CHINESE MEDICINE

Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) is a term coined by the founder of the National College of Natural Medicine’s Chinese Medicine Department, Heiner Fruehauf, PhD. The major emphasis of this form of Chinese medicine which distinguishes itself from “Traditional Chinese Medicine” (TCM) is the great attention paid to the classic medical texts of Chinese medicine, many written several thousand years ago. It is from this perspective that all of what we now designate as “Chinese Medicine”, acupuncture, moxabustion, herbal medicine, Tui Na, Qi Gong, Tai Ji and many others arose. Prior to the Cultural Revolution that occurred in China under Chairman Mao, Chinese medicine was seen as backwards by many in power and great effort was made to abolish this 5000 year + tradition. While the intentions seemed to be for better standardization of medicine and to become more like “The West”, much of the ancient knowledge was lost. Before the cultural revolution, a Chinese medicine practitioner not only used a given combination of herbs/given combination of acupuncture points for a given condition, they also paid great attention to diet, season, constitutional differences, and many other factors that were critical in determining the most direct and appropriate route of treatment for suffering. Even in the current era of a more liberal post-Mao China, much of the attention to “The Classics” (Yellow Emperor’s Classic, Shang Han Lun, The Mai Jing, etc) has waned; indeed, in most TCM universities there is a slow but steady erosion of time spent studying these seminal texts as can be seen in various school’s catalog of courses over the years.

HERBAL REMEDIES

The effectiveness of Chinese herbology has not been scientifically welcomed over time and still remains to be an open practice without as much documented results as most western scientific medicinal research. However some medical practitioners are still using some of these traditional herbs hundreds of years after they were found and claimed to have significant medicinal properties. Herbs can be collected from many natural sources such as roots, leaves, stems, flowers, tree bark or seeds. They often use basic spices like cinnamon,ginger, licorice and most commonly Ginseng. These herbs can be prepared and served in many different ways. Most common is to be made into a tea and taken by the patient. These herbs can also put into capsules, made into a liquid tincture, or prescribed in granules or powder form.

There are over 6000 estimated plant species,1000 plus uses of animal products and over 100 raw minerals used all under the general term of “herbs”

Here are the most common herbs and just SOME their purposed health benefits:

Astragalus
Normalizes immune responses/benefits digestive functions/skin disorders.
Atractylodes
Digestive disorders/removing moisture accumulation.
Bupleurum
Liver disease/skin ailments/arthritis/menopause/mental disorders.
Cinnamon
Circulation improvement/allergy reactions.
Coptis
Inhibits infection/calms nervous agitation/hypertension/insomnia.
Ginger
Benefits digestion/regulating blood pressure/increased oxygen usage.
Hoelen
Gastric/intestinal benefits.
Licorice
Neutralize toxins/relieves inflammation/enhanced digestion.
Ma-Hung
Opens breathing passages/invigorates the nervous system.
Peony
Relaxes blood vessels/reduces platelet sticking/nourishes the blood.
Rehmannia
Inflammatory issues/hormone regulation.
Rhubarb
Inflammation/intestinal infections.
Salvia
Tissue injuries/post stroke symptoms.
Tang Kuei
Blood nourishment/circulation/pain relief.

In Most cases Chinese practitioners designed specific combinations of different herbs for certain patients.This combination would evolve and change as symptoms lessened or changed. Each batch was made to be taken in succession over a long period of time in order to fine tune its benefits and to slowly realign the bodies natural energy flow.

CHINESE SUPPLEMENTS

Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) is a term coined by the founder of the National College of Natural Medicine’s Chinese Medicine Department, Heiner Fruehauf, PhD
The major emphasis of this form of Chinese medicine which distinguishes itself from “Traditional Chinese Medicine” (TCM) is the great attention paid to the classic medical texts of Chinese medicine, many written several thousand years ago. It is from this perspective that all of what we now designate as “Chinese Medicine”, acupuncture, moxabustion, herbal medicine, Tui Na, Qi Gong, Tai Ji and many others arose. Prior to the Cultural Revolution that occurred in China under Chairman Mao, Chinese medicine was seen as backwards by many in power and great effort was made to abolish this 5000 year + tradition. While the intentions seemed to be for better standardization of medicine and to become more like “The West”, much of the ancient knowledge was lost. Before the cultural revolution, a Chinese medicine practitioner not only used a given combination of herbs/given combination of acupuncture points for a given condition, they also paid great attention to diet, season, constitutional differences, and many other factors that were critical in determining the most direct and appropriate route of treatment for suffering. Even in the current era of a more liberal post-Mao China, much of the attention to “The Classics” (Yellow Emperor’s Classic, Shang Han Lun, The Mai Jing, etc) has waned; indeed, in most TCM universities there is a slow but steady erosion of time spent studying these seminal texts as can be seen in various school’s catalog of courses over the years.

Classical Chinese Medicine recaptures much of what was lost and denigrated by steeping and training students in the Classical approaches of Chinese medicine, while marrying the benefits achieved by modern medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine during and since Chairman Mao’s rule. CCM recognizes much of what integrative medicine does here in “The West”: emphasize prevention as the most important role in health, identify and treat the cause, treat the whole person, address dietary components of health and disease and, maintain healthy movement of the body.

SYMBOLIC ELEMENTS

To explain the common phenomena of certain changes in the body both during life changes and when dealing with disease, there were primitive symbolic elements used. Fire, earth, water, metal and wood are the five elements used to connect the the natural world with the human body. Different seasons brought different combinations of the elements that were to effect specific portions of the body. For example the water element mixed with winter cold relate to kidney, bladder issues.

History of Chinese Medicine

The historical origins of ancient Chinese medicine date back to over 2000 years. Written language started in China in 1776 BC so many of these practices even pre-date written history and are considered “legendary”. Traditional Chinese medicine is deeply rooted in eastern philosophy. The Chinese have had no problem accepting a wide variety of philosophies into their culture, so throughout many dynasties and different philosophies, Chinese medicine has been only built upon, added to, and modified.

During the Shang Dynasty (1778-1122 BC), most of these medicinal practices were done by shamans who were mediators between the patient and the ancient ancestors and/or evil spirits. Many illnesses were attributed to the upsetting of the ancestors that had passed on or if some sort of evil spirit had entered the body. Demonism and Shamanism continued throughout the 6th century and was still practiced by physicians during the Chou Dynasty(1122-403 BC)

The Chou period entered in a time or regional warring as the centralized control lessened. However during this time of great war-great ideas also blossomed. It was in this time that a great medical document was written. Huang Ti Nei Ching was the first writing of ancient methods that had been passed down from before. Its title translates as “the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” and is considered one of the most important medical documents ever written as well as being the first. This began a different focus on what were the causes of illness’ and its connection to the flow of energy in the body as it became to be understood as medical and less involved in the “spirit world”.

Basic Concepts of traditional Chinese medicine

The basis of Chinese philosophy was that the human body is like its own tiny universe that coexists within the larger physical universe. Within these are two opposing and complementary forces called the Yin and the Yang. When these two forces become unbalanced within the body it creates an environment for disease and is suggested to be kept in balance to support healthy body function.

Another major concept in ancient Chinese medicinal beliefs concerned a vital energy that flowed through the body called Qi or Chi. This “life force” was believed to link all things and their surroundings. It is founded on a very basic principle – when chi is flowing, it leads health, well-being, and sustainability. When your chi isn’t flowing or is in disharmony it tends to result illness, disease, suffering, or even death.

These were historically basic ideas behind ancient Chinese medicine, but with further actual scientific research and the advance of modern technology these ideas were replaced with more accurate and concise methods to handling disease and illness.