Throughout history, people have searched for ways to increase their lifespan. Over time, we have made significant progress. In the past, living to 40 was considered a good life span. Nowadays, many people live past 90 or even 100. However, one man may have discovered the secret to living the longest life ever documented. Meet Li Ching-Yuen.
According to an article in The New York Times from 1930, Li lived to be 256 years old. Evidence was discovered in 1928 by Professor Wu Chun Chi of Chengdu University congratulating Li on his 150th birthday in 1827 and his 200th in 1877. Li’s neighbors claimed that he was already an adult when they were children.
Li started his career as an herbalist at 10 years old and ate mostly herbs such as goji berries, lingzhi, wild ginseng, wuweizi, gouqi kola, and rice wine for almost 40 years. He continued this diet for the next 100 years. At the age of 71, he became a martial arts instructor in the Chinese army. Li was a beloved member of his community and reportedly married 23 times, fathering approximately 200 children.
Li may not have been the oldest person he knew. One of his disciples claimed that Li met a 500-year-old man who taught him qigong exercises and a special herb-rich diet that could help people live extraordinarily long lives.
When asked about the secret to his long life, Li said, “Keep a quiet heart, sit like a tortoise, walk sprightly like a pigeon, and sleep like a dog.”
Whether or not you believe Li’s story, his wisdom is worth considering. We could all learn from Li’s example and strive for a long and healthy life.
