Dai Ming Xi, a thrid generation supplier of Chinese medicine. His store, Yongsheng Pharmaceutical, has been in business for more than 80 years. (Craig Ferguson)
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history throughout the Chinese world and includes such practices as acupuncture, massage, herbal medicines and dietary therapy. Throughout Asia, TCM healers can easily be found and for many people, they are the first choice when illness strikes. In the Western world, the practice still exists under the “alternative therapies” label. Health is looked at in a holistic or whole body manner, and disease is indicative of an unbalanced state. While the oldest evidence of the practice of TCM dates back to the Shang Dynasty (14th-11th centuries BCE), the oldest received work is Huangdi Neijing or the Yellow Emperors Inner Canon from around the first century BCE. Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor) is believed to be the ancestor of all Chinese and the founder of Chinese civilization. Ceremonies paying respect to Huangdi take place during the Qingming Festival held in early April throughout Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and other Chinese-influenced communities.
Ceramic pots for storing Chinese medicine ready for dispensing. (Craig Ferguson)
In Taiwan, more than 60% of the population are estimated to make use of TCM in treating illness and disease, sometimes as a complement to western medicine and sometimes as the sole therapy. Dai Ming Xi, a third generation supplier of medicine through his business Yongsheng Pharmaceutical, states that western medicine is fine for younger people but as people age, TCM becomes more important. Western medicine has side effects that can throw the body out of its natural balance and TCM is needed to restore equilibrium. Within Taiwan, he sees the younger generations as ignoring their cultural history when it comes to health and treatments. Despite the increase in high-quality and subsidized affordable western health care (a visit to a western trained doctor can cost as little as US$10 including drugs), he’s seen no change in the number of people seeking out traditional therapies.
A collection of traditional herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. (Craig Ferguson)
A lot of the herbs and minerals prescribed by TCM practitioners have numerous functions and are often found in food and traditional diets. Items such as ginseng, ginger, sour plum and various fungi are commonly used. Altogether there are over 10000 different medicinal substances but only 500 of these are in regular use. Some are animal parts such as the controversial shark fin soup, but the majority are sourced from plants or plant extracts. Typically, preparations are dried and then tailored to the individual patient who takes it in a drink or soup, although pills and capsules are sometimes also used.
Equipment used for drying traditional Chinese medicines. (Craig Ferguson)
In Taiwan, the practice of TCM is efficient and well organized. From government sponsored research hospitals and university herbal medicine databases to traditional dry markets and multi-generation clinics, the choices for the patient are vast. Finding a traditional medicine practitioner is an easy matter although be aware that if you don’t speak the language (Chinese or Taiwanese) you may have difficulty finding a place to receive treatment unless you take an interpreter with you.
Ginseng, a commonly used substance in Chinese medicine. A medicine supplier arranges a tray of ginseng. (Craig Ferguson)
