Lost and Hidden Treasures of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a precious cultural heritage with a rich history. However, over time, many TCM secrets and unique practices have slowly been lost.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a precious cultural heritage with a rich history. However, over time, many TCM secrets and unique practices have slowly been lost.
These “secrets” can be considered the unique skills of each practitioner, but they have not received the attention they deserve, especially since many of these “treasures” scattered among the populace, including secret formulas and techniques, have been proven effective over thousands of years and are now at risk of being forgotten.
During my internship, I worked in a hospital with a special approach to treating burns. The primary treatment method was the external application of “Huzhang Liquid.” “Huzhang Liquid” was a preparation made by the hospital based on an ancient TCM formula. It consisted of ingredients like huzhang (Japanese knotweed) and cypress leaves. It was widely used for first and second-degree burn patients. We would apply this liquid to patients twice a day, and their burns would usually heal without scarring.
I had a personal experience with the effectiveness of TCM when I accidentally scalded myself with boiling water during my internship. My skin came off, and it was quite a horrifying experience. The hospital only used the “Huzhang Liquid” for treatment. Within a week, my wound healed without leaving any scars.
Fast forward more than a decade, one of my colleagues experienced a scald from boiling water. The hospital treated her with modern methods, including wound cleaning and dressing, but due to scar contraction, she eventually needed scar removal and grafting surgeries. It took half a year, and her skin still didn’t fully recover. This happened because “Huzhang Liquid” was considered outdated and not cost-effective. In case of wound infections, the hospital didn’t want to take responsibility. Consequently, the hospital stopped using “Huzhang Liquid,” and there was no production anymore.
In such instances, we lose these “treasures,” and it’s the people who suffer. During my own experience, I spent around 3 CNY (Chinese Yuan) for a week’s treatment, while my colleague, with a less severe injury, spent over 10,000 CNY and had to live with permanent scars. These are just a few examples of what TCM practices can achieve.
Many years ago, my relative, a professor of surgery, faced a unique situation. His mother had a severely damaged toe, diagnosed as “thromboangiitis obliterans” or, in TCM, “tuoju.” The recommended treatment involved amputating the necrotic part. He and his chief surgeon decided to perform the surgery personally. The surgery went smoothly, but the same day, due to mobility issues, they couldn’t assist his mother in using the bathroom, and urine accidentally came into contact with the wound, leading to infection and ulceration. It got so bad that the ulceration spread to the sole.
Desperate to find a solution, his younger brother consulted a local “folk healer” and purchased a bottle of “white herbal water” for 50 cents. The healer instructed him to clean duck feathers, dip them in the “white herbal water,” and apply it to the affected area. Gradually, his mother’s condition improved. However, I never found any information about “white herbal water,” indicating that it may be a lost TCM remedy.
Examples like these abound. TCM is facing many challenges today, with people questioning whether it can still provide effective treatments. To address these doubts, rigorous scientific evidence is sought. However, the fundamental principles of TCM differ from conventional medicine. TCM focuses on patterns, syndromes, and the subjective experience of patients, which might not always align with the reductionist approach of modern medicine.
For instance, Zhang Zhongjing’s “Treatise on Cold Damage” contains just 112 or 113 formulas, which, when matched with specific diseases, might appear limited. However, it established the TCM theory of pattern identification and individualized treatment, allowing one formula to address various conditions.
The unique strength of TCM lies in considering the patient as a whole, taking into account social, and psychological factors, and the individual’s subjective experience. Symptoms, even those unverifiable through objective tests, play a significant role in TCM diagnosis. While this might be viewed as a limitation, it can also be an advantage in treating complex, “unexplainable” conditions.
To address the challenges, it’s crucial to avoid the trap of “translating” Western medical diagnoses directly into TCM, which oversimplifies the intricacies of the holistic TCM diagnostic process. This requires a balanced approach to integrating modern medical knowledge and TCM while respecting the unique strengths of both.
In conclusion, TCM’s treasures and secrets should be protected and preserved, and this task extends beyond policy and regulations. It requires creating an environment conducive to their survival, one that respects the distinct nature of TCM and integrates its potential in a modern medical context. It is essential to ensure that TCM’s rich heritage remains a vibrant part of the healthcare system, offering valuable, patient-centered care that aligns with its unique principles.
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