Empress Beauty Rituals

As the only female emperor in Chinese history, Wu Zetian experienced several ups and downs throughout her life on the political stage of the Tang Dynasty. She endured nearly every hardship and political intrigue, but remarkably, she seemed completely unaffected by the power struggles around her. Even in her later years, she maintained sharp hearing and sight, her teeth and hair remained youthful, and her appearance stayed remarkably beautiful. This was truly a miracle. So, what was Wu Zetian's secret to maintaining her health, wit, and beauty.

According to historical records, one of the main reasons Wu Zetian was able to preserve her beauty and youthful vigor was her attention to daily diet. It is said that she made a habit of consuming "Tianshan snow lotus, silver ear eight treasures, and Ganoderma (reishi) with Korean ginseng" daily. For her baths, she used a blend of "red gold, dan shen salvia, and ai ye mugwort leaves." We know that both Ganoderma and Korean ginseng are top-quality health supplements. So, what is the "red gold". 

Hong Hua is a remarkable medicinal properties, especially its ability to invigorate blood circulation and nourish the blood. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, saffron has a sweet taste and a neutral nature. It is used to "activate blood, calm the heart. In small dosages it nourishes blood and is espceially useful for increasing circulation in the face.