From Ayurveda To Chinese Medicine

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Ping-Chung Leung, Debashis Panda

• Publisher: WSPC
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN: 9789813200357
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Alternative & Complementary Medicine

This unique book presents the differences and similarities of the oldest system of health care. All ancient medicine has strong philosophical background and management varieties related to treatment activities. Ayurveda is one such branch of medicine that is strongly linked to Yoga and traditional Chinese medicine including activities related to Martial Arts and Acupuncture. This book successfully merges Ayurveda with Chinese medicine thereby enhancing the understanding of the two systems.

Chapter 1

Ayurveda–Chinese Medicine: From Philosophy to Basic Principles

Debashis Panda

Abstract

Towards the end of the 20th Century, modern medicine has become the mainstream of health care in almost all parts of the world. However, in spite of much advances in modern medicine, alternative medicine worldwide still plays an important role in treating the unsolved problems. In some underdeveloped places, it retains its status of being the mainstream treatment. If one looks back into the pre-historical period, he would find four main systems of ancient healing arts. They are: Ayurveda or Indian System of Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ancient Greek Medicine and Egyptian Medicine. One cannot deny the influences: all these primitive practices have existed independently since ancient times. Though all the systems of medicine have unique principles and concepts, there are some similarities also. Geographically, China and India are two adjacent countries, have great influence upon each other in their cultures, religions and medicines. Similar is the case with Greek and Egypt, they also bear some common features. The Greek and Egyptian systems of medicine concentrate on the use of single herbs, while the Chinese and Indian systems rely upon complex preparations. Combined formulae are most frequently prescribed in Chinese and Indian systems of medicine. Of course, Ayurveda and TCM, both seem to be more ancient, their history dating back to 3,000 B.C. (Takakusu, 1956).

In this book, an effort is given to elaborate and compare both ancient systems of medicine in Asia with their philosophies and principles of treatment, so that further scientific research can be carried out in collaboration for the betterment of medical development.

Keywords: Ayurveda; Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Prakriti– Purush; Yin–Yang Theory; Five-Element Theory.

1.1Introduction

Both systems of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine consider the patient as a whole instead of treating a particular organ or system as in the case of modern medicine. They regard the human body and its physiological Functions as a selective manifestation of the grand cosmic order. Whatever happens in the human body is a mirror image in minute form of what is happening in the whole universe. The cosmic energies which permeate the whole universe, both animate and inanimate, are also regulating the functioning of human beings. Ancient profounders of Chinese medicine borrowed the concepts and principles directly from traditional Taoist philosophy. Whereas Ayurvedic principles have their root in Nyāya–Vaiśeşika and Sānkhya–Yoga darśanas, the ancient spiritual philosophies of India. Although, Ayurveda is considered as non man-made, the verses of the Almighty “Brahma” were spontaneously created at the time of origin of the universe.

1.2Yin–Yang versus Prakriti–Purush

Yin–Yang is a common Chinese term used simultaneously in both Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy. Yin and Yang are regarded as two primordial cosmic forces responsible for all natural phenomena and life processes. These two forces are quite opposite and yet complementary to each other. And it is because of the perfect balance between them that the whole universe remains stable. So, they are interdependent to each other and one cannot exist without the other. Everything in the natural world is constantly under the opposing forces of Yin and Yang (Yin and Shuai, 1992).

Depending upon their nature and other characteristics, four important aspects in their relationship can be summarised.

1.Yin and Yang are two opposite but complementary primordial cosmic forces.

2.Yin and Yang are interdependent, i.e. one cannot exist without the other.

3.Their energies can be transformed from each other (mutual transformation of energy).

4.Yin and Yang maintain a dynamic equilibrium in the universe, nature and human activities.

Furthermore, the interplay between these two cosmic forces represents the changes and happenings in the universe and also in human activities. Yin is the negative or passive force whereas Yang symbolises the positive or active force. The differences in their characteristics can be categorised as follows:

Yin	Yang
Female	Male
Negative	Positive
Passive force	Active force
Darkness	Brightness
Low-lying	High-flying
Conversing	Expanding
Descending	Ascending
Heavy	Light
Earth	Heaven

The Yin–Yang theory permeates entirely into all spheres of Chinese medicine. Good health is considered as an equilibrium of these two opposite forces and diseases develop, when this equilibrium is disturbed. All the structural components and functional activities of the body are divided into two groups — Yin and Yang. The diagnosis, the treatment principles, selection of herbs, composition of herbs, forms of administration are all based on the Yin–Yang theory (Cai et al., 1995).

Similarly, the Prakriti–Purush concept of Ayurveda and primeval philosophies of ancient India depict the theory of evolution of modern scientists. Prakriti is known as Moola Prakriti or primordial entity, known also as the cosmic egg, and its other synonym is Avyakta i.e. Unmanifested Matter. Moola Prakriti or primordial entity is a composite unit of three properties, which can be seen as three cosmic energies or forces.

They are:

Sattva = Force of balance,
Raja = Force of activate,
Tama = Force of conserve.

These three forces are mutually interdependent and are never found in isolation from one another. Unless and until their balanced state is disturbed, they remain as inert and static. However, when one force starts to dominate the other two, ultimately the state of equilibrium is disturbed. Thereafter, the concentrated mass of primordial entity i.e. Moola Prakriti would burst out violently, followed by the delivery of five cosmic elements (i.e. Panchbhutas). This may be equivalent to what modern astronomists called the Big Bang. These five cosmic elements in turn constitute various objects of this universe, both animate and inanimate. Since everything in this universe is part of Moola Prakriti or primordial entity, everything should possess the three primitive properties — sattva, raja, tama i.e. the three cosmic energies (Filliozat, 1964).

The classical descriptions commonly used to denote the difference between Prakriti and Purush are as follows:

Prakriti	Purush
One	More
Achetana (unconscious)	Chetana (conscious)
Triguna (three properties)	Aguna (no properties)
Beejadharmini	Abeejadharma
Prasavadharmini	Aprasavadharma
Amadhyasthadharmini	Madhyasthadharma
Female	Male

The three words, namely, Beejadharmini, Prasavadharmini and Madhyasthadharmini are most important. Beejadharmini means Moola Prakriti has all the substances of this universe in subtle form inside; very much like the seed containing the whole tree inside it. Prasavadharmini means Moola Prakriti has the ability of delivery of cosmic particles for the evolution of universe. The explosion of cosmic egg with a large bang can be correlated with the painful cry of a mother during delivery. Amadhyasthadharmini, means there is no resting phase for the primordial body: Evolution and Dissolution is a continuous process without any resting ...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title
• Copyright
• About the Editors
• List of Contributors
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 Ayurveda–Chinese Medicine: From Philosophy to Basic Principles
• Chapter 2 Ayurveda: Body Structures and Functional Considerations
• Chapter 3 Health and Disease in Ayurveda
• Chapter 4 Chinese Medicine: Principles on Health and Diseases
• Chapter 5 Research and Development of Chinese Medicinal Plants
• Chapter 6 Evidence-Based Validation of Indian Traditional Medicine: Way Forward
• Chapter 7 Natural Healing: Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Yoga
• Chapter 8 Ayurveda in India
• Chapter 9 Traditional Medicine in China
• Chapter 10 Medicinal Herbs Used in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine
• Chapter 11 Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine Today: Joint Mission of the Two Asian Systems
• Index