Chinese Medicine glossary
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years both as anesthesia and to restore the energy balance in the body. According to Chinese medicine, illness is caused by an imbalance of Qi, or life force. An acupuncturist places needles along the bodies –to reduce the Qi from places where it is excessive and direct it to places where it is lacking. Unlike western medicine, which seeks to understand symptoms and treat them, Chinese medicine seeks to uncover the deeper disturbances that causes a patient to become ill. Herbal medicines are one way to overcome this imbalance, acupuncture is another. See also: acupressure, meridians, Qi
Acupressure
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture but the doctor uses his or her fingers, hands, and sometimes a small stick, to stimulate the body’s Qi. See also: acupuncture, meridians, Qi
Dit Da Jow
Literally, “a liquid to relieve pain.” There are many variations but all are intended to relieve pain. Martial arts practitioners commonly use Di Da Jow to relieve minor aches and sprains.
Ginseng
Ginseng is called the king of herbs and is used to promote the body’s use of energy. It helps strengthen the immune system, the lungs, the metabolism, and helps combat stress and fatigue. For more information, see our in-depth description of ginseng.
Judging the interior from the exterior
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the main method used in getting to know the physiological functions of the human body and the changes of pathology is the approach of “Judging the interior from the exterior”. What does this mean? This means that any matter being observed and studied has some external appearance which must correspond to its internal state of being. Based on this, we can say that there is a close relationship with one’s external state and one’s internal quality of health.
Let’s apply this to our day-to-day life. Say you are at the grocery store buying apples. You know from experience that a good apple is one with firm, healthy exterior. You need to observe the color of the apple as well as to touch the exterior to tell if its fresh or not. Obviously, this is a very simple example of an original characteristics of TCM in its development of theory and methodology.
Meridians
Chinese medicine relies on meridians–highways through which the body’s Qi flows For example, if the liver has an excess of Qi, which causes anger and agitation, it must be reduced and redirected; if the lungs do not have enough Qi, excess Qi from other parts of the body must be redirected to the lungs so the patient’s vital energy is enhanced and congestion reduced. See also: Qi
Moxibustion
A common compliment to acupuncture treatment is moxibustion. Moxibustion manipulates the meridians of the body much as acupuncture does, seeking to affect and improve the flow of Qi in the body. Moxibustion, however, uses heat, rather than needles. A doctor places small balls of mugwort (a herb) either directly on the patient’s meridian point, or on top of a small piece of ginger, garlic, or a pinch of salt, and ignites it. The heat from the burning herb penetrates the skin and stimulates the point, much as the needle does. Sometimes the doctor will use a bundle of mugwort, similar in shape and size to a cigar, to apply heat to particular points on the patient’s body. See also: acupressure, acupuncture
Qi
The concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”) is central to traditional Chinese medicine. It’s the vital spirit or energy coursing through living beings and the universe itself. In a human body, Qi is particularly concentrated along the meridians. Chinese medicine seeks to cure illness by rebalancing the flow of Qi, bringing it into harmony with both internal and external forces. See also: acupressure, acupuncture, meridians, xie, zheng
Wan
Wan means “pill” or “tablet” in Chinese. Many Chinese medicine formulas have wan in the name, such as Pe Mi Ka Wan, or Kai Kit Wan.
Xie
Xie, is closely related to the concept of Zheng. Where Zheng is balance, or the “straight-ahead” path, xie can be translated as “divergent path.” If an individual’s normal, healthy functioning is disrupted by internal or external factors, it is taking a “divergent path.” Chinese medicine seeks to strengthen individuals so they can overcome these divergences from health. See also: zheng
Zheng
Zheng is a very important, yet little understood principle of Chinese medicine. It can roughly be translated as “straight-ahead.” An individual’s present and future is influenced by a wide range of physical, social, emotional, and external factors. Zheng is the individual’s ability to keep all these internal and external influences in harmony and balance, or moving “straight-ahead.” When these factors are in balance, the individual is happy and harmonious. It is the goal of Chinese medicine to make sure the individual is able to maintain this state of balance. See also: xie
