Traditional Chinese Medicine: Heritage and Adaptation

by Paul U. Unschuld, Bridie Andrews (Translation)

A leading authority explains the ideas and practice of Chinese medicine from its beginnings in antiquity to today. Paul U. Unschuld describes medicine's close connection with culture and politics throughout Chinese history. He brings together texts, techniques, and worldviews to understand changing Chinese attitudes toward healing and the significance of traditional Chinese medicine in both China and the Western world.

Unschuld reveals the emergence of a Chinese medical tradition built around a new understanding of the human being, considering beliefs in the influence of cosmology, numerology, and the supernatural on the health of the living. He describes the variety of therapeutic approaches in Chinese culture, the history of pharmacology and techniques such as acupuncture, and the global exchange of medical knowledge. Insights are offered into the twentieth-century decline of traditional medicine, as military defeats caused reformers and revolutionaries to import medical knowledge as part of the construction of a new China. Unschuld also recounts the reception of traditional Chinese medicine in the West since the 1970s, where it is often considered an alternative to Western medicine at the same time as China seeks to incorporate elements of its medical traditions into a scientific framework. This concise and compelling introduction to medical thought and history suggests that Chinese medicine is also a guide to Chinese civilization.

Genres: China

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Paul Ulrich Unschuld

Reviews

[Lisa Reising · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly informative in regard to what TCM stands for today - from a historical development angle - but a little unsettling when I have been looking for 1) a reliable book on the methodology, and 2) some answers to medical conundrums. It seems like his analysis leads one to believe that ALL medicine is a work in progress, and that the psychological factor is as important in healing as the purely physical response to medical effort. If any one person or tradition had truly uncovered the medicine that gets the patient what he/she wants every time (a fountain of youth, basically) we would all surely know about it. A lot of interesting thoughts in this book to mull over. One reason TCM philosophy in general appeals to me is the concept of the interrelatedness of all phenomenon. It seems like this is largely missing in western analytical sciences.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and condensed history, but has a bias against the topic....which puts an unexpected twist to the book.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating overview of the history and current state of Chinese TCM. He’s clearly done a ton of research and the information in this book points out a lot of reasons to be skeptical about what’s advertised as TCM all over the internet. This feels like an important read for anyone planning to use TCM to treat any illnesses.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative if you only want to know the historical or sociological background of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This isn't a book on its methodology, but it does explain the different kinds of practices in China and its influence in the West.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read it for class, very informative and easy to read.

[Meilani Schreiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief history of Chinese Medicine. I found the Chinese words and translations very interesting. It is a quick easy read if you like history and understanding the background of Chinese heritage.

[Maritza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not what I thought it would be. I wanted actual recipes, the good and the bad. Instead, this book is about the life history summary from start to present.