What You Need To Know About Traditional Chinese Medicine Powders
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, powders are the staple medicines that you’ll be given to take. They can be pressed into pill form or you are to add them to water and drink the mixture. These Traditional Chinese Medicine powders are dried and pulverized herbal pieces, usually of plant parts like roots, leaves or stems. The powders are difficult to distinguish from powders in modern capsules.
Tea, Anyone?
Traditional Chinese medicine powders are still made in ways similar to the traditional methods of thousands of years ago. The botanical pieces are made into a big tea in order to extract the “goodness” from the raw materials. This tea is then dried and concentrated into a sap-like substance. The sap is ground with fine powdered herb and made into the Traditional Chinese Medicine powders distributed around the world. The powders were once called granules, and sometimes TCM practitioners still call them that.
There are a variety of ways to take Traditional Chinese Medicine powders, although you should start with the way suggested by your TCM practitioner. Usually you mix them in water, but some people prefer to mix them in applesauce. Still others put the powder directly on their tongue and wash down with water.
Advantages
Traditional Chinese Medicine powders are flexible enough to be made to your specifications. When you take an aspirin, for example, all that is in the pill or can be in the pill is aspirin. The only way you can change is with a pill-splitter. But your powders can be a mixture of ingredients tailored for you.
The powdered form also lasts longer than the raw botanical and is stronger, so you can take less of a dose than if you just took the raw botanical. Powders are now made in factories, but some are still made the traditional way in small batches. The factory made powder is consistent in strength and is tested for anything harmful like heavy metals or bacteria. Traditional Chinese Medicine powders also have very little smell, unlike the raw plant materials, which can have very pungent odors.
There are more than 5500 Traditional Chinese Medicine powders made. This means there is a good chance that at least one of the powders will work for you. If one powder doesn’t seem to work, you can try another. This is the same as with conventional medicines. Powders usually need to be taken twice a day.
Friday, August 1, 2008
traditional chinese medicine and pregnancy
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pregnancy: Concepts and Practice
Health in traditional Chinese medicine is conceptualized as optimal balance between various forces, elements in, and characteristics of our bodies. Forces include blood and Qi (pronounced “chee”, our life force). Characteristics include heat/cold , dryness/moisture, brightness/dimness and movement (upward/downward). Additionally, each of our organ systems is associated with one of the traditional Chinese elements of earth, fire, metal, and water. Our skin, for instance, is associated with metal. Treatments in Chinese traditional medicine include Chinese herbal remedies and acupuncture. The goal of any treatment in traditional Chinese medicine is to restore optimal balance after it has been disrupted.
Traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy: Treatments
In traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy, a pregnant woman is thought to have stagnation in the flow of blood and Qi through her body. Acupuncture is thought to help release the available blood and Qi to flow freely through the body and thereby alleviate painful symptoms associated with pregnancy and childbirth such as nausea, heartburn, headaches, constipation, hemorrhoids and backaches.
Moxibustion, a practice to the body and stimulate the flow of blood and Qi, involves burning dried mugwort (artemisia vulgaris/ common wormwood) leaves over the acupuncture points in the body. Moxibustion has been shown to result in decreased numbers of breech births and Caesarian sections. Acupuncture is available from holistic health centers as well as in centers of integrative medicine in traditional hospitals.
The Chinese herbal remedy, Po Chai (“Stomach Curing Pill”) is thought to relieve the nausea of morning sickness. Po Chai includes Bai Zhi/Angelica root (Angelica dahurica), Mu Xiang/Costus root (saussureae radix), Bo He/mint leaf (mentha folium), Chen Pi/citrus peel (citri rubrum exocarpum), Ju Hua/Chrysanthemum blossom (Chrysanthemomi flos), Tian Ma/orchid, Shen Qu/leaven (Gastrodia rhiz), Fu Ling/Hoelin mushroom (poria cocos), Hou Po/magnolia bark (magnolia cortex), Huo Xiang/patchouli (Agastach Pogostemi), Bai Zhu/white Atractylodis, Gu Ya/rice sprouts (oryzae germinantus), Yi Yi Ren/Job’s tears (coicis semen) and Ge Gen/Kudzu root (pueraria radix).
