“The upper class of medicines…..govern the nourishment of destiny and correspond to heaven…., If one wishes to prolong the years of life without aging, one should use these.”
“The middle class of medicines govern the nourishment of one’s nature and correspond to man. …If one wishes to prevent illness and to supplement depletions and emaciations, one should use these.”
“The lower (class of) medicines….govern the treatment of illness and correspond to earth. If one wishes to remove cold, heat and (other) evil influences (from the body), to break accumulations, and to cure illnesses, one should base (one’s efforts) on (drugs listed in) the lower (class of this) manual.” Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, chinese herbal classic (circa ii-i a.C)
[The above translation distinguishes a lower kind of herbal remedies from a higher one. Also, this perfectly characterizes the overall nature of therapeutic practices.]
Chinese medicine (CM), today, represents the sum of a practical knowledge gathered for, at least, two thousand years.
CM is part of the Chinese health care system, with its own hospitals, health centers and colleges. Most general hospitals have a CM department with several specialists. Along with the chinese communist revolution, over fifty years ago, teaching became institutionalized, and protocols established with the World Health Organization for teaching CM to foreigners.
The practical applications of CM are enormous, as a result of a long experimental knowledge.
Although very effective addressing specific diseases, CM is, fundamentally, a preventive therapy, with the goal of providing longevity with adequate quality of life.
Balance is achieved with the help of Acupuncture, Chinese Therapeutic Massage, Phytotherapy, Dietetics and Qigong (Chinese calisthenics).
