties, saliva is not only a self-made and self-equipped health tool but also an excellent product for beauty, skincare, and weight loss.
Two Methods of Saliva Health Preservation
Drinking Jade Spring
Legend has it that this method was created by Taoist scholar Kuai Jing in the Western Han Dynasty. After waking up in the morning, sit up or lie down, and concentrate your mind for a moment while holding your breath. Exhale gently three times, then bite your teeth and hold your breath while imagining that you are chewing food in your mouth. Use your cheeks and tongue to make mouth rinsing movements thirty times. During the rinsing, saliva will accumulate in your mouth. When your mouth is full of saliva, use your mind to divide it into three portions and send each portion to your lower abdomen. This process is called "Drinking Jade Spring." Initially, there may be little saliva, but with regular practice, it will increase. Practice this method once in the morning and once in the evening to achieve good health effects, including moisturized facial skin, abundant energy, and a robust physique. Kuai Jing himself had a ruddy complexion and strong teeth thanks to "Drinking Jade Spring."
Stirring the Red Dragon in the Splendid Pool
The "red dragon" refers to the tongue, and the "splendid pool" refers to the oral cavity. This method involves stirring the mouth with the tongue to raise the body's fluid to the mouth, transform it into saliva through the salivary glands, and then slowly swallow it, thereby achieving the purposes of fitness, disease prevention, and longevity.
Start by sitting up on the bed in the morning or sitting comfortably at any time without restrictions on time or place. Relax your body naturally, clear your mind of distractions, close your eyes, and close your mouth. First, move your tongue from the inside of the upper left dental arch to the outside of the upper right dental arch, then move it from the outside of the upper right dental arch to the inside of the upper left dental arch. Repeat this movement nine times. Next, lightly tap the upper and lower teeth thirty-six times and rinse your mouth by puffing your cheeks with saliva nine times. Saliva will be naturally generated and gradually fill your mouth. Divide it into three portions and swallow it slowly.
Of course, there is another simple method called the "tongue licking the palate." Continuing this action for a few minutes will naturally produce abundant saliva with a sweet taste.
Consistently practicing the above methods can produce effects such as abundant energy, strong vitality, and a clear mind.
