The Concept of 8 TCM Therapeutic Methods

Abstract

An effective treatment requires many different methods, depending on the clinical and physical conditions of the patient. The objective of this article was to collect the concepts of eight traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic methods and their clinical applications. These methods were basically developed from the therapeutic methods that were originally recorded in theHuang Ti Nei Jing scripture (Shu Wen part) over 2,400 years ago and had been constantly 

 evolving until the Qing Dynasty. During that period, Cheng Zhong Ling collected clinical experiences of former TCM doctors, and then got them published as the eight basic therapeutic methods in the book “Medical Revelations” (Yi Xue Xin Wu). The “Eight Methods in Therapy” were based on the holistic approach for diagnosis and treatment in the TCM theory, so-called Pian Joeng Lun Jue. And then the treatment for each individual patient is based on the analysis of symptoms and illness conditions (known as syndrome differentiation and treatment), and the use of appropriate remedy as well as proper herbal drugs according to the real situation to harmonize the body balance. The “Eight Methods in Therapy” are categorized according to their therapeutic actions, namely diaphoretic therapy, purgative therapy, regulating therapy, warming therapy, heat-clearing therapy, nourishing therapy, resolving therapy, and vomiting therapy. Currently, many treatments given by the practitioners are often inclined to choose one side of therapeutic methods for patients, which would be harmful for health in a long run. This review article should be used as guidelines for a comparative treatment study and for choosing appropriate application in clinical practice.