Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history.In remote antiquity，when our ancestors searched for food，they found that some foods had specific properties for relieving or curing certain diseases.While warming themselves around a fire，they discovered that warming a patient with hot stone or earth wrapped in bark or an animal skin can relieve the symptoms of certain diseases.They noted by chance that pain in one part of the body was alleviated when some other part was pricked.This treatment with bian shi（stone needles）and bone needles came into being.
During the Warring State Period，about 200 B.C.-300B.C.，a book called Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor appeared.This book explains the foundations of human health and illness with illuminating discussions of the doctrine of yin-yang and the Five-elements ，the description of the human body and its organs，qi and blood，pathogenic agents，concepts of disease，principles of diagnosis，and a variety of therapies.
About 400 years later，Zhang Zhongjing from the Eastern Han Dynasty wrote a book entitled Treatise on Febrile Diseases and Miscellaneous Diseases. This book first provided theoretical basis for Chinese medicine，along with therapeutic principles for diagnosis and treatment based on an overall analysis of symptoms.
There were well-known physicians in ancient times，including Bian Que of the early Warring States Period and Hua Tuo of the Eastern Han Dynasty.They were honored as miracle workers for their skill in medical treatment.In the following 1，000 years，medicinal theory and practice continued and advanced；and many medical experts and books emerged in large numbers.At present，there are 13，000 types of Chinese medical books.
What is san bao and qi？
Nature includes air，water，and earth.In the same way，the Chinese medicine assumes that the human body possesses qi，moisture and blood.Qi refers to “energy”；it is the force behind all bodily movement.Moisture refers to the liquid substance that protects and nurtures tissue.Blood is the basic substance from which bones，nerves，skin，muscles and organs are produced.
According to Chinese theory，there are three treasures，that is san bao. These are jing（essence），qi，and shen（spirit）.Shen represents consciousness and our higher mental faculties.Qi is the root of jing and shen.When qi accumulates，it produces jing，and when jing accumulates，it in turn makes shen wholesome.One basic notion of Chinese medicine is that qi must circulate through living organisms，and when this circulation stops，disease results.So many treatments are to get qi to flow properly and to prevent it from being blocked.
