Essence, Qi, and Spirit are known as the "Three Treasures" of the human body. The "Nan Jing (Classic of Difficult Issues)" unifies the "Three Treasures" in the Ming Men (Gate of Life), emphasizing that the Ming Men is the "source of life".

The Ming Men stores innate essence, primordial Qi, and original spirit inside. It is not only the dominator of human life activities but also the cornerstone of health and longevity.

In a nutshell, the Ming Men is the "gate of life" — it is both the "gate of health" and the "gate of longevity".

Factors Affecting Lifespan

The "Su Wen·Shang Gu Tian Zhen Lun (Plain Questions·Ancient Celestial Truth)" records that "one can fulfill their natural lifespan and live to be a hundred years old", where "natural lifespan" refers to the inherent lifespan of humans, which is no less than 100 years.

Modern research estimates that the natural lifespan of humans should be around 120 years old. However, few people live beyond 100 years in real life. So, what are the factors that affect human lifespan?

1. Congenital Endowment Determines Lifespan

The "Ling Shu·Tian Nian (Spiritual Pivot·Natural Lifespan)" points out that "everyone's lifespan varies — some die young, some live long, some die suddenly, and some suffer from prolonged illnesses". Individual differences in human lifespan mainly depend on congenital endowment, and are also influenced by acquired factors such as environment, diseases, and lifestyle.

The "Ling Shu·Tian Nian" holds that at the beginning of life, "the mother is the foundation, and the father is the shield". If parents have strong essence and blood, their children will have abundant innate essence and primordial Qi in the Ming Men, leading to a longer lifespan; otherwise, the lifespan will be shorter.

2. Acquired Habits Affect Lifespan

The key to health preservation lies in developing good living habits. The "Su Wen·Shang Gu Tian Zhen Lun" clearly states that bad habits such as irregular daily routines and excessive sexual activity easily consume the innate essence, primordial Qi, and original spirit of the Ming Men, thereby accelerating aging.

Modern research has found that long-term staying up late affects cellular metabolism and accelerates organ aging; excessive sexual activity impairs endocrine function and easily leads to damaged immune regulation. All the above bad habits harm the body and shorten lifespan.

Eight Methods of Health Preservation

The "Wai Jing Wei Yan (Subtle Words on the External Classic)" written by Chen Shiduo in the Qing Dynasty mentions eight methods of health preservation, which help nourish the innate essence, primordial Qi, and original spirit of the Ming Men, making people full of essence, abundant in Qi, and vigorous in spirit, thus prolonging life. Here is a brief introduction.

Method 1: Preserve Essence — the Key is to Ensure Adequate Sleep

During sleep, the human body is in a state of harmony with heaven, earth, and humanity, which can nourish both innate essence and primordial Qi.

Sleep is like "charging" the human body — tonifying with medicine is not as good as tonifying with food, and tonifying with food is not as good as tonifying with sleep. Sleeping for about 8 hours a day (it is recommended to sleep from 22:00 to 6:00, and take a 30-minute noon nap from 11:00 to 13:00) can achieve the effect of conserving energy and restoring vitality.

Method 2: Temper Desires — the Key is to Have Moderate Sexual Activity

The "Su Wen·Shang Gu Tian Zhen Lun" points out that "engaging in sexual activity while drunk" is an important cause of "decline at the age of fifty". Excessive sexual activity consumes the innate essence of the Ming Men and easily leads to premature aging. The "Yi Xin Fang·Volume 28·Shi Xie Di Shi Jiu (Medical Heart Methods·Volume 28·Ejaculation No.19)" suggests the frequency of sexual activity as follows: 2029 years old, once every 2 days; 3039 years old, once every 3 days; 4049 years old, once every 4 days; 5059 years old, once every 5 days.

Modern research shows that moderate sexual activity helps regulate hormone levels, improve sleep quality, and relieve life pressure, thereby contributing to health and longevity.

Method 3: Cultivate Qi — the Key is to Sink Qi to the Dantian

The "Su Wen·Sheng Qi Tong Tian Lun (Plain Questions·Qi of Life Connecting Heaven)" points out that the five zang-organs, nine orifices, and twelve joints of the human body are all connected with the Qi of nature. If a person can conform to the pure and clear Qi of nature, it is beneficial to health and longevity. The Dantian is close to the Guanyuan acupoint, 3 cun below the navel. It is advisable to choose a quiet place and often practice abdominal breathing to sink Qi to the Dantian, which can nourish the primordial Qi of the Ming Men.

Key points of abdominal breathing:

- When inhaling, let the abdomen bulge naturally, making Qi rise from the Dantian to the chest cavity;

- When exhaling, let the abdomen contract naturally, making Qi sink from the chest cavity to the Dantian.

Practice 23 times a day, 1015 minutes each time — the key is to persist consistently.

Method 4: Guard the Spirit — the Key is to Have a Peaceful and Fearless Mind

The "Spirit" in Traditional Chinese Medicine is the general term for human life activities, a summary of the external manifestations of life activities, and also a core indicator of health and longevity.

The "Su Wen·Yi Jing Bian Qi Lun (Plain Questions·Transferring Essence and Transforming Qi)" states: "Those who retain the spirit thrive; those who lose the spirit perish." One can often close their eyes to nourish the spirit in daily life.

Method 5: Be Cautious with Respiration — the Key is to Exhale the Old and Inhale the New

"Exhaling the old and inhaling the new" refers to exhaling turbid Qi and inhaling fresh Qi during breathing. Practicing this method can nourish the primordial Qi of the Ming Men.

The "Wisdom of Living to 100: The Health Preservation Methods of National Medical Master Deng Tietao" mentions Deng Tietao's 24 health preservation methods, of which the 3rd method is sitting quietly to practice respiration after getting up in the morning.

Method 6: Be Cautious with Labor and Rest — the Key is to Balance Work and Rest

The "Su Wen·Ju Tong Lun (Plain Questions·Discussing Pain)" holds that "excessive labor consumes Qi" — overwork consumes the primordial Qi and innate essence of the Ming Men. The "Su Wen·Jing Mai Bie Lun (Plain Questions·Differentiation of Meridians)" points out that "illness arises from overuse", emphasizing the importance of reasonable rest.

Rest is for walking a longer road. Maintaining a balance between tension and relaxation can keep a good state, and balancing work and rest helps prolong life. National Medical Master Yan Zhenghua once mentioned in an interview that one of his health preservation experiences is "balancing work and rest".

Method 7: Regulate Diet — the Key is to Have Moderate Diet

The spleen and stomach are the foundation of acquired constitution. Improper diet first damages the spleen and stomach, leading to insufficient production of Qi and blood, making it difficult to nourish the innate primordial Qi and essence. National Medical Master Li Furen also pointed out that health preservation should focus on moderate diet.

Method 8: Take Medicinal Tonics — the Key is to Tonify at the Right Time

The "Su Wen·Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun (Plain Questions·Great Discourse on the Images of Yin and Yang)" clearly states that "at the age of forty, Yin Qi is reduced by half, and daily activities decline". After the age of 40, the innate essence and primordial Qi of the Ming Men gradually decline, so appropriate tonification can be taken, preferably with medicinal and edible homologous substances.

There is a health preservation proverb: "A man should not go without ginger for three days, and a woman should not go without lotus root for three days", and "Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer". Ginger can be eaten to nourish Yang Qi in spring and summer, while lotus root and radish can be eaten to nourish Yin essence in autumn and winter.