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Longevity Medicine

By Robert Abrahamson O.M.D., L.Ac.

 Slowing down the aging process has been an important theme in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years.  There are many stories of Taoist "immortals" who have lived for over 200 years.  As recently as the 1800's, Liu Xu-Jing is said to have lived for 240 years.  Upon being asked the secret for his longevity, he replied: "100 steps after every meal."   Up until his death, Liu is said to have always taken a short walk after each meal.  

 Chinese Medicine sees the process of aging as the result of the decrease throughout life of a certain quality of body energy.  This Life Force is called "Jing," often translated as "Essence."  Essence is given at birth from the mother and father in a finite amount, and determines the length of life.  We often use up this Essence prematurely, by not living rightly according to Taoist precepts, such as eating and working too much.

Some of the symptoms that arise as this Essence is used up include: hearing loss, tinnitis, brittle bones (osteoporosis), decline of sexual function, weakness of the knees and legs, poor memory, loose teeth, thinning and or graying hair, and lower back soreness. An experienced acupuncturist would use these symptoms in the context of an overall case history that would include taking your pulse, looking at your tongue, and palpating acupuncture points, in order to diagnose exactly the imbalance in your body.

 The oldest surviving medical book in the world is the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine which is at least 2500 years ago.  It is still used as a study book today in acupuncture colleges!  The first page of this huge tome begins with a conversation between the Yellow Emperor Huang Di and his physician Qi Po.  The Emperor asks: "I have heard in the olden times  that people lived for at least a century before they began to age.  But nowadays,  people only make it to fifty before they degenerate.  Why is this?"

 The good doctor then explains how people of their time were falling apart prematurely: "Their teeth fall out of their skull, their hair turns gray, their backs becomes bent." He continues about Jing/Essence and how people waste their lives "in pursuit of their senses, seeking entertainment instead of stillness of the mind." Maybe there has not been as much change in men and women as we think!

 From the same chapter, Qi Po adds:  "...One should live a quiet life with few desires so that one can preserve one's Qi and guard one's Spirit in order to avoid disease. Thus, if emotions are moderate and desires are curbed, the Heart is peaceful and there is no fear."

 As one ages, one can take appropriate herbal supplements, especially during the winter months. After the age of forty, the Chinese have traditionally imbibed tonic teas, even mixing the herbs in soups with chicken and vegetables.

 The Chinese have evolved an elaborate system of herbal medicine specially designed to slow down or reverse the aging process.  Everyone has heard of ginseng; this root is one of the oldest recorded anti-aging medicinals.  Ginseng has been extensively researched and documented to have immunological, endocrinal, metabolic and cardiovascular tonic effects.  Some wild roots ( "Ye Shan Shen") can command up to $30,000 each!  The best roots are saved by Chinese families to use in emergencies when the head of the family is dying. He is fed tea from such a root, in order to keep him alive long enough for the family, who may be dispersed throughout the world,  to gather at his bedside.

 Ginseng is a great tonic herb.  However, it is NOT suitable for everyone and should be dispensed from a qualified practitioner of herbal medicines.  More often than not, it is combined in an extensive formula with other herbal medicinals.   Other less well-known tonics include Lycium fruit, Cuscuta (Dodder) seeds,  Cornus fruit, Cynomorir, and the delicate 'velvet' around the horn of young Northern Chinese deer. 

 These days we are inundated with many stressors that the ancient Chinese could not have foreseen - pesticides in our foods that are estrogen-mimetic - they interfere with the balance of our sexual hormones – genetically-modified, unseasonal foods, etc.  Recent research is showing that both acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help regulate the delicate endocrinal and immunological systems to bring about increased longevity, and - more importantly - a better quality of life.

 A 1500-year-old Taoist "Prescription for Immortality" (adapted by this author to modern times):

• Remain indifferent whether granted favors or subjected to humiliation
• Be moderate in diet - drink plenty of water, don't over or undereat, avoid greasy foods, stimulants (cigarettes, sugar, caffeine, etc.).   As one ages, it is best to eat light foods in small amounts frequently throughout the day.
• Regulate your breathing - take deep breaths.
• Be moderate in talking - watch what comes out of your mouth too!
• Calm the mind - don't worry too much, take time out to relax.
• Take care of your body - good hygiene, take care of little problems, so they don't become big ones.
• Maintain a balance between labor and rest - get enough exercise, get enough sleep

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