In TCM books, qi is always mentioned in the same breath with blood and body fluid, for they are all the fundamental substances constituting the human body and maintaining its life activities. However, among them qi is particularly important for the human body. That is why TCM often explains the life activities of the human body in the viewpoint of qi. Read the rest of this entry »
THE ROOT OF LIFE-Qi
November 27th, 2007THE FIVEï¼ELEMENT THEORY—NATURAL PHILOSOPHY IN ANCIENT CHINA
November 27th, 2007The five elements refer to wood, fire, earth, metal, and water and their motions. The five element theory resulted from the observations and studies of the natural world by the ancient Chinese people in the course of their lives and productive labor. Since ancient time, wood, fire, earth, metal and water Read the rest of this entry »
The Theory of Yin-Yang
November 27th, 2007
The philosophical origins of Chinese medicine have grown out of the tenets of Daoism (also known as Taoism). Daoism bases much of its thinking on observing the natural world and manner in which it operates, so it is no surprise to find that the Chinese medical system draws extensively on natural metaphors. In Chinese medicine, the metaphoric views of the human body based on observations of nature are fully articulated in the theory of �Yin-Yang� and the system of �Five Elements�. Read the rest of this entry »
THE FIVE ZANG-ORGANTS-THE ORGANS OF PRODUCING AND STORING ESSENCE-QI
November 27th, 2007The heart, Lungs, spleen, liver and kidneys are together known as the five zang-organs, whose common physiological function is preducing and storing essence-qi. They store but not eliminate essence-qi. Read the rest of this entry »
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
November 27th, 2007What is Traditional Chinese Medicine
    Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a well of medical knowledge gained from over 4,000 years of observation, investigation and clinical experience. TCM has evolved as an empirical science and its theories and treatments have been repeatedly in use and refined over this long period of time.
    History
    The development of TCM can be traced back to the New Stone Age over 10,000 years ago. TCM practices developed in an empirical manner through the observation of the effects they produced on certain parts of the body and on specific ailments. Early acupuncture was carried out using sharpened bone fragments prior to the development of other tools. The first and most important classic text of TCM had been completed in about 200 BC. This book, known as the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine , discussed the theory and philosophy of TCM as well as the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture, herbs, diet and exercise. Read the rest of this entry »