Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is said to be based on compendium of Materia Medica and Huangdi Neijing. The practice includes various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping therapy, gua sha, massage (tui na), bonesetter (die-da), qigong, and dietary therapy. TCM is widely used in China and it is also used in the West. Its philosophy is based on Yinyangism (i.e.the combination of Five Phases theory with Yin–Yang theory).
TCM holds that the body's vital energy (chi or qi) circulates through channels, called meridians,that have branches connected to bodily organs and functions.Its view of the human body is only marginally concerned with anatomical structures, but focuses primarily on the body's functions(such as digestion, breathing, temperature maintenance, etc.).These functions are aggregated and then associated with a primary functional entity – for instance, nourishment of the tissues and maintenance of their moisture are seen as connected functions, and the entity postulated to be responsible for these functions is xuě (blood).These functional entities thus constitute concepts rather than something with biochemical or anatomical properties.
The primary functional entities used by traditional Chinese medicine are qì, xuě, the five zàng organs, the six fǔ organs, and the meridians which extend through the organ systems.These are all theoretically interconnected: each zàng organ is paired with a fǔ organ, which are nourished by the blood and concentrate qi for a particular function, with meridians being extensions of those functional systems throughout the body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) encompasses several methods designed to help patients achieve and maintain health. To follow are 8 modern therapeutic methods used:-
1. Acupuncture:- Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into the superficial skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscles at particular acupuncture points and manipulating them. In TCM, there are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body that are connected by 12 main meridians. These meridians conduct energy, or “Qi,” between the surface of the body and its internal organs. Acupuncture is believed to keep the balance between Yin and Yang, thus allowing for the normal flow of “Qi” throughout the body and restoring health to the mind and body.
2. Moxibustion:- Moxibustion is a therapy that involves burning moxa (mugwort root) made from dried Artemisia vulgaris (spongy herb) to facilitate healing. The purpose of moxibustion is to warm and invigorate the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi, strengthen the kidney Yang, expel wind and disperse cold, and dissolve stagnation.
3. Tui Na Massage:-Tui na (a combination of massage, acupressure, and other forms of body manipulation) is a form of Asian bodywork therapy that has been used in China for centuries. In a typical tui na session, the patient remains clothed and sits on a chair. The practitioner will ask a series of questions and then begin treatment. The type of massage delivered by a tui na practitioner can be quite vigorous at times. Practitioners may use herbal compresses, ointments, and heat to enhance these techniques. Tui na is best suited for treating chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions.
4. Cupping/Scraping:- Cupping is a type of Chinese massage, consisting of placing several glass or plastic “cups” (open spheres) on the body. TCM practitioners warm the cups using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is then placed inside the cup to remove all the oxygen. The practitioner then removes the substance and places the cup against the skin. The air in the cup then cools, creating lower pressure inside the cup, creating a vacuum and allowing the cup to stick to the skin. Scraping, or “Gua Sha,” is a folk medicine technique that uses pieces of smooth jade, bone, animal tusks, horns, or smooth stones to scrape along the skin to release obstruction and toxins that are trapped at the surface of the skin.
5. Chinese Herbs:-The substances TCM practitioners most commonly use can come from different leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds of plants such as cinnamon bark, ginger, ginseng, licorice, and rhubarb. Ginseng is the most broadly used substance for the broadest set of treatments. If a practitioner recommends Chinese herbology as a treatment, the herbs are combined into a formula that is dispensed in the form of a traditional tea, capsule, liquid extract, granule, or powder.
6. Chinese Nutrition:- Chinese nutrition is a mode of dieting rooted in Chinese understandings of the effects of food on the human organism. In Chinese nutrition, a balanced diet is one that includes all 5 tastes—spicy (warming), sour (cooling), bitter (cooling), sweet (strengthening), and salty (cooling). Foods that have a particular taste tend to have particular properties. There are no forbidden foods or “one size fits all” diets in Chinese nutrition. In TCM, nutrition is considered the first line of defense in health matters.
7. Tongue Diagnosis:-
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners use 5 basic methods of diagnosis in their assessments, including looking, listening, smelling, asking, and touching. Inspection not only focuses on the patient’s physical appearance and behavior, but it also pays particular attention on the tongue. A TCM practitioner’s analysis of the tongue will include its size, shape, tension, color, and coating.
8.Pulse Diagnosis:- Traditional Chinese medicine (tcm) pulse diagnosis is one of the four major assessments in tcm consultation. Through pulse palpation at three locations, i.e. cun, guan and chi, on both wrists, general health condition of a person and a particular organ can be fully recognized. A tcm doctor combines clinical data collected from pulse assessment and other clinical assessments to prescribe treatments to his patient and monitor his prognosis.
