Methodology of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Methodology of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Written by Huang Jianping
Published by New World Press, 1995
Paperback, 191 pages
ISBN: 7800052664 more info

Traditional Chinese medicine embodies rich dialectical thought, such as that of the holistic connections and the unity of yin and yang. It deals with many facets of human anatomy and physiology: zang-fu (organs), jing-luo (main and collateral channels), qi (vital energy), and blood, jing (essence of life) and body fluid, the inside and outside of the body, as well as the connections between the whole and the parts. It also examines the effect of the social and natural environment - the universe, the sun and moon, the weather, the seasons and geography on the interrelations and conditioning of yin and yang. The result has been the formation of a system of thought about the interrelations behind spirit and organism, zang and fu, and the inside and outside of the body.

Traditional Chinese medicine puts the human body into a large system for observation and explores the interrelationship among formations, factors and variables, both within and outside the body; it regards and deals with these interrelations with reference to data that are correspondingly interrelated; it uses the principle of stabilization to "harmonize yin and yang to reach a state of equilibrium;", adjust their relationship so that they remain in a healthy state. In this book the author deals with traditional Chinese medicine in three ways: 1) the theory about yin and yang; 2) the theory about the manifestations of zang; and 3) bianzhenlunzhi. Probing into such scientific methods as systematics, cybernetics and informatics, and comparing them with the theories on traditional Chinese medicine, the author wishes those who are interested in traditional Chinese medicine can easily understand the methodology of traditional Chinese medicine.

Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology: Basic and Principles

Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology: Basic and Principles (English edition)
By Geng Junying and Su Zhihong
New World Press, 1996
Language: English
Paperback, 152 x 222 mm
ISBN 7800051145 more info

This book addresses the concepts and interrelationship as well as clinical application of the basic philosophical elements of traditional Chinese medicine such as the yin and yang and the five elements. The author also explains physiology, pathology, etiology, diagnostic methodology, and syndrome differentiation as understood in traditional Chinese medicine through a discussion of the zang-fu (internal) organs and the channels and collaterals. All these stress the importance of holistic treatment based on an accurate diagnosis. Thus the reader can learn the methods of understanding disease from the vantage point of traditional Chinese medicine and obtain a knowledge of its basic theories.

The basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine describe the physiology and pathology of the human body, disease etiology, diagnosis, and differentiation of symptom-complexes. This includes the theories of yin-yang, five elements, zang-fu, channels-collaterals, qi, blood, body fluid, methods of diagnosis, and differentiation of symptom-complexes.

Traditional Chinese medicine has two outstanding features, its holistic point of view, and its application of treatment according to the differentiation of symptom-complexes. According to these traditional viewpoints, the zang-fu organs are the core of the human body as an organic entity in which tissues and sense organs are connected through a network of channels and collaterals. The functional physiological activities of te zang-fu organs are dissimilar, but they work in coordination. The organs and their tissues are organically related. Pathologically, a dysfunction of the zang-fu organs may be reflected on the body surface through the channels and their collaterals. At the same time, diseases of body surface tissues may also affect their related zang or fu organs. Affected zang or fu organs may also influence each other through internal connection. Traditional Chinese medical treatment consists of regulating the functions of the zang-fu organs in order to correct pathological changes. With acupuncture, treatment is accomplished by stimulating certain areas of the external body. Not only is the human body an organic whole, but it is also a unified entity within nature, so changes in the natural environment may directly or indirectly affect it. For example, changes of the four seasons, and the alternation of day and night may change the functional condition of the human body, while various geographical environments can influence differences in body constitution, and so on. There factors must be considered when diagnosis and treatment are given.

Application of treatment according to the differentiation of syndromes is another characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine. "Differentiation of syndromes" means to analyze the disease condition in order to know its essentials, to identify the causative factors, the location and nature, and to obtain conclusions about the confrontation between pathogenic and anti pathogenic factors. In traditional Chinese medicine, differentiation is performed to outline the specific principles and methods of treatment because similar diseases may have different clinical manifestations, while different diseases may share the same syndromes. Treatment in traditional Chinese medicine stresses the differences of syndromes, but not the differences of diseases. Therefore different treatments for the same disease exist and different diseases can be treated by the same method.

Related Links

• Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Explains the basic concept and principles of TCM, such as yin-yang, the five elements, qi (vital energy), blood and body fluids, pathogenesis, pathology, the four diagnostic techniques, the eight guiding principles, differentiation of syndromes and general rules of prevention and treatment.
• Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine by Xie Zufan
• Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber with 300 Cases and Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor are the two most important classics of traditional Chinese medicine, that are used by students as textbooks in all colleges of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as being used by medical practitioners and scholars in the field as reference books.
• Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Pharmacology Series: Basic Theories and Principles, Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Clinical Experiences, Herbal Formulas, Medicinal Herbs
• Practical English-Chinese Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Chinese Materia Medica, Prescriptions of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Surgery of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gynecology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Pediatrics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traumatology and Orthopedics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ophthalmology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chinese Tuina (Massage), Life Cultivation and Rehabilitation
• Traditional Chinese Medicine: Clinical Case Studies, Typical TCM Therapy for Viral Hepatitis, Typical TCM Therapy for Primary Glomerulonephritis, Typical TCM Therapy for Chronic Gastritis, Typical TCM Therapy for Lung Cancer, Typical TCM Therapy for Bronchial Asthma, Typical TCM Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus, Typical TCM Therapy for Primary Hypertension, Typical TCM Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Typical TCM Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis, Typical TCM Therapy for Cholelithiasis