Traditional Chinese medicine culture, an important cultural card of China, radiates magical cohesion and attraction. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has a complete theoretical system and curative effect.It not only plays an irreplaceable role in China's medical and health care system, but also is widely applied in the world, making contributions to the improvement of the health of the people in the world.
At present, Chinese medicine has been put in use in 183 countries and regions, passed to the people of the world. Cooperative protocols have been signed on Chinese medicine between 86 countries and China.China has founded 17 traditional Chinese medicine centres abroad.While going out, TCM culture has also attracted the attention of the world.More and more foreigners are paying attention to Chinese medicine and like it.However, due to the differences between Chinese and Western cultures, understanding Chinese medicine culture is more difficult for foreigners.This is an English book only for foreigners who don't learn TCM but work, study, live or travel in China and are interested in TCM.Under the guidance of an 11-year-old boy named Dongdong from a family of TCM, this book first introduces the basic knowledge of TCM.Starting with what TCM is, it briefly introduces the differences between TCM and Western medicine, the treatment methods of TCM and the experience of seeing a doctor in a hospital of TCM.Then four famous ancient doctors are introduced and four interesting stories are shared.Several events happening to Dongdong illustrate that food can be used as both food and medicine in TCM.Subsequently, the stories of A Butcher Dismembering an Ox and Fan Jin Passing Civil Exam are respectively introduced to show the essence of health preservation and several common methods in health preservation.Finally some simple self-massage techniques which can be used to relieve fatigue and treat insomnia are also introduced.In order to help readers understand it better, the book has a large number of pictures, many of which are of comic style with rich Chinese cultural connotations.
As one of the series of books about TCM culture planned and organized by Tianjin TCM Culture Research and Communication Center and College of Culture and Health Communication of Tianjin University of TCM, this book has received strong support from Professor Zhang Boli, honorary director of Tianjin TCM Culture Research and Communication Center, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Tianjin University of TCM. Relevant leaders from Tianjin Municipal Health Committee, Department of Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Administration of TCM also gave much financial support and help to this book.We are deeply grateful to all of them.
However, the book might be imperfect due to the limited ability of the writers. Experts, scholars, peers and readers are welcome to give criticism and corrections, and provide valuable comments and suggestions.