Integrating MedicineThrough Nature

Proposed Traditional and Complementary

Medicine Institute at Jalan Puchong,
43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan

CHAPTER TWO:
BACKGROUND STUDY

2.0 Introduction to the topic

2.1 History of traditional and complementary medicines

2.2 Case study 1: Malacca College of Complementary Medicine

2.3 Case study 2: Faculty of Medical and Science Health, UPM

2.4 Case study 3: Phoenix Bioscience High School

 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

2.0 Introduction to the topic

For the purpose of this project, traditional and comple�

mentary medicines is defined as follows:

Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine is the sum total of the knowledge, skills,
and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences
indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used
in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diag�
nosis, improvement or treatment of the whole person.

Complementary Medicine
System of healthcare with unique body of knowledge, informa�
tion, techniques, skills, technology or practices that contribute to
mainstream medicine to diagnose, treat, intervene, and prevent
illnesses or to the maintenance of well being.

Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is also used to cover certain
health practices (such as homeopathy, naturopathy,
chiropractic and herbal medicine). It has been broadly
defined as “every available approach to healing that does
not fall within the realm of conventional medicine”.

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Complementary medicine is frequently grouped with al�
ternative medicine under the term complementary and alter�
native medicine (CAM). Naturopathy, chiropractic medicine,
herbalism, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, meditation,
yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis, homeopathy, acupuncture, and
nutritional-based therapies were also considered as CAM.

Naturopathy, also known as naturopathic medicine, is an

complementary medical system that emphasises natural heal�
ing approaches (such as herbs, nutrition, and movement or ma�
nipulation of the body). Some elements of naturopathy are simi�
lar to homeopathy, such as an intent to support the body’s own
self-healing response.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
A TCM recognised centre should provide general and special�
ised holistic health facilities.
For all levels, proposed SOA for the project:
1) Organic and herb farm
2) Lecture class room
3) Laboratories
4) Demonstration / simulation rooms / physical skill/ sufficient to
provide practical and hands-on training.
5) Amphitheater / conference room
6) Administrative spaces - meeting room, offices, etc.
7) Library and resource center
 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

2.1 Literature review of traditional and complementary medicines in Malaysia

1) Traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine

(TCM) is based on a philosophical concept
of balance ( yin and yang, Qi, Blood, Jing,
Bodily fluids, the Five Elements, the emo-
tions, and the spirit) approach to health that
is rooted in Taoist philosophy and Chinese
culture. Originating in China, and now a
common part of medical care throughout
East Asia and Western world. Chinese herb-
al medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy,
and tui na massage were part of traditional
Chinese medicine. Qigong and taijiquan
are also closely associated with promoting
health in Chinese health practices.

The concept which basically focus
on the human body, health, and disease, are
Yin and Yang ( Yingyangism). In Chinese
medicine, functional body entities are: Yin and Yang

• qì
• xuě (‘’blood‘’)
Chiropractic
• the five zàng organs
• the six fú organs
• the meridians

TCM diagnostic basically were done through observation skills

and integrated with visual, auditory, olfactory, touch, and questioning.
It consist of descriptions of color, moisture and heat, to identify the pat-
tern and be treated with proper treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine
requires considerable diagnostic skill which would take a training pe-
riod of years or decades.

It is necessary for TCM practitioners to understand the full com-
plexity of symptoms and dynamic balances. According to one Chinese
saying, a good singseh doctor is also qualified to be a good prime min-
ister in a country.

Treatment methos of TCM is various and it diversed to many
branches but mainly there are 9 treatment methods which are common-
ly used in TCM. there are:

• Acupunture
• Auriculotheraphy
• Chinese food therapy
• Chinese herbal medicine
 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

• Cupping (a type of Chinese massage)

• Gua Sha (mechanical dermabasion)
• Moxibustion (usually used with acupunture)
• Qiqong
• Tui na

Ginseng plant
Acupunture

Traditional acupunture works to maintain the body’s equilibri-

um by focusing on all aspects of wellbeing- physical, mental and emo-
tional.

