THE

HISTORY OF
TRADITIONAL
CHINESE
MEDICINE
 CONTENT
• Introduction
• Origin of Chinese Medicine
• The Early Medical Activities
• The Rise and Development of the Theoretical
Chinese Medicine System
• All-round Development in Medicine
• Great Innovation and Achievement in Medicine
• Further Development in the Medical Theory
and Practice
• Revolutions in the Recent Hundred-year
 INTRODUCTION
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long and rich
history, and is the third oldest form of medicine. TCM has
existed for thousands of years, and is still used today is prove to
its value as a form of healthcare. It has undergone a long course
of development; it encompasses a complete array of medical
theories, practical experiences and unique therapeutic
techniques. Its original foundation was established over two
thousand years ago, but was shaped by accumulative and
consolidated knowledge gathered from findings in medical
literature of accomplished medical practitioners.
Origin of Chinese Medicine
Antiquity – 2000 BC
• Ancient Chinese gradually discovered medicinal herbs
when collecting food
• Discovery of fire led to the invention of hot compresses
and moxibustion
• The practice of medicine was very much intermixed with
witchcraft
• The founders of TCM, Yellow Emperor and Shen-nong
The Early Medical Activities
Shang – 1700- 1100 BC
• Inscription on Oracle bones describe about several
medical instrument, diseases and illnesses
• Yi Yin, improving decoction methods and extending
their applications
The Rise and Development of the
Theoretical Chinese Medicine System
Zhou Dynasty – 1100-221 BC
• An organized court officials with different specialities
• Yi He, introduced the Six factors to explain diseases
• Bian Que, first recorded physician who established
TCM diagnostic procedures
• Yin, Yang, and also the Five elements were applied to
TCM
• Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Internal
Classic)
Qin and Han Dynasties – 221 BC-220 AD
• Wushier Bingfang (The Fifty-two Prescriptions)
• Shennong Bencaojing (Shen Nong's Classic of Herbal
Medicine)
• Shanghan Zabinglun (Treatise on Cold-induced and
Miscellaneous Diseases)
• Apprenticeships were a common means of educating new
physicians during this time. Examinations to recruit
qualified physicians were introduced
• Hua Tuo, He pioneered the use of an anesthetic drug and
devised gymnastic exercises known as "the play of the five
animals" to help Chinese keep fit and healthy
 All-round Development in
Medicine
The Chinese Middle Ages – 220-581 AD
• Wang Shuhe, wrote Maijing (Pulse Classic)
• Huang Fumi, wrote Zhenjiu Jiayijing (Systemic Classic of
Acupuncture and Moxibustion)
• Ge Hong, wrote Zhouhou Jiuzufang (Handbook of
Prescriptions for Emergencies)
• Lei Xiao, wrote Leigong Paozhilun (Lei's Treatise on
Medicinal Processing)
• Gong Qingxuan, wrote Liuquanzi Guiyifang (Liu's
Remedies Bequeathed by a GImportant People / Authors)
Sui and Tang Dynasties – 618-907 AD
• Chao Yuanfang, wrote Zhubing Yuanhoulun (Treatise on
Causes and Symptoms of Diseases)
• Imperial Medical Academy was established, which set up
institutions for education in various fields of medicine.
Meanwhile some local medical schools were established
• Su Jing, wrote Xinxiu Bencao (Newly Revised Materia
Medica)
• Sun Simiao, wrote Qianjin Yaofang (Prescriptions Worth
a Thousand Gold for Emergencies) & Qianjin Yifang
(Supplement to the Precious Prescriptions)
• Master Taoist Lin, wrote Lishang Xuduan Mifang (Secret
Methods of Treating Traumas and Fractures)
• Zan Yin, wrote Jingxiao Chanbao (Tested Treasure in
Obstetrics)
Great Innovation and Achievement
in Medicine
Song Dynasty – 960-1279 AD
• Wang Huayin, wrote Taiping Shenghuifang (Imperial
Benevolence Formulary of the Taiping Era)
• Wang Weiyi, wrote Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing
(Illustrated Manual of Acu-points on the Bronze Statue)
• Wang Weiyi aslo casted two bronze statue for acupunture
• 1057, The Bureau for the Re-editing of Medical Books
was established to collect, collate and verify all medical
texts bequeathed by 1,000 years of history. As a result,
several of the established classics were published and
many books were rewritten or revised under new titles
• 1076, The Imperial Bureau of Medicine established
"dispensaries" for public welfare
•Han Zhihe, wrote Shanghan Weizhi (Hidden Meanings of
Shanghan Illnesses)
•Dong Ji. Wrote Xiaoer Banzhen Beiji Fanglun
(Emergency Prescriptions for Pediatric Rash Diseases)
•Yang Zijian, wrote Shichanlun (Ten Kinds of Difficult
Childbirth)
•Pang Anshi, wrote Shanghan Zongbinglun (General
Treatise on Shanghan Illnesses)
•Yang Jie, wrote Cunzhentu (Anatomical Atlas of Truth)
•1103, The Imperial Bureau of Medicine established the
department of drug manufacturing
•Chen Shiwen, wrote Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang
(Formulary of the Taiping Welfare Dispensary Bureau)
•Xiao'er Weisheng Zongwei Lunfang (A General
Detailed Discussion on Formulary for Pediatrics Hygiene)
was published
•Han Zhihe, wrote Shanghan Weizhi (Hidden Meanings of
Shanghan Illnesses)
•Dong Ji. Wrote Xiaoer Banzhen Beiji Fanglun
(Emergency Prescriptions for Pediatric Rash Diseases)
•Yang Zijian, wrote Shichanlun (Ten Kinds of Difficult
Childbirth)
•Pang Anshi, wrote Shanghan Zongbinglun (General
Treatise on Shanghan Illnesses)
•Yang Jie, wrote Cunzhentu (Anatomical Atlas of Truth)
•1103, The Imperial Bureau of Medicine established the
department of drug manufacturing
•Chen Shiwen, wrote Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang
(Formulary of the Taiping Welfare Dispensary Bureau)
•Xiao'er Weisheng Zongwei Lunfang (A General
Detailed Discussion on Formulary for Pediatrics Hygiene)
was published
• Zhang Congzheng, wrote Rumen Shiqin (Confucians'
Duties to Serve Their Parents)
• Zhang Gao, wrote Yishuo (About Medicine)
• Chen Ziming, wrote Furen Daquan Liangfang (The
Complete Book of Efficacious Prescriptions for Women)
• Song Ci, wrote Xiyuanlu (Collected Records of Medical
Jurisprudence)
• Li Gao, wrote Piweilun (Treatise on the Spleen and
Stomach) Significance

