Research On The Theories And Methods Of Anti-aging In Ming And Qing Dynasties And The Practice Of Jing Chu Doctors

ObjectivesBased on the theory and practice of traditional Chinese medicine in the Ming and Qing Dynasties,the development of traditional Chinese medicine anti-aging theory was analyzed comprehensively.The literature on slowing senescence in Ming and Qing dynasties was explored to further deepening the understanding of the mechanism of ageing in traditional Chinese medicine perspective.Its basic principles,methods and techniques of were summarized.At the same time,it analyzed and explained the exploration and contribution of the theory of delaying aging in Jing Chu region（now Hubei province）in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.It aims at furthering proposing an up-to-date new future medical model based on the summarization of theories and practices on anti-ageing in Ming and Qing Dynasties and on the trend for future medicine.Theoretical basis for establishing new old-age care system was provided in this dissertation for dealing with aging problem that goes worse.MethodsThe research was conducted in ancient literatures in Ming and Qing Dynasties.Zhong Hua Yi Dian(Chinese Medicopeia,《中华医典》in Chinese,the 5^thEdition),Quan Guo Zhong Yi Tu Shu Lian He Mu Lu（National Union Catalogue of TCM Books,《全国中医图书联合目录》in Chinese）and Hu Bei Zhong Yi Xue Shi Gao（The Book On The History Of Hubei TCM,《湖北中医学史稿》in Chinese）were utilized as researching tool,in which the literatures about aging,anti-aging,longevity and live cultivation and health preservation in Ming and Qing Dynasties were searched,compiled and studied.Besides,keywords as aging（“衰老”in Chinese）,anti-aging（“抗衰”in Chinese）,life-prolonging（“延年”in Chinese）,health maintanence（“养生”in Chinese）,longevity and death in early age（“寿夭”in Chinese）,Ming Qing（“明清”in Chinese）were searched in database as CNKI,Wanfang data,CQVIP,Duxiu,Yingke.Over 200 papers and more than 50 monographs were attained as literature base.A comprehensive study on anti-aging theory and practice in Ming and Qing Dynasties were conducted via literature research,statistical analysis,case analysis,generalization and summarization.ResultsBased on a large scale of literature research and analysis,the evolution of anti-aging theories and their characteristics from pre-Qin period and Han Dynasties to Ming and Qing Dynasties were sorted out.The politics,economy and cultural background were introduced in this dissertation,which systematically elucidated the Ming-Qing dynasty doctorsbackground were of life,principles and approaches of anti-aging,their explorations and contributions on the anti-aging theories,and,the inspirations on establishing future medical model and old-age healthcare system.This paper sorts out the development of the theory of anti-aging in five stages as pre-Qin and Han dynasties,Wei,Jin,Southern and Northern Dynasties,Sui and Tang Dynasties,Song,Jin,Yuan Dynasties and Ming-Qing Dynasties respectively.Generally speaking,The Pre-Qin to Han Dynasties were the preliminary formation stage of the anti-aging theoretical system,the Wei,Jin,North and South Dynasties were the relatively metaphysical stage of the anti-aging theory,the Sui and Tang Dynasties were the application stage of the anti-aging theory;the Song,Jin and Yuan Dynasties were the independent development stage of the anti-aging theory,and the Ming and Qing Dynasties were the mature stage of the anti-aging theory.In the Ming and Qing dynasties,the high centralization of feudal governing,together with the emergence of commodity economy,the monopoly of confucian school of idealist philosophy of the Song and Ming dynasties,Wang Yangming’s philosophy of mind and the prosperity of civil culture gave rise to the prevalence of abandoning Confucianism for medicine,and of strong atmosphere of respecting the elderly.Besides,a large number of medical works were published.They all objectively promoted the theoretical and practical development of anti-aging under traditional Chinese medicine framework.On the basis of extensive and in-depth absorption of predecessors’theoretical achievements,the doctors of Ming and Qing Dynasties further deepened their basic understanding of life and aging.As for the understanding of life,the doctors of Ming and Qing dynasties believed that man is the wisest of all creatures,with a basic life process as birth,growth,adultness,oldness and death.Man has 3 treasures:vital essence,Qi,Shen（close in meaning to spirit,mental activity）（“精”“气”“神”in Chinese）.Doctors in Ming-Qing Dynasties constructed a relatively comprehensive theoretical system from the three states as“when man reaches the age of forty,half of his vital essence is consumed”,aging rhythm,senility,and manifestation of aging.In addition,they further enriching and developing the TCM theory of longevity and death in early age from the perspectives of observing the birth state,by pulse taking,investigating geological environment,judging the state of Zang-fu and