History of Traditional Chinese Medicine,
as Old as Chinese History

The history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history. Traditional Chinese medicine establishes itself in the long run of Chinese glorious civilization and becomes a shining gem in the eyes of more and more people in the world.

According to archaeological research on the history of traditional Chinese medicine, the first writings on traditional Chinese medicine, called Huang Di Nei Jing, appeared in the period from the 11th to 3rd century B.C. Another medical book about Chinese herbal medicine, called Shennong Bencaojing, finished around the 2nd century B.C.

During the period from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 A.D.) to the Western Jin Dynasty (265-317A.D.), many outstanding doctors appeared in China. Among them Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing were the most celebrated.

Hua Tuo’s invention and application of Ma Fei San, a kind of anesthetic, greatly advanced the development of then surgical operations.

Zhang Zhongjing, wrote the book called Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases. He combined the thorough and comprehensive research of medical classics done before him with his own findings in clinical practice.

In the Tang Dynasty (168-907A.D.), Sun Simiao, a famous physician, devoted his whole life to writing out Prescriptions for Emergencies Worth a Thousand Gold. The book, for the first time in Chinese medical history, systematically deals with acupuncture and moxibustion, diet therapy, etc.

By the Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.), traditional Chinese medicine was officially introduced to educational field. The Imperial Medical Bureau, the supreme institution for cultivating qualified doctors, was set up by the Song government. Traditional Chinese medicine at that time witnessed its rapid development and was wide spread.

Li Shizhen compiled the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) in Ming Dynasty (1518 – 1593 C.E.). This medical encyclopedia has been translated to 10 foreign languages and is called ‘the Ancient Chinese encyclopedia’.

Now, traditional Chinese medicine still has its great popularity both at home in China and abroad. More and more people come to know the marvelous results of traditional Chinese medicine.