Good health is not just the absence of pain or disease. According

to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body’s
motivating energy moving in a smooth and balanced way through a
series of channels beneath the skin. This energy is known as qi.

The flow of qi can be disturbed by any number of factors. These

include emotional states such as anxiety, anger or grief, as well as poor
nutrition, hereditary factors, infections an dtrauma. When the qi is un-
balanced, illness may result.

An acupunturist insert ultra fine needles at chosen points along

the channel of energy. The aim is to stimulate the body’s own healing
response and restore its natural balance.

Treatment is aimed at the root of the condition as well as the

symptoms, with the intention of leading to a more permanent resolu-
tion.
 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

2) Malay Traditional Medicine

Malay traditional medicine was largely influenced by the

belief and practices before the advent of Islam. This certainly
chanting and the used of supernatural powers.

Traditional medicine remains a popular method of treat�

ment and the local community held the traditional medicine in
very high regard. The knowledge’s practitioners of dispensing
medicinal care such as bomoh (shaman), mak bidan (midwife)
and also the mudin (religious man who performs circumcision on
boys) undocumented and has therefore resulted in a decline of
the knowledge thus making it unreliable.

Malaysia is rich in natural resources basic to traditional

medicine. There are over six thousand species of tropical plants
all over the country and in Peninsular Malaysia there are 550
general containing 1,300 species. Most of these are medical
plants beneficial for the human body. Traditional medicine is well
known for its high nutritional value, as well as its ability to cure
various ailment.

Besides chants (jampi), prayers (doa), massage, absti�
nence (pantang) and other practices, the Malay traditional medi�
cine also utilizes various natural resources from plants, animals,
microorganisms and minerals for the purpose of treating and pre�
venting illnesses,for rehabilitation and health promotion. Medica�
tions containing single or compound medicinal plants may be dis�
pensed in many forms, such as powders, capsules, pills, makjun,
medicated oils, simple distillates, decoctions, infusions, paste
and poultices.
Tongkat Ali
Eight common medicinal plant species are used as major
ingredients in local herbal products in Malaysia, tongkat ali (Eury�
coma longifolia), kacip fatimah (Labisia pumila), pegaga (Centel�
la asiatica), teja lawang (Cinnamon spp), temulawak (Curcuma
xanthorriza), akar cerita (Andrographis paniculata), mengkudu
(Morinda citrifolia), and cekur (Kaemperia galanga), Other spe�
cies with high utilization potential are jerangau (Acorus calamus),
 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

misai kucing (Orthosiphon aristatus), gelam (Melaleuca cajaputi),

lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), lempoyang pahit (Zinziber
zerumbet), setawar (Costus speciosus) and kecubung (Datura
metel).

3) Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine

The name Ayurveda was given to the ancient healing tra�

dition of India. It is often translated as the “science of life,” from
ayus (life) and veda (knowledge). It is based on the laws of na�
ture. Ayurveda is a comprehensive, naturalistic, healing system
which deals with the body, mind and spirit. It is the health and
healing aspect of Yoga. It is easily applied and orientated around
prevention. It aims to raise the general level of health by creating
balance in the system and by strengthening the function and tis�
sues of the mind and the body.

As such it treats the underlying causes of disharmony and
disease and does not work at the level of suppressing symp�
toms. It treats the person, not the disease. Ayurvedic principle

Ayurveda includes many different forms of treatment- the

majority of which the individual has to take responsibility for.
These treatments include herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle
changes, body work (Yoga asana and massage), psychology
and spirituality (meditation and mantra), detoxification and reju�
venation therapies.

