Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a history of thousands of years, is a unique and an integrated theoretical system, being rich in practical experience with excellent clinical results. Chinese medicine has been making significant contributions to Chinese people's health care and is the assemblage of knowledge that Chinese people gathered over the years through experience in their struggle against diseases.

Here, we will talk about the history of Chinese medicine, the meridian system (acupuncture), the theory of Yin and Yang, and final diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. Chinese herbal medicine will also be introduced. Most of the contents are based on the relevant entries in the Encyclopedia of China published by the Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, a publishing house of the national level, which has also released the Chinese edition of Encyclopedia Britannica.

Primitive men discovered that they could cure many diseases after eating or using different kinds of herbs. These herbs became known as medicinal herbs. This discovery was made not only by Chinese people but also by people living on other continents. Many kinds of herbs are commonly used by people both in China and in other countries to treat diseases. These include catmint (used to treat vomiting ), plantain (diarrhea), agrimony (constipation) and shepherd's-purse (ulcers).

Huang Ti Nei Ching (The Yellow Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine) is the earliest and most significant medical classic manuscript in China. It was written by many medical experts between 479 B. C. and 300 B. C. It is so important that it is still consulted at present, after thousands of years. It remains the best authority in traditional Chinese medicine.

There are many famous doctors in the history of Chinese medicine. Hua Tuo (145 -208), good at surgery, is known as the first doctor to use anesthetic in his operation. Stramonium (jimsonweed) was the main ingredient in his painkiller. Li Shizhen (1518 -1593) wrote world-famous Pen Tsao Kang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), which has been translated into many languages. There are about two million words in this masterpiece describing 1,892 kinds of medicine and 11,096 prescriptions.

The Meridian System and Acupuncture

In the following section on meridians and acupuncture, the technical information was taken from the chapter titled Meridian in The Encyclopedia of China. 

Western medicine focuses its attention on the obvious networks such as the nervous, circulatory, endocrine, and lymphatic systems. Chinese people discovered the meridian system more than 2,000 years ago. The theory of the meridian system is the most important part of traditional Chinese medicine. It serves as the foundation for acupuncture and moxibustion, and Tuina (Chinese deep massage).

There are two types of meridians, namely, the regular meridians and the extraordinary meridians. The twelve regular meridians have their starting and ending points interconnected to form a network. There are eight extraordinary (secondary) meridians that also link with the regular meridians. Life energy known as Qi or Chi circulates in the body through meridians. If the flow of Qi in a person’s body is obstructed, he or she will suffer from pain and disease. There are at least 365 acupuncture points on these meridians. Acupuncture needles are inserted into these points to unblock and balance the flow of Qi to relieve pain and to restore health. Typically, the needle is inserted 3 mm to 10 mm deep. Once inserted, the needles are rotated by hand to stimulate the meridian.

The twelve meridians connect with the viscera internally and link with the external limbs. Each of the 12 main meridians is connected to a major internal organ, such as the liver or the heart.

• To be more precise, the heart meridian runs through the little arm, chest, and heart. The pericardium meridian runs through the middle finger, hand, arm, and heart. What is called the Laogong point will relieve cardiac pains, mental disorders, and vomiting. The liver channel runs through the foot, leg, abdomen, liver, chest, and head.
  
• The Taichong point will relieve hepatitis and cholecystitis. The spleen channel runs through the foot, leg, abdomen, chest, and neck.
  
• The Sanyinjiao point is the central point for gastrointestinal diseases and diseases of the urinary systems, such as retention of urine, edema, and enuresis.
  
• Also, the Sanyinjiao point is the point where gynecological issues in women are addressed. The lung channel runs through the thumb, arm, chest, and abdomen.
  
• The Zhongfu point will relieve cough, asthma, pain in the chest, shoulder, and arm. The kidney channel runs through the foot, leg, abdomen, and chest.
  
• The Yongquan point will stimulate the kidney to reinforce yang and nourish the heart to tranquilize the mind. It can promote health and raise longevity. Amazingly, it is also used to activate the brain-energy for waking up a patient from unconsciousness (syncope and hysteria). The stomach channel runs through the foot, leg, abdomen, chest, and head.
  
• The Zusanli point is the main point for strengthening the body’s resistance and restoring vital energy. It is also the main point for gastrointestinal diseases whereby it can enhance the spleen and stomach to improve digestion.
  
