How did the Qing Dynasty maintain health? Kangxi and Qianlong each had their own clever tricks, which can be called models of health preservation.

The Manchu people are mainly concentrated in northern my country and have a history of thousands of years. The Manchus have their own language and writing, and have established local and national political power many times in history. The ancestors of the Manchu people lived in the cold north and had a harsh living environment, so they developed a strong body. The production and lifestyle are mainly nomadic, fishing and hunting, which has shaped the Manchu custom of advocating martial arts and practicing martial arts since childhood.

The Manchu traditional health care experience is a summary of the experience of the Manchu ancestors in advocating nature, adapting to the environment, preventing and treating diseases, and maintaining life and health in their long-term production and life. Its main feature is that it pays attention to daily maintenance and disease prevention, and does not use Jinshi elixir takes into account both regulation and treatment, focusing on tonic, dietary therapy, medicinal diet, and exercise for health. It has Manchu national characteristics and cultural customs.

In the Qing Dynasty, the Manchu emperors and royal families combined the long-term production and life practices of the Manchu working people, their understanding of disease prevention and health care, the food culture of "relying on mountains and mountains, relying on water and drinking water", simple and pragmatic living habits, The cultural customs of the northern peoples and the traditional health care experience accumulated by the Manchu ancestors from generation to generation were brought into the court of the Qing Dynasty and continued to be passed down and developed in the palace.

In Chinese history, emperors of all dynasties pursued immortality, took gold and stone elixirs to prolong their lives, and even wanted to achieve enlightenment and become immortals. Qin Shihuang sent Han Zhong and Xu Fu to lead an expedition that cost a lot of money to search for the elixir of life. The alchemists of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the emperors of the Tang Dynasty advocated refining and taking elixirs. Ge Hong in the Jin Dynasty was good at alchemy and wrote "Baopuzi", which discussed the principles and methods of alchemy for longevity. During the Jiajing Dynasty of the Ming Dynasty, there was an alchemy room in the palace. Emperor Jiajing devoted himself to Taoism and alchemy in order to seek immortality. But he never achieved his wish of health and immortality, and even died early because of taking the elixir.

The Qing Palace Medical Records completely record the medical affairs and daily life details of the Manchu emperors and nobles in the Qing Dynasty for 281 years. There are no records of palace alchemy or the taking of elixirs by the royal family. A large number of medical records have confirmed that the Manchu emperors continued the traditional health care customs of the Manchu people and passed down the experience and methods of health care. The content is rich, mainly focusing on replenishing and increasing longevity, focusing on conditioning. Methods include dietary conditioning, supplements to increase longevity, prescriptions, medicated wine, "condensing" ginseng, bathing in soup, exercise, etc.

In their long-term production and life, the Manchus have accumulated experience in medicinal supplements and health conditioning, with many methods. The traditional medicinal conditioning and medicated diet of the Manchu people were widely used in the palace. There are a large number of health-preserving prescriptions in the palace. Health care products commonly used by Manchu emperors and nobles such as Kangxi, Qianlong, and Cixi, such as Bazhen Cake, Guilingji, Qiongyu Paste, Songling Wine and other preparations, have different medicinal flavors and characteristics. Regardless of prescriptions or wines, the focus is on tonifying the spleen and stomach, strengthening the essence and strengthening the essence, or replenishing essence and marrow. It is mostly used for weak spleen and stomach, deficiency of both Qi and blood, innate insufficiency, acquired excessive wear and tear, lower body deficiency and coldness, weakness of the waist and knees, etc. Among them, the most commonly used medicines are traditional Manchu medicines that strengthen the spleen and stomach or tonify the kidneys and yang, such as ginseng, velvet antler, poria, and yam, especially kidney-tonifying medicines, which inherit the traditional Manchu medicine tonic and conditioning methods.

