The Double Ninth Festival, a festival dating back to the Han Dynasty, is observed on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar, and it is customary for people to climb high mountains, appreciate chrysanthemums, wear the zhuyu plant, and pray for health and longevity, as in Chinese pronunciation, nine sounds like "long lasting".

In the Dunhuang manuscripts, there is a set of scientific health maintenance methods, which is considered by today’s youngsters to be not that out-of-date and is still observed by many.

Dietetic methods

Food is the basis of our life. Some ordinary food in our daily lives can not only provide those essential nutrientsour bodies need but also enhance our health and cure our diseases.

The Dietetic Materia Medica unearthed from the Scripture-storing Caves of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes

The remainsof the Dietetic Materia Medicaunearthed from the Scripture-storing Caves of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes introduced 26 key materials, which are actually all ordinary food.

The book explains in detail the main cures enabled by food such as chicken, duck, fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, as well as dining dos and don'ts, folk prescriptions and empirical prescriptions.

Weight loss tool - winter melon

According to the Dietetic Materia Medica and the Traditional Chinese Medicine it is based on, winter melon is neutral and slightly cool in nature, sweet in taste and acts on our lungs, bladder, and large and small intestines. It helps to detoxify, clears out mucus and phlegm and promotes digestion.

Flying Celestial Apsara, Grotto 172, Mogao Grottoes, the glorious age of the Tang Dynasty

Hair loss prevention - Walnuts

It is suggested that walnuts be eaten regularly on a daily or monthly basis, but excessive amounts of walnuts do not do good to our health. Walnuts have sweet and warm properties. Their functions are to energise the kidneys, nourish the blood, warm the lungs and moisten the intestines. They can also prevent hair loss.

Bodhisattva,Grotto 320, Mogao Grottoes, The glorious age of Tang Dynasty

Anti-aging - lotus root

Raw lotus root is a "cold" plant that helps reinforce energy, nourishes nerves, dispels pathogenic heat, moves bowels, removes blood stagnation and stops bleeding. Cooked lotus root is mildly "warm". It can help benefit the digestive system, relieve diarrhea, nourish blood and help achieve longevity.

　Flying Apsaras, Grotto 296, Mogao Grottoes, Northern Zhou Dynastry

Exercise and entertainment

As the old saying goes,"Running water is never stale and a door-hinge never gets worm-eaten."

With the invigorating autumn climate, it is a good idea to hang out with friends and climb a high mountain.

Wine house, Grotto 108, Mogao Grottoes, Middle Tang

During the Tang and Song dynasties, it was a very popular custom to climb a high mountain, eat Chongyang cake,drink chrysanthemum wine, and wear the zhuyu plant during the Double Ninth Festival.

Return to Nature

Travel in the Mountains, Grotto 103, Mogao Grottoes, Middle Tang

TCM teaches that, in order to maintain optimum health,  humans should be at one with nature and act  in conformity with the changes of the natural environment. To maintain one’s health, people should therefore adjust their diets and exercise in accordance with the change of seasons.