Basic History of Asian Medicine Systems
‘Asian Medicine’ covers A LOT of history, lineages, practices, and systems of healing modalities. This is a very general overview to convey the basic and common roots of the major systems that arose from this large and diverse part of the world that we generally refer to as ‘Asia’.
We are referring to the medical systems that have been practiced and evolved mainly out of China and India.
The two main categories of Asian Medicines are ‘Chinese Medicine’ and ‘Yoga and Ayurveda’. Asian Medicine is a broad concept that covers roughly 3,000 years of history (at least 2,000 years with documented/written history) and includes medical practices that have been practiced widely and sometimes exclusively in many Asian countries.
Chinese Medicine evolved on the eastern side of the Himalayas. Its teachings and practices have been used in the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, South and North Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Tibet, Nepal, and many others.
Yoga and Ayurveda were the lineages that evolved on the south side of the Himalayas and have roots in India, Tibet, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, and other Asian countries.
These Classical philosophical and medical systems developed independently of Modern/Western medicine for thousands of years and were responsible for treating every disease that arose.
The historical roots of these medicines are based on living in harmony and balance with the natural world. Even as civilizations evolved, these systems advised that we look at individuals and our cultures and take caution with anything that disconnects us from Nature's cycles and systems.
These CLASSICAL ASIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS all have one main thing in common: they embrace an approach to treating physical/mental/emotional well being that acknowledges a numinous aspect of life.
We can call this numinous aspect ‘spirit’ or ‘energy’ or ‘qi’ or ‘prana’ or even ‘God’.
Over time, these systems were influenced by regional/cultural influences such as Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other philosophical and/or religious systems. But the fundamental tenant of these medicines is that man is a part of Nature. There is a numinous/spiritual aspect to Nature. The microcosm of an individual person is a reflection of the macrocosm of the world or even universe that we live in.
When we see ourselves as a microcosm in this way, we realize how important it is to care for our internal and external environments in a way that restores ‘natural’ order and flow. In order to ‘see’ this connection, these Classical systems have extremely refined ways of seeing our physiology in connection with the natural elements that we (and all things) are composed of.
Understanding the movement of these elements in our physical bodies requires seeing beyond the purely physical. This can be difficult to understand until you study and experience the teachings behind these systems. However, once you sincerely begin working with Classically trained physicians, it is difficult to deny the benefits of integrating these ‘ways of seeing and being’ into our modern lives.
Asian Medicines are comprehensive systems rooted in these common beliefs in natural and spiritual approaches to healing. They evolved and diversified over time (depending on which side of the Himalayan Mountain Range they trickled up or down). We often refer to them as ‘Eastern Medicine’.
Another term to honor whole-medical systems that are rooted in Asia and have been intact and in use for more than 2,000 years is ‘Classical Asian Medicines’. These Classical systems developed independently of ‘Western’ or ‘Modern’ medicine for more than 3,000 years. In the past 300 years, these Classical systems became influenced by Modern/Western sciences and medicines. Modern medicines are exciting, and young. Integrating the best of the Classical systems with the best of the Modern is likely the best opportunity we have at this time in the evolution of healthcare.
The Lotus Way focuses on studying, teaching, and practicing with Classically trained physician-teachers who are also well trained and versed in Modern sciences and medicines.
Classical Asian Medicines are based on: cultivating naturally focused and spiritually-centered communities, meditative & martial arts (such as asana yoga, qi gong/tai ji), herbal medicine, bodywork (like acupuncture, massage & bone setting), and dietary therapies.
Modifying Diet and Lifestyle for an individual’s health are considered the superior medicines. If a physician can cure dis-ease through guiding a patient-student to adopt diet and lifestyle changes that are optimal for their constitutions and current symptoms, that person acquires the skills and abilities to heal themselves and maintain their health, and then help others in their lives to do the same.
Another foundational concept in Classical Asian Medicines is Preventative Medicine. Historically, a Classical physician-teacher was paid a retainer to help keep people healthy. As long as the patient-students studied and practiced as prescribed, if someone became sick, the physician would not get paid again until the patient’s health returned. Surgery was a part of Classical medicines (until Western sciences evolved and monopolized this field). Surgery was seen as an inferior medicine. If physicians had to resort to surgery, this was considered the most inferior type of medicine. If they had done their job, there would have been no need for surgery! A physician was ‘holistic’, and able to treat all physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual dis-eases at any stage. The masters however, prevented dis-ease.
Practicing medicine in Classical ways is challenging. Our healthcare systems are dominated by Western medicines which heavily focus the on manipulating the physical, and have very little to do with restoring balance with nature (‘naturally’). Modern medicine has also compartmentalized medical specialties which makes ‘wholistic’ treatment difficult. This is true now even with modern Asian medicine systems. The style of Chinese Medicine that is exclusively practiced in the People’s Republic of China today, for example, is not Classical at all. It is termed ‘Traditional Chinese Medicine’ or TCM. This communized version of the Classical medicines is extremely simplified, censored, and westernized. Some of the most significant teachings and practices were removed. TCM was brought to the US in 1971. It is still the most prevalent style of Chinese Medicine taught and practiced in the United States. Thanks to scholars and practitioners who kept the Classical texts and ways alive (often at great risk to themselves and their families), we now have more access to the full repertoire of medicines. More understanding and support of these Classical systems is happening both in the Chinese and Modern medical schools. Classical Yoga and Ayurveda schools and practitioners are also difficult to come by. But they are out there!
This is an exciting time in history, whether you are a patient-student and/or a physician-teacher. It is a time where we can study and practice teachings that have served humans for thousands of years to live long vital lives, and recover from the most serious diseases.
Practices that help people live and even die more peacefully. Ways that support communities to live in harmony with each other and with nature. Using these Classical systems can reduce our dependency on pharmaceuticals and surgeries, especially if our pharmacists and surgeons get on board!
The goal is for us all to be healthier, spend less money on healthcare, and use as few drugs, surgeries, and even herbal formulas, and needles as possible. This is more possible when we INTEGRATE our services and work together… all physicians, all patients…. and become teachers and students too.
I hope this history lesson gives you an idea of what the future of medicine can be!
-Dr. G.