Nourishing Life (養生 Yǎng Shēng): An Ancient Love of Lists

Ancient Chinese specialists in ‘nourishing life’ (養生 yǎng shēng) often made lists of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’. These lists guided patients toward activities that promoted health and longevity and away from those that might cause harm. Even in the twenty-first century, these lists contain much wisdom that can guide us how to live longer, healthier and more contented lives, and constitute a useful resource for practitioners who wish to provide focused lifestyle advice for their patients. In this article, seven of these ancient lists are discussed.