Moisturizing Skin and Enhancing Complexion — Jade Skin Powder
Ingredients: 6g each of Angelica dahurica, talc, and white aconite; 120g mung bean powder.
Preparation: Grind all ingredients into an extremely fine powder. Apply a small amount to wash the face, or mix with human milk for use. Results are remarkably swift.
Efficacy: This powder specifically treats rough, dry, dull, and lackluster complexions, as well as freckles and blemishes. Regular use moisturizes the skin, enhances complexion, and leaves it as smooth and radiant as jade, with a face as creamy as congealed fat.
Note: Formula sourced from Imperial Medical Academy's Secret Collection of Ointments, Pills, and Powders. Angelica dahurica's aromatic properties nourish skin, promoting whiteness, tenderness, and rosy complexion. Historically used as a cosmetic in imperial courts. Modern science confirms its volatile aromatic oils dilate local blood vessels when applied topically, improving circulation to enhance pigment absorption and moisturize skin.
The Compendium of Materia Medica records: "White Aconite treats a hundred facial ailments, curing dark complexions, dryness, and blemishes." Pharmacological research indicates this ingredient has a skin-irritating effect, causing epidermal exfoliation to erode dark patches, dryness, and blemishes. Additionally, topical application dilates local blood vessels, improving circulation to facilitate pigment absorption.
Miraculous for All Debilities and Debilities—Eight Treasures Paste
Ingredients: 60g Codonopsis, 60g Poria, 30g Atractylodes, 90g each Coix Seed, Euryale Seed, Dolichos Bean, Lotus Seed, Chinese Yam, 240g White Sugar.
Preparation: Grind all ingredients into a fine powder. Steam with white rice flour to form cakes. Take any amount, two to three times daily, washed down with plain water.
Efficacy: This formula is neither cold nor hot, offering a mild and gentle tonic. It nourishes the spleen and stomach, proving remarkably effective for all types of deficiency and debility in men, women, and children.
Note: This is an excellent dietary remedy for deficiency. Emperor Qianlong began regularly consuming this cake at age 40. Subsequent Qing emperors and consorts, including Empress Dowager Cixi, also sought it. Codonopsis root profoundly replenishes vital energy, while coix seed and mung beans fortify the spleen and drain dampness. The harmonious combination of ingredients makes it particularly suitable for spleen-stomach deficiency and heart-kidney insufficiency.
Strengthen Spleen, Nourish Kidneys, Calm Mind & Spirit—Imperial Poria Cake
Ingredients: Poria, lotus seeds, euryale seed, Chinese yam, japonica rice, glutinous rice.
Method: Grind equal parts of poria and other herbs into fine powder. Separately grind japonica rice and glutinous rice into flour.Combine 3 parts herbal powder, 5 parts japonica rice flour, and 2 parts glutinous rice flour with water to form a dough. Steam in a bamboo steamer until cooked, then shape into small cakes. Consume 1–2 pieces daily, morning and evening.
Benefits: Strengthens the spleen and kidneys, calms the heart and mind, promotes longevity.
Note: This is a secret imperial court dietary remedy.Poria cocos, classified as a superior herb in the Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica, is described as "when taken long-term, calming the soul, nourishing the spirit, suppressing hunger, and prolonging life." It was a commonly used longevity medicine in ancient Chinese medicine. Modern research confirms that Poria primarily contains poria polysaccharides, poria acid, lecithin, histidine, ergosterol, and other compounds, exhibiting sedative and hypoglycemic effects.Poria polysaccharides enhance immune function, boost disease resistance, and exhibit potent anticancer properties. Lotus seeds, classified as superior in the Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica, are described as "tonifying the middle energizer, nourishing the spirit, enhancing vitality, eliminating a hundred ailments, and when taken long-term, lightening the body, delaying aging, suppressing hunger, and prolonging life."Gorgon fruit, also classified as a superior herb in the Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica, is said to treat "dampness-induced paralysis, pain in the waist, back, and knees, tonify the middle energizer, eliminate sudden illnesses, enhance essence and qi, strengthen willpower, sharpen the senses, and with long-term use, lighten the body, suppress hunger, and delay aging."
