Drugs and prescriptions for promoting longevity refer to the drugs or prescriptions that have the actions of eliminating diseases and strengthening the body. These drugs and prescriptions can be categorized into four types of invigorating qi, tonifying blood, nourishing yin and strengthening yang according to their specific actions.
1. Qi-invigorating drugs
(1) Renshen (Radix Ginseng)
It is sweet, slightly bitter and warm-natured, and has the function of replenishing primordial qi and promoting body fluid production to quench thirst. It is especially applicable to the old people with qi deficiency and the patients with prostration syndrome due to chronic diseases. Renshen Yiwei Decoction (Ginseng Decoction), also called Dushen Decoction (Ginseng-Only Decoction), has the actions of supplementing qi to prevent prostration syndrome.
Prolonged administration of the decoction in old people with weak physique may strengthen the body, delay ageing and prolong life. If cut into slices and made into sucking tablets, the drug can tonify the body and increase the resistance of the organism against diseases if it is sucked or drunk as tea. Modern researches have proved that Renshen (Radix Ginseng) can regulate the function of reticuloendothelial system, and the active constituent it?contains has anti-ageing action. Learn more, please read Radix Ginseng (Renshen).
(2) Huangqi (Radix Astragalis seu Hedysari)
It is sweet and slightly warm-natured and has the functions of invigorating qi, elevating yang, supplementing qi and consolidating superficial resistance, etc. Prolonged administration can strengthen the bone and body. It is applicable to symptoms due to qi deficiency. Modern studies have indicated that Huangqi (Radix Astragalis seg Hedysari) can enhance resistance of the organism against diseases, regulate blood pressure and immune function, has the corticoid functions and improve blood circulation of coronary artery and heart functions. It also has the ability to prolong the life of certain primary cells and certain diploid cell strains. Learn more, please read Radix Astragali (Huangqi).
(3) Fuling (Poria)
It is sweet and tasteless and neutral-natured, and can benefit the heart and spleen, promote diuresis, remove dampness. The drug cannot only strengthen body resistance against diseases, but also eliminate pathogenic factors. It is the fine commonly-used tonic and drug for prolonging life. The so-called Fuling (Poria) Gruel is cooked with 12g of fine Fuling (Poria) powder and 100g of Jingmi (Semen Oryzae Sativae). Drinking the gruel regularly has the preventive action of senile edema, obesity and tumor to a certain degree. The Fuling (Poria) Cake handed down so far from the Qing Dynasty is the fine food to tonify the body, eliminate diseases and prolong life. Modern researches have proved that the active principle of Fuling (Poria) is mainly pachman. It strengthens the human immunity and has certain antitumor actions. Learn more, please read Poria (Fuling).
(4) Huaishanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae)
It is sweet, neutral-natured and has the actions of strengthening the spleen, tonifying the lung, reinforcing the kidney to benefit renal essence. Modern studies have indicated that the drug is rich in nutrients and contains amylase, choline, phlegm, glucoprotein, free amino acid, fat, carbohydrate, and vitamin C, etc. It is both the drug and food with good tonification. For instance, Huaishanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) Gruel is cooked with 50g of dry slices of Huaishanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae), or 100g of flesh Huaishanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) and 400g of Jingmi (Semen Oryzae Sativae). Eating the warm gruel in the morning and evening every day can strengthen the spleen, supplement qi, stop diarrhea and dysentery, and is also applicable to senile diabetes, chronic nephritis, etc. Learn more, please read Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Shanyao).
(5) Yiyiren (Semen Coicis )
It is sweet, tasteless, cool-natured and has the actions of strengthening the spleen, tonifying the lung, eliminating dampness, etc. The pharmacological tests have discovered that the drug can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The gruel cooked with Yiyiren (Semen Coicis) alone, or the rice or gruel cooked with Yiyiren (Semen Coicis ) and Jingmi (Semen Oryzae Sativae) is very beneficial to middle-aged and old people if they eat or drink regularly. Learn more, please read Semen Coicis (Yiyiren).
2. Blood-tonifying drugs
(1) Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata)
It is sweet, slightly warm-natured and has the actions of tonifying blood and nourishing yin. Modern researches believe that the drug has very good cordial, diuretic and hypoglycemic actions. For example, decoct 1 500g of Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) in three different times and then filter the decoction. Next, mix the decoctions of the three times together. Mterwards, add a proper amount of white honey to the mixed decoction and keep it airtight for later use. Take it orally with warm boiled water, 10g each time, twice a day. The decoction has the actions of tonifying blood, nourishing yin, strengthening the kidney and replenishing marrow for the people with deficiency of renal essence and blood. Learn more, please read Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (Shudihuang).
(2) Heshouwu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori)
It is bitter, sweet, puckery, and warm-natured and has the actions of tonifying the liver and kidney, arresting spontaneous seminal emission. Modern studies have indicated that the drug contains anthraquinones, lecithin, starch, coarse fat, etc., of which lecithin can promote the growth and development of central nervous system. The drug can also lower blood fat, remit atherosclerosis and has cordial action. The drug has the action of prolonging life if decocted alone in water or in spirit or decocted into paste, or used in a prescription with other ingredients. Learn more, please read Radix Polygoni Multiflori (Heshouwu).
(3) Guiyuanrou (Arillus Longan)
It is sweet, warm-natured and has the actions of tonifying the heart and spleen, supplementing qi and nourishing blood. The gruel cooked with 15g of Guiyuanrou (Arillus Longan), 4 Chinese dates and 100g of Jingmi (Semen Oryzae Sativae) has better therapeutic effects on palpitation, insomnia, listlessness, hypodynamia due to asthenia of the heart and spleen, etc.
