Ep. 339 | The History of Chinese Medicine (Part 3)
Dec 10, 2023
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This podcast episode explores the history of Chinese medicine during the Song Dynasty by discussing the lives and contributions of figures like Sun Simiao, Wang Shuhe, Tao Hongjing, Ge Hong, Gong Qingxuan, and Chao Yuanfang. Topics include the concept of Pulsology, ancient remedies, lost texts, holistic approaches to wellness, and advancements in Chinese medicine during the Tang Dynasty.
Sun Simiao, the Yao Wang, emphasized preventive medicine and authored significant medical texts.
The Tang Dynasty saw the production of landmark medical texts and compilation efforts, advancing Chinese medicine.
Deep dives
The Contributions of Sun Simiao
Sun Simiao, known as the Yao Wang, was a self-taught physician in the Tang Dynasty who dedicated himself to serving the people with his medical knowledge. He emphasized living a healthy lifestyle and preventing diseases rather than simply treating them. Sun Simiao authored two landmark medical texts, the Chenjing Yifang and the Supplement to the Prescriptions of the Thousand Ounces of Gold. These works covered a wide range of medical topics and included thousands of prescriptions for various diseases. Sun Simiao's ethical approach to medicine, prioritizing the well-being of his patients over their status or wealth, made him a revered figure in the history of Chinese medicine.
The Xingxiao Banzhao and the Government's Role in Medicine
The Xingxiao Banzhao, also known as the Tang Banzhao, was a pharmacopia produced during the Tang Dynasty. It was an extensive compilation of medical knowledge sponsored by the imperial government. This pharmacopia contained information about drugs, formulas, preparation methods, and more. It involved the collaboration of approximately 24 pharmacologists and covered around 850 medicines, 15% of which were newly discovered. The Xingxiao Banzhao set a precedent as the first government-supported effort to compile comprehensive medical knowledge, serving as a valuable reference for physicians and scholars of the time.
The Influence of Wang Tao
Wang Tao, a Tang Dynasty physician, contributed to the advancement of Chinese medicine with his work called the Y Tai Mi Yau, also known as the Essential Secrets from the Palace Library. This text reorganized and updated the existing medical knowledge from the Han Dynasty onwards. It contained over 7,000 prescription recipes, including a section on acupuncture. Wang Tao meticulously researched and categorized the knowledge, providing practical and useful information for physicians. His work played a crucial role in preserving and advancing the understanding of Chinese medicine during the Tang Dynasty.
Landmark Medical Texts and Compilation Efforts
The Tang Dynasty witnessed the production of several landmark medical texts and compilation efforts. Sun Simiao's works, the Chenjing Yifang and the Supplement to the Prescriptions of the Thousand Ounces of Gold, revolutionized medical knowledge and ethics. The Xingxiao Banzhao, a pharmacopia sponsored by the government, consolidated extensive knowledge about drugs and formulas. Wang Tao's Y Tai Mi Yau provided an updated and categorized compilation of medical knowledge. These works, along with others from the Tang Dynasty, served as reference points and standards for Chinese medicine, ensuring the preservation and continuous development of medical practices.
The focus in Part 3 will be on the Song Dynasty, the Jin and the Yuan. Looming large in Chinese medicine during this fertile period was Sun Simiao, the 药王 or King of Medicines. We'll look at his life as well as many others: Wang Shuhe 王叔和, more Tao Hongjing 陶弘景, Ge Hong 葛洪, Gong Qingxuan 龚庆宣, Chao Yuanfang 巢元方, and others.