Introduction to TCM

Basics of TCM

  • Yin-Yang | Five Elements

Zang-Fu Theories

  • Zang Organs | Fu Organs

Classification of Antineoplastic Herbal Medicines

Characteristics of Herbal Medicines

Diagnose

  • By Auscultation & Olfaction
  • By Inspection


Prescriptions

Theories of Channels (Meridians) and Collaterals

Reference: A Modern View of the Immune System

Differentiation of Syndromes

  • 8 Principles
  • 6 Channels 4 Stages
  • Syndromes of Zang-Fu Organs


Etiology

  • Exogenous | Pestilential
  • Pathogenic Factors
  • Emotional


Materia Medica



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Materia Medica - Important Disclaimer

The information that is available at or through this site is not intended directly or by implication to either diagnose or treat any medical, emotional, or psychological condition or disorder. It is always recommended that consultation with local health care providers be obtained for specific health or medical concerns.

Pharmaceutical Name

Radix Rehmanniae

Botanical Name

Rehmannia gultinosa Libosch.

Common Name

Fresh rehmannia root

Source of Earliest Record

Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations

The roots are dug in spring or autumn. After the fibrous roots have been removed, the roots are dried in the sun, and then cut into slices.

Properties & Taste

Sweet, bitter and cold

Meridians

Heart, liver and kidney

Functions

1. To clear heat and cool blood; 2. To nourish yin and promote the production of body fluids

Indications & Combinations

1. Exogenous heat invading at the nutritive and blood levels manifested as dry mouth and deep red tongue proper with scanty coating. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Scrophularia (Xuanshen), Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao) and Ophiopogon root (Maidong). 2. Yin and body fluids consumed in the late stage of febrile diseases manifested as fever at night, and subsiding in the morning without presence of sweating. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu), Sweet wormwood (Qinghao) and Turtle shell (Biejia). 3. Hemorrhaging due to extravasation of blood by heat manifested as vomiting with blood, epistaxis, blood in the urine, bloody stool and functional uterine bleeding. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Biota tops (Cebaiye) and raw Lotus leaf (Heye). 4. Febrile disease with excessive toxic heat in the blood, epistaxis and maculopapule. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao), Moutan bark (Mudanpi) and Red peony (Chishao). 5. Febrile disease with consumption of body fluids manifested as red tongue proper, dry mouth, thirst and excessive drinking. Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Fragrant solomonseal rhizome (Yuzhu), Ophiopogon root (Maidong), Glehnia root (Shashen) and Dendrobium (Shihu). If there is constipation, Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) is used with Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and Ophiopogon root (Maidong).

Dosage

9-30 g

Cautions & Contraindications

This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency and excessive dampness in the spleen, full sensation in the abdominal region or diarrhea.

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WHAT IS TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE?
DI63-048 (c) Image DJ Image Dictionary
Photo © Image DJ Image Dictionary

With over 3000 years of experience, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has remain one of the many fascinating areas in ancient Chinese culture. First known to be documented in the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Medicine, TCM is believed to have been practised in as early as 475 to 221 B.C. The field of working knowledge of TCM stretches from anything related to general healthcare practice to the philosophy of the mind, the logic of life, religion, and even to as far as cosmology and astronumerology. This is why in order to thoroughly understand the concepts behind TCM, one must be comprehensive in learning and embracing the Chinese culture as a whole.

Just as Douglas Hoff put it when he explained about accupuncture, "The systems of TCM uses the concepts of elements and meridians and are completely immersed in the Asian cosmology which takes shape through the religions." The meridian-brain mechanism, the fundamental working concept of acupuncture, in which the pain block from the message that the needle or burning cone of herbs gives to the point of stimulus, was only found centuries later by the West through science and technology.

 
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR – MARCH 2020

Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA Thank you for visiting this TCM and acupuncture information website. If you have previously been to this website, you might have noticed that some of the pages on ancient historical ideas and holistic thinkings related to Chinese metaphysics are temporarily taken offline. This is because I will be revamping the whole website and be moving those information into a new \"Ancient Chinese Culture\" section so as to reflect a more current perspective on the interpretation of some of the fundamental concepts as well as to include some of the latest information in the area. But if you have just found this website for the very first time, I welcome you again and wish you could find what you require and, hopefully, you could also be benefitted from reading the articles I published on this website.

Please be patient and do come and check out this website frequently as it's being revamped.

Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA FRSA FRSPH

March 28, 2020.

IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

This website is published, edited and designed by Raymond Cheng, and reflects only and only his personal views and opinions in his individual capacity. The information available at this website is not intended directly or by implication to either diagnose or treat any medical, emotional, or psychological condition or disorder. It is also not intended to create a physician-patient relationship between you and I or between you and Wyith Institute™ and The Office of Dr Raymond K K Cheng. The information here is not a substitute for advice and treatment provided by your physician or by another healthcare professional. It is always recommended that consultation with local healthcare providers be obtained for any of your specific health or medical concerns. Furthermore, any products that can be purchased (yet you can see I don't have much to sell here) through advertisers' banners or through links to other websites are not either explicitly or implicitly given any warranty or endorsement by me, my colleagues, Wyith Institute™ or any of its associated businesses.