Outwitting the 7 Enemies of Aging by Robert Chu, PhD, L.Ac, QME

We all know aging is difficult. Yes it happens naturally, but it is often painful and riddled with twists and turns to the straight line of health and well being. Mainstream medicine has developed some amazing life-saving techniques that were unheard of even as little as 20 years ago… but it has little clues as to how to prevent disease or combat the chronic health problems that we face every day.

But if we turn back the clock and look to traditional peoples, whose longevity and wellbeing were certainly better than ours, we may find some surprising answers. The ancient Daoists, for example, used herbs to treat impotence – herbs like Ashwagandha and Horny Goat Weed work as an aphrodisiac and can stimulate and strengthen the sexual organs. These herbs can help with ED to maintain good sexual health, without the use of Viagra or Cialis.

For those suffering from constipation, a diet of high fiber foods, fruits, vegetables, and nuts like walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds can keep you regular without the need for Metamucil or other fiber rich over the counter medication. Regular walking and keeping up the water intake moves things along.

Aging usually means your eyesight goes – Herbs and acupuncture can help with night blindness or red, swollen eyes. Regular intake of common herbs like chrysanthemum and Fructus lyciium (Gou Qi Zi) will help maintain visual clarity and health. Consult with your Chinese medicine practitioner for more extensive formulas that will aid the vision.

People often think as they age, cholesterol goes sky high – But, maintaining a proper diet with exercise, consuming a low LDL diet, drinking tea, maintaining your weight, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and reducing stress can certainly lower your cholesterol.

People often take aging and stress hand in hand, but there are many ways to reduce stress. Talking a walk, doing gardening, chatting with good friends, going to a bookstore, working out in a gym are all ways to combat stress.

A common thought is aging has you to succumb to poor memory – If you don’t use it, you will lose it, as the old saying goes. Keep your mind sharp through reading, meditation, in analysis and mathematics. Staying home all alone, without social interaction, and simply watching television is a wonderful way to ruin the mind. Many Chinese herbs help with memory.

Getting old doesn’t mean you have to suffer from insomnia. Often, because of stress, and a weakened constitution, or insufficient blood you can’t fall asleep or stay asleep. For help in this area, a Chinese herbalist should be consulted for the proper prescription of herbals.