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"Prevention is wiser than correction..."
— TCM theory of 2,000 years ago |
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses for more than 2,000 years. TCM is based on a belief in Yin and Yang - defined as opposing energies, such as earth and heaven, winter and summer, and sadness and happiness. When Yin and Yang are in balance, you feel relaxed and energized. Out of balance, however, Yin and Yang negatively affect your health.
The ultimate goal of TCM treatment is to balance the Yin and Yang in our body by promoting the natural flow of Qi via stimulating the body's own healing mechanisms. Practices used in TCM include:
- acupuncture and acupressure;
- moxa (burning an herb near the skin);
- herbal medicine;
- nutrition;
- Chinese massage (called tui na)
What is TCM good for ?
Over the centuries, TCM has been used to treat countless conditions, and it's known to be particularly helpful and effective in treating:
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| Acu-Point Chart |
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What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncturists treat illness by inserting thin needle into certain designated points on the body and inducing stimulation through carious hand techniques. Once the needle is properly in place, the patient will feel a characteristic tingling radiating from the acupuncture point.
How does Acupuncture work?
Acupuncture therapy activates the release of endorphins, endogenous chemicals produced by our brains which moderate pain, relieve depression, and reduce obsessive cravings; it also stimulates our body's immune system and activates blood circulation. Most patients find acupuncture therapy very relaxing and bring a feeling of well-being.
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| Li Shi-Zhen (1528 - 1593) |
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Chinese Herbs are widely used in China for more than 5,000 years. The oldest book (between 800 BC and 200 BC) about Chinese herbs is the [Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine - Huang Di Nei Jing].
Li Shizhen is the China's greatest naturalist and herb specialist whose major contribution to Chinese medicine is his world famous book [Ben Cao Gang Mu; 1596], a reliable reflection of reality and experiences from his forty years project of sifting through the vast array of herbal lore. His great work has been used as pharmacopoeia, also for botany, zoology, mineralogy and metallurgy.
Chinese Herbs are of
three major categories: Superior herbs - nourish life, Middle herbs - correct constitution, Inferior herbs - expel disease;
four function direction: Up, Down, Outward, Inward.
five "temperatures": Hot, Warm, Neutral, Cool, Cold;
five element tastes: Spicy (Metal), Sour (wood), Salty (Water), Bitter (Fire), Sweet (Earth)
Chinese Herbs are selected and combined in formulas based on principles that have no relation whatsoever to modern biochemistry, but to first-hand experiences and philosophy. Use of Chinese Herbs should be tailored to the individual patient — one formula does not fit everyone of the same illness. Folk medicine, also called "secret formulae", on the other hand, is a compilation of formulae used by the general public to treat certain conditions without reference to a complete system of medicine. Isn't Chinese Herbs philosophic? In early times, even nowadays, Chinese Herbs prescriptions are written in the weight unit of "qian 錢 " or "liang 兩":
1 liang 兩 = 10 qian 錢 (new) = 31.25 grams
1 liang 兩 = 10 qian 錢 (old) = 37.50 grams
1 pound 磅 (avoirdupois) = 453.721 grams
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