Traditional Chinese Medicine 中医和中药

Joanne Chen2015

Introduction

• Traditional forms of medicine have been used in China since the 3rd Century. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system consist three parts.

TreatmentPrevention TheoryYin-Yang and Five elements

Herbalism / Acupuncture Moxibustion /Cupping Massage Therapy

Qi gong / tai-ji / Meditation / massage

TCM

Ancient Daoist Theory • “Wu Xing” (Five elements)• 五行

“Yin and Yang” 陰陽

Yin-Yang 陰陽 • Yang predominates during the day and turns into yin after dark.• The human body is regarded as the universe in miniature, when the Yin and

Yang elements in a person’s body are well balanced, the person is in good hearth. A person falls sick when the balance is disrupted.

The Daoist yin-yang concepts:

Yin-Yang and Qi

• Traditional medicine revolves around the principles of Yin and Yang, which are the opposites found in everything, such as day (Yang) or night. (Yin)

• Practitioners believe that every person has a life force known as “Qi.”• The purpose of medicine is to establish a balance of the body’s Qi.

Five elements Theory五行说 • The five vital organs (the heart,

liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys) are each seen as corresponding to one of the five elements of earth, wood, metal, fire and water.)

• The five organs function in an interlocked and interconnected relationship.

• It is believed a pathological change in any of the vital organs will affect the health of the other organs.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatments

•Herbalism – 中藥 zhōngyào •Acupuncture – 針灸 zhēnjiū •Moxibustion -- 灸 ; jiǔ •Cupping -- 拔罐 baguàn •Massage Therapy -- 推拿 tuīná

Chinese Herbal Medicine• Chinese herbal medicine has been used by Chinese people to treat

diseases for over 4,000 years.• Herbs consists mainly of natural medicinal materials such as plants,

animal parts, and minerals of medicinal value. • Each ingredient has unique characteristics.• The ingredients work in harmony to help a person’s body.• It is believed that herbs can help boost Qi and balance Yin/Yang.

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine -- mixing different kinds of herb to make medicine that will cure diseases.

Making Chinese Medicine andCooking food with herbs

Chinese patent medicine (simplified Chinese: 提取中药 ; traditional Chinese: 科學中藥 ) are herbal medicines generally consist of extracted condensed pills called tea pills, which are usually small, spherical, and black, appearing like black pearls.

Dāngguī Tree Roots Dāng guī fish Soup

當歸Dāngguī

Acupuncture

• Acupuncture involves the stimulation of anatomical points on the body with thin needled.

• Acupuncture patients usually feel little to no pain.

• Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and are manipulated either by hand or electricity.

                                                                                           

Moxibustion• Moxibustion is a traditional

Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing.

• The purpose is to strengthen the blood and improve Qi flow.

• Direct and indirect methods.• Traditionally used to treat colds.• But it is not for everyone. • Because it is used specifically for

patients suffering from cold or stagnant constitutions, it should not be used on anyone diagnosed with too much heat.

Cupping

• Cupping therapy is a form of CTM in which cups are placed on the skin to create suction.

• The cups can be made of a variety of materials, including:

• Glass• Bamboo• Earthenware

• The suction of the cups mobilizes blood flow to promote the healing of a broad range of medical ailments.

Prevention and Maintenance

• TCM attaches great importance to the prevention of diseases, and Chinese people believe prevention is better than cure.

• Nutritional Balance, • Eating the right type of food, • Massage, • Qi-Gong, Tai Chi and • Meditation.

Chinese Massage

• Chinese massage is known as Tui Na

• Uses wave-like motions to loosen joints and nourish muscles.

• Brings awareness back to a person’s body, making it a first step in the healing process.

• Stimulates the flow of Qi, blood and body fluids

• Can be used to treat pain, stress or digestion problems.

推拿

氣功 Qigong

• Qigong is a Chinese form of exercise.

• It regulates the mind and breathing to promote the flow of Qi.

• Qigong is often used to treat diseases.

• External Qigong is performed on a person by a Qigong master

• Internal Qigong is practiced by oneself.

太極拳 Tai-ji quan

• Tai-ji quanis an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits.

• The study of Tai-ji quan primarily involves three aspects:

• Health• Meditation• Martial art

靜坐 Meditation

• Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years.

• It involves focusing on one thing, such as breathing patterns, while clearing all other thoughts from the mind.

• Meditation is used to replenish the flow of Qi, which helps to ward off illnesses.

• People may experience various feelings during meditation. Some people may begin to feel overjoyed, while others may experience extreme sadness, and even cry.

• Meditation is also popularly practiced in western countries as a means of stress relief.