Chinese Medical Theories -- Their Origins (18)

Chinese Medical Theories -- Their Origins
Where do the medical theories come from?
• The scholars wrote their theories in classical Chinese literature since ancient times.
• Some scholars were herbalists, but most were philosophers, historians and poets.
• Besides talking about healing, the classical theories also discuss the scholars' philosophical views about the cosmos, nature, life and health.

Some examples of early classical work:
• "Historical Records", Si Ma Qian. "史記" 司馬遷
It talks about the earliest herbalist, Shen Nong 神 農 , circa 3500 B.C., tasting various herbs and assessing their medicinal values.
• "Book of Interior" or "Nei Jing", author unknown. "內經"
This is the first comprehensive medical book appearing around 300 B.C.
It mentions the Yellow Emperor 黃帝 , circa 3000 B.C., discussing the theory of The Five Elements and The Six Essences 五運六氣 with one of his Ministers, thus establishing the Yellow Emperor as the legendary founder of Chinese medicine.
This early book already pointed out the important concept of disease prevention in addition to cure.
• "Book on Medical Perplexities", Bian Que. "難經"扁鵲
The author is known as the first acupuncturist circa 360 B.C. He also formalized the Chinese method of diagnosis consisting of four steps: observe, listen, question, and pulse read 「望聞問切」
• The most famous herbalist, Hua Tuo 華佗, circa 160 A.D., did not leave any writings behind. However, his works were well documented in various classical texts, especially, "Annals of the Three States" 三國志.
Hua Tuo is known to employ herbal anesthetics in minor surgeries, and to have invented the Five Styles of Chinese Boxing 「五禽戲」
• "Shang Han Lun", Zhang Zhong Jing "傷寒論"張仲景
This is the first specialized book about infectious diseases, symptoms, and disease therapy (circa 200 A.D.)
• "Book on Pulse", Wang Shu He "脈經"王叔和
Chinese pulse diagnosis has been employed since ancient times. Wang was the first author to describe pulse methods circa 250 A.D., which were later introduced to neighboring countries such as Japan and Korea.

What are the strong points about Chinese medical theories?
• Over 4000 years of history
• Written by scholars of literary renown
• High literary, historical, and philosophical values besides medical
• In addition to healing and health, topics include philosophy, history, cosmology, nature and life.
• Emphasis on prevention as much as cure.

What are the weak points about Chinese medical theories?
• Not written for ordinary people most of whom were illiterate
• Intended as a document or intellectual discourse for the Imperial Court, and the small audience of literary elite.
• Difficult to understand due to high abstraction
• Difficult to apply to so many real cases, which always require the healer to first understand the actual conditions of the disease and the agony of the patient.

• The rest of the weak points are man-made, as follows:
• Inaccurate interpretations by many readers
• Insufficient questioning and reality check by most readers
• Most readers commingle the abstract classical theories with the empirical knowledge of herbs
• Many readers like to quote classical terms without really trying to understand what they mean.
• Some readers pretend that they understand the theories and try to apply them blindly to real cases. In fact, there is nothing wrong to admit that the theories are too abstract to understand, let alone applying them.

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[Trogdorfan107]

Dear John; I like the general tone of your presentation, and the music at the end is very soothing.

While your actual wording is careful ("intended as intellectual discourse" and ("there is nothing wrong to admitting the theories are too abstract to understand"), the general thrust seems to imply that empirical medicine from folk knowledge is reliable, but scholarly theories are not, and nor are our interpretations. Are you implying that Chinese medical theory is redundant?

[askjohnfung]

@Trogdorfan107

No. Nothing is redundant if you recognize it for what it is and use it wisely. You probably notice that Chinese medical theory explains the pattern of diseases without arriving at a particular herb for cure. That's why we need herbal knowledge, a folk medicine derived from personal experience. To jump from medical theory to herbs ignores the practical herbal knowledge. To apply herbal knowledge without theory lacks depth and reflection.

[WiseWu]

Hi! You said, Chinese medicine consists of 2 basic components. One is Herb knowledge and the other one is medical theory. Does your medical theory include Meridian & Acupuncture?

[askjohnfung]

Yes.

[WiseWu]

So do you think Meridian & Acupuncture are hard to learn because their abstractions?

[askjohnfung]

No! You've pointed out something in Chinese medical theory that is relatively easy to learn, even for foreigners who don't speak/write Chinese.

Acupuncture is a practical procedure (how to use needles on the meridians) which is not abstract at all. That is why some foreign governments issue licenses for acupuncture because they understand the procedures of how to use needles.

However, the theory of acupuncture is abstract within the confines of Chinese medical theory.

[sauronsaur0n]

Good theory.

Too bad it's outdated by over 2000 years.

And yeah it doens't work either...

[WiseWu]

I don't think Meridians & Acupunctures are abstract. I didn't notice their system until I could feel some of them. After I found their system corresponded to my feeling, I was attracted to them right away. I feel they can be experienced and not abstract at all. That's why I asked you in order to know your opinion. Now I know even foreigners think they are practical. Thus we all have the similar experience. I think our body structure are not too different. :-)

Hey, thank you for your sharing.