There have been many miraculous cases of people who have healed themselves by clinging to religion or positively thinking themselves out of a life-threatening ailment. Psychologists have been studying the idea of “mind over matter” for decades now, with little scientific proof as to the mechanics of miracles. The proof lies in the end result for these anomalies. In traditional Chinese medicine, philosophy and Buddhist religious principles are the groundwork for medical therapies. Obviously, if you’ve been in a car accident or are in need of emergency medical attention, it’s best to rush to the nearest emergency room; but if you are suffering from a painful long-term ailment or are just looking to improve your general well-being, then Chinese, natural medicines may be for you!
Many Americans don’t realize that traditional Chinese medicines date back nearly 5,000 years, passed down by oral tradition until about 3,000 years ago when people began writing down their findings in ancient texts like “Basic Questions of Internal Medicine” and “A Treatise On Cold Damage.” In the 1930s, the Nationalist government forbade doctors from practicing what was then called classic Chinese medicine because they feared missing out on scientific progress. However, thirty years later, Mao Zedong chose ten highly respected doctors to create a traditional but standardized practice called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese schools today teach TCM and around the world schools are opening in England, Russia and the US.
“Yin” and “Yang” , from the Taoist ideas, are one of the basic principles of TCM.” The term is used by the school of Chinese medicine to describe a series of opposites; for example, hot and cold, dark and light or moving and still. As day turns into night, the body goes through its own cycles. The body naturally breaks down if the cycle of equilibrium is disrupted by an excess or deficiency of something.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Qigong studies the regulation of movement and breathing. This practice can be performed by anyone, but is most commonly associated with Martial Artists and Buddhists. Progress toward the ultimate goal of cultivating virtue and knowing oneself is achieved through deep relaxation, which acts as a cleansing agent to allow truth, light, joy and healing into the body. In the process, it is believed that one is tapping into a universal energy, according to the school of Chinese medicine. Even people who don’t get into the philosophical meanderings of TCM observe a noticeable calming effect and overall fitness improvement.
Traditional Chinese medicine doctors can give you many surprising solutions to common ailments. For instance, women suffering premenstrual syndrome can be treated with herbal supplements like angelica to relieve cramping, buplerum to relieve irritability and irregularity with biota seed. The good news about Chinese herbal medicines is that they’re safer and less expensive than other drugs on the market.