The ancestors of the Manchu people are famous for their hunting and shooting, and they can be called the "horseback nation". In the cold north of our country, the Manchu ancestors resisted and adapted to the cold and harsh natural environment, and gradually created some unique ways of exercising and maintaining health in their production, life, and fight against war. The long hunting tradition of the Manchu people has created their perseverance, bravery and fighting character. During the Liao and Jin Dynasties, the ancestors of the Manchu people developed "step shooting" into riding shooting. "Riding shooting" can best activate the muscles and bones, make the qi and blood flow smoothly, and strengthen the body. "Riding and shooting" became a "national custom" in the Jin and Qing dynasties.

Hunting was the final course for Manchu emperors. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty followed the holy precepts of his grandfather Emperor Kangxi to "practice martial arts and work hard". For decades, he insisted on annual patrols, cooperated with inspections, observed the people's sentiments, supervised the administration, exercised and promoted health. The Manchu people have passed down the experience of exercise and health care from generation to generation. According to the "Chinese Court Medicine" record: "After dinner, the Empress Dowager Cixi often patrolled and walked in and out of the palace. Sometimes she would also let the eunuch Li Lianying and others accompany her until she entered the palace at the second watch."

In their long-term life practice, the ancestors of the Manchu people gradually concluded that soaking or boiling food or medicinal materials and drinking them as tea can quench thirst and prevent and treat diseases. This kind of tea has become a commonly used drink among the Manchu people. . To this day, the Manchu people still have the custom of soaking Schisandra chinensis, ginseng, chrysanthemum, wolfberry, hawthorn, mother-in-law, etc. in water for daily drinking to prevent and treat diseases and strengthen the body. The Manchus in the Qing Dynasty improved the preparation and usage of traditional drinks and made various tea substitutes with therapeutic and health-care functions.

There are many types of tea drinks in the Qing Dynasty, and they are widely used. Some are used for dietary therapy, conditioning after recovery, and even for the rescue of critically ill patients. In the palace, internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology and pediatrics all used tea as a substitute. Due to its small size and good taste, Daicha was easily accepted by people in the court and was highly praised in the court. The emperor's concubines, princes and ministers all used it. For example, Fumei Di Gushu can be substituted for tea drink, Dengxin, bamboo leaves, soup can be substituted for tea drink, Shen Shen substitute tea drink can be substituted, heat-clearing substitute tea can be substituted, ginseng ling can be substituted for tea drink, etc. The preparation of various tea substitutes is also very meticulous, focusing on efficacy, convenience and practicality. Medical records of the Qing Dynasty record a large number of cases of tea drinking being used in the palace. Drinking tea became a major feature of the palace's medical care in the Qing Dynasty.

In their long-term life practice, the Manchu ancestors summed up unique health care experience and culture such as dietary restraint, boiled ginseng and sitting in soup for health preservation. The Manchu people’s unique health care and health care methods were passed down in the court of the Qing Dynasty.

Eat two meals a day and eat in moderation

The Manchu people follow the ancestral precepts and the "sacred ancestors" eat two meals a day and adhere to the concept of health preservation in diet. In the Qing Dynasty, with the continuous progress of society, the Manchu people interacted and integrated with the advanced cultures of the Central Plains. Many folk customs and living habits continued to change, but the Manchu people still continued the habit of eating twice a day and eating moderately.

Historical data records the cases of Emperor Kangxi and Empress Dowager Cixi eating twice a day and dieting in the palace of the Qing Dynasty. The medical records of the Qing Dynasty recorded: "The Holy Ancestor had two meals a day." Two meals a day. When we were outside the Great Wall, we had one meal during the solar eclipse. Now the Fourteenth Brother is out leading the troops, and it is the same. The Holy Ancestor said... I only eat one meal every day, like chicken, chicken, and sheep. If you don't eat, you can enjoy the rest. Seventy-year-old people should not eat salty or salty food. They should not eat at night. They should not sleep under the lamp. I will do it for a long time."