Chinese remedies to prevent miscarriage are selected according to the particular imbalance thought to be threatening the miscarriage. The four main remedies are Shou Tai Wan/Fetal Longevity Pill, Tai Yuan Yin/Fetal Origin Decoction, Bao Yin Jian/Yin Safeguarding Decoction, and Sheng Yu Tang/Sagely Cure Decoction.
These traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy remedies’ ingredients overlap greatly, but it is the mixture of the ingredients that is thought to be integral to the efficacy of the remedy. The ingredients of the traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy remedies to prevent miscarriage include, but are not limited to, angelica root, ginseng, peony root, white atractylodes, citrus peel, licorice root, and skullcap.
Herbal remedies for traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy can be purchased online or at Asian grocery stores. Information can also be obtained by consulting with a professional Chinese Herbologist.
Traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy: Benefits and Cautions
In traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy, acupuncture does not have the depressant side effects for either mother or baby that epidurals and pain medications commonly used in Western medicine do have. Additionally, if acupuncture is obtained in a traditional hospital, immediate treatment can be given for any complications that arise during acupuncture. It is vital that pregnant women, who may wish to try herbal remedies involving traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy consult with their health care provider. Ginseng, one of the ingredients some of the formulations to prevent miscarriage, has been linked to birth abnormalities in rats. Angelica root, another such ingredient, is thought by some Chinese and Western authors to actually promote miscarriage. Many sources recommend avoiding angelica root altogether during pregnancy or if pregnancy might occur.
Health in traditional Chinese medicine is conceptualized as optimal balance between various forces, elements in, and characteristics of our bodies. Forces include blood and Qi (pronounced “chee”, our life force). Characteristics include heat/cold , dryness/moisture, brightness/dimness and movement (upward/downward). Additionally, each of our organ systems is associated with one of the traditional Chinese elements of earth, fire, metal, and water. Our skin, for instance, is associated with metal. Treatments in Chinese traditional medicine include Chinese herbal remedies and acupuncture. The goal of any treatment in traditional Chinese medicine is to restore optimal balance after it has been disrupted.
Traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy: Treatments
In traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy, a pregnant woman is thought to have stagnation in the flow of blood and Qi through her body. Acupuncture is thought to help release the available blood and Qi to flow freely through the body and thereby alleviate painful symptoms associated with pregnancy and childbirth such as nausea, heartburn, headaches, constipation, hemorrhoids and backaches.
Moxibustion, a practice to the body and stimulate the flow of blood and Qi, involves burning dried mugwort (artemisia vulgaris/ common wormwood) leaves over the acupuncture points in the body. Moxibustion has been shown to result in decreased numbers of breech births and Caesarian sections. Acupuncture is available from holistic health centers as well as in centers of integrative medicine in traditional hospitals.
The Chinese herbal remedy, Po Chai (“Stomach Curing Pill”) is thought to relieve the nausea of morning sickness. Po Chai includes Bai Zhi/Angelica root (Angelica dahurica), Mu Xiang/Costus root (saussureae radix), Bo He/mint leaf (mentha folium), Chen Pi/citrus peel (citri rubrum exocarpum), Ju Hua/Chrysanthemum blossom (Chrysanthemomi flos), Tian Ma/orchid, Shen Qu/leaven (Gastrodia rhiz), Fu Ling/Hoelin mushroom (poria cocos), Hou Po/magnolia bark (magnolia cortex), Huo Xiang/patchouli (Agastach Pogostemi), Bai Zhu/white Atractylodis, Gu Ya/rice sprouts (oryzae germinantus), Yi Yi Ren/Job’s tears (coicis semen) and Ge Gen/Kudzu root (pueraria radix).
Chinese remedies to prevent miscarriage are selected according to the particular imbalance thought to be threatening the miscarriage. The four main remedies are Shou Tai Wan/Fetal Longevity Pill, Tai Yuan Yin/Fetal Origin Decoction, Bao Yin Jian/Yin Safeguarding Decoction, and Sheng Yu Tang/Sagely Cure Decoction.
These traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy remedies’ ingredients overlap greatly, but it is the mixture of the ingredients that is thought to be integral to the efficacy of the remedy. The ingredients of the traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy remedies to prevent miscarriage include, but are not limited to, angelica root, ginseng, peony root, white atractylodes, citrus peel, licorice root, and skullcap.
Herbal remedies for traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy can be purchased online or at Asian grocery stores. Information can also be obtained by consulting with a professional Chinese Herbologist.
Traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy: Benefits and Cautions
In traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy, acupuncture does not have the depressant side effects for either mother or baby that epidurals and pain medications commonly used in Western medicine do have. Additionally, if acupuncture is obtained in a traditional hospital, immediate treatment can be given for any complications that arise during acupuncture. It is vital that pregnant women, who may wish to try herbal remedies involving traditional Chinese medicine and pregnancy consult with their health care provider. Ginseng, one of the ingredients some of the formulations to prevent miscarriage, has been linked to birth abnormalities in rats. Angelica root, another such ingredient, is thought by some Chinese and Western authors to actually promote miscarriage. Many sources recommend avoiding angelica root altogether during pregnancy or if pregnancy might occur.
traditional chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine Combines Modern And Ancient Practices
It is difficult to understand the background of traditional Chinese medicine without understanding the origins of medical care over the past several centuries. Many of the ancient medical theories remain a part of traditional medicine, but some of the theories are ignored by modern practitioners. There remains a holistic approach to medical treatment that has served the country well since about 5000 B.C., but traditional Chinese medicine is now infiltrated by some of the modern, western medical beliefs.
There is a belief that the human body works harmoniously with nature and that all body parts work together as one unit. They theory is that in order to treat one function, the entire being has to be treated. In ancient Chinese medicine all illnesses were blamed on the body being out of tune with nature, usually blamed on an evil presence, which was essentially abandoned by traditional Chinese medicine.
Many people in China have access to modern western medical care but for those who cannot afford the treatment, traditional Chinese medicine is their only option. It is considered a more economical method of curing illnesses than the available western synthetic medications. The use of herbal medicine dates back to the first and second century, B.C. and little has changed in the practice and use of botanicals.
Spirits Removed From Classic Medical Practice
As the ancient medical practices began to mature, there were many medical practitioners who believed that the human body was affected by influences other than the environment and classic Chinese medicine cited the theories of Yin or Yang, the five elements, the Zang Fu theory, meridian and the three Jiaos were blamed for every ailment suffered. While the Yin or Yang and 5 elements theories could be applied to situations not involving medicine, the other three theories were strictly used until traditional Chinese medicine was put in place in 1960.
When the western world shunned many of the medical beliefs, mainly due to the theories of evil spirit involvement, Mao Zedong ordered the medical community to standardize the available medical care and the use of traditional Chinese medicine became the norm throughout the country.
However, even practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, which may include some of the western world’s medical treatments, herbalism is still considered a major part of taking a holistic approach to healing. Herbal medications are less expensive than those from the west and more readily available to the people of China, regardless of their social status.
It is difficult to understand the background of traditional Chinese medicine without understanding the origins of medical care over the past several centuries. Many of the ancient medical theories remain a part of traditional medicine, but some of the theories are ignored by modern practitioners. There remains a holistic approach to medical treatment that has served the country well since about 5000 B.C., but traditional Chinese medicine is now infiltrated by some of the modern, western medical beliefs.
There is a belief that the human body works harmoniously with nature and that all body parts work together as one unit. They theory is that in order to treat one function, the entire being has to be treated. In ancient Chinese medicine all illnesses were blamed on the body being out of tune with nature, usually blamed on an evil presence, which was essentially abandoned by traditional Chinese medicine.
Many people in China have access to modern western medical care but for those who cannot afford the treatment, traditional Chinese medicine is their only option. It is considered a more economical method of curing illnesses than the available western synthetic medications. The use of herbal medicine dates back to the first and second century, B.C. and little has changed in the practice and use of botanicals.
