Root of Chinese Pulsatilla: 白头翁: 1. To clear heat and release toxins; 2. To cool the blood and stop dysentery Bai Wei: Radix Cynanchi Atrati: Blackend Swallowwort Root: 白薇: To remove heat from blood, to relieve dysuria, and to counteract toxicity and cure sores. Bai Xian Pi: Cortex Dictamni: Densefruit Pittany Root-Bark: 白藓皮. Springing from these roots are the basic principles and theories about the dynamics of Qi and yin and yang, which form the 'stems' of Chinese medicine. And resting on these principles is the rest of TCM theory and application, such as the causes of patterns of disharmony, which form the 'branches.'
Do you suffer from digestive difficulties? The age-old philosophies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offer some unique insights into how your digestive system works and how you can keep it in tip-top shape.
The Stomach and Spleen drive digestive function
Traditional Chinese herbalists view the processes of digestion differently to the way we think about them in Western medicine. According to this ancient system of medicine, consumed food is initially processed by the Stomach organ-meridian (OM), where it is 'ripened' or broken down into its useful (‘pure') and waste (‘impure') components. Of these, the useful parts are directed upwards to the Spleen organ-meridian system, where they're transformed into the nutrients, energy (Qi), Blood and fluids the body needs, while the wastes are directed downwards to the Small Intestine and ultimately the Large Intestine for excretion.
Chinese digestive tonic herbs
Many gastrointestinal problems can be attributed to disharmony in the Stomach, the Spleen or both organ-meridians, which may lead to symptoms such as indigestion, nausea, burping, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain and loose bowel movements. In TCM, these issues are traditionally treated with digestive tonic herbs such as Chinese Yam (also known as Mountain Yam), Wild Cardamom, Atractylodes and Codonopsis, which work together to harmonise Stomach and Spleen functions and improve the breakdown of food, uptake and transformation of nutrients and Qi, and elimination of wastes. When reflux and indigestion are present, they are said to indicate that Stomach Qi is moving upwards rather than in its usual downwards direction. Specific Chinese herbs that are indicated to regulate this movement and restore the downwards flow of Qi include Magnolia Bark, Pinellia and Evodia.
The Liver and Gall Bladder keep things moving smoothly
In Western medicine, we usually think about the liver and gall bladder in the context of their roles in the metabolism of fats and the detoxification of toxic compounds the body is exposed to. However, in TCM, the Liver organ-meridian is attributed with additional functions, which include governing the smooth flow of Qi and Blood to other parts of the body. In this capacity, healthy Liver function is vital to the digestive functions of the Stomach and Spleen organ-meridians, so any issues that compromise the Liver may have knock-on effects for the upper digestive tract, ultimately resulting in symptoms such as indigestion and nausea. Similarly, since the Gall Bladder is responsible for the transportation of bile, any imbalances or disharmony in that organ-meridian may have negative effects on the functioning of the Small Intestine, which requires bile in order to perform its role in the digestion of fats.
Chinese liver and gall bladder tonics
In TCM, Liver disharmony is often treated with Liver and Gall bladder tonic herbs that help to regulate the flow of Qi and Blood, stimulate the production of bile, and enhance the body's processes of waste elimination, such as Chinese Dandelion, Bupleurum and Chen Pi (Citrus Peel).
The Small and Large Intestine remove wastes
In the final part of the digestive process, the Small Intestine organ-meridian system continues the breakdown of food that was initiated in the stomach, and directs any useful matter to the Spleen for transformation and distribution, and the wastes to the Large Intestine for excretion via the faeces. If these organ meridians aren't in balance, you may experience bowel problems such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and flatulence. In addition, if there is too much Heat in your system, you may experience constipation or dry stools (as a consequence of the intestinal fluids being dried up by the Heat). Conversely, if you're affected by excess Damp, as often occurs when liver function is sluggish, you may experience loose bowel movements.
Chinese herbs to relieve constipation
In TCM, herbs that are regarded as having cooling and lubricating effects on the Intestinal organ-meridians have traditionally been employed to relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. Examples include Rhubarb, Rehmannia and Tricosanthes.
Probiotics provide extra support for healthy bowel function
Many gastrointestinal issues are caused or accompanied by disruption of the population of healthy bacteria that are naturally present in the human bowel. Taking a probiotic supplement may help to support healthy intestinal function, including helping to normalise the frequency and characteristics of bowel motions. Probiotics are well-suited for use in conjunction with Chinese herbs, and special formulations are available for children and infants.