Classification in Ayurveda:

1.Internal medicine, Therapeutics Indian Massage

2.Surgery
3.Diseases of Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat
4.Pediatrics, Obstetric, Gynecology
5.Toxicology
6.Psychiatry
7.Rejuvenation, Promoting therapy
8.Virility

Ayurvedic herbs and plants

 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

4) Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which

practitioners use highly diluted preparations prepared by serial
dilution with shaking by forceful striking. It were used as natural
way to treat illnesses. It also considered as a form of alternative
medicine.
The term homeopathy comes from the Greek
words homeo, meaning similar, and pathos, meaning suffering or
disease. Homeopathy is an alternative medical system.

Homeopathy emphasises the importance of treating indi�
viduals as individuals and of understanding the whole person as
opposed to only understanding a single “diseased part”. Homeo�
paths believe that any physical disease has a mental and emo�
tional component.
There were 4 steps in making the homeopathic remedies:

• Preparation
• Dilutions
• Provings
• Repertory

Homeopathy uses many animal, plant, mineral, and syn�

thetic substances in its remedies. Herbs and other plants, miner�
als, venom from snakes and other substances is used to make
homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy may be helpful in treating childhood diar�
rhea, otitis media (ear infection), asthma, fibromyalgia, chronic
fatigue syndrome, symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes,
pain, allergies, sore muscles, and colds and flu. Some profes�
sional homeopaths specialize in treating serious illnesses, such
as cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune diseases.
 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

2.2 Case study 1: Malacca College of Complementary Medicine

Malacca College of Complementary Medicine (MCCM) is

the first college of its kind in Malaysia teaching complementary
and natural medicine in the country. The college was founded
in Melaka in June 2008. It is meant to impart formalized quality
education and training to the students wanting to become T/CM
practitioners while strictly adhering to regulatory and quality as�
surance standards.

The College has been affiliated to an American university
to improve curriculum & teaching methodology and possibly to
provide opportunities to students for postgraduate studies, re�
search and development.

The college is equipped with all facilities necessary for im�

parting education and training in natural medicine. These include
a 30 acre organic and herb farm, a naturopathy center and a
health center.

The college has its own building campus with lecture class
rooms, laboratories, demonstration rooms, a training center to
prepare organic health food and herbal juices.

The naturopathy center has areas for practical training on

herbs & dietetics, yoga, pranayama, tai chi, hydrotherapy, cof�
fee enema, mud pack, and other natural therapies, detoxification,
nutritional balancing, teaching on organic soil management, ger�
mination & sprouting, yoga, meditation, exercises, etc.

Spaces of accomodation:

1) Organic and herb farm

2) Naturopathy center
• Practical training for courses
• Yoga & meditation
• Exercises
3) Health center
4) Lecture class room
5) Laboratories
6) Demonstration rooms
 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

2.3 Case study 2: Faculty of Medical and Science Health, UPM

The majority of student work tend to work

long hours, and most cases, the work is done in
comfortable surroundings. Some travel is usually
required to attend meetings or to visit other facili�
ties. Therefore, all the facilities related to the stu�
dents need has been locate at the disance area.

Students hostel were located near the fac�

ulty and there were various of facilities provided
such as badminton court, gym, dining hall and ten�
nis court. View of administrative building

Hostel for medical student

Hostel
Faculty of Medicine
and Health Sciences

Masterplan for Faculty of Medicine

and Health Sciences
JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

Laboratories

Lecture room

Court yard

Conference room

Lecturer’s room

Administration
building

Library &
resource center
 JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

2.4 Case study 3: Phoenix Bioscience High School

The school occupied approximately 70 students,

seven teachers and two staff members.

The high-end laboratories adorn the top floor of

the school and the physical science labs fill the second
floor. The school learning studios flow into large, dou-
ble-spaced classrooms, physically supporting the free-
flow of learning in the school.

Phoenix bio-science high school spaces:

1) Classroom
2) Student studio
3) Laboratories
4) Amphitheater
5) Administrative building
JSB 600 Advanced Design III [Traditional and Complementary Medicine Institute]

Second Floor Plan