Huang Di, or the Yellow Emperor is referred to as the "Originator of the Chinese Culture & medicine" and he reigned during the middle of the third millennium BC. It was during his reign that the ancient Huaxia nationality was gradually formed, being the predecessor of the Han nationality to which the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people belong. This explains why all Chinese regard themselves as descendants of Huang Di.

The Yellow Emperor was a highly gifted "Son of Heaven". ("Son of Heaven is a term used exclusively to refer to the Emperor). He was the inventor of many things such as making clothes, manufacturing boats, building houses and palaces etc. He also had his court officials, Lun Ling make musical instruments, Da Nao compile the Heavenly Stems and the Earthly Branches which were used in combination to designate years , months, days and hours and Cang Jie invent the Chinese characters.

 Among his many important contributions to the Chinese people, the most remarkable being the compilation of the medical classic, Huang Di Neijing. It was believed that he lived to the ripe old age of 117 and was on the throne for a century. He practiced the policy of benevolenceand so the country enjoyed abundance and prosperity.

The Neijing is actually two works: the Suwen and the Lingshu. The Suwen explores the Questions of Organic and Fundamental Nature while the Lingshu explores the classic of Acupuncture.

The Neijing offers much practical advice on how to maintain balance by revealing the inner workings of the universal law. The environment, the way of live, and the spirit all contribute to the quality of human existence.

The essence of the Neijing can be summed up in the following passage: " Health and well-being can be achieved only by remaining centered in spirit, guarding against the squandering of energy, promoting the constant flow of qi and blood, maintaining harmonious balance of yin and yang, adapting to the changing seasonal and yearly macrocosmic influences, and nourishing one’s self preventively. This is the way to a long and happy life.

An exposition of the Neijing to a pertinent question of life.

Question
"In the days of old people lived one hundred years without showing the usual signs of aging, how is it that today people age prematurely, living only fifty years?"

Answer
In the past, people practiced the Tao, the Way of life. They understood the principle of balance, of yin and yang. They formulate practices such as Dao Yin, an exercise combining stretching, massaging, and breathing to promote energy flow and meditation to help maintain and harmonize themselves with the universe. They ate a balanced diet at regular times, arose and retired at regular hours, avoided overstressing their bodies and minds and refrained from overindulgence of all kinds. They maintained well-being of body and mind; thus, it is not surprising that they lived over one hundred years.

These days, people have changed their way of life. They drink wine as though it were water, indulge excessively in destructive activities, drain their jing –the body essence that is stored in the kidneys- and deplete their qi. They do not know the secret of conserving their energy and vitality. Seeking emotional excitement and momentary pleasures, people disregard the natural rhythm and order of the universe. They fail to regulate their lifestyle and diet, and sleep improperly. So it is not surprisingly that they look old at fifty and die soon after.

On the mental level, one should remain calm and avoid excessive desires and fantasies, recognizing and maintaining the natural purity and clarity of the mind. When internal energies are able to circulate smoothly and freely, and the energy of the mind is not scattered, but is focused and concentrated, illness and disease can be avoided.

Previously people led a calm and honest existence with an untainted conscience and without fear. They were active, but never depleted themselves. Because they lived simply, these individuals knew contentment, as reflected in their diet of basic but nourishing foods and attire that was appropriate to the season but never luxurious. Since they were happy with their position in life, they did not feel jealous or greed. They had compassion for others and were helpful and honest. They remained unshakable and unswayed by temptation, and they were able to stay centered even when adversity arose.

Ref: Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia .