Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) an ancient form of medical practice. It is over 2000 years old. The Huang Di Nei Jing (the Classics of Internal Medicine) is the oldest medical book in China, and it is this book that established the parameters of TCM. Although ignored by the west until recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged that TCM can facilitate healing.
TCM is based on promoting wellness and balance in life. For centuries the Chinese have taught that Balance is achieved by obtaining equal parts of ying and yang. Each of these has their own characteristics and is present in all forms of life. Foods, herbs, humans and nature, all consist of ying and/or yang. Yang is heat and light, dryness and summer. Ying is shadow and cold, wet and winter. Energy is yang, blood is ying. Yang foods are pepper, garlic, beef, ginger and lamb. Ying foods are watermelon, bananas, cucumbers, soy, tofu and asparagus. To maintain health, a person must know if they have a ying or a yang personality and maintain balance in their body by consuming the proper foods.
Sheng Nong Ben Cao Jing, is the oldest book in China on medicines made from plants and herbs. It is believed to be over 2000 years ago and contained over 365 medicines in which 250 re plant based. Most of these medicines are still being used today and have retained the same name. The most significant book written for the use of herbs was written by Li Shizhen in 1593. Taking over 30 years to complete, Ben Cao Gang Mu (Materia Medica) contains over 11000 formulas. This book is of such importance that it has been translated into numerous languages.
The major categories in common use are:
- herbs that release the exterior
- herbs that clear heat
- downward draining herbs
- herbs that drain dampness
- herbs that dispel wind-dampness
- herbs that transform phlegm and stop coughing
- aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- herbs that relieve food stagnation
- herbs that regulate qi
- herbs that regulate the blood
- herbs that warm the interior and expel cold
- herbs that stabilize and bind
- substances that calm the spirit
- aromatic substances that open the orifices
- substances that extinguish wind and stop tremors
- herbs that expel parasites
- substances used for external application
Chinese herbology has experienced great popularity in Western Medicine since the late 1980’s. Some universities are offering courses for healthcare practitioners. Its effectiveness cannot be disputed.