Traditional Chinese medicine in scientific world
to: cohle09@gmail.com
subject: Student ID + Name + " Final exam of University English"
timestamp: 19:00 5 Jun, 2023 - 21:00 11 Jun, 2023
Title: Do you think Traditional Chinese Medicine is part of the scientific world?
Introduction:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of healing that has been practiced for thousands of years in China and is still widely used today. However, as science and technology continue to advance, there has been increasing scrutiny on the efficacy and validity of TCM in the modern world. Why is this? One of the main criticisms of TCM is its lack of scientific evidence to support its claims. Western medicine relies heavily on randomized control trials and empirical evidence, while TCM is often based on anecdotal evidence and traditional knowledge passed down from generation to generation. This has led to skepticism and mistrust from some in the scientific community.. Additionally, the fact that TCM views the body and its illnesses in a fundamentally different way than Western medicine can make it hard to translate the findings into a Western scientific framework (a rigorous scientific studies to conduct). Now the questions are, do you think TCM is part of the scientific world?
Contents:
What I believe is different path routes to different view, first let's view the scientific way of producing a medical product which was used to heal.
In the beginning researchers have to formulate a hypothesis, which is a tentative explanation for a phenomenon or observation. In herbology and pharmacology, this might involve hypothesizing that a particular plant contains a compound that can treat a certain condition. The next step is to design experiments to test the hypothesis. This might involve isolating and purifying the compound in question, or conducting clinical trials to test its effects in humans. Or utilize various technologies such as microcopy, electronic technology, chemical component analysis, radiation, magnetism and so on to observe and analyze the therapeutic properties of natural and synthetic compounds, identify their active ingredients and mechanisms of action. After collecting data which was produced in the experiments, the results are analyzed and interpreted to draw conclusions about the hypothesis. If the results support the hypothesis, it may be further tested and refined. Finally, the findings are communicated to the scientific community through publications and presentations, where they can be subject to scrutiny and replication by other scientists. If the results contradict the hypothesis, it may be modified or abandoned. Overall, this path provides a structured and objective approach to investigating the medicinal properties of herbs and other natural substances
In contrast, let's view the TCM way of healing treatment.
TCM theory mainly originates from summarizing practice, and it is constantly enriched and developed through practical application. For example, on the basis of heating by fire, it was discovered that wrapping hot stones or sand in animal skins or tree bark for local heating can alleviate certain ailments. Through repeated practice and improvement, fumigation therapy and moxibustion therapy gradually emerged. In the process of using stone tools as production tools, it was discovered that injury to one part of the human body can relieve pain in another part. This led to the creation of the method of using Bian stones and bone needles for treatment, which gradually developed into acupuncture therapy and formed the theory of meridians.
Wait, what? Are you talking about experiences? Yes, you hear me correctly. For example, to explain the energy circulation in human body, TCM researchers use theories such as the circulation of Qi (vital energy) and balance of Yin and Yang (opposing yet complementary forces). Scientific approach uses human metabolism theory. Same phenomenon - there are some circulations in human body, different explanation - Yin & Yang vs Metabolism. Experience is a valuable asset in any aspect of life. It allows for growth, development, and improvement. With experience comes expertise, better decision making, increased confidence, personal growth, and enhanced creativity. So why such brilliant things like experiences result to poor reputation in TCM field? the limits - environment. Experience was derived under certain environments, the living environment of people! If you are using big data and machine learning to foresee the future in an aspect of field, you have to use many characteristics and puzzling coefficients to run iterations, you'll be amazed by the results - sometime the coefficients are contradict to your common sense. TCM recipes are those coefficients in certain stages of iteration, in time, it will be accurate and legendary. If you've experienced with acupuncture, those tiny tingling physiological forces applied to your body may cause you wonder how and why, the reason is simple - experience!
Another aspect of TCM is that TCM practitioners focus on treating the whole person and addressing the underlying imbalance that caused of disease, rather than just treating the symptoms. This approach aligns with the growing emphasis on personalized and holistic healthcare in the West. There is also increasing interest in exploring the scientific basis of TCM. Researchers have identified active compounds in many TCM herbs that have promising therapeutic potential, such as artemisinin, which is derived from sweet wormwood and is used to treat malaria. However, there are challenges to integrating TCM into the modern healthcare system. There is wide variation in the practices and quality of TCM providers, and there is little oversight to ensure safety and efficacy.
In conclusion, the relationship between TCM and the scientific world is complex and evolving. While TCM has been met with skepticism and criticism from the scientific community in the past, there is growing recognition that TCM has valuable insights and therapies to offer. The challenge moving forward will be to balance the rich tradition and wisdom of TCM with the rigorous standards of modern science and medicine.
Page Source