Ancient Chinese Medicine ( herbalism ) is cloaked in myth. Often leaving one wondering who and what was real and who and what is just myth. Consider too, many practices that we consider myth today was very real in its time.An important Chinese herbal from about 200 B.C. is named after Shen Nong. Shen Nong was /is thought to be a mythical figure...will we ever really know.
The founding father of Chinese medical theory is the Yellow Emperor, who is reputed to have lived around 2500 B.C. However the classic text that bears his name is dated 1000 B.C. It is believed to represent an older verbal tradition.
As in the West, medicine during that time was inseparable from philosophies and techniques in China, with a mix of physicians, village herbalist, and native shamans.
By the 19th century, Western mission hospitals had begun to represent a real alternative to the old practices. Chinese medicine survived but became a national, standard medical system only in the 1960's when Mao Tse-tung founded five colleges of traditional Chinese medicine.
Today , older regional healing styles are still followed by surviving Chinese medical families, many of whom have emigrated to Singapore, Hong Kong, and San Francisco.
There is so much more to herbs and herbals in Chinese medicine practices...I would encourage anyone interested to do the research.
Bea Rigsby-Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com
Disclaimer....Any and all herbal articles from and by Sage Hill is offered totally as educational information only. We do not intend this information to be viewed as medicinal advice for any given treatment.
Sage Hill does not sell Medicinal products nor do we give Medicinal advice.
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