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“Traditional Chinese Medicine” (zhōng yī) was first mentioned in the Book of Han (Hàn Shū) under the section on medical texts, stating: “To increase heat with heat, and to increase cold with cold, is not seen externally, which is a unique loss.” Hence the saying: “When ill, seek treatment, and one often finds Traditional Chinese Medicine.” Here, the character 中 (zhòng) is pronounced with a falling tone. In 1936, the Nationalist government officially established the term “Traditional Chinese Medicine” through the enactment of the Regulations on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
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Meaning of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The meaning of Traditional Chinese Medicine has three layers:1. Traditional medicine of the Chinese nation.2. Physicians of intermediate skill.For example, the Golden Chamber Classic (Jīn Kuì Yù Hán Jīng) mentions: “In ancient times, the superior physician diagnosed by observing color, the intermediate physician listened to sounds, and the inferior physician diagnosed by pulse. The methods of diagnosis are indeed not easy.”
Moreover, the Medicine King Sun Simiao (Sūn Sī Miáo) in the Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold (Qiān Jīn Yào Fāng) states:“The good physicians of old treated the state, the intermediate physicians treated people, and the inferior physicians treated diseases.”It is also said that the superior physician listens to sounds, the intermediate physician observes color, and the inferior physician diagnoses by pulse.It is further stated that the superior physician treats diseases before they arise, the intermediate physician treats diseases that are desired, and the inferior physician treats diseases that have already occurred.”
3. Medicine of harmony.The concept of “harmony” (zhōng hé) originates from the Doctrine of the Mean (Zhōng Yōng) and is the core of Confucian thought. It is a permanent historical concept and an important part of Chinese culture, which also permeates all aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Traditional Chinese Medicine cannot be separated from “harmony,” which is also a principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Due to pathogenic factors disrupting the dynamic balance of Yin and Yang within the body, the harmony of the organs is lost, and imbalance is the fundamental cause of disease.Traditional Chinese Medicine employs various methods, whether to correct, adjust, strengthen, or support, ultimately restoring balance to the body to achieve a state of health.This process is a concrete manifestation of the concept of “harmony” in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine.It can be said that Traditional Chinese Medicine is indeed the medicine of harmony.
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Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine
In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine originated in primitive society, and by the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, its theories had basically formed, with subsequent generations summarizing and developing them. Traditional Chinese Medicine carries the experiences and theoretical knowledge of the ancient Chinese people in their struggle against diseases, gradually forming and developing into a medical theoretical system under the guidance of ancient materialist and dialectical thought through long-term medical practice.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a unique traditional medical science formed under the influence and guidance of ancient Chinese materialist and dialectical thought, continuously accumulating and summarizing through long-term medical practice. It is an extremely rich summary of the experiences of the Chinese people in their long struggle against diseases, with a history of thousands of years, and is an important part of Chinese traditional culture.
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Sources of Chinese Medicine
In ancient China, there were many legends about the origins of medicines. The tales of “Fuxi tasting hundreds of herbs and creating nine needles,” “Shennong tasting a hundred grasses,” and “Yi Yin creating decoctions” reflect the origins of the Chinese ancestors’ understanding and use of medicines. Through countless attempts and experiences over generations, knowledge of distinguishing food, medicine, and poison gradually developed, and was consciously utilized. With more production and medical practice, more plants, animals, and minerals with medicinal value were discovered, and knowledge of medicines was accumulated and developed.
(Fuxi tasting hundreds of herbs, image from Baidu Encyclopedia)
(Shennong tasting a hundred grasses, image from Baidu Encyclopedia)
In ancient Chinese texts, traditional medicines were often referred to as “medicines,” “toxins,” or “poisons.” The term “Chinese medicine” (zhōng yào) was first recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing, classifying medicines into three grades based on toxicity: superior, intermediate, and inferior. Among them, “one hundred and twenty types of intermediate medicines are for nourishing nature to respond to people, both toxic and non-toxic, to be used as appropriate. To prevent disease and replenish the weak, this is the essence of the text.” Here, “Chinese medicine” is a classification term for medicines, relative to “superior medicine” and “inferior medicine,” specifically referring to intermediate medicines that can both replenish deficiency and expel evil.
The term “Chinese medicine” has different connotations in different historical periods. With the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and practice, its connotation has been continuously enriched and its forms expanded. The Shennong Bencao Jing of the Han Dynasty recorded “Chinese medicine” mainly as a classification standard for medicines; in the early 20th century, “Chinese medicine” referred to traditional medicines of our country.
Currently, according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Law of the People’s Republic of China, “Traditional Chinese Medicine” refers to the collective term for medicines of all ethnic groups in our country, including Han and minority medicines. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a great creation of the Chinese nation, a treasure of ancient Chinese science, and a key to unlocking the treasure house of Chinese civilization, making a significant contribution to the reproduction and survival of the Chinese nation, and having a positive impact on the progress of world civilization.
The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party proposed to promote the construction of a healthy China, clearly requiring “to promote the inheritance and innovative development of Traditional Chinese Medicine.” Traditional Chinese Medicine is a treasure of Chinese civilization, playing an important role in maintaining human health; it is historically condensed, reflecting the ideological forms of the Chinese nation at specific stages of development, containing rich connotations of traditional Chinese culture, and making a significant contribution to the prosperity and health of the Chinese nation. It is a rare gem in the history of science in China and the world.
Source: Zhangzhou Second Hospital
Editor: Zhao Zhuoyu
Reviewed by: Party Yujie, Shi Ping
Audit: Zhang Lei