1As one reaches middle age, it is common to find goji berries in thermos cups. This phrase captures the helplessness and exhaustion of many middle-aged individuals.It is said that as one enters middle age, life becomes a turning point, and the physiological maturity leads to increased silence. The decline in bodily functions makes one feel increasingly powerless.A few days ago, I met a friend for dinner, and he immediately complained about his lack of vitality, looking utterly defeated. Spending 7-8 hours a day in front of a computer or phone, dealing with various matters, leaves one exhausted and haggard by the end of the day, and at night, he struggles to sleep well.The pressures of family and work, irregular lifestyles, scattered hair on the floor, deep-set eyes, unavoidable insomnia, sleepless nights, and increasingly thick thermal underwear have become the standard for middle age.Middle age is the most challenging time in a person’s life, filled with many unavoidable burdens.With aging parents and young children, along with responsibilities for cars, houses, and finances, we must continuously strive and fight for our lives!Living in middle age feels like a journey through the “Journey to the West,” with the pressures of Wukong, the physique of Bajie, the hairstyle of Sha Seng, and inheriting the nagging of Tang Seng, but one thing is certain: we are getting closer to the West Heaven.Today, I am fortunate to introduce a formula from the Song Dynasty’s “Sheng Ji Zong Lu” called “Ling Xian San” (Spirit Immortal Powder).
This formula is a miraculous remedy for those after middle age, capable of nourishing the essence and energy of the five organs; it is considered a tonic for middle-aged individuals.This formula nourishes the kidneys, supports the liver, benefits the lungs, and strengthens the spleen, calming the mind and invigorating the blood. It is effective for middle-aged individuals suffering from deficiency of the five organs, weakness, premature graying of hair, dental issues, dry intestines, and more…The complete formula consists of Bai Fu Ling (White Poria) 1 liang, Jue Sheng Zi (Cuscuta Seed) 1 liang, Tian Men Dong (Asparagus Tuber) 1 liang, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) 1 liang, Tao Ren (Peach Kernel) 1 liang, Huang Jing (Polygonatum) 1 liang, and other six medicinal ingredients ground into powder, taken 2-3 times a day, 3-5 grams each time.Why is this formula called Ling Xian San? The ancients had their reasons for using powders. Many people prefer pills, perhaps thinking they are more sophisticated. If you prefer pills, you can cook honey until it reaches a drop that forms a bead, then mix in the powdered herbs to make honey pills. The usual ratio is 10 (herbs) to 3 (honey).
2Next, let’s delve deeper into the effects of these herbs:As the saying goes, all herbs have spirit, and everything has feelings; if one is not careful, they may cultivate (essence). Today, I will first introduce the herb “Huang Jing” (Polygonatum).
Huang Jing has a sweet taste and a neutral nature, entering the spleen, lung, and kidney meridians.Ancient people believed that Huang Jing belongs to the class of herbs that embody the essence of the earth, thus it is referred to as “Wu Ji Zhi” in the “Five Talismans Classic,” and the famous physician Tao Hongjing from the Northern and Southern Dynasties called it “the food of immortals.”For men, frequent late nights, overtime, and socializing can damage the essence in the kidneys,and taking Huang Jing can replenish kidney energy, improve fatigue, and strengthen the waist and bone marrow.The “Compendium of Materia Medica” states: Huang Jing can replenish all deficiencies, generate essence and energy, prolong life when consumed regularly, and is considered a sacred food for men (meaning Huang Jing can nourish various parts or regulate the weakness of certain internal organs).It generates essence and energy (which means it benefits kidney energy and replenishes essence) and prolongs life (meaning regular consumption of Huang Jing can lead to longevity) and is a sacred food for men (very beneficial for men).For women, it nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, replenishes qi and blood, improves anemia, nourishes the skin, and eliminates wrinkles.Additionally, it has a good regulating effect on symptoms caused by kidney essence deficiency, such as lower back and knee soreness, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, premature graying of hair, etc.Huang Jing is a health supplement that nourishes both qi and yin, capable of replenishing essence and marrow, moistening the lungs and generating fluids, and nourishing the deficiencies of the five organs, with a gentle nature, making it very suitable for regular consumption by middle-aged and elderly individuals. This is because the elderly not only have weak yang energy but also often lack yin fluids.Speaking of Jue Sheng Zi, many may not be familiar with it, but if we mention black sesame, everyone knows it. The “Medicine King” Sun Simiao recorded in the “Thousand Gold Prescriptions” that “only sesame is good in the world, but unfortunately, people eat it raw.”This saying is widely circulated in Taoism, and sesame has long been regarded as a top health food. Taoist health practices in our country have reached a high level but are not easily shared.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the kidneys are the foundation of innate vitality. As a person grows, kidney essence gradually diminishes, leading to symptoms such as lower back and knee pain, hair loss, weakness in the legs, irritability, insomnia with vivid dreams, acne, and so on. When kidney energy declines, one approaches old age.When “the food of immortals” Huang Jing is combined with “kidney-replenishing” black sesame, their combined effects on replenishing qi, darkening hair, and nourishing kidney essence become even more powerful!
