The origin of the Ancient China Medicines is some conflict as the archaeological discoveries reveal that ancient Chinese medical philosophy undergoes a process of standardization and systemization during the time of Western Han dynasty whereas the views of Chinese medical tradition is that it had its origin in pre-Qin times. The manuscripts related to medicine found in 1973 reveals that the origin of Chinese medicine is very old.
Ancient China Medicines
Huang-ti Nei Ching (The Canon of Internal Medicine) is one of the earliest Chinese medical writings, written by Huang Ti, the Yellow Emperor. It contains a description of medical physiology, anatomy, and acupuncture. This well-known classic is considered as the bible of Ancient China Medicines.
Chang Chung-ching was considered as one of the most famous and great physicians of the Han dynasty who wrote Shang Han Iun (Treatise on Colds and Fevers) which is regarded as the most important medical classic of Ancient China Medicines after Huang-ti Nei Ching.
It is considered that Chinese medicine reached its zenith during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). It was during this time when Li Shih-Chen wrote his Pen Tsao Kang Mu (The Great Herbal).
The physiology and pathology of the human body were used by the traditional Chinese medicine. The ancient Chinese medicine does not diagnose the diseases as in the West. According to them, all our body organs function separately but in relation to each other. It said that our body functions in a relationship with each other which in turn works in coalition with the environment.
The diseases were not named in the ancient China. As per the ancient Chinese medicine, there were eight Fundamental patterns which explained how disorders occur in mind, body, and spirit.
The patterns are known as an interior, exterior, heat or cold, excess, deficiency, Yin and Yang. Ancient Chinese people used herbs as their prominent source of medicine. Acupuncture was one of the main forms of curing a disease.