What is the basic theory of TCM?
When I was a child, there were many books on Chinese medicine. From the Qing Dynasty to the liberation, I also read a few. Among them, Chinese medicine works written by Chinese medicine practitioners in the Qing Dynasty generally start with the theory of Chinese medicine, and then discuss the manifestations, diagnosis and treatment methods of each disease in detail. The theories of traditional Chinese medicine are generally essence theory, yin-yang theory and intangible theory. According to the theory of prosperity, qi is the foundation of human life, the essence and qi of normal body are harmonious, and the disorder is manifested as disease. Yin and Yang represent the opposition and unity of things, which are mutually restricted and interdependent. According to the theory of inaction, everything in the world can be divided into gold, wood, water, fire and earth according to its basic attributes, and all organs of human body are no exception. These three theories basically cover the physiology and pathology of traditional Chinese medicine.
Essence theory, yin-yang theory and intangible theory
Due to the lack of developed medical equipment, Chinese medicine can only understand the world from a macro perspective, which is actually in line with the process of human understanding of the world, that is, from macro to micro, just like a blind man touching an elephant. Without a holistic view, it is bound to be difficult to understand it from a micro perspective. Therefore, the diagnostic methods adopted by Chinese medicine are all macro-judgment. For medicinal plants, the pioneers of TCM research tried to personally confirm their medicinal properties. In my opinion, Chinese medicine is more inclined to an empirical discipline. After a long period of experience, an empirical discipline of macro observation and diagnosis of diseases has been formed. Then, in the process of development, in order to find a theoretical basis or form a systematic theory, some people who study Chinese medicine associate it with inaction and yin and yang.
Modern western medicine usually refers to medicine in western countries, because this discipline originated in modern western countries. It is a brand-new medical system developed on the basis of physics, chemistry, biology and anatomy after modern western scholars abandoned ancient western medicine, and this medical system is what China people often say today. With the help of stethoscope, thermometer, microscope, color Doppler ultrasound and PET\CT, we can observe tiny lesions, study pathology and conquer diseases.
Therefore, the main difference between the departments of traditional Chinese and western medicine lies in the different research angles and methods.
Therefore, the main difference between the departments of traditional Chinese and western medicine lies in the different research angles and methods.
Can't summing up experience through external observation be called science? Of course not. Until now, natural science research also pays attention to observing and summing up experience. But personally, it is a bit mysterious to associate it with yin and yang and inaction. Many people spray Chinese medicine online, which is pseudoscience, and it also grasps the theoretical basis of Chinese medicine, that is, the above five elements theory, yin and yang theory and so on. This is the limitation of a specific historical development period, just like the saying of "four body fluids" in the history of western medicine, we can't just see the backward and unscientific side of Chinese medicine. At present, the research direction of TCM in China has changed. China HowNet searched for Chinese medicine, and the results are as follows:
At present, the research direction of TCM in China has changed. China HowNet searched for Chinese medicine, and the results are as follows:
It can be seen that the principle of treating medicinal plants with modern instruments has become a new hot spot, and Chinese medicine should be treated with a developmental perspective.
It can be seen that the principle of treating medicinal plants with modern instruments has become a new hot spot, and Chinese medicine should be treated with a developmental perspective.
Neither blindly worship western medicine nor completely abandon Chinese medicine. It is correct to regard Chinese medicine as pseudoscience and choose appropriate diagnosis and treatment methods according to different situations!
Neither blindly worship western medicine nor completely abandon Chinese medicine. It is correct to regard Chinese medicine as pseudoscience and choose appropriate diagnosis and treatment methods according to different situations!