How to maintain brain health? Traditional Chinese medicine holds that an important measure is to use the brain frequently. Cao Cishan of the Qing Dynasty said, "Never stop studying because of old age." The brain deteriorates gradually with the aging process, but frequent use can postpone this, provide more blood and oxygen to the brain and promote the growth of brain cells. Scientific research shows that frequent use of the brain benefits people of all age groups. Mental workers have a later aging process in the brain cells and a high¬er intelligence quotient in old age than manual laborers. Sur¬veys outside of China provide convincing data showing that in old age the intellectuals have a 50 percent higher intelligence quotient than manual laborers. A vigorous brain can better co¬ordinate the functions of the body, thus strengthening the physique and prolonging the life span.

Historically many scholars and experts have had a longer life span than ordinary people. Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty wrote a book on medicine at the age of 100. Prof. Ma Yinchu, founder of the new population theory, and a warm advocate of family planning in the 1950s, also lived over a hundred. A sur¬vey abroad shows that the average life span of 400 outstanding scientists is 67 years.

Those who lived the longest were those who used their brains much, such as Thomas Edison, 84 years; Sir Isaac Newton, 85 years; Albert Einstein, 76 years; Ben¬jamin Franklin, 84 years. Some experts on life prolongation call the hardworking of the brain "keep-fit understanding."
With the rapid development of science and technology, heavy physical labor is becoming less day by day, and mental work is increasing.

The influence of this tendency on health has aroused more and more attention and concern. Although many factors influence people's health and longevity, to mental workers scientific use of the brain is more important. Tradi¬tional Chinese medicine has accumulated rich experience in this.

Here are some items:


1. Brain exercise. Doing brain exercises is very helpful in strengthening the physique and postponing the aging process. The ancients advocated "having wide learning and a retentive memory." Wide learning can increase the memory, while a good memory can widen knowledge, the two promoting each other. To attain this goal, the key lies in the cultivation of in¬terest in study. Experience proves that people can memorize things they are interested in more easily and remember them longer. Scientific experiments show that education at an early age is greatly beneficial to later growth. Elderly people can prevent diseases and postpone the aging process by practicing "brain exercises. " At present, various training courses, classes and colleges are open in China for aged people to study. Old people can choose different subjects according to their interests. A rhythmical and regular life is beneficial to health.

2. "Brain bath." We should not only use our brain but adjust it. Every morning after getting up we can have a walk, do morning exercises such as taijiquan or qigong. Fresh air in the morning provides the brain with more oxygen and awakens nerves and muscles which are in a state of inhibition. When one is tired from study, change the environment, enjoy some music, listen to the songs of birds and the sounds of bubbling streams, or appreciate green grass and beautiful flowers. These activities make one pleasant and invigorate the functions of the brain. This is called "brain bath.
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3. Controlling sexual life. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that the kidney channel commands the bones, which pro¬duce marrow, which is linked with the brain. The activities of the brain rely on the nourishment of the kidney channel, which is closely linked with sperm. Zhang Jingyue (1562-1639) of the Ming Dynasty said, "Those who are good at life prolongation will preserve their sperm. By doing so the qi flourishes, which makes one vigorous." Controlling sexual life preserves sperm, which is beneficial to the brain, while an excessive sexual life exhausts energy, accelerates the aging process and reduces re¬sistance to disease.

4. Nutrition of the brain. The weight of the brain makes up only 2 percent of the body, but it consumes 20 percent of the body's energy. So it requires a large quantity of nutrition.
Brain tissue contains fat, protein, sugar, the vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E and calcium, of which fat ranks first. Sufficient nutrition for the brain increases the ability of the cerebral cortex to control excitation and inhibition, and thus raises work efficiency. Undernourishment causes a series of ailments.

The following foods contain tonics for the brain: nuts, black sesame seeds, peanuts, beancurd products, corn, millet, dates, pumpkin seeds, chestnuts, honey, quail, marine algae, fish, shrimp and human milk. The nourishment of the brain should start with the embryo. Pregnant women should eat more of these foods, especially vegetarian foods that are beneficial to the growth of the embryo's brain.

A prescription for a tonic for the brain: 1, 000 grams of walnut meats, 500 grams of longan and 2,000 grams of honey. Boil the honey, then mix with mashed walnut meats and longan in a jar. Take 30 grams of the mixture twice a day. Continuous use will be effective. Porridges mixed with longan, lotus seeds or dates are also good for the brain.

5. Finger exercises. Finger exercises increase thinking ability and strengthen intelligence. Rotating two metal balls or walnuts in the palm of the hand (called "keep-fit balls") stimu¬lates the brain and the development of its functions, and keeps body balance.

6. Massage. Experts in life prolongation down through the ages have paid great attention to massage therapy for strength¬ening the brain. Proceed as follows: Use the fingers as a comb and comb the hair from forehead to the back of the head 12 times. Then use the two thumbs to rub the taiyang points clockwise and counterclockwise, each 12 times. Do this morn¬ing and evening. Regular practice improves the circulation of the blood in the brain, regulates the channels and veins, in¬creases memory and intelligence, and maintains mental tranquillity.

To keep fit and prolong life, one should live a regular life, give up smoking, keep in a good mood, be optimistic, love life and work hard. This will postpone the aging process and make one vigorous.