< p> Emperor Kangxi, the ancestor of the Qing Dynasty, paid attention to diet and health, eating two meals a day and only eating one kind of food for each non-staple meal. The elderly are warned not to eat too much salt, sauce and overly salty food, not to eat at night, go to bed on time at night, and not to read under the lamp. Emperor Kangxi believed that his personal practice of health care experience would be beneficial to the body if persisted for a long time. According to "Chinese Court Medicine": "The Empress Dowager Cixi followed the ancestral system and had two meals a day as the prescribed "main meals"... and two snacks..." Emperors Kangxi and Cixi inherited the traditional health care experience of the Manchu people, and today Manchu folk still retain the eating habit of having two meals per day.

"Ginseng" to strengthen the body

Changbai Mountain in the northeast is rich in ginseng, also known as "Bangchui" and the Manchu phonetic name "Omerda". Ginseng is a specialty of the Changbai Mountain area, where the Manchu people gather. In their production and living practices, the Manchu ancestors discovered that ginseng (wild ginseng) can replenish qi and blood and revive the dead, and it is regarded as a life-saving miracle medicine. Manchus have worshiped and used ginseng for generations. Ginseng is called the first of the "Three Treasures of Guandong". Whenever the Manchu ancestors entered Changbai Mountain and collected ginseng, they would hold a ceremony to worship the mountain gods and ginseng. This custom is still preserved today.

History There are many records about ginseng in the Changbai Mountains of Northeast China. The Manchus have a long history of using ginseng. They have rich experience in collecting, processing and processing, storing and using ginseng, and there are many methods. As early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Manchu ancestors presented Northeastern ginseng to the Minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. After the Tang Dynasty, ginseng from Northeast China flowed into the interior of the Central Plains in large quantities. During the post-Jinurhaci period, the ginseng trade prospered. Ginseng collection and ginseng trade were important industries for economic development at that time.

Since ginseng is prone to decay and deterioration during storage and transportation, which has seriously affected the trade and use of ginseng, Nurhachi invented a method of steaming fresh ginseng into red ginseng, which solved the problem of ginseng storage and transportation. The problem of easy decay and deterioration has promoted the economic development and application of ginseng. The Manchu people have been using ginseng for a long time. They believe that ginseng can replenish vitality, make people happy and improve intelligence, produce fluid, calm the nerves, cure diseases, and delay aging. Consuming ginseng in daily life can strengthen the body, treat patients and maintain health, and prolong life. Manchus traditionally eat ginseng by stewing, frying, boiling, and simmering, or by adding ginseng to food, making a decoction, or making medicinal wine for consumption.

In the Qing Dynasty, the Manchu emperors brought their experience in using ginseng to the palace, using ginseng to regulate qi and blood, replenishing energy and increasing longevity. In daily life, the method of "condensing" ginseng is adopted, which is both convenient and practical. Cuohua, that is, Hanhua, Cuohan. This is a method of taking the medicine by holding it in your mouth and slowly dissolving it, or chewing it with your mouth. Qing palace medical records record that Manchu emperors and many court officials used ginseng in huge quantities. There are very few cases of emperors and concubines who do not take ginseng. In the Qing Dynasty, the Manchu emperors and royal families often took ginseng for several years and used the method of "condensing ginseng" to replenish their bodies for a long time.

Sitting in the soup to maintain health and strengthen bones and muscles

Manchus sit in the soup to maintain their health, which refers to bathing in hot springs and hot spring therapy. It is one of the earlier traditional health-preserving methods among the Manchu people. The ancestors of the Manchu people have lived in the Heilongjiang and Changbai Mountain areas in Northeast China for a long time. The territory is vast and the climate is cold. There are many hot springs in the Changbai Mountain area. The spring water contains a large amount of sulfur and a variety of minerals and trace elements, which are very beneficial to human health. The Manchus have long known how to use the natural environment for medical care and advocate the method of bathing in hot springs to treat diseases and keep fit. I have accumulated experience on the time of sitting in the soup, dietary requirements, precautions, and how to obtain the effects of sitting in the soup. It is recorded in "Manwen Old Documents" and other relevant historical materials and archives.

