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The Taoist Origin of Chinese Medicine

The History and Evolution of Chinese medicine Part 1

The root of Chinese medicine is Taoism (pronounced Daoism). 4,000 years ago, Taoists appeared in ancient China as central figures in spirituality and science. Taoists sought to understand the systems that govern humans and the universe at large, creating scientific disciplines on a wide range of topics including physics, astronomy, physical medicine and chi gong (energetic practices for balancing your own mind and body, and treatment methods to perform on others).




The aim of Taoist health practices was to live the longest life possible in the best possible health, which was achieved by following nature and creating balance and harmony in your mind, body, and spirit. This was the origin of all the disciplines within Chinese medicine, meditation, chi gong, acupuncture, herbology and nutrition.

The Taoists created their own scientific terms to relate what they observed, measured, and described in their effort to improve their spiritual and physical health such as yin and yang and the 5 elements, part of a universal language throughout the various forms of Chinese medicine.  In Taoist philosophy the first principle is that all life comes from the interaction between yin and yang. Examples include hot and cold, male and female, the sun and moon, light and dark. The Taiji symbol (commonly called the Yin/Yang symbol) illustrates the dynamic of these two complimentary and opposing energies. From this interaction the 5 elements are born Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, they are also described as the 5 phases that make an entire cycle. The calendar year is a good example of the 5 phases: Spring is a season of birth and growth (wood), summer brings heat and full expression of fruit and blossoms (fire), the change of each season is a transition (earth), fall brings the harvest and drawing in resources, loss of leaves/pruning/death (metal), and winter is the season of rest and contemplation of the year (water).

The Taoists thought synergistically about health:

No one part is greater than the other, rather, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When all the systems work together harmoniously, health and wellness occur.

Of course, life happens. Stress from your climate, genetic weakness, relationships, work, and improper diet and lifestyle throw your body out of balance. Chinese medicine was designed to bring it back to balance giving you a long life of excellent health. In the next post (Part 2) you will learn the evolution of acupuncture as a premier pain management medicine.


We created a free PDF: 27 Ways to Decrease Pain with Chinese Medicine.

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