Diet and lifestyle tips for digestive health from Chinese medicine
Taking a common-sense approach to your diet will help to optimise your digestive health. These additional suggestions from TCM may also be beneficial:
- The right diet for you will depend in part on your constitution. For example, if you have a slow metabolism and a tendency to feel lethargic, you may benefit from eating lots of spicy foods, but the same diet might make a person with a hotter, faster constitution feel irritated and agitated
- Your environment and the local weather also play a role in determining optimal eating habits. Choose cooling foods such as salads when it's hot and humid, and warming, heartier dishes when it's cold
- Go easy on dairy foods, refined flours and fatty meals, all of which may contribute to excess Dampness in the body (a common contributor to sluggish liver function)
- Try to stick to a regular eating schedule and don't skip meals, or eat more than you need. Overeating makes it difficult for the Stomach and Spleen to effectively digest your food and transport it around your body, while infrequent meals (as seen in many fad diets and detox plans) may contribute to constipation by reducing the moisture levels in the Intestines
- Avoid eating when you're stressed or agitated, and instead make meal times calm and relaxing
- According to the principles of TCM, a balanced diet incorporates the five flavours:
- Sweet foods like honey that provide nourishment and have moistening properties, making them particularly beneficial when excess Dryness is present, as may occur during constipation
- Sour foods like lemons that have drying properties and promote contraction in the digestive tract, and thus may be beneficial (in small quantities) when excess fluids are present (e.g. to help remove excess fluid from soft stools)
- Hot, pungent foods such as ginger, garlic and chillies, which have warming properties that stimulate the appetite and promote the circulation of Blood and Qi around the body
- Bitter foods like rocket, kale and green tea have a cooling effect on the body and help to dry Dampness; they help to stimulate the gut and may be particularly beneficial when liver function is sluggish
- Salty foods like prawns, pork and seaweed, which are considered lubricating to the intestines and may aid the removal of accumulated wastes
- The practice of traditional medicine
- Modern developments
- History of Chinese medicine
- Ancient Chinese emperors and medical texts
- The great practitioners
5 Roots Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture
Our editors will review what you've submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
Join Britannica's Publishing Partner Program and our community of experts to gain a global audience for your work! The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica5 Roots Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Cabinet
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), system of medicine at least 23 centuries old that aims to prevent or heal disease by maintaining or restoring yinyang balance. China has one of the world's oldest medical systems. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies date back at least 2,200 years, although the earliest known written record of Chinese medicine is the Huangdi neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) from the 3rd century bce. That opus provided the theoretical concepts for TCM that remain the basis of its practice today. In essence, traditional Chinese healers seek to restore a dynamic balance between two complementary forces, yin (passive) and yang (active), which pervade the human body as they do the universe as a whole. According to TCM, a person is healthy when harmony exists between these two forces; illness, on the other hand, results from a breakdown in the equilibrium of yin and yang.
A visit to a traditional Chinese pharmacy is like a visit to a small natural history museum. The hundreds of cabinet drawers, glass cases, and jars in a typical pharmacy hold an enormous variety of desiccated plant and animal material. In 1578 Li Shizhen published his famous Bencao gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), which lists 1,892 drugs and some 11,000 formal prescriptions for specific ailments.
The practice of traditional medicine
To restore harmony, the Chinese healer may use any of a staggeringly large array of traditional remedies. The patient may be treated with acupuncture or acupressure, moxibustion (moxa treatment), or cupping (in which hot glass cups are placed on the patient to draw blood to the skin). The Chinese healer may prescribe a brew prepared with one (or some combination) of thousands of medicinal plants or dried animal parts (e.g., snakes, scorpions, insects, deer antlers) in the Chinese pharmaceutical armamentarium.
The role of qi and meridians
Do you suffer from digestive difficulties? The age-old philosophies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offer some unique insights into how your digestive system works and how you can keep it in tip-top shape.
The Stomach and Spleen drive digestive function
Traditional Chinese herbalists view the processes of digestion differently to the way we think about them in Western medicine. According to this ancient system of medicine, consumed food is initially processed by the Stomach organ-meridian (OM), where it is 'ripened' or broken down into its useful (‘pure') and waste (‘impure') components. Of these, the useful parts are directed upwards to the Spleen organ-meridian system, where they're transformed into the nutrients, energy (Qi), Blood and fluids the body needs, while the wastes are directed downwards to the Small Intestine and ultimately the Large Intestine for excretion.
