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WHAT IS TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE?

Introduction to TCM
Basics of TCM The Zang-Fu Theory
• Yin-Yang | Five Elements
The zang-fu theory explains the physiological function, pathological
Zang-Fu Theories changes, and mutual relationships of every zang and fu organ. In
• Zang Organs | Fu Organs traditional Chinese medicine the zang and fu organs are not simply
Classification of Antineoplastic anatomical substances, but more importantly represent the
Herbal Medicines generalization of the physiology and pathology of certain systems of
Characteristics of Herbal the human body.
Medicines
Zang and fu consist of the five Photo © Image DJ Image Dictionary
Diagnose zang and six fu organs. The five
• By Auscultation & Olfaction With over 3000 years of experience, Traditional Chinese
zang organs are the heart
• By Inspection Medicine (TCM) has remain one of the many fascinating
(including the pericardium), lung,
Prescriptions areas in ancient Chinese culture. First known to be
spleen, liver, and kidney. The six
documented in the Yellow Emperor's Canon of
Theories of Channels fu organs are the gall bladder,
Medicine, TCM is believed to have been practised in as
(Meridians) and Collaterals stomach, large intestine, small
early as 475 to 221 B.C. The field of working knowledge
Reference: A Modern View of intestine, urinary bladder and the
of TCM stretches from anything related to general
the Immune System sanjiao (three areas of the body
healthcare practice to the philosophy of the mind, the
cavity). Zang and fu are classified
Differentiation of Syndromes logic of life, religion, and even to as far as cosmology
by the different features of their
• 8 Principles | 6 Channels 4 Stages and astronumerology. This is why in order to thoroughly
• Syndromes of Zang-Fu Organs functions. The five zang organs
understand the concepts behind TCM, one must be
mainly manufacture and store
Etiology comprehensive in learning and embracing the Chinese
essence: qi, blood, and body fluid.
• Exogenous | Pestilential | Emotional culture as a whole.
• Pathogenic Factors The six fu organs mainly receive
and digest food, absorb nutrient Just as Douglas Hoff put it when he explained about
Materia Medica
substances, transmit and excrete accupuncture, "The systems of TCM uses the concepts
wastes. As the Suwen says: The of elements and meridians and are completely
Back to Home five zang organs store up immersed in the Asian cosmology which takes shape
essential qi and regulate its outflow. The six fu organs transform and through the religions." The meridian-brain mechanism,
transport substances without storing them and for this reason they the fundamental working concept of acupuncture, in
may be over-filled but cannot be filled to capacity. which the pain block from the message that the needle
or burning cone of herbs gives to the point of stimulus,
There is another category of organs called the extraordinary fu
was only found centuries later by the West through
organs which include the brain, marrow, bone, vessels, gall bladder,
science and technology.
and uterus. They are named fu but their functions are similar to that
of the five zang organs. Since their physiological functions and
pathological changes are closely connected with the zang-fu organs
they will be discussed below under the specific zang or fu organ.

More on the Zang-Fu Theory, click for more info about The Five Zang
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR – OCTOBER 2012
Organs and The Six Fu Organs.
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
Traditional Chinese medicine pages by Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA is because I have recently started to revamp the whole
Health Related • TCM Basics Geopolitical • Commentary website so as to reflect a more current perspective on
Copyright © 1995-2014 Dr Raymond Cheng & The Commentary Limited. All rights reserved. the interpretation of some of the fundamental concepts
as well as to include some of the latest information in
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The Commentary Limited, the TCMBasics.com website and
very first time, I welcome you again and wish you could
its personnel do not endorse external sites and are not find what you require and, hopefully, you could also be
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Contact the editor at raymond {dot} cheng {at} kellogg {dot} oxon {dot} org Please be patient and do come and check out this
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Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA FRSA FRSPH

March 28, 2014.

IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

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