Spirits Removed From Classic Medical Practice
As the ancient medical practices began to mature, there were many medical practitioners who believed that the human body was affected by influences other than the environment and classic Chinese medicine cited the theories of Yin or Yang, the five elements, the Zang Fu theory, meridian and the three Jiaos were blamed for every ailment suffered. While the Yin or Yang and 5 elements theories could be applied to situations not involving medicine, the other three theories were strictly used until traditional Chinese medicine was put in place in 1960.
When the western world shunned many of the medical beliefs, mainly due to the theories of evil spirit involvement, Mao Zedong ordered the medical community to standardize the available medical care and the use of traditional Chinese medicine became the norm throughout the country.
However, even practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, which may include some of the western world’s medical treatments, herbalism is still considered a major part of taking a holistic approach to healing. Herbal medications are less expensive than those from the west and more readily available to the people of China, regardless of their social status.
migraine herbal medicine
Migraine Herbal Medicine: Fast Relief Today.
Nearly 18 percent of American women will suffer at least one migraine headache in a given year. These painful headaches are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and/or visual symptoms such as flashing lights or dark circles in the field of vision. Migraine headaches are caused by expansion of the blood vessels in the head. Migraine headaches are prevented by reducing stress, which can lead to the reactive expansion of blood vessels. Migraine headaches are treated, in part, by causing these blood vessels to contract or by simple analgesic effects.
Migraine Herbal Medicine—Common remedies and how to find them
Some migraine herbal medicine supplements have been shown to prevent migraines. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) rhizome extract, 50 mg or 75 mg/day, has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the incidence of migraines. Feverfew leaves (Tanacetum parthenium), magnesium citrate, chamomile (German chamomile- Matricaria recutita, Roman chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile), and riboflavin (Vitamin B2) are also thought to reduce the incidence of migraines. Long term use of chamomile may worsen seasonal allergies. Also, raw butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), which are associated with liver toxicity. A refined butterbur, without the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, is available under the trade name Petadolex.
Other migraine herbal medicine supplements treat the symptoms once the migraine has materialized. Domestic Cannabis (marijuana) is thought to reduce nausea often associated with migraines. It, however, has the drawback of being illegal in the United States. Willow bark (Salix alba, nigra, purpea) and skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) are thought to relieve migraine pain. Willow bark has a chemical composition similar to that of aspirin, and should not be used by persons who have a sensitivity to aspirin. Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) is thought to alleviate the symptoms of menstrual migraine by mimicking estrogen.
Many persons find that oils of lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, or sandalwood ease migraine symptoms. Extract oils can be created by rubbing the leaves of these plants between your fingers and then applying the oil directly to your forehead.
Most of these migraine herbal medicine supplements are available in tablet form from online suppliers of herbal remedies or from health food and nutrition stores. Skullcap, chamomile, willow bark, feverfew and kudzu root may also be made into a tea or already blended into store-bought herbal teas. Oils of lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and sandalwood can also be purchased online or from health food and nutrition stores.
Of course, your first consultation about your migraine should be with your health care provider. He or she can insure that any migraine herbal medicine treatments you take are safe and effective and do not interact with any other medications you may be taking. Migraine herbal medicine remedies can be an important component of stress reduction and pain relief from your migraine headaches.
Nearly 18 percent of American women will suffer at least one migraine headache in a given year. These painful headaches are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and/or visual symptoms such as flashing lights or dark circles in the field of vision. Migraine headaches are caused by expansion of the blood vessels in the head. Migraine headaches are prevented by reducing stress, which can lead to the reactive expansion of blood vessels. Migraine headaches are treated, in part, by causing these blood vessels to contract or by simple analgesic effects.
Migraine Herbal Medicine—Common remedies and how to find them
Some migraine herbal medicine supplements have been shown to prevent migraines. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) rhizome extract, 50 mg or 75 mg/day, has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the incidence of migraines. Feverfew leaves (Tanacetum parthenium), magnesium citrate, chamomile (German chamomile- Matricaria recutita, Roman chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile), and riboflavin (Vitamin B2) are also thought to reduce the incidence of migraines. Long term use of chamomile may worsen seasonal allergies. Also, raw butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), which are associated with liver toxicity. A refined butterbur, without the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, is available under the trade name Petadolex.
