The Basic Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine

The theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine has evolved in the course of long clinical practice under the guidance of materialism and dialectics. It originates from practice and, in turn, guides the practice. This unique system of theory is characterized by the concept of organic wholeness and treatment based on syndrome differentiation. The concept of organic whole refers to the integral unity of the human body and its close relationship with the outer world The human body is composed of various organs and tissues According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, its constituent parts are inseparable in structure, interdependent in physiology, and mutually influentiaJ in pathology. Such an understanding of the unity between the interior-exterior environment and the entirety of the organism itself is known as the concept of organic wholeness It reflects the influence of ancient Chinese materialism and dialectics on traditional Chinese medicine and permeates through the physiology, pathology, diagnosis, syndrome differentiation and treatment.