A few days ago, an American friend announced that he was leaving Shanghai due to a chronic stomach problem. In the midst of hugs and good wishes, Chinese friends started to eagerly offer remedies passed down from grandparents or introduce him to qigong masters who could cure all sorts of illnesses. This got me thinking that the Chinese are firm believers of self-medicating using TCM as our knowledge reserve.
In many ways, TCM with its use of herbal medicines, everyday food items, massage and acupuncture lends itself quite well to ‘do-it-yourself’ style exploration. People frequently turn to ‘pedestrian’ remedies as an alternative source of help to cure or at least ease certain conditions. For example, in the face of a flu breakout, we turn to vinegar by putting a bowl of vinegar in open air in the house. Supposedly, vinegar helps kill virus. This doesn’t mean that people abandon professional treatment. What it means is that people here overwhelmingly supplement Western style treatment with Chinese philosophy and practice that are beneficial in the long haul. I am sure this is similar across societies with long history and civilization where people have developed an efficient system of maintaining health and well being using traditional wisdom.
Getting back to the story of my friend, what also struck me is how people gave medical advice, with full conviction and confidence that it is going to work. I on the other hand refrained myself for fear that my family remedy might do him more harm than good. Maybe I have watched too much American court room drama to think that a friendly piece of advice could turn into a potential law suit.
« Prev：China’s Own Luxury Industry (Guerrilla Style) China’s Ethnic Policies：Next »
July 7, 2009 6:08 pm
Interesting thoughts. I like how your brain works. It is very Chinese but at the same time you have a Western brain. Interesting stuff.
July 8, 2009 10:19 am
Hey, Jenny, What’s a good TCM remedy to counter weight loss? 饺子? 我要有! Tom
July 8, 2009 12:37 pm
Tom, if I might suggest green tea.
It literally changed my life.
July 9, 2009 11:49 am
The Chinese are probably more likely to have a personal store of family folklore, but Westerners are turning to complementary medicine (including Chinese medicine) in ever increasing numbers.
It’s not hard to understand why – firtly, going to a regular doctor is usually very unpleasant, whereas a “complementary” practitioner or family member will be friendlier and have less paperwork to deal with. Secondly, once you take a folk remedy and get better, it’s irresistible to atttribute the recovery to the remedy, even though the illness probably cleared up on its own or responded to conventional treatment.
Perhaps most importantly, it also gives people a sense of control over their health. That might explains why skeptics like me are best served keeping their mouths shut when this topic comes up in conversation.
July 21, 2009 4:03 pm
@Tom,
My dad had been very skinny all his life too. Doctors said his digestive system was not good. He tried some TCM that helped replenish it and it worked. But I am afraid it tastes much worse than 饺子。^_^
July 21, 2009 4:06 pm
@Matt,
Thank you for your compliment! A ChinesePod once said learning a language gives you another soul. It definitely feels that way to me. My parents sent to study in Singapore and Australia when I was 14. I think an alternative way of looking at the world is by far the greatest benefit. And now, there are many many people in China who are fortunate enough to have it.