Nourishing Kidneys, Benefiting Lungs, Strengthening Spleen, and Nourishing Heart — Jiling Paste
Ingredients: 60g ginseng, 120g each of asparagus root, ophiopogon root, raw rehmannia root, and prepared rehmannia root, 60g each of Achyranthes root and wolfberry fruit.
Preparation: Grind ginseng into fine powder. Decoct remaining herbs, strain to remove residue, add appropriate honey, mix with ginseng powder, and refine into paste. Alternatively, grind all herbs into powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of a Chinese toon seed. Take paste twice daily, half spoonful each time, dissolved in warm water. Take pills twice daily, 10g each time, on an empty stomach with warm water.
Effects: Nourishes the kidneys and lungs, strengthens the spleen and heart, replenishes essence and marrow, fortifies the body, and promotes longevity.
Note: Jiling Paste is an improved formula developed by Imperial Physician Gu Songyuan during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. Due to its emphasis on nourishing yin and blood, it is not recommended for those with spleen deficiency and diarrhea.
Clears Heart, Moistens Lungs, Nourishes Yin, Reduces Fire — Er Dong Paste
Ingredients: Asparagus root (Tianmen Dong) 500g, Ophiopogon tuber (Maiden Dong) 500g, Fritillary bulb powder (Chuanbei) 120g.
Preparation: Simmer with water into a paste, then add fritillary powder and honey to form a thick paste. Take 4–5 teaspoons daily in the morning with plain water.
Effects: This paste clears the heart, moistens the lungs, stops coughing, dissolves phlegm, nourishes yin, reduces fire, quenches thirst, relieves irritability, and eliminates fire from the five viscera. Essential for blood loss, exhaustion, and deficiency of primordial yin—it should be taken daily. Long-term use balances yin and yang, eliminating illness.
Note: Formula from Qing Imperial Hospital Prescriptions. Both winter herbs are excellent sweet and cold yin-nourishing agents.Asparagus root (Tianmendong) is a tonic for strengthening and anti-aging. Classified as a superior herb in the Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica, long-term use "lightens the body, boosts energy, prolongs life, and reduces hunger." The Materia Medica of the Sun Family describes it as "moisturizing the five viscera, benefiting the skin, enhancing complexion, and treating five types of exhaustion and seven injuries." This may be attributed to its rich content of asparagine, mucilage, and steroidal saponins.
The Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica classifies Ophiopogon japonicus as a superior herb, stating it "lightens the body, prevents aging, and reduces hunger when taken long-term." The Supplement to the Materia Medica by Famous Physicians notes it "strengthens yin, enriches essence, aids digestion, regulates the middle burner, protects the heart spirit, stabilizes lung qi, harmonizes the five viscera, promotes robust health, beautifies complexion, and aids fertility."This product contains various steroidal saponins, mucilage, and β-sitosterol, exhibiting potent antibacterial activity.
Strengthening the Spleen and Harmonizing the Stomach — Taihe Cake
Ingredients: 120g Chinese yam, 120g each of lotus seed, Atractylodes macrocephala, Euryale ferox seed, Poria cocos, fermented malt, Toona sinensis seed, and Aconitum carmichaeli rhizome,60g roasted licorice root.
Preparation: Grind all ingredients into a fine powder. Mix with 500g dried cooked rice and honey to form small cakes. Take one cake daily.
Efficacy: Strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, most suitable for men, women, and children with spleen-stomach deficiency.
Note: This formula originates from Secret Medical Records of the Imperial Hospital of the Qing Dynasty, serving as a dietary therapy for spleen-qi tonification.The formula combines Chinese yam, lotus seeds, Atractylodes macrocephala, Euryale ferox seed, and Poria cocos—all excellent for strengthening the spleen and boosting qi. Euryale ferox seed additionally consolidates and astringes, while Poria cocos drains dampness. This dual action—consolidating righteous qi and expelling damp pathogenic factors—demonstrates a masterful combination.Modern research indicates that Poria cocos (see above), Atractylodes macrocephala, Chinese yam, and lotus seeds enhance human immune function. Chinese yam lowers blood sugar and lipids, while lotus seeds and euryale seed exhibit anticancer properties. This demonstrates the formula's exceptional efficacy in promoting longevity and combating aging.