Other migraine herbal medicine supplements treat the symptoms once the migraine has materialized. Domestic Cannabis (marijuana) is thought to reduce nausea often associated with migraines. It, however, has the drawback of being illegal in the United States. Willow bark (Salix alba, nigra, purpea) and skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) are thought to relieve migraine pain. Willow bark has a chemical composition similar to that of aspirin, and should not be used by persons who have a sensitivity to aspirin. Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) is thought to alleviate the symptoms of menstrual migraine by mimicking estrogen.
Many persons find that oils of lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, or sandalwood ease migraine symptoms. Extract oils can be created by rubbing the leaves of these plants between your fingers and then applying the oil directly to your forehead.
Most of these migraine herbal medicine supplements are available in tablet form from online suppliers of herbal remedies or from health food and nutrition stores. Skullcap, chamomile, willow bark, feverfew and kudzu root may also be made into a tea or already blended into store-bought herbal teas. Oils of lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and sandalwood can also be purchased online or from health food and nutrition stores.
Of course, your first consultation about your migraine should be with your health care provider. He or she can insure that any migraine herbal medicine treatments you take are safe and effective and do not interact with any other medications you may be taking. Migraine herbal medicine remedies can be an important component of stress reduction and pain relief from your migraine headaches.
medicine in china
Learning About Medicine in China
Medicine in China is very different than anywhere else in the world, and the basic premise to medicine in China is that natural, alternative methods of treatment are better than more conservative methods, such as prescription medications which are more popular in Western medicine.
Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine is truly one of the greatest herbal systems in the world, and throughout its history it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions. It features a very systematic approach and clinical effectiveness and medicine in China includes all oriental traditions emerging from Southeast Asia that have their origins in China.
Chinese herbal medicine is based on the concept of Yin and Yang and is successfully used for a wide range of conditions. In Chinese medicine, health is represented as a balance and rather than just aiming to control or relieve the symptoms of the illness, the point is to look at the patient as a whole and determine the cause of the illness or disease.
This is a much more practical approach to medicine because it looks to improve the patient’s well-being long term, rather than just eliminating the problem at hand. Medicine in China implements a number of different systems, and one of the most performed procedures in Chinese medicine is acupuncture.
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body in order to relieve pain and other symptoms. It is thought to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain. Acupuncture can help with a variety of conditions but in particular is used to treat chronic pain such as headaches, menstrual cramps, low back, and muscle pain.
There are many other systems involved in Chinese medicine as well and which are quickly becoming incredibly popular around the world, particularly in the West where more people are realizing the advantages that more natural methods of treatment have to offer and turning from more conservative, conventional methods to these.
If you are interested in using medicine in China yourself you will first want to make yourself more educated and informed on the matter. You should also speak to your doctor to make sure that you are not putting yourself at any risk. Even better would be if you spoke to an herbalist who will be educated specifically in this area. Although herbs are natural and typically completely safe to use, they are still a form of medicine and so you still need to exercise caution when using them.
Medicine in China is very different than anywhere else in the world, and the basic premise to medicine in China is that natural, alternative methods of treatment are better than more conservative methods, such as prescription medications which are more popular in Western medicine.
Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine is truly one of the greatest herbal systems in the world, and throughout its history it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions. It features a very systematic approach and clinical effectiveness and medicine in China includes all oriental traditions emerging from Southeast Asia that have their origins in China.
Chinese herbal medicine is based on the concept of Yin and Yang and is successfully used for a wide range of conditions. In Chinese medicine, health is represented as a balance and rather than just aiming to control or relieve the symptoms of the illness, the point is to look at the patient as a whole and determine the cause of the illness or disease.
This is a much more practical approach to medicine because it looks to improve the patient’s well-being long term, rather than just eliminating the problem at hand. Medicine in China implements a number of different systems, and one of the most performed procedures in Chinese medicine is acupuncture.
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body in order to relieve pain and other symptoms. It is thought to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain. Acupuncture can help with a variety of conditions but in particular is used to treat chronic pain such as headaches, menstrual cramps, low back, and muscle pain.
