Written By Jun Heo(許浚, 1539~1615), Translated by Namil Kim, Wung Seok Cha et al., Published by Ministry of Health & Welfare (Korea)
01 Aging Results from the Decline of Blood 老因血衰 늙는 것은 혈이 쇠하기 때문이다
There is a seed of pulsation the size of the tip of a chopstick in the white film between the two kidneys. This induces changes, warms up the triple energizers while circulating the body, and digests the food. Outside it protects the body from the six pathogens, and inside it controls all kinds of thoughts. It does not stop night and day. As a person ages, the essence and blood are all consumed so the seven orificies do not function normally: one does not tear when crying but tears when laughing, has a runny nose with a lot of thick discharge, and has ringing ears with the sound of the shrill of cicadas. One’s mouth dries when eating but drools when sleeping, urine spontaneously leaks at times, and has constipation or diarrhea. One tends to doze off during the day but is sleepless at night; these are the symptoms of an aged person.
02 Treatments for Diseases in the Aged 老人治病노인병의 치료
① An old person must not be treated with bitter or cold herbs, or treated by promoting sweating, vomiting, or purgation. Only the medicine with mild character can be used for treatment.
② Short and scanty urine in the aged is a sign that a disease is in progression. A Disease Prevention Longevity Decoction must be used in this case. If one is weak after having been sick,a Modified White Atractylodes Pill should be prescribed. Frequent urination should be prescribed with Kidney Qi Pill without Alismatis Rhizoma (澤瀉) and addition of Hoelen cum Radix (茯神) and Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus (益智仁) [The composition is described in the chapter Deficiency Vexation]. If the excretion is dry, use Dredge the Wind and Smooth Qi Pill and Perilla and Ephedra Porridge [The composition is described in the chapter Feces]. In the case of phlegm disease, Six Gentlemen Decoction [The composition is described in the chapter Phlegm]. and Three Seeds Support Parents Decoction [The composition is described in the chapter Cough]․ Mild Laxative Pill or Double kidneys Powder [The composition is described in the chapter Phlegm] should be prescribed.
03 Protection and Nurturing for the Aged 老人保養 노인보양
For a person who is always worn out and tired, medicine for nurturing and tonification must be used, and porridge must be taken for care. In such case, a Tonify the Center to Augment the qi Decoction. Extraordinary Result Powder [The composition is described in the chapter Internal Damage] and Guarding Life Decoction and Stabilize the True Pill [The composition is described in the chapter Deficiency Vexation] must be used. Also, medicines from the Chapter on Medicines for Nurturing the Original Vitality (養性延年藥餌) can be chosen. It is best to take milk from humans or milk.
• Disease Prevention Longevity Decoction 却病延壽湯 각병연수탕
It treats short and scanty urination. Prepare 1 don of Ginseng Radix (人蔘) and Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮), 7 pun of Achyranthis Radix (牛膝) and Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥), 5 pun of Citrus Unshius Pericarpium, Poria Sclerotium (白茯苓), Crataegi Fructus, Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸), and Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草). Cut these herbs and decoct with 3 pieces of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus and drink often. Add Cnidii Rhizoma (川芎) in spring, Scutellariae Radix and Liriopis Tuber (麥門冬) in summer, and twice the amount of Angelica Gigantis Radix (當歸) and Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus in autumn and winter. Stop taking the medicine if the urination returns to normal. This medicine is the best solution for keeping the health of the aged.
• Modified White Atractylodes Pill 增損白朮散 증손백출산
It tonifies a weak old man. Prepare 7 pun of Ginseng Radix (人蔘), Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮), and Poria Sclerotium (白茯苓), 5 pun of Citrus Unshius Pericarpium, Agastachis Herba, and Puerariae Radix, and 3 pun of Aucklandiae Radix (木香), Zingiberis Rhizoma (乾薑) (dried form of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (生薑) with peels on), and Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草). Cut these herbs, decoct, and drink often any time.
• Taking Human Milk Method 服人乳法 사람의 젖을 먹는 법
Boil two cups of milk from a woman without diseases in a bowl made out of silver or stone and drink at once. Drink once every morning around 4am.
• Bovine Milk Porridge 牛乳粥 우유죽
Mix 1 doe of milk with a small amount of well-ground rice, and make them into porridge. Especially the aged should take it often.
