Cultural Kaleidoscope
Culture of Traditional Chinese Medicine
As an integral part of Chinese culture，Traditional Chinese Medicine（TCM）has made great contributions to the prosperity of China．With its unique diagnostic methods，systematic approach，abundant historical literature and materials，TCM has drawn much attention from the international community．Today both TCM and western medicine are being used in providing medical and health services in China．Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete medical system that combines herbs，cupping，gua sha（scraping skin to increase circulation），massage，diet and gentle exercise along with acupuncture to correct energy imbalances in the body．
Herbs used in the aromatic but often bitter brews are not limited to the vegetable kingdom．Materials and animal substances are also ingredients．Moreover，not all the concoctions are to be drunk．Many medicines are in the form of pills，ointments and powders．Herbal medical treatment is mild and tonic，and its curative processes slow．The objective is to find the seat of the trouble or obstruction and then work to counteract its effects．Surprisingly enough，Chinese herbs also include such strange things as insects，deer horn，tiger bones，cicada shells，frogs and toads．Liquid concoctions are usually thick，brownish or black，and often taste bitter．
Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body by moxibustion and inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to promote natural healing and to improve functioning．This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points．The acupuncture therapy is based on the jing and luo theory．According to this theory，the human body has a network of jing and luo running through it．The“line”that runs longitudinally is jing（channel）and any of the branches that diverge from jing is luo（collateral）．Qi（vital energy）circulates through jing and luo．Stimulating certain points along the channels and collaterals by inserting needles can cure a disorder of the circulation of qi．
Qigong is a Chinese system of physical training，philosophy，and preventive and therapeutic health care．Qi means air，breath of life or vital essence．Gong means work，selfdiscipline，achievement or mastery．There are more than 3，000 varieties of Qigong and five major Qigong traditions：the Taoist，Buddhist，Confucian，martial arts and medical．Qigong is thus a soft form of a related set of disciplines that includes Taiji（Tai Chi Quan）and the hard form of Kung Fu．The practice of Qigong makes people sensitive to the internal operations of their bodies，and it helps to reveal the body’s place within nature’s oneness．
Chinese herbology，acupuncture and Qigong are three parts of a single entity，as closely related as water，steam and ice．They can be and often used separately，and may be used together．While acupuncture and herbal medicine typically focus on curing sickness，Qigong usually focuses on maintaining good health．(https://www.daowen.com)
传统中医文化
作为中国文化不可分割的一部分，中医（TCM）为中国的繁荣做出了巨大的贡献。其独特、系统的诊断方法和丰富的历史文献资料，引起了国际社会的广泛关注。今天，中医和西医在中国的医疗卫生服务中并举。传统中医是一个完整的医疗系统，它结合了草药、拔罐、刮痧（刮皮促进循环）、按摩、饮食、温和的运动以及针灸来纠正体内能量失衡。
草药在带有芳香或是常有苦味的液体中酿制而成，取材并不局限于植物王国。自然界物质和动物肌体物质也是原料。此外，并不是所有的混合物都可以喝。许多药物是药丸、药膏和药粉的形式。草药方子温和而滋补，其治疗过程缓慢。其目的是找到问题或阻塞的根源，然后努力消除其影响。令人惊讶的是，中国草药中还包括昆虫、鹿茸、虎骨、蝉壳、青蛙和蟾蜍等奇怪的东西。液体混合物通常很浓，呈棕色或黑色，尝起来很苦。
针灸是一种激发身体活力的方法，通过艾灸和将细针插入身体的特定点，促进自然愈合和改善功能。这是通过插入针，在非常精确的穴位上施加热或电刺激来实现的。针灸疗法是建立在经络理论基础上的。根据这一理论，人体有一个经络网络贯穿其中。纵向上的“线”是经络，与经络分离的任何分支都是络。气（正气）通过经络循环。用针沿经络刺激某些穴位，可以治疗气血循环的紊乱。
气功是一种集体育训练，哲学，预防和治疗保健于一体的中式体系。气的意思是空气、生命的气息或生命的本质。功的意思是工作、自律、成就或精通。气功有3 000多种和五大气功传统：道教、佛教、儒家、武术和医学。因此，气功是一套相互关联的学科，包括太极拳的软形式和功夫的硬形式。气功的练习使人们对自己身体的内部运作非常敏感，有助于揭示身体在自然统一体中的位置。
中医、针灸和气功是一个整体的三个部分，就像水、蒸汽和冰一样紧密相连。它们可以而且经常分开使用，也可以一起使用。针灸和草药一般侧重于治疗疾病，而气功通常侧重于保持健康。