Ben Cao GanG Mu - NUSS

and sand wrapped in animal skin or bark could reduce pain.
In turn, this led to the discovery of moxibustion treatment
methods. As for acupuncture, it was deduced that it was
discovered in their process of using stone instruments.
Whether these theories are accurate, it is quite certain that
the use of medical tools dates back well into the Stone Age.
This is because, when written history began, much has
already been known about Chinese Medicine. The advanced
knowledge that were recorded in the first medical books
suggests that there was a great deal of medical development
before 2500 BC. Particularly, in one entry, it was noted that
Hua Tuo was using herbal anesthesia to conduct surgery in
the second century AD.
However, it was Li Shizhen (AD 1517-1593) who brought
about the continued advent of TCM into the modern era.
By writing Ben Cao Gang Mu, ‘the General Outlines and
Divisions of Herbal Medicine’, he made it possible for people
to track the past knowledge and cumulatively increased the
wealth of knowledge in the area. Today, records of medicinal
substances have grown threefold from 1,900 to nearly 6,000.
An Overview – TCM Practices
Tracing its roots from China thousands of years ago, it is
natural that TCM is most established in the East Asian cities
with heavy Chinese influences, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan,
and Singapore.
Since then, TCM practices have evolved substantially.
Today, TCM is more than just Chinese herbal medicine
(Zhong Yao), moxibustion (Jiu) and acupuncture (Zhen Jiu), it
includes dietary therapy and Shiatsu massage. Its combined
therapeutic effects with Qigong and Taiji are also very much
drawn upon from time to time.
Basis of Theory
In theory, TCM is a method of healing and strengthening the
body. It is rooted in the observation of nature, the cosmos
and the human body. Underlying these are the major theories
Yin Yang, the ‘Five Phases’, the human body ‘Channel
system’, ‘Organ theory’ (Zang Fu), ‘Six Confirmations’ and
‘Four Layers’.
While these theories are derived very differently on varying
grounds, the foundation principles of TCM are largely based
on the concept that the human body is a whole universe
in seeking balance. This universe consists of various
interconnected systems that are constantly working to strike
equilibrium in the body.
Differences between TCM and Western Medicine
The TCM approach is fundamentally different from that of
Western Medicine. In TCM, the understanding of the human
body is based on the holistic understanding of the universe
as described in Taoism; medical treatment is based primarily
on the diagnosis and differentiation of syndromes.
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