Understanding Longevity and Aging in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo: I would like to understand the foundation of human life at its beginning. What is the basis for life, and what serves as its defense? What must be lost for death to occur? And what must be gained for life to continue?

Qi Bo replied: Life is based on the mother’s blood and is defended by the father’s essence. The union of the father’s essence and the mother’s blood creates the spirit and vital energy (Shen Qi). If Shen Qi is lost, death follows; only with the presence of Shen Qi can life be sustained.

The Yellow Emperor asked: What exactly is the spirit (Shen)?

Qi Bo said: When the blood and energy of the body are balanced, and the flow of Ying Qi and Wei Qi (nutritive and defensive energy) is smooth, when the five internal organs are fully formed, the spirit resides in the heart. The soul and spirit are then complete, and the body becomes a well-functioning, healthy human form.

The Yellow Emperor said: Lifespans vary among people; some die prematurely, some live to old age, some die suddenly, while others suffer from long-term illness. What is the explanation for this?

Qi Bo replied: Those with strong internal organs, well-regulated blood and circulation, flexible and unblocked muscles, and firm, dense skin—whose Ying Qi and Wei Qi flow without interruption—are likely to have regular, balanced breathing and the harmonious functioning of the six hollow organs. These individuals can digest food efficiently, distributing vital energy and fluids throughout the body to nourish it. When the internal organs and bodily systems function normally, life is prolonged, and longevity is ensured.

The Yellow Emperor asked: Some people live to be over a hundred years old. What are the characteristics that allow them to achieve such longevity?

Qi Bo replied: Longevity is often marked by deep and long nasal passages and a well-developed philtrum (the groove between the nose and upper lip). The facial bones should be thick and square, the circulation of Ying Qi and Wei Qi should be smooth, and the three areas of the face (the upper, middle, and lower portions) should be well-proportioned and elevated rather than sunken. The muscles should be firm and the bones prominent—these are signs of a robust physique capable of living a long life, often reaching a hundred years.

The Yellow Emperor asked: Can you explain the process of aging and how the blood and energy of the body decline from birth to death?

Qi Bo said: When a person reaches ten years old, the five internal organs begin to develop and mature, and the circulation of blood and energy becomes smooth. At this stage, children are active and enjoy movement. By the age of twenty, the body is full of vitality, and the muscles have developed further, resulting in quicker, more agile movement. At thirty, the internal organs are fully developed, and the body is strong, with a steady pace in walking. By forty, the internal organs, six hollow organs, and twelve meridians are well-established, but no longer growing. At this age, the connective tissues loosen, the skin starts to lose its luster, and hair begins to turn grey. The body’s energy becomes more stable but less abundant, and the person tends to prefer sitting and resting.

At fifty, the liver energy starts to decline, the liver weakens, and bile production decreases, causing the eyes to become blurry. At sixty, the heart energy weakens, and one may often feel sadness or worry. The blood circulation slows, and the body becomes sluggish, requiring more rest. By seventy, the spleen energy becomes deficient, and the skin begins to dry. At eighty, the lung energy weakens, and the ability to retain the soul diminishes, often causing speech errors. By ninety, the kidney energy has nearly depleted, and the other organs’ energy is also weak. When a person reaches one hundred, all the internal organs and their associated energy become exhausted, and the spirit and vital energy fade away, leaving only the physical body, which eventually dies.

The Yellow Emperor asked: Why do some people die before reaching the expected age of death?

Qi Bo replied: People who do not live long often have weak internal organs. Their nostrils and philtrum are shallow, the nostrils flare outward, and their breathing is rapid and shallow. Their facial bones are small, their pulse weak, the blood insufficient, and the muscles underdeveloped. The connective tissues are loose, making them vulnerable to wind and cold invasions. Their blood and energy become even more deficient, their circulation is blocked, and external pathogens can invade easily. The true energy (Zhen Qi) becomes disordered, and this causes premature death, often in middle age.