Many people have misconceptions about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), often thinking that it is slow in effectiveness and that Chinese herbal medicine is bitter. Especially in recent years, there has been a rise in voices against TCM, and "quack doctors" who claim to promote health have become popular, tarnishing the reputation of TCM. The true essence of TCM has been gradually obscured. Let's take a look at some of the misconceptions about TCM.
Misconception 1: TCM is all about taking Chinese herbal medicine.
Western medicine treats the body as a machine, where a faulty part can be replaced or repaired. However, TCM sees the body and mind as a whole, with the opposing yet interdependent forces of yin and yang. Therefore, when TCM treats a disease, it often aims to restore the body to a state of dynamic balance between yin and yang, which leads to the cure of discomfort. TCM has advantages in prevention. In addition to internal herbal medicine, other approaches include external application of herbal medicine, meditation, aromatherapy, herbal baths, and psychotherapy, among others.
Misconception 2: TCM is slow.
For thousands of years before the Opium War, the health of the Chinese people relied entirely on TCM. Europe experienced massive outbreaks of plague, with millions of deaths, while China never experienced such large-scale deaths due to epidemic outbreaks, thanks to TCM and Chinese herbal medicine. Throughout history, TCM practitioners have continuously explored and accumulated a wealth of experience in the treatment of acute and infectious diseases. For example, acupuncture is used to treat shock and stroke, "Huoxiang Zhengqi Water" is used to treat heat stroke, "Suhe Xiang Pill" and "Suxiao Jiuxin Pill" are used to treat angina, "Angong Niuhuang Pill" is used to treat acute cerebrovascular disease, and modern TCM has successfully treated SARS, H1N1 influenza, and hand, foot, and mouth disease, fully demonstrating the simplicity, convenience, efficacy, and affordability of TCM.
Misconception 3: I have the final say in my TCM treatment.
Many patients interpret TCM based on their own subjective wishes, inevitably taking things out of context. For example, they confuse the five zang organs in TCM with anatomical organs, and demand kidney tonics based on their renal function test results or liver purges based on their fatty liver ultrasound reports. One lung cancer patient achieved good results in my treatment, and another patient's family member came to me seeking the same prescription. I told him that I must see the patient in person before prescribing medication, but the patient's family member was very dissatisfied. Little did they know that even though the two patients had the same lung cancer, their symptoms and conditions could be completely different, resulting in completely different prescriptions.
Misconception 4: If Western medicine fails, try TCM.
This is particularly prominent among patients in our oncology department. Many people only turn to TCM when they can no longer tolerate the toxic side effects of chemotherapy or when their condition worsens, adopting a "desperate" mindset. Some even seek multiple medical opinions, falling victim to unscrupulous doctors, and miss the best opportunity for TCM treatment. Therefore, I advocate for early, comprehensive, and moderate use of TCM in the treatment of cancer patients.
Misconception 5: Chinese herbal medicine is safe and can be taken freely.
Chinese herbal medicine is not without risks and side effects. Only when Chinese herbal medicine is used under the guidance of TCM theory and combined with modern pharmacology research can it truly exert its positive effects. If the pharmacology is not understood and the medicine is blindly applied, even well-known tonics like ginseng can be harmful to the body. Conversely, when used properly, even poisonous herbs can become miraculous medicines for treating diseases and saving lives.