(4) Ejiao ( Colla Corii Asini)
It is sweet, neutral-natured and has the actions of tonifying blood, nourishing yin, checking hemorrhage, and preventing abortion, etc. Modern researches believe that the drug contains collagen, multiple amino acid, calcium, sulfur, etc. which can accelerate the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin, promote blood coagulation, tonify blood and stop bleeding. The drug is applicable to various types of blood deficiency. It is generally melted by boiling water or hot yellow rice wine, or by stewing the vessel containing it in water, 5g each time. Learn more, please read Colla Corii Asini (Ejiao).
(5) Ziheche (Placenta Hominis)
It is sweet, salty, and slightly warm-natured and has the actions of nourishing blood, tonifying qi, benefiting essence, etc. Experimental studies and clinical practice have proved that Ziheche (Placenta Hominis) has sexhormonoid actions, can promote the development of the mammary gland and uterus, and enhance the human body resistance against diseases. The drug may be taken orally alone and may be taken with other ingredients in a prescription as well. When taken alone, the drug may be stewed for eating or ground into powder for oral administration. The stewing method: Select a fresh human placenta and remove the blood vessels. Then, wash and clean it. Afterwards, stew it until it is down. Or wash it clean. Then, stove it to be ground into fine powder. Take the powder by infusing it in warm boiled water, 6g each time.
3. Yin-nourishing drugs
(1) Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii)
It is sweet, neutral-natured and has the actions of nourishing the kidney, moistening the lung, calming the liver and improving sight. Modern studies have indicated that Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii) contains betaine, carotin, thiamine, ovoflavin, nicotinic acid, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and iron, etc. It has the actions of inhibiting the fat deposit in liver cells, preventing fatty liver and promoting cell regeneration. The drug can effectively prevent and treat light-headedness, pain and flaccidity of the waist and knees, and blurred vision due to deficiency of the kidney yin in old people, and treat diabetes. Learn more, please read Fructus Lycii (Gouqizi).
(2) Yuzhu ( Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati)
It is sweet, neutral-natured and has the actions of nourishing yin, moistening the lung, removing dysphoria and quenching thirst. Prolonged administration is advisable for the people with yin deficiency. Modern studies have indicated that the drug has the action of lowering blood sugar, having cordial function and certain therapeutic effects on the patients with diabetes and palpitation. Learn more, please read Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati (Yuzhu).
(3) Huangjing (Rhizoma Polygonati)
It is sweet, neutral-natured and has the actions of strengthening the spleen and stomach, moistening the heart and lung, replenishing essence and marrow. It is applicable to tiredness, hypodynamia, dry mouth, and scanty body fluid, etc. due to yin deficiency or deficiency of both qi and yin.? Modern researches believe that Huangjing (Rhizoma Polygonati) has the actions of lowering blood pressure, preventing atherosclerosis and fatty liver, etc. Learn more, please read Rhizoma Polygonati (Huangjing).
(4) Sangshenzi ( Fructus Mort)
It is sweet, cold-natured and has the actions of tonifying the liver and kidney, improving hearing and sight. It is generally made into paste for oral administration. Modern clinical practice has proved that Sangshenzi (Fructus Mori) has better therapeutic effects on anemia, neurasthenia, diabetes and hypertension due to yin deficiency.
(5) Nüzhenzi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi)
It is sweet, slightly bitter, neutral-natured and has the actions of tonifying the liver and kidney, nourishing yin, and improving sight, etc. Modern studies have proved the drug has cordial and diuretic actions and can also treat hectic fever of tuberculosis of lymph nodes and pulmonary tuberculosis, etc. Learn more, please read Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Nüzhenzi).
4. Yang-strengthening drugs
(1) Tusizi (Semen Cuscutae)
It is sweet, pungent, and slightly warm-natured and has the actions of replenishing essence and marrow, strengthening the tendon and bone, supplementing qi and strength, etc. Prolonged administration of the drug can prolong life. Learn more, please read Semen Cuscutae (Tusizi).
(2) Lurong (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum)
It is sweet, salty, and warm-natured and has the actions of strengthening the kidney yang, replenishing essence and blood and strengthening the tendon and bone. It may be infused in water or stewed for oral administration. The powder of Lurong (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum) is used for infusion, 1.5g or so each time. 3g of Lurong (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum) is put into a cup with water and stewed with the cup for oral administration. It is contraindicated in the patients with excessive fire due to yin deficiency, pulmonary heat and hyperactive yang of the liver.
(3) Roucongrong (Herba Cistanchis)
It is sweet, salty, and warm-natured and has the actions of tonifying the kidney, strengthening the kidney yang, loosening the bowel to relieve constipation. 10g of the drug or so may be decocted for oral administration or used to cook gruel with Jingmi (Semen Oryzae Sativae) for eating. Modern researches believe that the drug contains orobanchin, micro-alkaloid, glycosides and substances of organic acid. It has hormonoid action and the actions of lowering blood pressure, strengthening the body, and the resistance of organism against diseases and possesses cordial effect, etc. Learn more, please read Herba Cistanchis (Roucongrong).
(4) Duzhong (Cortex Eucommiae)
It is sweet, warm-natured and has the actions of tonifying the liver and kidney, strengthening the tendon and bone. Animal experiments have proved that Duzhong (Cortex Eucommiae)contains Gutta-percha, resin, etc. and that the drug has the actions of tranquilization and lowering blood pressure. Learn more, please read Cortex Eucommiae (Duzhong).