• Finally, the Zusanli point can also relieve cough, asthma, fainting, and insomnia. The large intestine channel runs through the index finger, arm, chest and abdomen. The Hegu point will relieve constipation and hiccups. It is the primary point for diseases of the head, face and the five sense organs, being especially useful for relieving toothaches. The Hegu point is known to relieve the pains of the whole body.
  

As you may have figured out, the human body is regarded as an organic whole. The unity of the body is realized through the organs and the connections of the meridian system. The concept of holism is essential to traditional Chinese medicine, which respects and promotes the body's endless capacity for rejuvenation and recovery.

Acupuncture has been practiced for centuries not only in China but also in Japan and Korea. The technique spread to North America about 150 years ago. In America, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of acupuncture needles in 1996. Acupuncture has gained increasing popularity in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists a wide variety of medical conditions that may benefit from acupuncture treatment including sciatica, cataracts, bronchitis, insomnia, diarrhea, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. Also, research studies suggest that acupuncture may be effective for such conditions as chronic pain, drug and alcohol addiction, migraines, lower back pain, and nausea associated with chemotherapy.

By the meridian system theory and acupuncture points, Chinese people have created several useful ways of treatment, such as ear massage, sole massage, cupping (using vacuum cup to stimulate specific points), and Guasha (scraping therapy). Moxibustion is similar to acupuncture. It is a form of heat therapy and involves burning moxa, or dried mugwort leaves, to stimulate acupuncture points. Cigar-shaped rolls of moxa are often used to stimulate particular points indirectly.

Tai Chi and Qi ( 太极 and 气 )

Tai Chi, a type of Chinese martial art practiced for health and relaxation, means "great ultimate" literally. It is also known as "Tai Chi Quan", "great ultimate fist." According to traditional Chinese medicine, the disease is caused by a disturbance in the flow of Qi, Tai Chi can promote physical health because it enhances the flow of Qi.

Life energy known as Qi circulates in the body through meridians. Qi-deficiency results from illness or weakness due to old age. The main manifestations are shortness of breath, no desire to speak, fatigue, lack of spirit, profuse sweating, and big tongue with teeth imprints along the outer edges. In some cases, there are symptoms such as the sallow or pale face, dizziness, and amnesia. Qi-deficiency sufferers are liable to catch a cold and are intolerant of cold and hot weather.

Ginseng root is the most precious and essential Qi tonic which can restore original Qi. It is slightly warm. It is prepared by stewing 3g to 9g of ginseng for one hour before taking it. American ginseng root is cold. It is suitable for people with Yin deficiency who want to take ginseng but can not stand the warmness of ginseng. It is not suitable for people with faint Yang. This is stewed before taking it, using 1.5g to 3g.

Fuling (Tuckahoe or Indian bread ) is a kind of fungus that is mild. This tonic has long been considered as an ordinary life-prolonging medicinal substance. Shanyao (common yam ), mild in nature, has long been favored as good nutritional food and herb suitable for both the young and the old.

Yin and Yang ( 阴 and 阳 )

Yin and Yang are a pair of opposite and complementary forces. Chinese philosophers first wrote about Yin and Yang regarding the environment in the early 4th century B. C.. Yin is associated with everything dark, moist, receptive and earthy, and Yang is bright, dry, active and heavenly.

Chinese doctors believe that diseases result in Yin and Yang from imbalances in Yin and Yang within the body. Drugs and other treatments are intended to restore this balance. As you may notice, Chinese medicine views the illness from the macroscopic angle and attaches importance to the overall treatment. When this balance is restored, the body can cure itself. Chinese people seek primarily to correct internal imbalances rather than to treat symptoms alone. Chinese therapeutic intervention is designed to encourage the body's self-healing process.

Chinese medicinal herbs are characterized by four properties (cold, heat, warm and cool) that describe the therapeutic significance of the herbs. Herbs like reed rhizome (reed root), chrysanthemum and mint that relieve heat syndromes, are cool or cold (the Yin in nature). Herbs like pepper and dried gingerroot, which relieve cold syndromes, are warm or heat in nature (the Yang in nature).

If you have too much Yang, you will suffer from the following symptoms: mouth and tongue sores, swollen sore throat, painful swollen gums, dry mouth and thirst, yellow urine and constipation. Consequently, heat-clearing medicine is needed to help you recover. The honeysuckle flower, dandelion and other kinds of herbs cool or cold in nature can be used. Likewise, there are prepared Chinese herb medicines available in drugstores. There are even drinks that contain herb ingredients that promote good health.

