Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): The Daoist foundation of holistic health

January 2, 2025 8 minute read see also comments

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic medical system that has developed over thousands of years, rooted in the philosophical principles of Daoism, Confucianism, and ancient [Chinese]

(/weekend_stories/told/2025/2025-01-02-origin_of_chinese_civilization/) cosmology. TCM views health as a dynamic balance between the body, mind, and environment, emphasizing the flow of Qi (vital energy) and the interplay of Yin and Yang as central to maintaining well-being. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on treating specific symptoms or diseases, TCM seeks to restore balance within the entire organism, treating the person as an integrated whole. This post explores the roots of TCM and its significance within the Chinese culture and philosophy.

Acupuncture chart from Hua Shou (fl. 1340s, Yuan dynasty). This image from Shisi jingfahui (Expression of the Fourteen Meridians), Tokyo: Suharaya Heisuke kanko, Kyoho gan 1716. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: public domain)

Daoist philosophical foundations

TCM is deeply influenced by Daoist philosophy, particularly the concepts of Dao, Qi, Yin-Yang, and Wu Xing (the Five Phases). Daoism emphasizes living in harmony with the natural world and following the rhythms of the Dao, which also forms the basis of TCM’s approach to health and disease.

According to Daoism, the human body is a microcosm of the universe, reflecting the same patterns and principles that govern the cosmos. Just as the Dao operates through the dynamic flow of Qi and the balance of Yin and Yang, so too does the body maintain health through the harmonious circulation of Qi and the proper balance of opposing forces. When this balance is disrupted, illness arises, and the goal of treatment is to restore harmony and allow Qi to flow freely once again.

Core concepts in traditional chinese medicine

Qi: Vital energy

Qi (氣) is the fundamental life force that permeates the universe and animates all living beings. In TCM, Qi flows through the body along pathways known as meridians, nourishing the organs and maintaining vitality. Health is understood as the smooth and balanced flow of Qi, while blockages, deficiencies, or excesses of Qi lead to disease.

There are various types of Qi in the body, including:

Yuan Qi: Original Qi, inherited from one’s parents and stored in the kidneys.
Zhong Qi: Central Qi, associated with the spleen and stomach, responsible for digestion and the production of energy.
Wei Qi: Defensive Qi, which protects the body from external pathogens.

The cultivation and regulation of Qi through practices such as Qigong, Tai Chi, and breath control are central to both preventive health and treatment in TCM.

Yin-Yang balance

The theory of Yin and Yang (陰陽) describes the dual, complementary forces that are present in all aspects of life. In TCM, health is seen as a dynamic balance between Yin (associated with coolness, rest, and inward energy) and Yang (associated with warmth, activity, and outward energy).

An imbalance between Yin and Yang can manifest as illness. For example:

Excess Yang may cause symptoms such as fever, inflammation, and hyperactivity.
Excess Yin may result in fatigue, coldness, and fluid retention.
The goal of treatment is to restore the balance of Yin and Yang within the body, allowing the natural rhythms of the Dao to reassert themselves.

Wu Xing: The five phases

The Five Phases (Wu Xing, 五行)—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—represent cyclical patterns of change in nature and the body. Each phase corresponds to specific organs, emotions, seasons, and elements of the environment. For example:

Wood corresponds to the liver, spring, and the emotion of anger.
Fire corresponds to the heart, summer, and joy.
Earth corresponds to the spleen, late summer, and thoughtfulness.
Metal corresponds to the lungs, autumn, and grief.
Water corresponds to the kidneys, winter, and fear.

In diagnosis and treatment, TCM practitioners use the Five Phases to understand how imbalances in one system may affect others and to guide therapeutic interventions.

Diagram showing the interactions of Wu Xing (Chinese five elements): wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: public domain)

Diagnostic methods in TCM

TCM diagnosis is based on a holistic assessment of the patient, using four primary methods:

Observation: The practitioner examines the patient’s appearance, posture, and especially the tongue, which is believed to reflect the state of internal organs.
Listening and smelling: The practitioner listens to the patient’s voice and breathing and notes any unusual odors.
Inquiry: The practitioner asks detailed questions about the patient’s symptoms, lifestyle, emotions, and medical history.
Palpation: The practitioner feels the patient’s pulse at various points on both wrists, which provides information about the state of Qi and blood flow in different organ systems.

Therapeutic methods in TCM

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points along the meridians to regulate the flow of Qi and restore balance. Each acupuncture point corresponds to a particular organ or system, and by stimulating these points, the practitioner can address various types of imbalances. Acupuncture is commonly used to treat pain, stress, digestive disorders, and many chronic conditions.

