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Chinese Medicine in Taiwan |
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Oneness of Humanity with the Cosmos
Rooted in a vision of being encapsulated in the maxim tian ren he yi—“The heavens and humanity are one”—Chinese medical practitioners regard the human body as an indivisible part of the cosmos, as a microcosm that embodies and parallels macrocosmic processes. In the spirit of this vision, it does not focus merely on coping with disease after it becomes manifest but places emphasis on health maintenance through observation of and living in harmony with Nature, as summed up in the saying, “The superior strategy is to cure disease before it manifests.” Toward that end, proper diet, appropriate exercise and emotional equanimity are all regarded as important considerations in the thinking of physicians of Chinese medicine. These are among the reasons why the value of Chinese medicine has been affirmed throughout the world. Its approach is in tune with the shift in Western societies from emphasis on treatment to prevention of disease through realignment with Mother Nature. Particularly in this era of aging societies, Chinese medicine is valuable in pointing the way to development of medical and personal practices that not only extend longevity but enable one to enjoy the best possible health throughout one’s life. Theoretical Foundation
The most important reason for the widespread acceptance of Chinese medicine, however, is that it works. Whereas only a few decades ago, for example, those outside the Chinese cultural sphere were highly skeptical of the usefulness of acupuncture—the insertion of specialized needles into the skin at key points—today, its efficacy in treating a wide variety of ailments and as a drug-free method of anesthesia is undisputed. Fundamental to Chinese medical theory is the concept of bipolar qi (氣 literally, “breath” or “air,” sometimes spelled ch’i or chi) and its yin and yang aspects. While many modern-day theorists explain these concepts in abstract terms, in Chinese culture through the ages, the qi has been popularly envisioned in the concrete terms of a living energy-fluid or mindstuff whose circulatory-cum-vibratory motion evolves into progressively more complex forms and is the root cause of all natural phenomena, including matter. Traditionally, yin qi and yang qi have been conceived of as Nature’s primordial female and male aspects, respectively. The evolved form of qi that circulates in and powers the human body (itself an extremely complex structure of qi) is known as zheng (正 “upright” or “correct”) qi. A basic precept of Chinese medicine is that the preservation and restoration of good health depends on maintaining unimpeded, vigorous circulation of zheng qi in the body and a harmonious equilibrium of its interpenetrating yin and yang aspects. The purpose of acupuncture is to dissolve blockages of qi flow and rectify the imbalances of yin and yang energy that adversely affect the functioning of bodily organs. Similarly, the ultimate aim of all other forms of Chinese medical therapy as well as forms of self-culture recommended by Chinese medical therapists is to stimulate and harmonize the movements and interactions of the yin-yang zheng qi. Physical-cum-Spiritual Culture
The most direct method of achieving this end is qigong (氣功 literally, “qi skill”), the practice of a variety of techniques of disciplined breathing, combined with visualization, attention to parts of the body, or body movements. Every morning and evening, in parks, school grounds and other public spaces in Taiwan’s urban areas, people gather to practice qigong in a standing position. Various forms of qigong are also practiced as part of sitting meditation. Chinese medicine recognizes the crucial influence that diet has on one’s physical constitution and in maintaining a healthful yin-yang equilibrium. For example, persons who have a “cold” physical constitution, as indicated by sluggish metabolism, are advised to avoid foods that are classified as having a cold nature because they cause chilling effects in the body and deplete the body of yang energy. The diet of such persons should include more foods that are classified as hot in nature. This explains why, in Chinese medicine, there is no sharp distinction between food and medicine, and certain types of foods are regarded primarily as therapeutic foods. Attention to mental health is another key element in Chinese medicine, in recognition that emotional problems are a major cause of disease. By remaining pure of heart, clear-minded and emotionally stable, one is more likely to enjoy excellent health. Therapeutic Methodology