The emperors and nobles of the Qing Dynasty regarded "sitting in the soup" as a way to maintain health and health, and it was highly praised and continued in the court. There are many records in the daily notes and pulse records of emperors such as Kangxi. Kangxi spoke highly of soup therapy. He said: "The method of sitting in the soup is most popular in Manchuria, Mongolia and Korea, so they know it very well." Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty went to Tangshan many times to sit in the soup, and even accompanied the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang to Tangquan to sit in the soup.

To this day, hot spring bathing and health care are still very popular. Scientific research has fully affirmed that hot spring bath therapy has the effect of dredging meridians, coordinating internal organs, and circulating qi and blood. Bathing in hot springs for health care can dispel fatigue, activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, reduce swelling and relieve pain, drive away wind and cold, and nourish the whole body. It is simple and easy to do and has become an effective therapy for the people to prevent and treat diseases.

Several emperors in the early Qing Dynasty were good at riding horses, hunting, and practicing martial arts and fitness. The long-lived Manchu emperors all followed the ancestral system, maintained a good attitude, the will to study hard, a regular life, and moderate exercise. Another important health care method is diet therapy. The dietary therapy in the Manchu dietary customs is spread among the people. It is a dietary custom formed by the ancestors of the Manchu people to fight against nature and adapt to the living environment. It has nurtured the reproduction and prosperity of the Manchu people and the people of all ethnic groups in the Northeast for thousands of years.

After the Manchus entered the customs, the Manchu food culture was brought to the Qing court along with the Manchu emperors. Traditional Manchu folk foods, such as soybeans, honey, deer products, pine nuts, wolfberry seeds, yam, lotus seeds, hawthorn and other ingredients and medicines, entered the palace. Diet therapy methods with traditional Manchu folk characteristics were passed down and applied in the palace. In the palace, diet is combined with disease prevention and treatment as an auxiliary method for disease prevention and health care.

The traditional medicinal diet of the Manchu people and the auxiliary dietary methods used to treat diseases are unmatched by the palaces of all dynasties. The Manchu emperors in the Qing Dynasty advocated health care and continued to use traditional Manchu health care experiences in the court, such as "emotional regulation", "taking ginseng", "sitting in soup" health care, medicated diet therapy, drug conditioning, exercise and health care, etc. , comprehensively inherited and developed the traditional health care experience and cultural customs of the Manchu people, and provided valuable reference historical materials for people's health care today.

Emperor Kangxi, named Xuanye, was the third son of Fulin, the ancestor of the Qing Dynasty. He was born in Jingren Palace, Beijing on May 4, 1654. Because the reign name was "Kangxi", he was called "Emperor Kangxi". He died at the age of 69. His lifespan ranked second among the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. Kangxi took less medicine in his life, which is why he lived nearly seventy years and had his own set of fitness techniques. His health care experience, according to the "Edict of the Eight Banners General Chronicles", Kangxi "ate twice a day, and did not eat anything else, and tobacco, alcohol, and betel nuts were all useless."

Don’t take tonics or get massages. Therefore, compared with the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, Kangxi regarded frugality, abstaining from sex, practicing riding and shooting, and broadening his mind as the main means to prolong his life. Throughout his life, he loved to travel around, write poems and go boating, which was also the main reason for his long life.

Emperor Qianlong, named Hongli, ascended the throne at the age of 29. He has been in power for more than 60 years and is 89 years old. He is the longest-lived emperor in the history of our country and is a representative figure of the Manchu emperors who paid attention to health care. He has a deep understanding of health care and is good at adjusting his daily life, emotions, behavior and dietary health care at all times. Combining mental health, sports and fitness, dietary conditioning and medicinal supplements, it has reached a high level of health care. Emperor Qianlong had an open-minded mind throughout his life, paid attention to daily maintenance, insisted on hunting and fitness, often went on tours to relax his ambitions, had a wide range of interests and hobbies, made good use of medicine, food and health care, and systematically practiced health care experience.

