1. General information:
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the oldest system of medicine in the world. Nowadays, Currently the phenomenon of traditional Chinese medicine is widely spoken and written. Maybe that's why more and more people are interested in Eastern philosophy and various health practices. But still, very few people currently meet WHO standard of health: "Health is the perfect condition of the body, both mental and social."
Let us see why TCM takes first place in the national cultural heritage of China and why this medicine is important for all humanity.
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TCM synthesizes ancient knowledge and skillfully fights against various ailments of mankind. Eastern philosophy has a unique system of views on the relationship of man with the universe: a human being is a microcosm, which is in constant communication with the Universal macrocosm. The philosophy of Chinese medicine recognizes the universal interconnection of objects and phenomena of the world, the movement and development of the world as a result of internal contradictions in it.
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TCM professes the principle "get well while healthy" and "keep your health." TCM assures that everyone can support health and cheerful state of mind by regular physical activity, taking in the fresh air, by a balanced and varied diet, by a moderate lifestyle.
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TCM postulates that good health is not just the absence of disease, but a special state of mind and body when a person radiates cheerfulness and glows with health. Chinese people honor their culture and lead a healthy lifestyle, using effectively simple methods of treatment.
The doctors of Traditional oriental Chinese medicine believe that their task is to promote the health of the healthy, increase health reserves of the falling ill and treat patients.
2. The history of Traditional Chinese medicine.
In studies of ancient Chinese philosophers, in their systematic approach to knowledge of biology, astrology and information theory lies a huge number of modern medical and biological scientific theories. For a long period of time treatment practice in China has been evolving and transforming into a unique medical system of theoretical knowledge.
China is considered the cradle of medical knowledge among the ancient civilizations. On a long way of development, each of the ancient Chinese dynasties contributed to the improvement of traditional medicine: new doctors and new schools appeared, many treatises that are being studied to this day were created.
In the era of Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties (XXI century BC. - 256 BC.) the first medicinal tincture or, as they were called, "medicinal wine", appeared. At this time, herbal teas (or "decoction") began to be prepared.
During the reign of the Western Zhou Dynasty (XI cent. BC. - 771 BC.) one of the first collections of poems, "Shi-jin", was created. It contained records about medicinal plants.
A memorial of traditional Chinese medicine is the "Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon" or "Huangdi Neijing". This treatise is written in the form of dialogues between the Yellow Emperor and his court sage Qi Bo. Treatise consists of two parts: "Suwen" (or «Basic questions») and "Lingshu" (or "Spiritual Pivot"). This treatise was the basis of TCM theory, including the practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, qigong system of breathing exercises and acupressure.
3. Balance of the opposites: the theory of Yin-Yang.
The concepts of Yin and Yang are central in the theory of Chinese medicine. They show how the opposing forces which present in all things may be interrelated and interdependent. This united thing is portrayed as traditional Daoist monad Taijitu.
Yang can be described as fire: moves up, bright, warm, active, excited. Yin - water: flowing down, dull, cold, passive, overwhelming.
Yin and Yang are the opposites in dynamic equilibrium. One can not exist without the other. If the equilibrium is disturbed, there can be problems.
Characteristics of Yin and Yang
In Chinese medicine, the body and its functions are regarded as yin or yang.
Substances, passive and unchanging, considered to be closer to Yin, while functions, active and volatile, to Yang.
Dense organs Zang associated with the accumulation of substances, are closer in character to Yin, while hollow organs Fu are connected with the transformation and, therefore, belong to Yang.
The outer surface of the body is mostly Yang, internal - Yin, top - Yang, bottom - Yin.
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Yin
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Yang
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Water
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Fire
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Darkness
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Light
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Cold
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Heat
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Passive
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Active
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Inside
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Outside
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Slow
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Fast
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Right
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Left
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Dull
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Bright
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Down
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Up
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Substance
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Function
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Matter
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Energy
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An ability to identify and characterize the imbalance is an important part of Chinese diagnostics.
4. The theory of the Five Elements: Wu-Xing.
In China, it is assumed that everything is composed of five primary elements: wood (mu), fire (huo), earth (tu), metal (jin) and water (shui). Wu-Xing - the five elements.
Each element affects other elements of the cycle: water can extinguish fire, fire melts metal, metal can cut down a tree, which pushes back the earth with its roots, and the earth, in turn, can block the way of water.
In reverse cycle elements also limit each other: wood absorbs water, water causes metal to rust, metal digs the earth, and the earth swamps fire that burns wood.
The Chinese have created a picture of the world in which everything is connected with the five basic elements, and then tried to incorporate all areas of life into it: five seasons, five cardinal directions, five colors, tastes, sounds, etc.
Similarly, the Chinese pointed out five zang, or solid organs of the body (heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, spleen - pancreas), and five fu, hollow organs (stomach, large and small intestines, urinary and gall bladder).
These are abstract organs that have little to do with conventional anatomy and physiology. Relations between them are the same as between the elements, that is, Liver is considered the mother of Heart and Kidneys the mother of Liver. Similarly Heart (fire) controls Lungs (metal) and Kidneys (water) control Heart (fire).
The interaction between the basic Five Elements:
Consequently, the illness of one member can be attributed to the weakness of another, or, conversely, too rigid control from it. For example, impaired water can not control fire, which becomes strong and attacks metal.
Other aspects of the interaction between the five elements also affect the health and diagnostics. For example, craving or aversion to sour taste may indicate liver imbalance, excessive grief can cause weakness of lungs.
Dense organs – Zang:
Each dense organ Zang corresponds to a hollow organ Fu. Zang-Fu organs are connected with meridians or acupuncture channels. In addition, each organ is connected with vital substance, such as blood or qi (translated as "life force", "energy" or "breath"). All connections are the part of five elements model.
Heart
Liver
Spleen
Lung
Kidney
Pericardium
Hollow organs – Fu:
Fu, or hollow organs, are more related to transformation and not the accumulation, and therefore closer to Yan than Zang organs. Each of the Fu organs is paired with one of the Zang organs through the sixth body - Triple burner.
Small intestine
Gall bladder
Stomach
Large intestine
Bladder
Triple Burner
Meridians: the system of channels:
Along with Zang-Fu organs Traditional Chinese anatomy considers the system of channels – a network of paths throughout the body that binds organs and holds qi energy and other basic substances. These intangible ways are also called meridians. To maintain good health it is necessary to avoid their blockage.
Basic substances:
In addition to the five senses and the five Zang-Fu organs Chinese model identifies five elements and five basic substances qi, jing, xue, jinye, shen. These are vital substances that affect the health and energy. Briefly, these concepts can be translated as vital energy, vital essence, blood, body fluids, and mind.
Spiritual aspects:
In most diseases Chinese medicine highlights the spiritual aspect that is taken into account for diagnosing and treating.
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