Chapter 1
The Role of Saliva and Hormones in Golden Elixir

Golden Elixir

Golden Elixir Chi Kung is a special system of Chi Kung practices that focuses on building Chi power in the saliva and hair to strengthen the physical body. Golden Elixir is saliva fortified with hormones and Chi, and can be used in healing practices. Body hair plays an important role in Golden Elixir Chi Kung because Taoists regard the hair as antennae extending out into nature and the universe. The hair absorbs Chi, filters out negative energies, and stores surplus Chi that can be drawn into the Golden Elixir. This book presents numerous practices for fortifying saliva with hormones and Chi, producing the Golden Elixir that is known as the “water of life.”

Thousands of years ago the Taoists became aware of changes in the taste and consistency of saliva that accompanied meditative practices. They observed that relaxation increases the flow of saliva and mixes it with hormones. Taoist practitioners believed that when the saliva tastes sweet, it contains the “longevity hormone.” The resulting Golden Elixir was thought to moisturize the intestinal tract and lubricate and energize all the organs, tissues, and joints in the entire body. Golden Elixir is especially strong when it is fortified with sexual hormones and energies through practices such as ovarian and testicle breathing, and massaging the breasts and testicles. Throughout this book, we will present a number of practices for empowering Golden Elixir with various hormonal energies and Chi so that it can be used to strengthen and heal the body.

Swallowing Saliva

The swallowing of saliva involves certain breathing techniques. In this practice there are eight different swallowing techniques that include the pressing of the fingers and the palms. This practice generates an internal power transfer into the palms and the fingers. In the period before gunpower, the internal power of the fingers and the palms was a deadly weapon. These modern practices, listed below, will greatly improve and strengthen the fingers for all of your daily work.

1. Dragon Gazes at the Pearl: Swallowing saliva with pinching of the fingers in front

2. Looking Back at the Moon: Swallowing saliva with grasping of the fists

3. Wai T’o Offering the Rod: Swallowing saliva with pressing of the palms

4. Giant Raises the Tower: Swallowing saliva with thrusting of the palms

5. Iron Bridge Swallow: Swallowing saliva with pinching of the fingers from behind

6. Shaking the Head and Wagging the Tail: Swallowing saliva with rubbing of the palms

7. Pulling Silk and Swinging the Leg: Swallowing saliva with breathing of the palms

8. Gathering the Golden Earth Pill: Swallowing saliva with palms gathering the Earth Chi

Looking Back at the Moon: Swallowing Saliva with Grasping of the Fists
1. Stand with feet together, facing forward. Both hands are in loose fists, with a circular space between the fingers, as if holding a steel rod.

The right hand is held at your forehead, palm out. The back of the hand is at but not touching the forehead. The left hand is held with the palm facing the body at waist level, directly under the right.

2. Turn to the left by rotating the body at the spine and look over the shoulder at the back of the right heel. As you turn, the right hand will move toward the left eyebrow, the left hand moving with it to the side of the waist. Look at the ankle. You will feel this stretch at the waist.

3. Gather the energy, be aware of your hair. Dim your eyes. Be aware of your left, open armpit hair. Lightly contract the anus and perineum, and pull up the sexual organs.