Chinese digestive tonic herbs
Many gastrointestinal problems can be attributed to disharmony in the Stomach, the Spleen or both organ-meridians, which may lead to symptoms such as indigestion, nausea, burping, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain and loose bowel movements. In TCM, these issues are traditionally treated with digestive tonic herbs such as Chinese Yam (also known as Mountain Yam), Wild Cardamom, Atractylodes and Codonopsis, which work together to harmonise Stomach and Spleen functions and improve the breakdown of food, uptake and transformation of nutrients and Qi, and elimination of wastes. When reflux and indigestion are present, they are said to indicate that Stomach Qi is moving upwards rather than in its usual downwards direction. Specific Chinese herbs that are indicated to regulate this movement and restore the downwards flow of Qi include Magnolia Bark, Pinellia and Evodia.
The Liver and Gall Bladder keep things moving smoothly
In Western medicine, we usually think about the liver and gall bladder in the context of their roles in the metabolism of fats and the detoxification of toxic compounds the body is exposed to. However, in TCM, the Liver organ-meridian is attributed with additional functions, which include governing the smooth flow of Qi and Blood to other parts of the body. In this capacity, healthy Liver function is vital to the digestive functions of the Stomach and Spleen organ-meridians, so any issues that compromise the Liver may have knock-on effects for the upper digestive tract, ultimately resulting in symptoms such as indigestion and nausea. Similarly, since the Gall Bladder is responsible for the transportation of bile, any imbalances or disharmony in that organ-meridian may have negative effects on the functioning of the Small Intestine, which requires bile in order to perform its role in the digestion of fats.
Chinese liver and gall bladder tonics
In TCM, Liver disharmony is often treated with Liver and Gall bladder tonic herbs that help to regulate the flow of Qi and Blood, stimulate the production of bile, and enhance the body's processes of waste elimination, such as Chinese Dandelion, Bupleurum and Chen Pi (Citrus Peel).
The Small and Large Intestine remove wastes
In the final part of the digestive process, the Small Intestine organ-meridian system continues the breakdown of food that was initiated in the stomach, and directs any useful matter to the Spleen for transformation and distribution, and the wastes to the Large Intestine for excretion via the faeces. If these organ meridians aren't in balance, you may experience bowel problems such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and flatulence. In addition, if there is too much Heat in your system, you may experience constipation or dry stools (as a consequence of the intestinal fluids being dried up by the Heat). Conversely, if you're affected by excess Damp, as often occurs when liver function is sluggish, you may experience loose bowel movements.
Chinese herbs to relieve constipation
In TCM, herbs that are regarded as having cooling and lubricating effects on the Intestinal organ-meridians have traditionally been employed to relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. Examples include Rhubarb, Rehmannia and Tricosanthes.
Probiotics provide extra support for healthy bowel function
Many gastrointestinal issues are caused or accompanied by disruption of the population of healthy bacteria that are naturally present in the human bowel. Taking a probiotic supplement may help to support healthy intestinal function, including helping to normalise the frequency and characteristics of bowel motions. Probiotics are well-suited for use in conjunction with Chinese herbs, and special formulations are available for children and infants.
