The Chinese Medicine

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        The earliest recorded history of traditional Chinese medicine was in 1800 BCE, the beginning of the Shang dynasty (Pei, 1985) and hence it was in development for far longer than this date. Oracle-bone writings are oldest form of Chinese writings carved on scapulae or tortoise shells, and used for divination, known from the Yin dynasty. As early as this, several diseases were named, described and classified, though in an elementary manner. Diseases of the head (Ji Shou), eye (Ji Mu), ear (Ji Er), abdomen (Ji Fu), foot (Ji Zu), etc., were known, the prefix Ji indicating an ailment. The early Chinese writings, like the Chinese script, are pictorial and are subject to problems of interpretation. Records on dental caries and parasites appeared very early. Notions of hygiene and preventive measures appeared between 1400 and 1200 BCE (Pei, 1985).

        The Book of Rites written during the Zhou dynasty (1100 to 800 BCE) records specialisation in nutrition, internal medicine, surgery and veterinary medicine as well as the practice of case recordings. The medical theory and clinical practice were defined, in the "Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic", the oldest and most comprehensive work of 18 volumes on medicine dated 300 BCE, which established clinical symptoms, hygiene, prescription of herbal drugs, Acupuncture and Moxibustion.

        The basic philosophy of Chinese medical practice is comparable to the concept of doshas of Ayurveda. The fundamental concept is based on yin and yang, which are essentially balanced in health. The symbolised representation of the balanced state of yin and yang is called T’ai chi t’u’, is in the form of a circle (Lewith, 1982) which looks similar to the logo of Doordarshan (the Indian public TV channels). Yin (quieter) and yang (fiery) are elemental forces, such as hot and cold, or wet and dry. They are opposing, interlocking and dynamic forces, which complement each other and remain in a state of permanent change, in the individual, the society and the environment, from moment to moment, hour to hour, day to day, and so on.

        The state of health essentially needs a balance of yin and yang which also should be in harmony with the five elements (wuxing), wood, fire, earth, metal and water (Lewith, 1982; Kun, 1985). Each organ of the body represents one of these elements. The concept of the five elements resembles the panchamahabhootha concept in Ayurveda, with the difference that wood and metal do not find a place in the Ayurvedic concept, instead space and wind.

        Another factor is the concept of Zang fu (internal organs) and jing luo (channels and collaterals). Twelve meridians bear the names of twelve organs associated with the flow of qi, the vital force that circulates in the human body through the meridians. A continuous undisturbed flow of qi is needed for health. A broken flow causes excess of qi in one organ and a deficiency of it in another. Acupuncture aims to restore the flow of qi. Numerous herbs are also considered to effect a balance of yin and yang. The treatment is directed both for prevention and cure of a disease.

PLANTS IN CHINESE MEDICINE

        Chinese medical practice involves several thousands of plant species, used singly or in combinations. One interesting point is that 230 species of Thallophytes, 39 of Bryophytes, 382 of Pteridophytes and 40 of Gymnosperms are used in Chinese herbal medicine, in addition to over 4,000 species of Angiosperms. In contrast, in Ayurveda and Indian herbal medicine in general, the flowering plants overwhelmingly predominate, while plants of other (lower) groups are hardly mentioned.

        There is a very large number of publications on Chinese medicinal plants (West and Trevelyan, 1985) but very useful information can be obtained from Stuart (1911), Leavitt (1974) and Keys (1976). A host of research articles and reviews appear regularly in several journals.

        A number of plant species are common to China and India. A collaborative interaction would greatly benefit both the countries.

        Acupuncture, Zhen diju in Chinese, is a clinical procedure, used to induce stimulation in various locations in the body to treat disease and more particularly to alleviate pain. Acupuncture requires a knowledge of anatomy and pathophysiology.

       The human body is perceived to be pervaded by a system of energy channels (jing luo). There may be also extra channels (ahshi points). The system of channels and collaterals is composed of 12 regular and eight extra channels and 15 collaterals, together forming a criss-cross network spread all over the body. Acupuncture treatment involves insertion of thin and long filiform silver or stainless steel needles into various parts of the body, at the relevant Acupuncture point, which is the place where the Acupuncture needle (or Moxibustion) is applied. Over 2,000 Acupuncture points are recorded but only about 360 points are in active use, 200 of which more particularly so (Wei, 1985). Additional points are continuously being recognised.