TCM

An introduction to traditional Chinese medicine

by Yosef Pollack, L.Ac.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years.

Read on to learn about its basic tenets and applications.

Twenty-eight centuries before Christ was born, the ancient Chinese ruler Shen Nong wrote the earliest known medical treatise, the Pen-Ts’ao. The work of Shen Nong formed the basis for the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

This Chinese healing form would go on to flourish across the centuries.

TCM Theory of Disease

The yin yang symbol, with its intertwined half circles has come to represent much of Chinese culture. Most importantly, the philosophy behind yin yang forms the basis of traditional Chinese medicine.

Yang represents the masculine, active, and light aspects of energy. Yin is the opposite, representing the feminine, passive, and dark aspects of energy. Traditional Chinese medicine posits that health is the result of a balance between yin and yang while extreme deficiencies and excesses of either causes disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine theory focuses on five organs: the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Each organ is associated with many aspects of nature. For example, the heart is of the yang element fire and associates with joy, hot climates, bitter taste, and red hue. The lungs are yin organs associated with metal, worry, pungent taste, and white hue. Interactions between the elements of each organ give rise to health or disease.

Common Methods

Acupuncture: The most mainstream practice of traditional Chinese medicine is acupuncture. Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles under the skin at “acupuncture points” in order to relieve blockages in “meridians” or energetic channels of the body. This practice is oft times used as a treatment for pain and muscular problems.

Acupuncture is the most studied aspect of traditional Chinese medicine. Although numerous scientific theories attempt to explain how and why acupuncture works, there exists no definitive explanation. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of acupuncture is widely recognized. The World Health Organization currently lists acupuncture as an effective treatment for forty aliments including abdominal pain, depression, neck pain, and migraines.

Moxibustion: Involves burning mugwort leaves and then applying to the skin directly, indirectly or with acupuncture needles. The heat induces an increase in energy at acupuncture points. The moxa produces redness on the skin from the heat and indirect moxa is very relaxing.

Herbal Medicine and Food Remedies: Physicians of traditional Chinese medicine will often prescribe various herbal and food remedies for illnesses with internal causes. In accordance with the theory of disease, these remedies attempt to balance the energies of the body. For example, physicians may use ginger or cinnamon to generate “warmth” and treat nausea. The herbal medicines prescribed depend on both the symptoms of the individual and the person’s general level of health.

Differences from Western Medicine

Compared to western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine differs in several respects. First, while the focus of western medicine is on treating symptoms; Chinese medicine focuses more on preventing disease. Second, traditional Chinese medicine stresses a more holistic approach, taking into account a person’s entire physical, mental, and emotional constitution besides the specific malaise he or she is experiencing. Lastly, TCM is more effective at treating chronic conditions while western medicine is more effective at treating acute traumatic conditions.

Shen nong was one of the greatest Chinese Emperors. He taught his people how to sow seeds and taught them which plants would help them to get well. He invented the plough and he discovered ginsengs. His wife mastered the art of breeding silkworm. She was the goddess of housecraft inventions. Herbal teas, ginseng, farming and cloth helped the Chinese civilization to be one of the greatest civilizations. The Chinese people hailed Shen nong as the divine cultivator/farmer and as the founder of Chinese medicine.

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