Clearing Heat, Dispelling Wind, and Lowering Blood Pressure — Vision-Enhancing Longevity Pills (Paste)
Ingredients: 60g frosted mulberry leaves,Chrysanthemum flowers 60g, Honey to taste.
Preparation: Grind ingredients into coarse powder. Mix with honey to form mung bean-sized pills. Alternatively, simmer in water until thoroughly cooked, strain, then reduce to a thick syrup. Add honey and consume as paste. Take 2-3 times daily, 6g per dose.
Effects: Calms liver, improves vision, clears heat, dispels wind, lowers blood pressure.
Notes: Modern research indicates chrysanthemum contains volatile essential oils, choline, and chrysanthemum glycosides, which exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also enhances capillary resistance, dilates coronary arteries, and possesses cardiotonic and hypotensive effects. The Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica classifies chrysanthemum as a superior herb, stating "long-term use benefits qi and blood, lightens the body, and prolongs life."This formula was prescribed by imperial physician Zhang Zhongyuan for Empress Dowager Cixi at age 71, indicating its suitability for the elderly.
Nourish Kidneys, Strengthen Brain, Replenish Yin, Boost Qi — Schisandra Berry Paste
Ingredients: 240g schisandra berries.
Preparation: Wash berries, soak in water for half a day, boil until soft, strain, then simmer into syrup. Add a small amount of honey to form paste.Take 1-2 times daily, 1 spoonful each time, dissolved in hot water.
Effects: Tonifies kidneys, strengthens the brain, nourishes yin, boosts qi, and nourishes the heart.
Note: Recorded in Selected Medical Formulas for Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu, this formula was used to fortify her body and nurture her spirit. It is warm in nature, sweet and sour in taste, and enters the liver, kidney, heart, and lung meridians.Traditional medical experts have long recognized its tonifying and strengthening effects, including "nourishing the five viscera and fortifying tendons and bones."
Modern research indicates it contains schisandrin, citric acid, volatile oils, and other compounds that regulate cerebral cortex function. It enhances cognitive and physical performance, boosts nonspecific immunity, and supports adrenal cortex function;It also protects the liver, detoxifies, and reduces alanine aminotransferase levels. This paste can be called an excellent brain-boosting and longevity-enhancing product.
Nourishes Kidneys, Restores Vital Energy, Calms Mind and Spirit — Yangchun Baixue Cake
Ingredients: 60g white poria (peeled), 60g Chinese yam,Euryale seed 90g, Lotus seed (de-seeded and peeled) 150g, Fried Shenqu 30g, Fried Malt 30g, Rice and Glutinous rice each 500g, White sugar 500g.
Method: Grind all herbs into powder. Place powder with rice and glutinous rice in a cloth bag. Steam thoroughly in a steamer basket until very soft. Remove and transfer to a winnowing basket (or large wooden tray). Mix in white sugar thoroughly. Knead into small pieces. Sun-dry (or oven-dry) until crisp. Store for later use. Elderly individuals may consume 1-2 pieces, 2-3 times daily.
Effects: Strengthens the spleen and stomach, nourishes the kidneys and vital energy, calms the mind and spirit, promotes longevity.
Note: This is a verified imperial court dietary therapy formula from the Ming Dynasty, sourced from "Lu Fu Jin Fang." The effects of Poria cocos are detailed in the preceding "Poria Cake" entry.The Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica classifies Chinese yam as a superior herb, stating it "enhances vitality and builds muscle. Long-term use sharpens senses, lightens the body, suppresses hunger, and prolongs life."
Qing Dynasty physician Zhang Xichun deemed Chinese yam the supreme tonic among nourishing herbs.Modern medical research confirms that Chinese yam contains amylase, amino acids, choline, saponins, and other compounds. It enhances phagocytic function of white blood cells and lowers blood sugar levels. Its amylase breaks down proteins and sugars, contributing to its nourishing and tissue-regenerating effects.