Traditional Chinese medicine is a healing approach that originated in China thousands of years ago. Often referred to as "TCM," practitioners use herbs, diet, acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion etc to prevent or treat health problems. Rooted in a philosophy known as Taoism, traditional Chinese medicine is based on the theory that all of the body's organs mutually support each other. Therefore, in order to be healthy, an individual's organs (and their functions) must be in balance. This balance is attained, in part, by harmonizing yin and yang, two opposing but complementary energies thought to affect all life. Another theory in traditional Chinese medicine is that vital energy (called "qi" or "chi") flows throughout the body via certain pathways (or "meridians"). According to this theory, disease and other emotional, mental, and physical health problems develop when the flow of qi is blocked, weak, or excessive. Restoring the flow of qi is considered essential to balancing the yin and yang and, in turn, achieving wellness.
A TCM practitioner would assess your overall health by taking a health history, doing a tongue assessment, pulse assessment, and a physical exam. The exam would identify any imbalances or qi blockages. The liver, for instance, helps to regulate the smooth flow of qi. If a person has liver qi stagnation, the energy is said to be blocked, resulting in irritability, anger, or depression, a bitter taste in the mouth, indigestion, and a pulse that practitioners describe as "wiry". A kidney yin deficiency, on the other hand, is associated with a dry mouth, night sweats, tinnitus, and forgetfulness and the tongue has little or no tongue coating. Practitioners describe the pulse as "floating".
There are many different therapeutic methods used in traditional Chinese medicine, the most popular being herbal medicines and acupuncture. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes individualized treatment, therefore healing methods vary widely from patient to patient.
Rather than prescribing specific herbs, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine typically combine a number of different herbs in formulas selected depending on the patient's individual needs. These formulas may be given as teas, capsules, tinctures, or powders.
1.Ginseng (rénshēn, 人参)
This gnarled rhizome is perhaps one of the best known of the Chinese herbs. The name literally translates to “human root” because the shape of it vaguely resembles a human body – in TCM, it’s thought that the shape symbolizes ginseng’s potent ability to cure human ills, replenish qi (vital energy), and warm the body. Aside from that, ginseng is an antioxidant, which helps rid the body of free radicals. There is also some evidence that ginseng boosts the immune system, which can help the body fight off infection and disease.
2. Astragalus (Huang Qi)
Astragalus is a herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.It has many purported health benefits, including immune-boosting, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. Astragalus is believed to prolong life and used to treat a wide variety of ailments, such as fatigue, allergies and the common cold. It’s also used against heart disease, diabetes and other conditions.Specifically, the root of the plant is made into many different forms of supplements, including liquid extracts, capsules, powders.
3. Lotus seed (liánzǐ, 莲子)
Lotus seed improves the functions of the spleen and kidneys, as well as helping regulate diarrhea. Lotus seeds are also rich in calcium, phosphorus and potassium, which are great for nourishment – and the fiber improves digestion as well.
4. Hawthorn berries (shānzhā, 山楂)
Hawthorne is a common ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine. The berry itself is incredibly sour, and traditionally used as a digestive aid and to reduce indigestion and heartburn. There is some evidence in modern research that it also might help treat cardiac weakness.
5. Goji berries (gǒuqǐ zi, 枸杞子)
Also known as wolfberries, goji berries have been used as an herbal remedy for over 3,000 years, with their first recorded use as such showing up in the pivotal The Classic of Herbal Medicine. They are thought to be anti-ageing because they can benefit the kidneys and to nourish jing, or kidney essence, which underpins human vitality. These vibrant and lightly floral berries are also rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber and vitamin A, and generally come in dried form, used to improve nutrition and eyesight.
6. Jujube (hóngzǎo, 红枣)
Deeply red jujube dates have been used in TCM recipes for centuries, the sweet, spongy fruits often used to aid circulation and to bolster qi. These fruits are thought to promote blood flow, calm the mind, and soothe the nerves, and are often used to treat insomnia. They are also high in vitamins B and C, and can help lift mood and soothe anxiety.
7. Licorice root (gāncǎo, 甘草)
Licorice root is thought to replenish vital energies, help stomach functions, clear out heat and control coughing. It has also been used to treat depression, cold, flu, cough, heartburn and many more.
8. Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba has many health benefits. It’s often used to treat mental health conditions, Alzheimer’s disease, and fatigue. It’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for about 1,000 years. It came on the Western culture scene a few centuries ago, but has enjoyed a surge of popularity over the last few decades. Ginkgo biloba is used as a herbal remedy to treat many conditions. It may be best known as a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and fatigue.
9. Ba ji tian (Morindae officinalis)-
The root of the plant is used to make medicine. Ba ji tian is used for improving kidney function and correcting various urination problems, including producing too much urine (polyuria).It is also used to treat cancer, gallbladder disorders, hernia, and back pain and for boosting the body's defense system (immune system), as well as strengthening the body's system that releases chemical messengers called hormones (endocrine system).
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