Traditional Chinese

Medicine
中医和中药

Joanne Chen
2015
 • Traditional forms of medicine have been used in China
since the 3rd Century. Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) system consist three parts.

Theory Treatment
Yin-Yang and Herbalism / Acupuncture
Five elements Moxibustion /Cupping
Massage Therapy

Prevention
TCM Qi gong / tai-ji /
Introduction Meditation / massage
Ancient Daoist Theory
• “Wu Xing” (Five elements)
“Yin and Yang”
• 五行 陰陽
 Yin-Yang 陰陽
The Daoist yin-yang concepts:
• 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.
 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 and
Cooking food with herbs
Chinese patent medicine (simplified Chinese: 提 當歸
取中药; traditional Chinese: 科學中藥) are herbal Dāngguī
medicines generally consist of extracted
condensed pills called tea pills, which are usually
small, spherical, and black, appearing like black
pearls.

Dāng guī fish Soup

Dāngguī Tree Roots
 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 推拿
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.
 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.