Introduction

The basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine describe the physiology and pathology of the human body, disease etiology, diagnosis, and differentiation of symptom-complexes. This includes the theories of Yin-Yang, Five Elements, zang-fu, channels-collaterals, qi, blood, body fluid, methods of diagnosis, and differentiation of symptom-complexes.
Traditional Chinese medical theories possess two outstanding features, their holistic point of view, and their application of treatment according to the differentiation of symptom-complexes. According to these traditional viewpoints, the zang-fu organs are the core of the human body as an organic entity in which tissues and sense organs are connected through a network of channels and collaterals. This concept is applied extensively to physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment.

The functional physiological activities of the zang-fu organs are dissimilar, but they work in coordination. There exists an organic connection between the organs and their related tissues. Pathologically, a dysfunction of the zang-fu organs may be reflected on the body surface through the channels and their collaterals. At the same time, diseases of body surface tissues may also affect their related zang or fu organs. Affected zang or fu organs may also influence each other through internal connections. Traditional Chinese medical treatment consists of regulating the functions of the zang-fu organs in order to correct pathological changes. With acupuncture, treatment is accomplished by stimulating certain areas of the external body.

Not only is the human body an organic whole, but it is also a unified entity within nature, so changes in the natural environment may directly or indirectly affect it. For example, changes of the four seasons, and the alternations of day and night may change the functional condition of the human body, while various geographical environments can influence differences in body constitution, and so on. These factors must be considered when diagnosis and treatment are given. The principles of treatment are expected to accord with the different seasons and environments.

Application of treatment according to the differentiation of syndromes is another characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine. "Differentiation of syndromes" means to analyze the disease condition in order to know its essentials, to identify the causative facts, the location and nature, and to obtain conclusions about the confrontation between pathogenic and antipathogenic factors. In traditional Chinese medicine, differentiation performed to outline the specific principles and methods of treatment because similar diseases may have different clinical manifestations, while different diseases may share the same syndromes. Treatment in traditional Chinese medicine stresses the differences of syndromes, but not the differences of diseases. Therefore different treatments for the same disease exist and different diseases can be treated by the same method.

Preface to Basic Theories and Principles

This series of "Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology" consists of four separate books: Basic Theories and Principles, Medicinal Herbs, Herbal Formulas, and Clinic Experiences. These books represent a comprehensive and systematic treatment of the theories and practices of traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology. This series incorporates a practical approach to the study of Chinese medicine through its use of simple explanations and thorough outlines.

In the first volume, Basic Theories and Principles, the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theories are addressed as the basic philosophical elements of traditional Chinese medicine. The theories of physiology, pathology, etiology, diagnostic methodology, and syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine are explained in a discussion of the zang-fu organs (the internal organs) and channels-collaterals. These theories stress the importance of the appropriate holistic treatment according to an accurate diagnosis of the particular complaint. Thus the reader can learn the methods of understanding disease using the vantage point of traditional Chinese medicine and also command a knowledge of its basic theories.


The second and third volumes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Formulas, provide exhaustive and practicable information on individual traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, and formulas of medicinal herbs. The former presents the theory of the Four Properties and Five Flavors of herbal drugs, the theory of ascending and descending, floating and sinking, and direction of action of medicinal herbs. Also discussed is a description of the origin, property, flavor, and classification of three hundred herbs according to their therapeutic action on diseases of specific channels, general therapeutic action, indications, dispensation of herbal prescription, and contraindications. Readers will learn in the third volume the original source and ingredients of one hundred fifty commonly used herbal formulas, and their therapeutic actions, indications, and contraindications. By bringing theories, methods, prescription, and individual herbs together, they reflect the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine which applies treatment on the basis of syndrome differentiation. Readers will not only become acquainted with one hundred fifty commonly used herbal formulas, but also with the laws and methods of differentiating syndromes, the principles of constructing herbal prescriptions, and other aspects of traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The fourth volume, Clinical Experiences, introduces therapeutic methods of treating common internal disease, gynecology, and pediatrics. It associates practical application of theories, methods, herbal formulas, and individual herbs with clinical methods.

Moreover, readers can use the fifth volume to learn the basic methods of applying treatment according to syndrome differentiation using the theories of traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology. This series on traditional Chinese medicine has been compiled by professionals with many years of experience in teaching, scientific research, and clinical treatment. Each volume has been checked and approved by leading authorities in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology. These books present the reader with an easy access to state of the art knowledge on Chinese traditional medicine and pharmacology. The information presented in this series is the product of years of combined research and provides a reference for beginners as well as professionals in the field of traditional medicine. At present it is rare to read English editions which completely and systematically introduce traditional Chinese medical philosophies and methodologies with such conciseness. We hope that this series is able to involve interested readers from all over the world in the development and dissemination of this ancient art for the benefit of the human race.


Professor Don Jianhua
Director of the All-China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine Advisor to the Public Health Ministry of the People's Republic of China