Classical Chinese medicine

Classical Chinese medicine (CCM) is notably different from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). CCM represents the medicine and its evolution over the past two millennia. It is distinct from, yet shares history and much information with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Classical Chinese medicine refers to Chinese medicine that takes seriously its ancient roots, using classical texts and the skills that emerge from studying them, as the basis for medical practice. It is distinct from TCM insofar that TCM represents efforts to replant Chinese medicine in the soil of Western medicine.

Chinese medicine has been practiced for well over two thousand years and its effectiveness has been experienced by millions of peopleFact|date=March 2008. Throughout time it has evolved and changed, but its fundamental roots have always remained the same. As Western influences threatened the validity of Chinese medicine, a movement began to develop to selectively thin out any aspect of the medicine that might not be acceptable to the Western scientific tradition. TCM is an outgrowth of this movement and as a result, many of the classical traditions were put aside.

Classical Chinese medicine takes into account this entire history. A classical education compares the new developments and "Westernized" models of Chinese medicine with the classical form of the medicine and searches for the roots in both, seeking what the founders of Chinese medicine sought. In studying this, it has been found that classical Chinese medicine became canonized and collated to a definitive degree during the Han dynasty (with some classical texts emerging in the Wei and Jin Dynasties). Therefore, classical Chinese medicine remains focused upon these early fundamental establishments. Later developments can be understood through this lens. TCM therefore can be understood by classically trained practitioners, but a TCM education does not provide an understanding of the classical tradition.

Recently however, there has been a resurgence in the interest in learning and practicing CCM. To learn CCM traditionally one had to be part of a family lineage of the medicine. This family lineage protected its knowledge and practice to ensure the prosperity of future generations. Recently, however, there has been a resurgence in interest in CCM in China, Europe and United States. CCM can be learned in more contemporary ways

Classical texts

The foundation of classical Chinese medicine as a contemporary clinical science is the reading, analyzing and clinical use of classical texts. What is considered classical is up for debate, but the list certainly includes:

Shang Han Lun/ Jinkui Yaolue - The Treatise on Cold Damage/ Essentials of the Golden Cabinet, written in the Han dynasty by Zhang Zhong Jing

Huangdi Neijing - The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine
The Huangdi Neijing is composed of the Suwen (Simple Questions) and the Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot)The Shennong Ben Cao Jing (currently no article to link to)

also included are:

[(Mai Jing)] -- The Pulse Classic (translated by Yang Shou-zhong, Blue Poppy Press) [(Nan Jing)] -- The Classic of Difficulties, attributed to Bian Que of the Warring States Period, but most likely a Han Dynasty text [(Huangdi Zhen Jui Jia Yi Jing)] "the Jia Yi Jing" -- the Yellow Emperor's Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion; compiled by Huang-fu Mi (215-282 CE), also published by Blue Poppy Press Inc. [(Zhong Zang Jing)] - The Classic of the Central Viscera, written by Hua Tuo

Related links

* [http://www.ncnm.edu/academics/classical_chinese_medicine_school.php Classical Chinese Medicine program] at National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM)
* [http://www.classicalchinesemedicine.org Classical Chinese Medicine] , growing international community around CCM
* [http://deepesthealth.com Deepest Health: Explorations of Classical Chinese Medicine] , blog of a student of Classical Chinese Medicine at National College of Natural Medicine
* [http://www.arnaudversluys.com Website of noted Shang Han Lun scholar, Arnaud Versluys]