A lot of my patients ask me, why Traditional Chinese Medicine can maintain our body? I have always thought about this question. How can I answer them correctly? But actually, there is no specific answer. Some researches use combinations with western medicine theory. TCM is ancient medicine, its concept was based on yin-yang, Five elements. But the modernized people may not really know about the TCM concept. If I explain to them, I should use modern words. Even I can’t understand the ancient words sometimes.

        Until I read a Chinese book “Ancient Chinese Medicine of Circular Motion” The author Peng, Zi Yi was from Tang dynasty. He clearly explains that TCM is a circle. Where this circle from? It is from five elements. The five elements if from the nature, and stand for our organs. Fire(heart) generate earth(spleen) generate metal(lung) ->water(kidney)->wood(liver), then wood ->fire, these five elements generate a circle. The five elements are everywhere in our life. In the past, humans used wood to make fire, but when the fire burned out it turned into soil. This is nature.

        For example, can imagine that every human is a small universe. Just like the universe is formed by different galaxies. The Qi (energy) movement of the human body is a circular motion. If one element/organ function is insufficient or excesses, then the energy movement can’t generate next element or stock there. The rule of the circular motion of the human body changes. And these changes we may not call it is sickness or diseases; We called it imbalance. So TCM can help to adjust body imbalance through by acupuncture or herbs.

References:
(n.d.).How to Make a Swedish Fire Log. Retrieved Oct 12, 2020, from https://www.freshoffthegrid.com/swedish-fire-log/
Penguin, G. (n.d.). FL. Retrieved Oct 12, 2020, from https://www.healingartacupuncture.com/the-five-elements/