Introduction: History of medicine in China. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a system of medicine dating back at least 23 centuries, aims to prevent or cure disease by maintaining or restoring YinYang balance. China has one of the most ancient medical systems in the world.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine date back at least 2,200 years, although the earliest written record of Chinese medicine dates back to the Huangdi neijing (The Internal Classic of the Yellow Emperor) in the 3rd century BCE. This opus provided the theoretical concepts for TCM that are still the basis of its practice today.
Traditional Chinese medicine aims to restore a dynamic balance between two complementary forces, yin (passive) and yang (active), which permeate the human body as they do the whole universe.
According to TCM, a person is healthy when there is a balance between these two forces. On the other hand, infection results from an imbalance of yin and yang.
A visit to a traditional Chinese pharmacy is like visiting a small natural history museum. A typical pharmacy contains hundreds of cabinet drawers, glass cases, and jars containing various plant and animal materials.
What is the history of TCM?
The first writings about TCM date back to 200 BC. Herbal medicine and acupuncture, including theory, exercise, diagnosis, and treatment, were registered in classical Chinese texts and distilled over several centuries.
TCM has been practiced in Asia for centuries. Chinese immigrants had practiced TCM in the United States since the mid-19th century, but its existence was unknown to most Americans before 1971.
That year, New York Times reporter James Reston, who was covering former President Nixon’s visit to China, had to have an emergency appendix operation. After the procedure, he received acupuncture for pain, and his stories about this adventure with TCM captivated the public. Since then, TCM has become a mainstream alternative medicine practiced worldwide.
Practicing traditional medicine
Acupuncture involves inserting one or more small metal needles into the skin and specific body tissues.
To restore harmony, a Chinese physician can use any of a surprisingly large array of traditional remedies. The patient may be treated with acupuncture or acupressure, moxibustion (moxa treatment), or cupping (in which heated glass cups are placed on the patient to draw blood to the skin).
A Chinese healer may prescribe a mixture prepared with one (or some combination) of the thousands of medicinal plants or dried parts of animals (e.g., snake, scorpion, insect, deer antler) in the Chinese pharmaceutical armamentarium.
The Role of qi and Meridians
An integral aspect of TCM is the understanding of the body’s qi (life force; literally, “vital breath”), which flows through the body’s invisible meridians (channels). This power network connects organs, tissues, veins, nerves, cells, atoms, and consciousness.
Generally, there are 12 major meridians, each of which connects to one of the 12 main organs in TCM theory. Meridians are also associated with various phenomena, including circadian rhythms, weather, and planetary movements, to form additional hidden networks.
In acupuncture, fine needles are inserted into precise points along the meridians. The needles stimulate the meridians and correct the flow of qi to balance the body’s yin and yang. Instead of needles, massage (acupressure) can also stimulate acupuncture points.
Acupuncture is sometimes accompanied by moxibustion, burning small cones of an herb (usually Artemisia moxa) at the acupuncture points. It is not only the meridian network that can alleviate symptoms. It may also give TCM the ability to alter consciousness in those undergoing treatment.
A TCM practitioner uses smell, hearing, sound vibration, touch, and pulse diagnosis to discover the source of an imbalanced state of health, which organ it relates to, and which meridians are affected. In addition, the practitioner commonly uses what is known as the five agents or the five steps (wuxing).
Observing natural law in action, ancient physicians recognized the five essential elements of the world—wood (mu), fire (Huo), earth (tu), metal (jin), and water (shui)—and found that these elements have myriad correspondence, both visible and invisible.
This framework helps skilled TCM practitioners identify imbalanced relationships. For example, one crucial correspondence relates to the time of day. Suppose a person always has a headache at 4 p.m.
In that case, this indicates that the Bladder qi is unbalanced, as the bladder (of the TCM kidney/bladder organ pair) is responsible for maintaining the body’s current functions.
Using the five-factor theory, a practitioner can create a healing plan that may include acupuncture, herbs, lifestyle changes, and a healing diet. It may also involve Chinese psychology, which shows how unbalanced emotional energy can affect the proper functioning of the organs.
How does TCM work?
