Wisdom of the aged

MO TIANLAN, 105

Mo Tianlan, of Fuchuan Yao autonomous county of Hezhou, finds that people can enjoy a long life as long as they know how to preserve their health.

Every day she drinks three bowls of youcha, a traditional mixture invented by China's Yao ethnic group who prefer life in humid mountain areas.

Made of rice, tea, ginger and camellia seed oil, youcha is believed to ward off colds and moisture from the body. Mo often makes it herself-a habit that has lasted 100 years.

Another way of taking care of herself is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy for treating sunstroke. It involves scraping one's own neck, chest or back. According to TCM theory, scraping the skin stimulates one's immune system and helps remove disorders.

"I feel much better after finishing this self-treatment, although it's painful," Mo said.

Besides youcha and scraping therapy, laughter is the best medicine for curing any disease, she said. As she chats merrily with her neighbors and drinks youcha, she can't imagine a better life.

"You can take care of your health well, whether you're poor or rich."

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