Tradition al Chinese Medicine,a Broad and Deep System
2 min readTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)is a label that covers a broad range of traditional medicine practices sproad throughout Asia,including various forms of herbal medicine,acupuncture,massage therapy,and dietary therapy.The common thread among these diverse practices is a system for balancing the various functions of the body,based in Daoist principles of yin-yang and other metaphysical belief systems that originated during the Warring States Period(475-221BC)in regions that are now part of China.These practices are a common part of medical care throughout East Asia,accounting for roughly 75% of worldwide use,but are considered alternative medicine in the western world.
TCM practices use different physiological and disease models from modern medicine,and make a number of assumptions that are inconsistent with or untestable under the principles of scientific methods.which complicates research on the efficacy of TCM medicinals and practices. In general.TCM practices take a holistic approach,viewing the body in terms of organ systems based loosely around particular body functions(such as digestion or excretion)rather than in terms of isolated organs.These organ systems are conceived to be interrelated in various svstematic ways,and various techniques are used to stimulate or support weakened systems or to soothe or dampen over-excited systems.TCM involves an often subjective diagnosis of the general state of various organ systems followed by ongoing efforts to reestablish a healthy balance between the systems.There is no scientific evidence for these theories of medicine.
A broad range of “over-the-counter”medicinals loosely related to TCM are available. Many of these-such as yinchao,a commonly used medicinal for colds and flus–are innocuous. huit some may contain dangerous chemicals added as ingredients or byproducts of production, and certain sexual potency medicinals are complicit in the near extinction of animals such as the rhinoceros and siberian tiger.
Yin and yang are ancient Chinese concepts which can be traced back to Shang dynasty (1600-1100 BC).They represent two abstract and complimentary aspects every phenomenon in the universe can be divided into.Primordial analogies for these aspects are the sun-facing(yang) and the shady(yin)side of a hill.Two other commonly used representational allegories of yin and yang are water and fire.In yin-yang theory,detailed attributions are made regarding the yin or yang character of things.