3Next, we have Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) and Fu Ling (Poria).Many tonics are rich and greasy; we have all heard the saying “deficiency cannot withstand tonics,” meaning that if the body is weak, it cannot bear the power of tonics.When the body is weak, qi and blood cannot circulate normally, and with a weak spleen and stomach, digestion and absorption are poor, leading to issues such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and even heat symptoms after taking tonics…At this time, Bai Zhu can strengthen the spleen, enhance its function, and prevent tonics from being too rich and greasy, causing the body to be unable to withstand them.Bai Zhu is warm in nature, with a bitter and sweet taste, and is a key herb for strengthening the spleen. The spleen belongs to the earth in the five elements and is located in the middle jiao of the human body, which is also associated with earth. “The spleen is the foundation of postnatal life and the source of qi and blood transformation.” After birth, all life activities rely on the nutrients absorbed by the spleen and stomach. Those with congenital deficiencies can replenish them through postnatal nourishment, which can also lead to longevity.Many talented individuals in the past ended their lives prematurely, which we now call “heavenly jealousy of talent.” If they had learned some TCM in their early years, such situations could have been avoided.Bai Zhu not only strengthens the spleen but also dries dampness and promotes urination, helping to transform the fluids in the middle jiao.Li Shizhen’s “Compendium of Materia Medica” and other TCM records mention that Bai Zhu has the effect of removing spots, and it is described as “extreme.” The ancient text “Discussion on Medicinal Properties” also states: “It brightens the face and removes spots.”Traditional Chinese medicine states that the spleen governs the muscles; a person’s muscle tone is related to the spleen. All symptoms of sagging muscles, drooping eyelids, facial muscle relaxation, sagging breasts, sagging stomach, and uterine prolapse are due to the spleen’s inability to govern the muscles.Bai Zhu and Fu Ling are also known as gentleman’s herbs and frequently appear in formulas for strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness.
Fu Ling has a sweet and bland flavor, entering the heart, lung, and spleen meridians. It has the effects of promoting urination, strengthening the spleen and stomach, eliminating dampness, resolving phlegm, and calming the mind.Fu Ling has almost no flavor; in TCM, it is called bland. Bland flavor has a special ability to drain dampness and invigorate the spleen and stomach’s ability to transform water and dampness, clearing excess water and dampness from the body, which can also help reduce weight.For those who wash their hair and find it greasy and heavy with dampness, Fu Ling can guide the dampness down from the hair roots, thus treating seborrheic alopecia. The famous physician Yue Meizhong’s Fu Ling drink for hair loss has gained widespread recognition.
4Tian Men Dong (Asparagus Tuber) has a sweet and bitter taste and a cold nature, entering the lung and kidney meridians. It excels at nourishing kidney yin and clearing heat.Tian Men Dong is thick and fatty, moistening and cooling, transforming metal into water, nourishing kidney yin, and connecting the lung and kidney, achieving a harmonious balance of water and heaven to nourish the muscles.Since the lungs govern the skin, many people with large pores, oily hair, and easily reddened skin sweat a lot due to the leakage of original qi from the kidneys.If the lung water is sufficient, the moisture in the skin will also gradually increase, so Tian Men Dong can also whiten the skin and reduce spots, and long-term consumption can lead to a radiant complexion.
5The last herb is Tao Ren (Peach Kernel).Tao Ren, the seed of the peach, has a bitter and sweet taste, neutral nature, and enters the heart, liver, and large intestine meridians. It can invigorate blood, dispel stasis, moisten the intestines, and relieve cough and asthma.All fruit kernels in traditional Chinese medicine have oiliness; Tao Ren can promote bowel movements. For elderly individuals with dry stools and insufficient body fluids, it is like a machine without oil rusting and unable to operate. When you add some oil, it starts to function again.Tao Ren can moisten the skin, alleviating dryness and itching, especially at night when many elderly individuals experience itchy skin, which worsens with warmth, resembling snake skin, with pants and socks appearing like snowflakes.The “Record of Famous Physicians” states it can “break masses and unblock menstrual flow,” while Li Dongyuan referred to it as “moving stagnant blood in the skin.” The “Compendium of Materia Medica” states it “invigorates blood stasis,” indicating that Tao Ren has a strong effect on invigorating blood and dispelling stasis.Tao Ren can break blood stasis, which is very powerful, clearing useless blood clots and allowing new blood to regenerate, helping to eliminate spots and wrinkles, making it a superior beauty herb.The entire formula consists of six common herbs, but there are a few points to note:The first point is that there is a saying that goes very well: good herbs lead to good medicine, so try to choose organic and reputable herbs.The second point is that those who understand the preparation of Chinese herbs should use traditional methods as much as possible. Although using traditional methods may be time-consuming and labor-intensive, it can make the entire formula more balanced, achieving nourishment without stagnation and toning without greasiness.
Taoist Medical Video Channel
⊙ The content of this article is for clinical reference only; non-professionals in TCM should not attempt to use these herbs.
⊙ Some images and texts are sourced from the internet; if there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.
⊙ For Taoist medical consultations, add WeChat ID: daojiaox
⊙ For submissions and collaborations: [email protected] (original submissions are welcome)
Selected Articles
❶ As one ages, yang energy becomes increasingly deficient! If you have these six symptoms, make sure to do these four “yang-nourishing” activities!
❷ Adding chicken inner gold can help you resolve all body blockages; fibroids, cysts, and nodules have nowhere to hide!
❸ Listening to breath: The first good method of cultivation, a Taoist practice starting from the ear!
❹ Regularly moxibustion on the three major “fat-burning points”! Men can burn off their big bellies, women can achieve a slim waist, and the elderly can lower their three highs!
❺ How to adjust and enhance the effects of Wen Dan Decoction, and how to use it for better results?
❻ Learn one herb every day, Qing Hao (Artemisia Annua)!
❼ TCM: The three major issues of liver qi stagnation, blood deficiency, and spleen deficiency can all be resolved with this one Chinese patent medicine!
❽ Experiencing insomnia and vivid dreams in spring? Follow this dietary therapy to sleep soundly until dawn!
❾ The most important aspect of Taoist cultivation: How to activate the “Xuan Guan Qi”?
Scan to Follow Taoist Medicine
Here, there are no chicken soup recipes, folk remedies, rumors, or advertisements, only reliable Taoist health and wellness knowledge.