Sun Simiao's 13 methods of health preservation

Source : The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital 2022-04-24

King of Medicine Sun Simiao

Health preservation is actually a very simple thing, and many inadvertent small exercises can actually help everyone to maintain health if you do regularly. You can do these things alongside your daily life, like while waiting for the bus, and you won't be noticed! The thirteen methods invented by the ancient famous physician Sun Simiao are very simple and effective health preservation methods, you may wish to learn them.

Sun Simiao (541~682) was a famous Taoist physician in the Tang Dynasty, known as the "King of Medicine". He lived 141 years in his life; however, he was not a healthy person when he was young. Sun was good at internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, and otolaryngology. He attached great importance to health preservation, prevention, and comprehensive treatment. His classic work "A Thousand Golden Prescriptions" had a far-reaching influence in Chinese Medicine.

Now let's follow his recommendation and learn these 13 mini excises.

1. Comb your hair often

Rub your palms together 36 times to make your palms hot, then sweep them up from the forehead through the back of the head to the neck. Do it 10 times in the morning and 10 times in the evening. There are many important acupuncture points on the head. Doing this action regularly can brighten the eyes and prevent headaches, tinnitus, grey hair, and hair loss.

2. Roll your eyes often

(1) Close your eyes, then open your eyes wide, make circles with your eyes, and look to the left, up, right and bottom; Close your eyes again, then open them wide, make circles with your eyes, and look to the right, up, left, and bottom. Repeat 3 times.

(2) Rub your hands together 36 times and apply the warm palms to the eyes. This action can correct myopia and amblyopia.

3. Percuss teeth often

The teeth are often percussed slightly, and the upper and lower rows of teeth are percussed with each other, without too much force, but the teeth must make a sound when they knock each other. Do 36 reps slowly. This action can pass through the upper and lower jaw meridians, help keep the mind clear, enhance gastrointestinal absorption, and prevent tooth decay and tooth bone degeneration.

4. Rinse saliva often

(1) Close the mouth slightly, stick the tongue out of the teeth, start from the top, slowly rotate to the left, a total of 12 circles, and then swallow the saliva. After that, start from the top and do it again in the opposite direction for 12 circles.

(2) The mouth is slightly closed, and this time the tongue is not outside the teeth, but in the mouth, and rotates around the upper and lower gums. Make 12 left circles and swallow your saliva, then do the same with the right circles. When swallowing saliva, try to imagine bringing saliva to the lower Dantian. Doing this action often can strengthen the stomach and intestines and has effect on longevity. (note: Lower Dantian is the Qi reservoir, an area roughly 2-3 fingers below the navel, not a precise point.)

5. Drum your ears often

(1) Cover your ears with your palms, press inward hard, and then let go, there should be a "flutter" sound, repeat 10 times.

(2) Cover the ears with both palms, and fold the ears, cross the index finger over middle finger of both hands, and flick off the index finger onto GB20 (Fengchi or Wind Pond) acupoint on the back of the head Fengchi acupoint 10 times, and there is a sound of "fluttering". This action is done every day before and after going to bed to enhance memory and hearing.

6. Rub your face often

(1) Rub your hands together 36 times till palms are warm, sweep the face up and down with your palms. (2) After warming your hands, gently press on the face and rub your hands outward at the same time. This is done regularly to make the face rosy and radiant without wrinkles.

7. Shake your head often

Press your hands on hips, close your eyes, head down, and slowly turn head to the right and return, repeat a total of 6 times. Repeat the same in the opposite direction. Doing this often can make the mind flexible and prevent cervical spine hyperplasia, but be careful to do it slowly, otherwise you might get dizzy.

8. Rotate your waist and swing your arms often

The body and arms swing rhythmically. When the body is rotated to the left, right hand is in front, and left hand is behind. The right hand in front gently pats the lower abdomen, and the left hand in the back gently pats the acupuncture point Du4 (Ming Men or Gate of Life). Twist the body to the opposite direction and repeat this for a minimum 50 times - 100 times are better. This action can strengthen the stomach and intestines, strengthen Kidney Qi, prevent indigestion, stomach pain and low back pain.

9. Rub your abdomen often

Rub your hands 36 times till warm. Cross your hands with one on top of the other, rub them clockwise around your navel, treat your belly like a clock. Knead the circles from small to large, do it 36 times. This action can help digestion, absorbsion and eliminate bloating.

10. Lift anus often

When inhaling, raise the anus, that is, the muscles of the anus are tightened. Hold your breath for a few seconds until you can't tolerate it, then exhale and relax. This movement can be practiced at any time. It is best to do 20 to 30 times a day, in the morning and in the evening. According to legend, this action is the emperor Qianlong's favourite health practice.

11. Twist your knees often

With your feet close together, knees close together and squat down slightly, press your knees with both hands, twist them to the left and right, and do 20 times each. This action can strengthen the knee joint. There is a saying in China "when we get old, our legs go first; when the kidneys are deficient, knees go soft first". If you want to prolong your life, you have to start with your legs.

12. Take a walk often

Open your chest and take a walk with ease. It's best to have no distractions and enjoy the scenery along the way. As modern scientists find out that walking is a good exercise. In China there is a folk's saying: "Take a walk after dinner and live to ninety-nine".

13. Rub your feet often

(1) Rub the left foot with the right hand and the right foot with the left hand, from heel up to your toes and down to your heels. Do a total of 36 strokes.

(2) Take turns to rub the soles of your feet with your thumbs for a total of 100 strokes. Doing this often can help insomnia, lower blood pressure, and eliminate headaches.

Erica's words: No matter how wonderful an exercise is, it's no benefit to you unless you do it regularly. There's no expensive price tag, no difficult learning process. They are easy and they are free. Our health is in your own hands. Now let's get practicing!

King of Medicine Sun Ximiao Writing