The Jin-Yuan Period – 1115-1368 AD

• Wei Yilin, wrote Shiyi Dexiaofang (Effective Formulae
Tested by Physicians for Generations)
 Further Development in the
Medical Theory & Practice
Ming Dynasty – 1368-1644 AD
• Zhu Su & colleagues, wrotes Jiuhuang Bencao (Herbal for
Relief of Famines) and Puji Fang (Universal Aid
Formulary)
• Yongle Dadian (The Great Encyclopaedia of the
Yongle Reign) was published
• 1443, Appointed special personnel to be in charge of re-
casting life-size male bronze statues for acupuncture,
modeled after the one produced in the Song dynasty
• Xue Ji, wrote Kouchi Leiyao (Essentials of Diseases of the
Mouth
• Gao Wu, wrote Zhenjiu Juying Fahui (Gatherings of
Eminent Exponential Acupuncturists)
• Xue Ji, wrotes Neike Zhaiyao (A Synopsis of Internal
Medicine), Zhengti Leiyao (A Repertory of
Traumatology), and Liyang Jiyao (The Essential
Mechanism of Sores and Ulcers)
• Jiang Guan, wrote Mingyi Leian (Classified Case Records
of Famous Physicians)
• Shen Zhiwen, Jiewei Yuansou (Remedy for Leprosy)
• Li Shizhen, wrotes Binhu Maixue (Binhu's Study on the
Pulse) and Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia
Medica)
• This period saw advances in immunology. Variolation,
which provided protection against smallpox, was
recorded. It became popular in China and later was
widespread to European countries
• Yang Jizhou, wrote Zhenjiu Dacheng (Great
Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion)
Qing Dynasty – 1644-1911 AD
• Fu Renyu, wrote Shenshi Yaohan (A Precious Book of
Ophthalmology)
• Wang Ang, wrotes Yifang Jijie (Variorum of
Prescriptions) and Tangtou Gejue (Prescriptions in
Rhyme) Significance
• Cheng Zhongling, wrote Yixue Xinwu (Medicine
Comprehended)
• Tang Dalie, wrote Wuyi Huijiang (Collections of Some
Physician's Discussions)
• Gao Bingdiao, wrote Yangyi Xindeji (Collections of
Surgery Studies)
• 1822, The Imperial Bureau of Medicine was ordered to
close down the Department of Acupuncture and
Moxibustion
• 1842, The Sino-British Nanjing Treaty stipulated that the
British could set up medical offices in the five Chinese
trading ports and due to the rise of Western Medicine,
TCM was no longer the one and only medical practice in
China
• Wang Mengying, wrotes Wenre Jingwei (Compendium of
Epidemic Febrile Diseases) and Wangshi Yian (Wang's
Case Studies)
• 1881, "College for Medical Practice" was set up in Tianjin,
indicating that the Chinese formally established it's own
education program for western medicine
• 1912, Wang Daxie, the Minister of Health, was one of the
first officials to call for the abolition of Chinese medicine
 Revolutions in The Recent
Hundred-year
Modern China – 1912 AD
• 1914, Abolishment of traditional Chinese medicine was
proposed, but was strongly opposed by people working in
TCM and pharmacy all over the country
• 1925, Chinese medicine courses were prohibited from
being included in medical schools
• 1929, A proposal written by Yu Ai and Wang Qizang,
entitled "A Case for the Abolishment of the Old Medicine
to Thoroughly Eliminate Public Health Obstacles," was
passed in the first congress of the Central Ministry of
Health. This pushed the TCM abolition movement to its
peak.
• 1929, Meanwhile, TCM workers and pharmacies
throughout the country went on strike, which resulted in
the resolution being forced to be abandoned
• "Central College of Chinese Medicine" was founded,
which aimed to modernize TCM
• Chen Cunren, wrote Chinese Pharmaceutical
Encyclopaedia
• 1936, "The Chinese Medicine Ordinance" was issued,
which was very discriminatory against TCM
• Cao Pingzhang, wrote Zhongguo Yixue Dacheng (A
Great Collection of Chinese Medicine Book)
• 1950, The First National Conference on Health was
held and determined that future medical policy would
combine Chinese and Western medicine
• 1955, The Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine
was founded
• 1956, TCM Colleges were established again in the big
cities like Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou
• Full-time training courses for Western doctors to study
TCM were launched
• 1962, A first edition textbook for TCM education,
approved by the government and TCM experts, was
published for TCM colleges
• 1980, The Ministry established a national guideline for
the development of Chinese and Western medicine, and
for their long-term co-existence, and integreation into
China's healthcare system
• The Traditional Chinese Medicine Publishing House was
founded
• 1985, The National Bureau of Chinese Medicine
Administration was founded
• 1986, Chinese Qigong Science Research Association was
founded
• 1987, The Joint Society of World Acupuncture and
Moxibustion Science was founded in Beijing