Practical TCM Handbook for Health Preservation

Author: Fan Xiaoqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features:
1. The origin of traditional Chinese medicine can be traced back to 4,000 years ago during the Xia and Shang dynasties. Some ancient legends record content about the origin of traditional Chinese medicine, such as Shennong tasting hundreds of herbs and Fuxi tasting hundreds of medicines. Moreover, the Rites of Zhou from the Zhou Dynasty documented the level of development of traditional Chinese medicine at that time, all of which serve as proof of the origin and development of traditional Chinese medicine in China.
(1) Discovery of plant medicines. In primitive society, due to low productivity levels, our ancestors lived in groups, collectively gathering food to survive. They generally collected wild fruits, seeds, and the roots and stems of plants. With little understanding of various plants, they ate without discrimination. As a result, they might consume toxic foods, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, unconsciousness, or even death. Alternatively, they might discover that eating a certain plant could cure these symptoms. Through countless practices and repeated verification, people formed impressions of various plants, such as which ones were edible and could treat illnesses, and which ones were not edible and could cause illness. Over time, this gradually led to the understanding of plant medicines.
(2) Discovery of animal medicines. With the improvement of social productivity, people invented tools for production, hunting, and trapping. In addition to eating plants, they also consumed the meat and internal organs of animals, which not only greatly improved their living standards but also allowed them to recognize more medicines. During the process of consuming animal meat and internal organs, they gradually discovered that some animal bones, blood, internal organs, and fats could be used to treat certain diseases. As a result, people paid attention to collecting these animal medicines in later life, gradually enriching the medicinal repertoire and laying a solid foundation for future traditional Chinese medicine.
(3) Discovery of mineral medicines. People recognized the importance of minerals due to the improvement of productivity and the advancement of tool-making techniques. Through contact with these minerals, they found that some minerals could also treat diseases, leading to the discovery of mineral medicines. As history progressed, people's understanding of traditional Chinese medicine deepened, and they discovered more medicines, giving rise to books that recorded traditional Chinese medicine. By the Zhou Dynasty, the Rites of Zhou documented the establishment of medical systems, indicating that at that time, not only were various medicines classified in detail but also the responsibilities and assessment systems for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners were meticulously regulated. All of this demonstrates that the history of traditional Chinese medicine in China is extremely long and its experience is rare in the world.
2. "Sages" and the origin of medicine
The origin of traditional Chinese medicine is closely related to some ancient "sages," who made indelible contributions to its development. In the context of medicine's origin, Qi Bo, Qi Huang, Shennong, and Fuxi made significant contributions, and their achievements are still celebrated by people today.
(1) Qi Bo. Qi Bo is said to be the most famous doctor in China's primitive society, revered as the "Celestial Master Qi" and the "Ancestor of Medical Books." Historical records state that