Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used in China for over 2000 years based on principles of Yin Yang balance and Qi flow. TCM uses several treatment methods including herbalism, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, massage, and exercises like Tai Chi and Qigong to balance the body and prevent or treat illness by restoring harmony. Herbal remedies are commonly used and involve formulas of different herbs to target organ imbalances based on the five element theory.

1. Traditional Chinese
Medicine
中医和中药
Joanne Chen
2015

2. Introduction
• Traditional forms of medicine have been used in China
since the 3rd Century. Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) system consist three parts.
Treatment
Prevention
Theory
Yin-Yang and
Five elements
Herbalism / Acupuncture
Moxibustion /Cupping
Massage Therapy
Qi gong / tai-ji /
Meditation / massage
TCM

3. Ancient Daoist Theory
• “Wu Xing” (Five elements)
• 五行
“Yin and Yang”
陰陽

4. Yin-Yang 陰陽
• Yang predominates during the day and turns into yin after dark.
• The human body is regarded as the universe in miniature, when the Yin and
Yang elements in a person’s body are well balanced, the person is in good
hearth. A person falls sick when the balance is disrupted.
The Daoist yin-yang concepts:

5. Yin-Yang and Qi
• Traditional medicine revolves around the principles of Yin and Yang,
which are the opposites found in everything, such as day (Yang) or
night. (Yin)
• Practitioners believe that every person has a life force known as “Qi.”
• The purpose of medicine is to establish a balance of the body’s Qi.

6. Five elements Theory
五行说
• The five vital organs (the heart,
liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys)
are each seen as corresponding to
one of the five elements of earth,
wood, metal, fire and water.)
• The five organs function in an
interlocked and interconnected
relationship.
• It is believed a pathological
change in any of the vital organs
will affect the health of the other
organs.

7. Traditional Chinese Medicine
Treatments
•Herbalism – 中藥 zhōngyào
•Acupuncture – 針灸 zhēnjiū
•Moxibustion -- 灸; jiǔ
•Cupping -- 拔罐 baguàn
•Massage Therapy -- 推拿 tuīná

8. Chinese Herbal Medicine
• Chinese herbal medicine has been used by Chinese people to treat
diseases for over 4,000 years.
• Herbs consists mainly of natural medicinal materials such as plants,
animal parts, and minerals of medicinal value.
• Each ingredient has unique characteristics.
• The ingredients work in harmony to help a person’s body.
• It is believed that herbs can help boost Qi and balance Yin/Yang.

9. Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine -- mixing
different kinds of herb to make medicine that
will cure diseases.

10. Making Chinese Medicine and
Cooking food with herbs

11. Chinese patent medicine (simplified Chinese: 提
取中药; traditional Chinese: 科學中藥) are herbal
medicines generally consist of extracted
condensed pills called tea pills, which are usually
small, spherical, and black, appearing like black
pearls.
Dāngguī Tree Roots
Dāng guī fish Soup
當歸
Dāngguī

12. Acupuncture
• Acupuncture involves the stimulation of
anatomical points on the body with thin
needled.
• Acupuncture patients usually feel little
to no pain.
• Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and
are manipulated either by hand or
electricity.

14. Moxibustion
• Moxibustion is a traditional
Chinese medicine technique
that involves the burning of
mugwort, a small, spongy herb,
to facilitate healing.
• The purpose is to strengthen
the blood and improve Qi flow.
• Direct and indirect methods.
• Traditionally used to treat
colds.
• But it is not for everyone.
• Because it is used specifically
for patients suffering from cold
or stagnant constitutions, it
should not be used on anyone
diagnosed with too much heat.

15. Cupping
• Cupping therapy is a form of
CTM in which cups are placed
on the skin to create suction.
• The cups can be made of a
variety of materials, including:
• Glass
• Bamboo
• Earthenware
• The suction of the cups
mobilizes blood flow to
promote the healing of a broad
range of medical ailments.

16. Prevention and Maintenance
• TCM attaches great importance to the prevention of
diseases, and Chinese people believe prevention is better
than cure.
•Nutritional Balance,
•Eating the right type of food,
•Massage,
•Qi-Gong, Tai Chi and
•Meditation.

17. Chinese Massage
• Chinese massage is known
as Tui Na
• Uses wave-like motions to
loosen joints and nourish
muscles.
• Brings awareness back to a
person’s body, making it a
first step in the healing
process.
• Stimulates the flow of Qi,
blood and body fluids
• Can be used to treat pain,
stress or digestion
problems.
推拿

18. 氣功Qigong
• Qigong is a Chinese form of
exercise.
• It regulates the mind and
breathing to promote the flow
of Qi.
• Qigong is often used to treat
diseases.
• External Qigong is performed
on a person by a Qigong
master
• Internal Qigong is practiced
by oneself.

19. 太極拳 Tai-ji quan
• Tai-ji quanis an internal
Chinese martial art practiced
for both its defense training
and its health benefits.
• The study of Tai-ji quan
primarily involves three
aspects:
• Health
• Meditation
• Martial art

20. 靜坐Meditation
• Meditation has been practiced for
thousands of years.
• It involves focusing on one thing, such
as breathing patterns, while clearing
all other thoughts from the mind.
• Meditation is used to replenish the
flow of Qi, which helps to ward off
illnesses.
• People may experience various
feelings during meditation. Some
people may begin to feel overjoyed,
while others may experience extreme
sadness, and even cry.
• Meditation is also popularly practiced
in western countries as a means of
stress relief.