Emperor Qianlong paid great attention to dietary maintenance and inherited the traditional food culture of the Manchu people. His favorite foods throughout his life are: Northeastern soybean tofu or dishes and soybean products made from soybean tofu. He likes to eat wild vegetables such as mushrooms and bracken, radish, honey, venison, pig's trotters, meat skin, duck and other foods. He often eats them. Millet porridge is a food commonly eaten by Manchu people to regulate the spleen and stomach. He pays attention to diet and takes honey to prevent diseases and prolong life. Emperor Qianlong took honey to nourish his body when he was only 37 years old.

There is a menu for the emperor's dinner on October 1, the twelfth year of Qianlong's reign in the Qing palace archives. The dinner includes bird's nest duck, shredded deer breast, roasted roe deer, sacrificial pork and mutton and other foods, as well as...a product of honey,...a product of sweet-scented osmanthus and radish. Honey is a famous dietary therapy for delaying aging. Radish can promote qi and digestion, remove greasiness, calm the spleen and stomach, has a reasonable dietary structure, and has the effect of health care.

Emperor Qianlong took medicine to maintain his health. His favorite health medicines throughout his life include: ginseng, Bazhen cake, Guilingji, etc. Emperor Qianlong took Bazhen cake to maintain his health. Bazhen cake is composed of ginseng, poria, atractylodes, barley, glutinous rice, lentils, sugar, etc. Qianlong took Guilingji to nourish the kidneys and strengthen the body. Guilingji is composed of 31 kinds of medicines such as Rehmannia glutinosa, wolfberry, green salt, deer antler, stone swallow, red dragonfly, small bird brain, purple shoot flower, etc. It is refined with a special method and has a purple-gold color. Five cents of rice wine for each serving.

Empress Dowager Cixi was born in the 15th year of Daoguang. She "shengxia" in Yiluan Hall in the 34th year of Guangxu's reign. She was 74 years old. Empress Dowager Cixi’s tips for maintaining health:

First, pay attention to adjusting your mentality and have a wide range of hobbies.

The second is rich nutrition and timely treatment.

The third is to keep active and travel.

The fourth is to pay attention to hygiene and love beauty.

The Manchu emperors in the palace of the Qing Dynasty attached great importance to the use of dietary therapy to nourish and strengthen the body. The medical records of the Qing Dynasty record that the Manchu emperors of the Qing Dynasty practiced the traditional Manchu diet therapy. Imperial doctors paid attention to using diet therapy to maintain stomach qi and promote body recovery.

The court records record a large number of cases in which Empress Dowager Cixi advocated dietary therapy. Cixi's spleen and stomach were weak and she used food therapy to nourish her stomach qi. It is recorded in the Pulse Case that Cixi had a weak spleen and stomach, such as irregular bowel movements and loose stools, and made porridge with astragalus, yam, and lotus seeds.

Summarizing the health care rules of the long-lived Manchu emperors, in addition to keeping a comfortable mood, having good diet and living habits, regularly practicing martial arts, and bathing in hot springs, it is worth studying the regular use of tonic and life-enhancing prescriptions. The Manchu people have long-term experience in applying ginseng among the people. It can harmonize Qi and blood, make Qi and blood regenerate, keep the spirit strong, and have a strong body, which can naturally prolong life. The Manchu traditional health care experience was continued and applied in the Qing Dynasty court, gradually developing the Manchu traditional health care experience, providing a reference case for modern people to establish correct, reasonable and scientific health care concepts and eating habits, and enriching our country's food culture . Some people have made a preliminary summary of the health care experience of centenarians and believe that the main conditions for delaying aging are

①Good mentality

②Strong will

② Regular lifestyle

④Moderate labor

⑤Reasonable nutrition

⑥Beautiful environment

⑦Timely medical care, etc. wait.

The long-lived Manchu emperors in the Qing Dynasty all had these health-preserving conditions, as well as the health-preserving and health-care characteristics of their own nation. In short, the traditional health care experience of the Manchus in the Qing Dynasty court and the various anti-aging and life-prolonging methods are of great significance to the study of ancient Chinese culture.