Disease, a change in the normal flow of qi, such as an imbalance in yin and yang, is believed to have three leading causes: external or environmental factors, internal emotions, and lifestyle factors.Through its therapeutic methods, TCM stimulates the body’s healing mechanisms. Methods used in TCM include:
- Acupuncture and acupressure
- Moxibustion burning an herb near the skin
- Botanical medicine
- Nutrition
- Chinese massage, called tui na.
- Exercises like tai chi and qi gong combine movement with meditation.
In TCM, the body’s internal organs are individual structures and complex networks. According to TCM, qi flows through meridians in the organ systems: kidney, heart, spleen, liver, lung, gallbladder, small intestine, and large intestine. Despite their specific names, these five systems correspond to more than individual body parts.
The kidney, for example, represents the entire urinary system, with the adrenal glands located above the kidney. The heart, meanwhile, represents both the heart and the mind.
Who is TCM good for?
The 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant changes as Western medicine began to influence Chinese medical practices. The Opium Wars and subsequent treaties opened China to Western influence, including Western medical practices. Missionaries established hospitals and medical schools, introducing modern medical techniques and research methods.
For centuries, TCM has been used to treat a myriad of conditions. Western scientists are still studying its effectiveness for various ailments. Ensure you work with a TCM practitioner and a traditional doctor for severe conditions.
Always tell everyone on your healthcare team about any medications, herbs, or supplements you are taking. Some of the conditions for which TCM is known to be helpful include:
- obesity
- Diabetes and its complications, such as retinopathy (damage to the retina at the back of the eye)
- Cholesterol increase
- Mental stress
- Arthritis
- backache
- Male and female fertility disorders.
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome
- Recurrent cystitis, inflammation of the bladder
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heart disease
Modern Integration and Challenges
The integration of TCM and Western medicine continues to be a complex and evolving process. While TCM is widely practiced and respected in China, it faces challenges such as standardization, scientific validation, and regulation. Efforts to modernize TCM include clinical trials, pharmacological research, and the development of standardized herbal products.
Internationally, TCM theory is gaining acceptance but also faces scrutiny. Advocates emphasize its holistic approach and historical success, while critics call for rigorous scientific validation. Despite these challenges, TCM’s influence continues to grow, with increasing numbers of practitioners and patients worldwide.
What should I expect on my first visit?
A TCM practitioner will ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination for signs of imbalance. The TCM practitioner will examine your skin, tongue, hair, and other body parts, from the brightness of your eyes to the color of your nails, and check six pulses on each of your wrists.
The practitioner will also listen to your voice to assess your Shen (spirit) and work to determine if one or more of your organ networks are affected. The practitioner then tries to correct the imbalances in your body by providing a combination of treatments.
Is there anything I should watch out for?
You should not take Chinese herbs without supervision, mainly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Chinese herbal products, specifically those manufactured outside the United States, are frequently poorly labeled, and crucial information may be missing. Some Chinese herbal products contain drugs that are not listed on their labels.
For example, some Chinese herbal creams used to treat eczema contain steroid medications. Also, be wary of Chinese herbal medicines that contain aristolochic acid. This acid, derived from a herb, has been linked to cases of kidney failure and even cancer.
In addition, some Chinese herbs have been documented to contain heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. Adverse reactions to Chinese herbal medicines and TCM have grown in recent years. Acute liver injury caused by Chinese herbal medicine accounts for about 22% of total injuries.
A trained and certified TCM practitioner can recognize herbs that are safe to take. The practitioner should also explain the potential side effects of their prescribed herbs. Always tell your physician about any herbs or supplements you are taking.
Conclusion: History of medicine in China
The history of medicine in China is a rich tapestry of tradition, innovation, and adaptation. From its mythological origins to its modern integration with Western medicine, Chinese medicine reflects the enduring quest for health and understanding of the human body.
Chinese medicine remains vital to global healthcare as it evolves, offering unique insights and approaches that complement modern medical practices.
There are more than 50 Oriental Medicine training programs in the United States. Future research studies and clinical trials on TCM are needed to determine how it works, as well as its effectiveness, safety, and cost.
also read: History of medicine in France; History of medicine in Egypt; History of medicine in the 17th century