Diet and lifestyle tips for digestive health from Chinese medicine
Taking a common-sense approach to your diet will help to optimise your digestive health. These additional suggestions from TCM may also be beneficial:
- The right diet for you will depend in part on your constitution. For example, if you have a slow metabolism and a tendency to feel lethargic, you may benefit from eating lots of spicy foods, but the same diet might make a person with a hotter, faster constitution feel irritated and agitated
- Your environment and the local weather also play a role in determining optimal eating habits. Choose cooling foods such as salads when it's hot and humid, and warming, heartier dishes when it's cold
- Go easy on dairy foods, refined flours and fatty meals, all of which may contribute to excess Dampness in the body (a common contributor to sluggish liver function)
- Try to stick to a regular eating schedule and don't skip meals, or eat more than you need. Overeating makes it difficult for the Stomach and Spleen to effectively digest your food and transport it around your body, while infrequent meals (as seen in many fad diets and detox plans) may contribute to constipation by reducing the moisture levels in the Intestines
- Avoid eating when you're stressed or agitated, and instead make meal times calm and relaxing
- According to the principles of TCM, a balanced diet incorporates the five flavours:
- Sweet foods like honey that provide nourishment and have moistening properties, making them particularly beneficial when excess Dryness is present, as may occur during constipation
- Sour foods like lemons that have drying properties and promote contraction in the digestive tract, and thus may be beneficial (in small quantities) when excess fluids are present (e.g. to help remove excess fluid from soft stools)
- Hot, pungent foods such as ginger, garlic and chillies, which have warming properties that stimulate the appetite and promote the circulation of Blood and Qi around the body
- Bitter foods like rocket, kale and green tea have a cooling effect on the body and help to dry Dampness; they help to stimulate the gut and may be particularly beneficial when liver function is sluggish
- Salty foods like prawns, pork and seaweed, which are considered lubricating to the intestines and may aid the removal of accumulated wastes
- The practice of traditional medicine
- Modern developments
- History of Chinese medicine
- Ancient Chinese emperors and medical texts
- The great practitioners
5 Roots Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture
Our editors will review what you've submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
Join Britannica's Publishing Partner Program and our community of experts to gain a global audience for your work! The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica5 Roots Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Cabinet
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), system of medicine at least 23 centuries old that aims to prevent or heal disease by maintaining or restoring yinyang balance. China has one of the world's oldest medical systems. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies date back at least 2,200 years, although the earliest known written record of Chinese medicine is the Huangdi neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) from the 3rd century bce. That opus provided the theoretical concepts for TCM that remain the basis of its practice today. In essence, traditional Chinese healers seek to restore a dynamic balance between two complementary forces, yin (passive) and yang (active), which pervade the human body as they do the universe as a whole. According to TCM, a person is healthy when harmony exists between these two forces; illness, on the other hand, results from a breakdown in the equilibrium of yin and yang.
A visit to a traditional Chinese pharmacy is like a visit to a small natural history museum. The hundreds of cabinet drawers, glass cases, and jars in a typical pharmacy hold an enormous variety of desiccated plant and animal material. In 1578 Li Shizhen published his famous Bencao gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), which lists 1,892 drugs and some 11,000 formal prescriptions for specific ailments.
The practice of traditional medicine
To restore harmony, the Chinese healer may use any of a staggeringly large array of traditional remedies. The patient may be treated with acupuncture or acupressure, moxibustion (moxa treatment), or cupping (in which hot glass cups are placed on the patient to draw blood to the skin). The Chinese healer may prescribe a brew prepared with one (or some combination) of thousands of medicinal plants or dried animal parts (e.g., snakes, scorpions, insects, deer antlers) in the Chinese pharmaceutical armamentarium.
The role of qi and meridians
5 Roots Of Traditional Chinese Medicines
An essential aspect of TCM is an understanding of the body's qi (life force; literally, 'vital breath'), which flows through invisible meridians (channels) of the body. This energy network connects organs, tissues, veins, nerves, cells, atoms, and consciousness itself. Generally speaking, there are 12 major meridians, each of which connects to one of the 12 major organs in TCM theory. Meridians are also related to a variety of phenomena, including circadian rhythms, seasons, and planetary movements, to create additional invisible networks.
What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine
In acupuncture thin needles are inserted into specific points along the meridians. The needles stimulate the meridians and readjust the flow of qi to balance the body's yin and yang. In place of needles, massage (acupressure) can also be used to stimulate the acupuncture points. Acupuncture is sometimes accompanied by moxibustion, the burning of small cones of an herb (typically Artemisia moxa) at acupuncture points. Not only can the meridian network be used to alleviate symptoms; it can also endow TCM with the ability to change consciousness in those who receive treatment.
A TCM practitioner uses smell, hearing, voice vibration, touch, and pulse diagnosis to discover the source of an unbalanced health condition, which organ it is related to, and which meridians are affected. In addition, the practitioner typically makes use of what is known as the five agents, or five phases (wuxing). By observing natural law in action, ancient healers recognized five basic elements in the world—wood (mu), fire (huo), earth (tu), metal (jin), and water (shui)—and found that these elements have myriad correspondences, both visible and invisible. This framework helps skilled TCM practitioners to identify unbalanced relationships. For instance, one key correspondence relates to time of day. If an individual always gets a headache at 4 pm, this signals that Bladder qi is unbalanced, since the Bladder (of the TCM Kidney/Bladder organ pair) is in charge of maintaining the body's functions at that time. Using the five-element theory, the practitioner can create a healing plan that might contain such components as acupuncture, herbs, lifestyle changes, and foods for healing. It might also include Chinese psychology, which shows how the energy of unbalanced emotions can affect proper organ function.
Traditional Chinese Medicine School
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