Qi,blood,and enjoying happy life and longevity by maintaining health,keeping calm and love of morality.It provided firm TCM theoretical basis for anti-aging and health maintenance for longevity.6 basic anti-aging principles of Ming-Qing dynasties summarized from analysis on a large quantities of literatures of that time were worked out as:（1）harmonizing Yin and Yang,harmonious Qi movement is at the top priority;（2）cultivating both body and Shen,keep Shen clear and body in a healthy state;（3）adapting life activities in accordance with the law of nature,the key point lies in the obedience to the seasonal changes;（4）avoiding overwork and securing continence,health is rooted in consolidating the vital essence;（5）keeping reasonable diet,getting rid of over-eating;（6）combining disease prevention and health cultivation,putting prevention in the first place.Under the 6 principles,the Ming-Qing dynasties’doctors went further enriching and developing the methods and techniques for anti-aging,including herbal medicine,medicated dietary therapy,Daoyin（guiding body Qi moving harmoniously and making body tenderer by slow motion of body movement）and regulating breath,acupuncture and massage,spirit cultivation.A large sample analysis on showed 210 anti-aging herbal medicines.They are mainly mild and warm in nature,sweet and bitterness in flavor,functioning in tonifying the body and also treating diseases or disorders of hair,teeth,face,ears and eyes.The doctors in Ming-Qing dynasties kept a large number of food materials that can be used in dietary therapy and high-end recipes as rice,porridge,thick soup,soup,cake,cookie,drink,decoction and powder.Daoyin and breath regulation techniques mainly include traditional health cultivation sports such as Ba Duan Jin（Eight elegant exercises,“八段锦”in Chinse）,Wu Qin Xi（Exercises imitating five animal motions,“五禽戏”in Chinse）,Yi Jin Jing（Regulating tendon exercises,“易筋经”in Chinse）,Shi Er Dong Gong（Twelve moving exercises,“十二动功”in Chinse）and breath regulation exercises as Liu Zi Jue（Six pronunciation exercise for health cultivation,“六字诀”in Chinese）and other kind.The doctors also attached great importance in the practice with acupuncture,moxibustion,massage both in anti-aging and disease prevention.For cultivating the mind,they emphasized introspection,cultivating morality,seeking no fame and wealth,keeping a peaceful mind and nature in temper.These techniques are of strong guidance for the later generation’s practice in anti-aging.Under the guidance of holistic concept and treatment based on syndrome differentiation,this paper analyzes the exploration and contribution of Jing Chu region doctors in anti-aging.Jing Chu region is characterized by a long history of medical culture,a perfect medical theory system and abundant genuine medicinal materials.In practical perspective,there were more longevity Jing Chu region doctors in Ming and Qing dynasties,95 of whom are 70 years old or above were found.These doctors were all characterized by noble character,elegant interest,proficient in Qihuang and the way of keeping healthy.There are rich works on health and longevity,and Li Shizhen,Wan Quan,Wu Min,Liu Ruojin and other famous Jing Chu region doctors were born,making great contributions to the enrichment and development of important anti-aging theories.ConclusionThrough comprehensive research,analysis,comparison and summarization,it is obvious that the theory and practice of anti-aging in the Ming and Qing Dynasties got innovative development,the basic theoretical framework of aging was established,the basic principles of anti-aging was confirmed.They specified the practice of anti-aging into a theoretical system of anti-aging with the integration of theory,law,prescription and medicine.The study was conducted through the collection and research of the theories of anti-aging and preserving longevity of traditional Chinese medicine represented by the doctors of Ming and Qing Dynasties,together with combining the future medical development trend.Under the guidance of my academic supervisor,my team proposed 6 future medical models as human-oriented health medicine,holistic medicine that integrating body and mind,ecological medicine of natural harmony,longevity medicine of health and happiness,social medicine of information sharing and health medicine of preventing disease in advance.And under the guidance of these six future medical models,the enlightenment to the construction of old-age healthcare system is put forward,namely:the constructing healthcare system of the whole life cycle,constructing the old-age healthcare support system for the whole society with all-round and full element participation,constructing the elderly friendly society,constructing regional cultural system for health maintenance and longevity,constructing a knowledge system of the old-age healthcare under"prevention prior to disease onset"concept.These proposals will be of good guiding significance for establishing up-to-date old-age healthcare system.