Complementary to the concept of qi and its yin-yang duality is that of the wu xing (五行), commonly translated as the “five elements,” comprising wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Bodily organs, seasons and types of herbs are keyed to the wu xing, each of which has yin and yang aspects or phases. In turn, the yin-yang wu xing are closely related to the six disease-causing factors—wind, cold, heat, moisture, dryness and internal heat—and the seven emotions, comprising happiness, anger, anxiety, pensiveness, grief, fear and surprise. A distinctive characteristic of Chinese medicine is that therapy is tailored to fit the patient’s unique constellation of physical and psychological conditions and contributory factors, evaluated on the basis of the four diagnostic techniques (四診) and eight guiding principles (八綱). The four diagnostic techniques are visual diagnosis (望診), auditory/olfactory diagnosis (聞診), interrogatory diagnosis (問診) and tactile diagnosis (切診). Physicians observe patients’ facial expression, complexion and other physical features as well as quality of voice, body odor and respiration. They ask patients about their symptoms and sensations, living conditions and previous courses of treatment and employ a highly trained sense of touch to evaluate physical conditions. Taking a patient’s pulse is not a simple matter of evaluating the heartbeat. With three fingers placed successively at nine locations on the patient’s wrists, physicians are able to gather a wealth of information about the condition of vital organs and processes. They gain further understanding by feeling other parts of patients’ bodies as well. The findings obtained through application of the four diagnostic techniques are assessed in conjunction with a canon of theories of health and disease based to a large extent on the eight guiding principles. These principles comprise four pairs of polar opposites—yin and yang, hot and cold, interior and exterior, and deficiency and excess—understanding of which enables practitioners to identify the energetic imbalances in the body at the root of their patients’ pathological conditions and to provide them with an optimally efficacious program of treatment. Depending on the doctor’s findings, the treatment dispensed may be a multifaceted combination of medication, acupuncture, moxibustion or tui na (推拿) massage therapy, along with recommendations on diet and exercise. Traditional Chinese medicines consist of natural plant, animal and mineral materials. Those taken orally generally have a mild influence on the body with few side effects, helping it to heal itself by gradually invigorating its metabolic processes. Typically, when illness is serious enough to merit the attention of a physician, the physician writes a prescription for a combination of ingredients in a certain proportion, which is filled by a pharmacist at a Chinese traditional apothecary. The ingredients must be gently steeped in a double boiler over a low flame in order not to destroy important molecular constituents. The resultant infusion is consumed immediately. For convenience of self-medication to deal with ordinary, noncritical discomforts such as indigestion, fatigue or skin irritations, a wide variety of Chinese traditional medications and dietary supplements are available in the form of pills, powders, salves, massage oils with special herbal extracts and the like.
Continuing Evolution of Chinese Medicine While millennia-old precepts and practices continue to be of fundamental importance in the practice of Chinese medicine in Taiwan, methodologies have evolved in step with the times. Specialized electronic devices in combination with computers and analytical software have been developed to enhance the objectivity of measurement and interpretation of diagnostic data, and are commonly utilized in clinics and colleges of Chinese medicine. They are employed, for example, in examinations of the tongue, in taking the pulse and in measuring energy flows at acupuncture points along the body’s qi meridians.
Moreover, graduates from colleges of Chinese medicine are well-grounded in Western-tradition medical theory and techniques of diagnosis and treatment, including the use of specialized devices. And before beginning practice, they must undergo a period of internship and pass a battery of national government-administered licensing examinations. Increasing public health consciousness and growing popularity of self-treatment with natural Chinese medicines and dietary supplements have raised concern over measures for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter Chinese medicinal remedies. In Taiwan, strict regulations on the manufacture and sales of such medicines have been put in place, and systems for certification of compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards have been established. Taiwan currently has more than 100 GMP-certified pharmaceutical companies that produce Chinese traditional remedies. With the rapid evolution of information technology, people across the globe are able to quickly access information on alternative health care practices via the Internet. Such technological advancement has made it easier for Taiwanese practitioners of Chinese medicine to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with people worldwide while learning from others. With its superior standards of service and products, and its practitioners’ efforts to keep on refining their skills, Taiwan has contributed significantly to the development of Chinese medicine for the betterment of human health.
Author: Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Health, Executive Yuan
CULTURAL TAIWAN |
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Chinese medicine, a set of medical theories and practices that originated and developed in China over several millennia and has spread to and continued evolving in all quarters of the world, is an important aspect of Taiwanese culture. With its hoary, uninterrupted history of development, it constitutes a sophisticated system that has stood the test of time, consistently proving efficacious in restoring and maintaining the health of countless millions of people over the ages.
