TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a scientific summary of the experiences of the Chinese
nation in struggling against diseases for thousands of years.
With a history of 2,000 to 3,000 years, TCM has formed a unique system to diagnose and treat
diseases.
THEORIES OF TCM
1. Principle- The concept of holism
2. Philosophy- Jing- qi, Yin-yang, Five elements
3. Physiology-Zang- fu, meridians and collaterals, essence, Qi, blood and body fluids
4. Pathology- Six exogenous evils, seven emotions, irregular food intake, over- work, and
over-rest
5. Differentiation according to different syndromes and signs

CLASSIFICATION OF YIN AND YANG

YIN- Quietness, Descent, Calmness, Lower, Anterior, Dampness, Autumn, Winter, Darkness
YANG- Motion, Ascent, Excitement, Hyperactivity, Upper, Dryness, Summer, Brightness

THEORY OF FIVE ELEMENTS

All natural things are classified into five categories
Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water

ORGANS AND CORRELATION WITH ELEMENTS

Liver- promoting Qi, in charge of ascending and movement, like WOOD
Heart- in charge of blood vessels, red colour, warms the body, like FIRE
Spleen- Transportation and Transformation, source of Qi-blood nourishing body, like EARTH
Lung- Cleaning up and descending, like METAL
Kidney- in charge of water metabolism and storing essence, like WATER

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INTEGRATION IN PHYSIOLOGY
Five Zang Organs as an integration
SYSTEM FIVE ZANG FIVE FU FIVE ORIFICE MERIDIAN
TISSUES
Heart Heart Small Vessel Tongue Heart, Small
Intestine intestine
Liver Liver Gall Bladder Tendon Eye Liver, Gall
bladder
Spleen Spleen Stomach Muscle Mouth Spleen,
Stomach
Lung Lung Large Skin Nose Lung, Liver
Intestine
Kidney Kidney Urinary Bone Ear Kidney,
Bladder Urinary
Bladder
NB: Each system is connected through meridians

HISTORY
1. Hung-Di-Nei-Jing- The most ancient medical handbook in the world (1000 BC)
2. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing- The first Medical book of TCM (221-220 BC)
3. Tang Bencao- First Pharmacopoeia in the world (618-907 AD)
4. Ben Cao Gang-mu- Premier reference work for herbal medicine (1518-1593 AD)

DIAGNOSTICS OF TCM
Four diagnostic methods:
1. Observation: Spirit, Complexion, Physical condition and behavior
2. Auscultation & Olfaction: Hearing and Smelling
3. Inquiry: Complaints and symptoms
4. Pulse- Palpitation
Causes of Diseases
1. Pathogenic factors
2. Imbalance between yin and yang
3. Disorders of Zang and Fu organs
4. Mutual growth & reduction between pathogenic factors and healthy Qi

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Treatment modules
1. Tuina massage
2. Cupping
3. Moxibustion
4. Acupuncture

Medications
Medications as from Chinese Materia Medica could be
1. Single component
2. Multiple components: Generally; there is a Monarch and Adjuvant

Forms of medications
1. Raw plant materials
2. Pills
3. Decoction
4. Pellets
5. Tablets
6. Capsules
7. Injection
8. Tinctures
9. Granules