There are many other systems involved in Chinese medicine as well and which are quickly becoming incredibly popular around the world, particularly in the West where more people are realizing the advantages that more natural methods of treatment have to offer and turning from more conservative, conventional methods to these.
If you are interested in using medicine in China yourself you will first want to make yourself more educated and informed on the matter. You should also speak to your doctor to make sure that you are not putting yourself at any risk. Even better would be if you spoke to an herbalist who will be educated specifically in this area. Although herbs are natural and typically completely safe to use, they are still a form of medicine and so you still need to exercise caution when using them.
history of traditional Chinese medicine
The Long History Of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Although it might seem new to Westerners, there is a long and respected history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Westerners tend to look for the newest and most high-tech forms of medicine and ignore anything considered “old-fashioned” (i.e. – useless). But ask yourself – just why is TCM still around if it has had such a long history? It is still being used today because, for many people, TCM works.
Truth In Legend
We are beginning to see that each myth, superstition or legend was founded on truth. There was a city of Troy, for example. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is true (as long as it’s a fresh apple and not candied or made into pie filling.) There is more legend than facts that can be proved in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but that doesn’t make the medical system any less effective.
Legends about the origins of the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine state it began over 5,000 years ago. The first written records we have only go back so far as 2,000 years ago, which is still a long time. It is called the Hung-De Nie-Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine). This written record refers to much older records about the origins of medical treatments, but those older works have yet to be found.
Some TCM Firsts
The history of Traditional Chinese Medicine is loaded with medical firsts. It is the first to recommend reading the pulse as a key diagnostic tool. It is the first to map acupressure and acupuncture points in order to keep the body working harmoniously. It is one of the first medical systems to emphasize exercise. It provided one of the first detailed looks at human anatomy and the first recorded use of narcotic drugs for medicinal purposes.
The Cultural Revolution
The long, meticulously detailed history of Traditional Chinese Medicine reached a crucial point during China’s Cultural Revolution in 1966 – 1976. In that time, the government wanted China to forge a new identity and obliterate any “old-fashioned” ways – including TCM. Many TCM practitioners were jailed or killed outright.
Fortunately, many TCM practitioners fled China and were given sanctuary in other countries. They have kept the great history of Traditional Chinese Medicine from a needless end. China has since regretted the Cultural Revolution and now welcomes TCM. The World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed TCM as a valid healing system in 1980.
Although it might seem new to Westerners, there is a long and respected history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Westerners tend to look for the newest and most high-tech forms of medicine and ignore anything considered “old-fashioned” (i.e. – useless). But ask yourself – just why is TCM still around if it has had such a long history? It is still being used today because, for many people, TCM works.
Truth In Legend
We are beginning to see that each myth, superstition or legend was founded on truth. There was a city of Troy, for example. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is true (as long as it’s a fresh apple and not candied or made into pie filling.) There is more legend than facts that can be proved in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but that doesn’t make the medical system any less effective.
Legends about the origins of the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine state it began over 5,000 years ago. The first written records we have only go back so far as 2,000 years ago, which is still a long time. It is called the Hung-De Nie-Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine). This written record refers to much older records about the origins of medical treatments, but those older works have yet to be found.
Some TCM Firsts
The history of Traditional Chinese Medicine is loaded with medical firsts. It is the first to recommend reading the pulse as a key diagnostic tool. It is the first to map acupressure and acupuncture points in order to keep the body working harmoniously. It is one of the first medical systems to emphasize exercise. It provided one of the first detailed looks at human anatomy and the first recorded use of narcotic drugs for medicinal purposes.
The Cultural Revolution
The long, meticulously detailed history of Traditional Chinese Medicine reached a crucial point during China’s Cultural Revolution in 1966 – 1976. In that time, the government wanted China to forge a new identity and obliterate any “old-fashioned” ways – including TCM. Many TCM practitioners were jailed or killed outright.
