現代世界的傳統中醫
Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Modern World
撰文及考題設計／British Council 英協教育中心 Jen Wen 中譯／陳怡君 （中央社編譯）
As a resident of Taiwan, when you get sick, thereis the option of going to a western doctor, or youcould go down a more traditional route - visiting atraditional Chinese medicine doctor, also known asTCM. With its beginnings in China, it has slowlygrown and evolved over a few thousand of years,with many TCM universities and practices poppingup in Europe and America. TCM also includesacupressure massage, herbal medicine, acupuncture,and cupping.
住在台灣，如果生病了你可以選擇看西醫，或者循一個較傳統的途徑：看傳統中醫。這是一門發源於中國，幾千年來緩慢演進的醫術；而在歐洲和美國，鑽研傳統中醫的大學與醫療院所如雨後春筍般創立。所謂傳統中醫，更包含了指壓按摩、草藥、針灸、以及拔罐等技術。
The basic tenet of TCM is that when the bodyis at its healthiest, all the organs are working harmoniouslythrough the circulation of “qi” and the“meridians” that connect them together. Qi is thevital energy flow or active principle that forms allliving things, and the meridian system is the paththrough which the qi flows.
中醫學的基本原則就是：當身體處在最健康的狀態時，五臟六腑透過「氣」的循環與運行氣血的「經絡」和諧運作。「氣」是形塑所有生命的重要能量流動或要素；而「經絡」則是氣運行所依循的途徑。
The beginning of what is known as TCM beganwith an individual named Shen Nong (which can beliterally translated into “God Farmer”). He is alsoconsidered a deity or mythical sage from prehistoricChina. He is said to have taught agriculture tothe people, as well as the use of herbal medicine.According to some myths, Shen Nong was outcollecting plants and roots, when he ingested theroot of a yellow flower and his intestines rupturedbefore he could administer the anecdote. ShenNong’s detailed collection of notes concerningherbs, plants and their effects are recorded in theMateria Medica, one of the foundation books ofTCM.
所謂傳統中醫的起源，可追溯於史前時代的「神農氏」。他被視為史前中國掌管農作的神明。相傳他將農業知識與草藥醫術傳授給人民。在某些傳聞軼事中，神農在一次採集菜莖作物過程中，食用了黃花的根莖後中毒，來不及服用解藥，腸子破裂而死。然而，神農將其過去仔細蒐集記錄各種草藥、作物以及其療效等記錄加以彙整，著成《神農本草經》，成為傳統中醫的經典。
Other important elements and theories of Chinesemedicine include the five elements (earth, wood, fire,water and metal), and yin and yang. TCM focuseson functional entities which regulate breathing,digestion and circulation. Therefore, when the bodybecomes ill or diseased it is perceived as beingcaused by a disharmony between these entitiesand the external environment. A typical TCMdiagnosis seeks to determine patterns of underlyingdisharmony by measuring the pulse, observingthe eyes, skin and tongue, as well as studying thesleeping, eating, and bathroom habits of the patient.One can say that it is a holistic and all-encompassingapproach, as TCM strives to examine the bodyand organs as a whole instead of alleviating onlyone symptom of an illness.
其他傳統中醫重要的元素與理論還包括了金木水火土的陰陽五行學說與針灸等等。傳統中醫著重調節呼吸、消化與循環等的生理功能單位，所以當身體生病了，是因為單位間或與外在環境的不和諧所致。典型的中醫診斷經由把脈、視診眼、皮膚、舌頭，並且探究睡眠、飲食、如廁習慣等，來判斷不和諧的背後原因。傳統中醫可說是講究整體性與包羅萬象的論述，將人體、症狀與各器官視為一體，而非僅針對單一症狀治療。
Local Chinese medicine doctor, David Edsall,who graduated from Southwest AcupunctureCollege in Boulder Colorado, gives some practical advice to ensure a balanced mind and body throughthe summer. This season is associated with the heartand the fire element, as it is the most yang (active,masculine) time of the year. Common issues thatarise are insomnia, lack of passion or joy in life, andnot being in harmony with what is in the present.The key point is to remain calm and joyful; the bodyshould be active but relaxed. During this season,sleeping late and waking up early is ideal. As foryour diet, eat food that is slightly bitter and cooling.Raw foods can be eaten, as well as stir-fries.Summer is also a good season for sweet fruits,vegetables and grains.
大衛艾德蕭，一位畢業於科羅拉多州的西南針灸大學的當地傳統中醫師，針對夏季心靈與身體間平衡提供一些實用建議。夏季通常和心、火元素相關聯，亦是一年期間陽氣最重的季節。一般和心、火相關聯的症狀包含了失眠、抑鬱，以及和周圍的不協調。關鍵在於維持放鬆與愉快的心情；人體應當時常處於放鬆但機動的狀態，在夏季，晚睡早起是理想的。飲食上的建議則是，食用稍帶苦味與清涼的食物。生食與熱炒食物皆可食用。夏天是個適合食用甜的水果、蔬菜與各種穀類的季節。
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