If your Yin is not sufficient, the main manifestations are: feverish sensation in the palm and soles, dry mouth and throat, thirst with preference for cold drinks, dry feces, red tongue with less fluid and scanty coating, flushed face, dry and irritating sensation in the eyes, blurred vision, partial dry skin, dizziness and tinnitus, and poor sleep. The mental symptom is edgy temper. This type of person is liable to diseases of dryness or heat due to the Yin deficiency. They also show intolerance of heat pathogens, summer and dryness pathogens, and a preference for winter.

Due to hyperactive Yang, which is a result of Yin failing to subdue Yang, people with Yin deficiency should take in more foods that have the effects of nourishing Yin and subduing hyperactive Yang. These foods include sesame, sticky rice, mung bean, sea pumpkin, abalone, crab, milk, oyster, hard shell clam, jellyfish, duck meat, bean curd, and sugarcane. These listed foods are cold or cool in nature, which has the effects of nourishing Yin.

Due to hyperactive Yang, which is a result of Yin failing to subdue Yang, people with Yin deficiency should have sufficient sleep time to nourish Yin and avoid tense work. They should avoid staying up late, strenuous exercise and hot environment. They should give up smoking and have less wine because smoking and wine generate heat. As you may have noticed, Chinese medicine places great emphasis on lifestyle management to prevent disease before it occurs.

Herbs that nourish Yin are Chinese Beishashen (coastal glehnia root), Chinese Maimendong (radix ophiopogon), Chinese Gouqizi (barbary wolfberry fruit) and Chinese Nuzhenzi. (glossy privet fruit).

One should strive to balance Yin and Yang because as Yin or Yang is: deficient, the other is excessive. Hence, too much Yin creates a Yang deficiency. Yang deficiency manifestations are all aversion to cold with cold limbs, preference for hot food, pale mouth and lips, sweating, loose stool and clear and Walnut profuse urine. Cold syndrome dominates in the Yang deficiency where diarrhea is common. They also show intolerance of cold winter and preference for summer. They should keep warm and avoid cold places.

People with Yang deficiency should eat foods warm in nature: mutton, pork tripe, chicken, sparrow meat, venison, shrimp, sword bean, litchi, longan, cherry, apricot, walnut, chestnut, leek, fennel, onion, parsley, carrot, Chinese yam, fresh ginger, and hot pepper.

Some herbs have effects of supplementing Yang: Duzhong (eucommia bark), Tusizi (Chinese dodder seed), Buguzhi (Malaysia scurfpea fruit), and Hutaorou (Persian walnut kernel).

Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine

Chinese doctors diagnose illness by finding the source of imbalance in the patient's body. Traditionally, four methods of diagnosis are used: observation, listening and smelling, questioning, and touch.

Doctors first observe the patient's facial complexion and body posture and then examine the tongue observing its color and coating. Through listening and smelling, they can note the patient's speech, respiration, and any odors associated with the body. During questioning, doctors ask the patient about diet, sleep patterns, emotional condition, and daily activities. Finally, body temperature and pulse are assessed through touch. Pulse-taking, one of the most important diagnostic tools, is used to examine the condition of the body's Qi and of the organs. More than 200 kinds of pulses can be distinguished.

After diagnosing, doctors will prescribe several kinds of herbs as medicine or conduct other kinds of treatment. Herbs will be boiled with the liquid part given to patients. To decoct means to extract the essence or active ingredient from a substance by boiling it. There are several types of prepared Chinese medicine: pills which contain high-level extracts. Examining the Tongue for Color and Coating active ingredients of herbs, granules, and tinctures.

Today, traditional Chinese medicine, having developed over centuries, is a viable means for helping the sick and afflicted not only in China but worldwide.

Most of this chapter is focused on the meridian system and the theory of Yin and Yang, the two major parts of traditional Chinese medicine. It is tough to give a comprehensive and detailed introduction to traditional Chinese medicine by using two or three thousand words. For example, Tai Chi has been briefly introduced while we should have said something about Chinese Qigong of which Tai Chi is only a small part. Also, people might even point out that we should have said something about Wu Xing (the Five Elements). The readers interested can find lots of books in English written by Chinese or westerners who have been fascinated by traditional Chinese medicine.