A few days ago,the master of traditional Chinese medical science, Lu Guangshen, died at theage of 88. Working as a physician for more than 60 years, he diligently strivedafter the truth of traditional Chinese medical science. As far as he wasconcerned, “A man of noble character will seek harmony rather than uniformity. Ifwe regard Western science as the unique science in the world, the value of traditionalChinese medical science will be denied, and there would not be a vestige ofharmony.”

Under theinfluence of western culture during the 20th century, there are many people whothink western culture is much more advanced than Chinese culture. In addition,it was widely believed that doctors of traditional Chinese medical science areinferior to western doctors. In consequence, traditional Chinese medicalscience is in danger of being westernized.

Essentially,the westernization of traditional Chinese medical science is to put the “root”and “soul” of traditional medicine in isolation; it is called the“desinification” of traditional Chinese medical science. Abandoning thetradition and throwing the most fundamental and essential things away,traditional Chinese medical science will be a cereal crop without a kernel.

Chineseenormously rich culture brings up the development of traditional Chinesemedical science. “Five Elements”, “Unity of Man and Nature”, ”Viscerastate andChannel” and some other traditional Chinese medical theories contains the mostbasic cultural elements of Chinese nation. If these elements turns to be toneddown or be neglected, traditional Chinese medical culture will be hardlyrelated to China any more.

The mostessential way to study traditional Chinese medical science is to bone up ontraditional Chinese medical classics. But, now in China, Chinese medicinegraduate students are not familiar with ancient Chinese medical knowledge , suchas “decoctions in rhymes” and so on. They even cannot understand the preface ofCompendiumof Materia Medica, let alone such famous works like HuangdiNeijing, Treatiseon Febrile Diseases, Synopsis of Golden Chamber and SeasonalFebrileDiseases. The cultural inheritanceis confronting with the risk of cut-off.

 When it comes to the idea that traditionalChinese medical science should not be "de-sinicized", it does notmean that we are sealed off from the world in a hermit-like state. TraditionalChinese medical science should keep strengthening the “root” with continuousinnovation. Chinese hallmarks as well as modernization on traditional Chinesemedical science will make benefits for humanhealth.

Date:2014.10.24