It is the core essence that matters

[Guest guest]

As a Malaysian Chinese studying TCM in Singapore, I don't think there

is anything wrong with the term TCM. TCM may mean different things in

different parts of the world. As long as the TCM does not depart from

the core essence like " Zheng diagnosis " and using herbs to treat

patients, it will be true TCM. For example, some Japanese TCM doctors

strictly adhere to formulas from Zhang Ji. This TCM approach has

survived and gained acceptance in Japan since TCM was first

introduced in Japan. Although focus in China is more diversified,

there is also similar group in China which focuses on Zhang

Ji's " Sang Han Lun " and " Jing Gui Yao Lie " . The fact that this group

of TCM doctors can survive speaks a million about what is the core

essence of it is the Zheng diagnosis and the art of selecting

herbs based on Zheng which characterizes both " Sang Han Lun " and Jing

Gui " .

 

Now, lets take a look at China. The Chinese government chooses a

strategic direction in developing TCM to make it co-exist with WD.

Unfortunately, it chooses an approach which encourages conducting

research of TCM in the way of western medicine - that means disease-

oriented animal testing and scientific explanation using

biochemistry. For example, the qi-regulating " cheng pi " solution has

been found to elevate blood pressure when used in intravenous

injection and " chemicals " in some herbs has been found to be

effective against certain type of cancer. In hospitals in China, it

is common for TCM doctor to use Chinese herbs in the way of western

medicine i.e. if you have cancer, I will give you some herbs that

have been known to contain anti-cancer chemicals and the result is

not very effective. Under this type of strategy, a lot of young TCM

doctors also lose confidence in practising TCM in the traditional way

i.e. the " Zheng " diagnosis and the art of prescription of chinese

herbs.

 

The current group of old TCM doctors which does not go through such

strategic TCM education process have already posted their worries

about future of TCM in China. They claim that they will be the last

batch of " true " TCM doctors. Therefore, pressure is mounting to

change the strategy of TCM education in China especially after the

recent SARS incident (FYI, this group of old TCM doctors in China is

the main contributors in using TCM to fight SARS - to reduce death

rate).

 

As I am new to this group, I am not sure what is the current state of

TCM in the West. However, whatever TCM model the West adopts, the

true spirit of TCM should be retained and further developed.