Philosophies-East versus West

I just finished a novel which, in part, engaged in a discussion about traditional Eastern medical techniques versus Western ideas about medicine, diagnosis, and treatments.

Here is what I took away.

We are all quite familiar with our medical model, based on science. Our bodies react to disease, exposure to others of ill health, and to faulty 'parts'. When we get sick, a scientifically trained medical doctor will apply his/her knowledge of the canon of medications and tests, as well as operations, in order to hopefully contain and/or eliminate the targeted issue. Physical health of the body is greatly prioritized over mental health.

Eastern conceptions are quite different. Body and mind are treated as one entity that makes up the person, and the goal is balance and harmony. In other words, a diseased body (unbalanced) will manifest the illness with mental disturbances, and vice-versa. There is a premium placed on both mental AND physical, non-invasive techniques to try to heal, and restore harmony. Acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, meditation, prayer, ritual, massage, yoga, tai'chi, (etcetera, etcetera) are all useful 'medications' that will, if practiced long enough and with enough belief, will result in a healed body and mind.

Good, so far as it goes, user-friendly.

Here is where it gets sticky, and the techniques of Eastern medicine harder for our Western culture to attempt, let alone understand.

Eastern medication involves the ideas of magic and mysticism in the treatment process. This includes herbal remedies, rituals, food therapy, energy centers, and sacrifices to the ancestors/gods, in order to restore balance. Health is perceived as harmony between the mind/body harmony with the outside world, disease is disharmony in interaction.

Practitioners look for the pattern of disharmony, within the body, mind, and environment. In their attempt to determine the problem, they observe physical manifestations, like the color and shape of the tongue, the relative strength of pulse-points, the smell of the breath, the quality of breathing or the sound of the voice. The "Six Excesses" are a pivotal part of diagnosis--fire/heat, wind, cold, dampness, summerheat, and dryness.

The herbology treatments include a number of potentially toxic plants, animal parts, human parts, and mineral medicinals. Treatments generally contain multiple ingredients mixed together. Chinese doctors, priests, shamans, and witches will disagree on the underlying reason for a condition, and then the best way to treat the patient.

There are also demons, angered ancestors, and gods to contend with.

Continued....

-eyeroll-

"The cowboy and the farmer." If you gonna use a quote, use it right.

I believe that we can find cures in this world without using horns, tusks, teeth bones of what is left of our treasured wild animals.

I know that is not where you were coming from, Just had to remark on it.

There is a great book entitled 'The Living Christ, Living Buddha'.
by Thich Nhat Hanh

Wonder comparison to finding health, peach and grace between East and West and how close they are to each other.

Peace
Trina

Yah--we could even discuss herbology as a division of Eastern versus Western techniques. Euro-American traditional herbs contain odd ingredients, but are mostly effective, or at the very least, not so toxic. More dangerous herbs are used, by a professional and at a specific limited amount, to help cure certain diagnoses. Western science does this, too--think chemo. Kill off the good and the bad, to hopefully grow back the good only.

I have to add that Western traditions have some pretty whacked ingredients as well. Both traditions share a common group of medicinals.

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/01/diatomaceous-earth-homestead.html

But Eastern herbs and ingredients, especially those in SOME Chinese medicine, are more than odd, at times.

My thought is that the treatment is as good as the doctor prescribing it, at times. A good herbalist/doctor/surgeon/shaman (good diagnostician?) and the patient is improved, or about the same. Use the helpful treatments in the right amount- and either some success or no real change,

I am getting off-topic. I think there are some connections between mind and body. I think that depression is intensified by the ills of our body and our environment. That the three things--mental state, environment, and physical health--are intertwined, for better or for ill.