Fortunately, many TCM practitioners fled China and were given sanctuary in other countries. They have kept the great history of Traditional Chinese Medicine from a needless end. China has since regretted the Cultural Revolution and now welcomes TCM. The World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed TCM as a valid healing system in 1980.
history of Chinese medicine
Great Doctors In The History Of Chinese Medicine
Although the earliest history of Chinese medicine is indistinguishable from fact, there is a good possibility that the legendary doctors existed in one form or another. Many ancient mythologies like Celtic and Egyptian seemed to base many of their deities on actual people. So legendary doctors described in the history of Chinese medicine are probably based on people who actually lived.
The Founding Trio
The history of Chinese medicine credits three founding fathers, which may or may not have actually lived. They are described as clan leaders, although they seemed to possess incredible medical skills as well. They are named Fu Xi (the legendary author of the I Ching, or Book of Changes), Shen Nong and Huang Di. Fu Xi, a great Chinese folk hero, is credited with the creation of the first acupuncture needles along with his creation of the I Ching hexagrams.
Shen Nong was an emperor thought to have lived over 5,000 years ago. He helped give great gifts to his people through the promotion of farming and agriculture. In legend, he is often called “the Divine Farmer”. But Shen Nung also had a love and insatiable curiosity about plants and what they or couldn’t do. He is credited in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine as the discoverer of the first herbal medicines. Until writing was developed, Shen Nong’s knowledge was memorized and taught to others to memorize.
Huang Di is another name for the Yellow Emperor, thought to have lived about 2698 to 2596 BCE, is credited with writing the oldest known text in the history of Chinese medicine called Huang-Di Nei-Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine) which refers to older texts and older oral teachings. This talked about such (then) mind-boggling things as acupuncture meridians, diagnosis of a sick person and disease prevention.
Bian Que
One of the most interesting legends in the history of Chinese medicine is that of the doctor Bian Que. When the crown prince of the Kingdom of Guo lay dying, Bian Que was summoned. When Bian Que arrived, the funeral preerations for the prince was already under way. Bian Que insisted on seeing the corpse. He claimed the prince was not dead, but in a deep coma. And it was so. The Prince eventually recovered. Whenever Bian Que was hailed to be able to raise the dead, he is reported to have always reminded everyone that the Prince was not dead.
Although the earliest history of Chinese medicine is indistinguishable from fact, there is a good possibility that the legendary doctors existed in one form or another. Many ancient mythologies like Celtic and Egyptian seemed to base many of their deities on actual people. So legendary doctors described in the history of Chinese medicine are probably based on people who actually lived.
The Founding Trio
The history of Chinese medicine credits three founding fathers, which may or may not have actually lived. They are described as clan leaders, although they seemed to possess incredible medical skills as well. They are named Fu Xi (the legendary author of the I Ching, or Book of Changes), Shen Nong and Huang Di. Fu Xi, a great Chinese folk hero, is credited with the creation of the first acupuncture needles along with his creation of the I Ching hexagrams.
Shen Nong was an emperor thought to have lived over 5,000 years ago. He helped give great gifts to his people through the promotion of farming and agriculture. In legend, he is often called “the Divine Farmer”. But Shen Nung also had a love and insatiable curiosity about plants and what they or couldn’t do. He is credited in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine as the discoverer of the first herbal medicines. Until writing was developed, Shen Nong’s knowledge was memorized and taught to others to memorize.
Huang Di is another name for the Yellow Emperor, thought to have lived about 2698 to 2596 BCE, is credited with writing the oldest known text in the history of Chinese medicine called Huang-Di Nei-Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine) which refers to older texts and older oral teachings. This talked about such (then) mind-boggling things as acupuncture meridians, diagnosis of a sick person and disease prevention.
Bian Que
One of the most interesting legends in the history of Chinese medicine is that of the doctor Bian Que. When the crown prince of the Kingdom of Guo lay dying, Bian Que was summoned. When Bian Que arrived, the funeral preerations for the prince was already under way. Bian Que insisted on seeing the corpse. He claimed the prince was not dead, but in a deep coma. And it was so. The Prince eventually recovered. Whenever Bian Que was hailed to be able to raise the dead, he is reported to have always reminded everyone that the Prince was not dead.
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