Old Chinese medical chart on acupuncture meridians. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: public domain)

Herbal medicine

Herbal medicine is a cornerstone of TCM, with thousands of plant, mineral, and animal substances used to create complex formulas tailored to the patient’s condition. Each herb is classified according to its properties (e.g., warming, cooling), taste (e.g., bitter, sweet), and its affinity with specific organs and meridians. Herbal formulas are often used to nourish Qi, balance Yin and Yang, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

Apothecary mixing traditional Chinese medicine at Jiangsu Chinese Medical Hospital, Nanjing, China. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: CC BY-SA 2.0)

Qigong and tai Chi

Qigong and Tai Chi are practices that combine movement, breath control, and meditation to cultivate Qi and promote physical and mental well-being. These practices help to maintain the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body, reduce stress, and improve balance and flexibility.

Dietary therapy

Dietary therapy in TCM emphasizes the importance of eating in accordance with one’s constitution and the seasons. Foods are classified according to their energetic properties (e.g., warming, cooling) and their effects on the body’s Qi. A balanced diet tailored to an individual’s needs is seen as essential for maintaining health and preventing disease.

Assorted dried plant and animal parts used in traditional Chinese medicines, clockwise from top left corner: dried Lingzhi (lit. “spirit mushrooms”), ginseng, Luo Han Guo, turtle shell underbelly (plastron), and dried curled snakes. Source: Wikimedia Commonsꜛ (license: public domain)

Spread of TCM in East Asia

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) not only played a crucial role in shaping Chinese medical practices but also significantly influenced the development of medicine in neighboring East Asian countries, including Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The transmission of TCM across East Asia occurred through cultural exchange, migration, and the dissemination of classical Chinese medical texts.

Korea

In Korea, TCM was integrated into local medical traditions, giving rise to Hanuigaku (한의학), the traditional Korean system of medicine. Korean physicians adopted many TCM principles, including the theory of Qi, the balance of Yin and Yang, and the use of herbal remedies. Over time, Korea developed its own distinct practices and texts, such as the renowned Dongui Bogam (東醫宝鑑), compiled by Heo Jun in the 17th century. This text remains a cornerstone of traditional Korean medicine.

Japan

In Japan, TCM was adapted into Kampo medicine, a practice that emerged during the Nara and Heian periods (8th–12th centuries). Japanese physicians studied classical Chinese medical texts and incorporated their theories into local medical practices. Kampo focuses on herbal medicine and emphasizes individualized diagnosis and treatment, much like TCM. Today, Kampo remains an integral part of Japan’s healthcare system, with numerous Kampo formulas approved for use alongside modern Western medicine.

Vietnam

Vietnam adopted TCM during the period of Chinese rule (111 BCE–939 CE) and subsequently integrated it into its indigenous medical traditions. Known as Thuốc Nam (Southern Medicine), Vietnamese traditional medicine blends TCM principles with local herbs and healing practices. The influence of TCM is evident in Vietnamese diagnostic methods, herbal remedies, and acupuncture techniques. Over time, Vietnam developed its own medical texts and practices while retaining the foundational theories of TCM.

Shared principles and practices

Despite regional variations, the core principles of TCM — such as the theory of Qi, the balance of Yin and Yang, and the use of the Five Phases (Wu Xing) — were widely adopted and adapted throughout East Asia. Practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy became common across these cultures, contributing to a shared East Asian medical heritage.

Influence of TCM on modern medicine

In recent decades, TCM has gained increasing recognition in the West, particularly for its holistic approach to health and its emphasis on preventive care. Practices such as acupuncture and herbal medicine are now widely used in integrative medicine, and numerous clinical studies have demonstrated their efficacy in treating various conditions.

Moreover, TCM’s emphasis on the mind-body connection and the importance of lifestyle factors in health resonates with modern approaches to wellness. Its focus on balance, harmony, and the cultivation of vitality offers valuable insights for contemporary healthcare.

Conclusion

Traditional Chinese Medicine, deeply rooted in Daoist philosophy, offers a holistic and dynamic approach to health that emphasizes balance, harmony, and the flow of Qi. By viewing the body as an integrated whole and recognizing the interconnectedness of all aspects of life, TCM provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and treating illness. Within the Chinese culture, TCM is not only a medical system but also a way of life, reflecting the Daoist principles of living in harmony with nature and cultivating vitality.

References and further reading

Kaptchuk, Ted J., The web that has no weaver: Understanding Chinese medicine, 2000, Contemporary Books, ISBN: 978-0809228409
Maciocia, Giovanni, The foundations of Chinese medicine: A comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists, 2015, Churchill Livingstone, ISBN: 978-0702052163
Sivin, Nathan, Traditional medicine in contemporary China, 1972, Centre for Chinese Studies Publications, ISBN: 978-0892640737
Unschuld, Paul U., Medicine in China: A history of ideas, 1988, University of California Press, ISBN: 978-0520062160
C. Pierce Salguero, Andrew Macomber, Buddhist Healing In Medieval China And Japan, 2020, University of Hawaii Press, ISBN: 9780824881214