Traditional Chinese Medicine culture is an ancient yet young discipline, and the glorious history of China’s five thousand years is the development history of traditional Chinese medicine culture. Traditional Chinese medicine has made outstanding contributions to the prosperity and well-being of the Chinese nation and human health. But how much do you know about the following little knowledge about traditional Chinese medicine?
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine
Simply put, traditional Chinese medicine is a traditional Chinese medical practice, but the word ‘Zhong’ does not only refer to China, nor is it solely intended to distinguish it from Western medicine. ‘Zhong’ means the doctrine of the mean, which means neutrality and balance. Traditional Chinese Medicine is about maintaining harmony in the middle and guiding with the flow. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the theory of Yin Yang and Five Behaviors, which regards the human body as a unified entity of qi, form, and spirit. It is necessary to maintain a balance between yin and yang at all times in order to prevent all diseases from arising. The theory of yin and yang in traditional Chinese medicine states that the sky is yang and the earth is yin; During the day, it is sunny, and at night, it is cloudy; The sun is yang and the moon is yin; Male is yang, female is yin; Spring and summer are sunny, autumn and winter are shady.
Title of Traditional Chinese Medicine
01 Qihuang
Huangdi is said to be the common leader of various ethnic groups in the Central Plains, with the surname Ji and the given names Xuan Yuan and Xiong. Qibo, a legendary physician and a vassal of the Yellow Emperor. The earliest existing monograph on traditional Chinese medicine theory in China is the “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon”, which was compiled through discussions between Huangdi and Qibo on medicine in the form of Q&A, also known as the “Huangdi’s Inner Canon”. The term “Qihuang” and “Qihuang technique” in traditional Chinese medicine originated from this.
02 Qingnang
The bag used by ancient doctors to store medical books, later borrowed to refer to medical skills. In the “Biography of Hua Tuo” in the Book of Later Han, Zhang Ji’s “Supplement” states: “Every time the prisoners in Wu offered wine and food as offerings, Tuo felt their kindness and said, ‘I died against my will. I have a green pouch that has not been passed down, and my two sons cannot continue my career. I can go to Jincheng to cultivate books with you.’ Tuo knew it was inevitable and drank heavily, as if drunk and died. Wu abandoned his service and went home to ask his wife for a book. His wife said, ‘I learned divine techniques and died in prison, so I burned my pouch.’. Due to Hua Tuo’s exquisite medical skills, he practiced medicine in various places during his lifetime and gained a great reputation. Therefore, “Qingnang” has also become a synonym for medical skills.
03 Xinglin
During the Three Kingdoms period, Dong Feng was highly skilled in medicine and had noble medical ethics. He treated people’s illnesses without gratitude or courtesy, and only required the healer to plant an apricot tree in front of his house as a commemoration. Five strains were planted for severe cases and one strain for mild cases. Years later, the forest grew lush with red apricots. He built a ‘grass warehouse’ and told people that those who want apricot fruits don’t have to pay, just exchange one container of millet for another container of apricot fruits. The millet exchanged for apricot fruits in this way piled up in the warehouse, and he used these millet to help the poor. People are very grateful to him and gave him plaques with words such as “Apricot Grove”, “Medical Grove”, “Famous Apricot Grove”, and “Spring Warmth of Apricot Grove”. These words of praise have become the elegant names for noble medical ethics and excellent medical skills.
How to seek medical treatment in traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the theory of Yin Yang and Five Behaviors, which regards the human body as a unified entity of Qi, Form, and Spirit. Through the method of “observing, smelling, questioning, and cutting”, the disease name is determined from the etiology, nature, and pathology, and the syndrome type is summarized. Treatment is carried out based on the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment. The treatment methods include sweating, vomiting, sweating, cooling, warming, clearing, tonifying, and harmonizing. The treatment methods include Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion, massage, cupping, Qigong, dietotherapy, etc., so that the body can reach the harmony of yin and yang and recover.
What are the forms of traditional Chinese medicine
In the plant period, Chinese medicine mainly took the form of decoction pieces, tablets, capsules, pills, powders, syrup, spray, as well as cream, wine, soup, tea, ingots, dew, etc.
How to decoct and take traditional Chinese medicine
The first choice for boiling traditional Chinese medicine is a clay pot, followed by a clay pot. Boiling traditional Chinese medicine does not require cleaning. It is best to soak for about half an hour, boil over high heat, and then simmer over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Take it half an hour before meals and one hour after meals.
Some traditional Chinese medicines have special requirements during decoction, such as:
- Fry first: such as raw dragon bones, oysters, raw gypsum, etc.
- Fry separately: deer antler slices, buffalo horn, etc.
- Bottom: Cinnamon, sand kernels, etc.
- Closing: ass hide glue and other glues.
- Pan fried: Plantago asiatica, burrs, etc.
Take nourishing drugs before meals; Medications for treating cardiovascular, thoracic, diaphragmatic, and gastric diseases should be taken after meals; Take sedatives before bedtime. Take traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations according to the doctor’s advice or instructions.
