Alternative Medicine Article | What IsTraditional Vietnamese MedicineMore Than Articles

What IsTraditional Vietnamese Medicine

Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (TVM) has a long history of over 2,500 years. For thousands of years, Traditional Vietnamese Medicine has evolved from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Their developments are so-intertwined that it is impossible to separate the two. Both continued to evolve closely to this very day.

Traditional Chinese Medicine was introduced to Vietnam during the one thousand years Chinese occupation. As part of its conquest of Vietnam, their interrelationship can be observed by the influence of TCM theories and the applications of local Vietnamese medicinals.Traditional Chinese Medicine joins the power of acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and energetic exercises to correct imbalances found in the body. This not only allows the body to heal itself but also helps prevent other illness from starting whereas TVM practitioners would use a more practical approach and concentrate less on theory.

Evolution of Oriental Medicine
During the17th.century, practitioners from various ethnic groups began identifying the medicine as Eastern Medicine of Dong Y, also referred to as Oriental Medicine. This is to distinguish their traditional medicine with Western medicine.Though TCM and TVM differ in practice, they share the same theoretical foundation. The cornerstone of Dong Y theory is based on the observed effects of Qi (energy). There are many different forms of Qi and different kinds of functions (Source or Essence Qi, Food Qi, Qi of the Mind or Shen, etc.), but they are all related to the original Source or Essence and Food Qi. The Essence is inherited from our parents, while Food Qi is extracted from food. We see that Qi encompasses more than just Energy. It is also blood and fuel gathered and stored by the body.

Benefits of TVM and TCM
Qi can be summarized as (a) providing movement, (b) defending the body from pathological factors, and (c) supporting/promoting growth and development. The functions of Blood can be summarized as nourishment and moistening. Blood nourishes Qi and Qi moves Blood. The concept of Qi is also universal - our energy and that of the universe is transferable. One can deplete one's Qi by strenuous work, poor diet and lifestyle and also harvest energy from the universe by maintaining optimal health and by practicing some forms of breathing exercise like Qi Gong.

TVM and TCM has been used to treat various ailments, from back pain, cold, migraine, gout, insomnia, menopause, weight loss and wrinkle to other more serious health conditions such as arthritis, cancer, cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases.

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