🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The roots of integration thought can be traced back to the early spread of Western learning in China during the early Qing Dynasty. In 1890, Li Hongzhang, in his preface to "Universal Pharmacopoeia," stated: “If scholars combine Chinese and Western medical theories and achieve synthesis, they will attain the highest level of refinement—how could this not benefit medicine?” He proposed the idea of “integrating Chinese and Western medical theories.”
Widespread dissemination of Western medicine in China prompted widespread attention from the TCM community. Gradually, some TCM practitioners developed integration ideas and formed a school, exerting considerable influence on later generations. Representative figures include Tang Zonghai, Zhu Peiwen, Yun Tieqiao, and Zhang Xidun.
1. Tang Zonghai’s “Synthesize to Reach Unity”
Tang Zonghai was active in the latter half of the 19th century, a time of national crisis and intensified internal and external conflicts, with Western learning rapidly spreading in China. He advocated conforming to the tide of progress and became the first figure in the TCM world to explicitly propose the slogan of “integration of Chinese and Western medicine.” He stated: “Western medicine has its strengths; Chinese medicine is not without weaknesses… Let us set aside differences in geographical origin and seek a balanced unity.” (Tang Zonghai, Essentials of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai: Yuhai Publishing House, 1894. Tang Zonghai: "Essentials of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine," 1894 edition, Shangjiang Youhai Mountain House stone print.) His views included: (1) Establishing a perfect and comprehensive medical system through synthesis; (2) Recognizing the fundamental compatibility of Chinese and Western medical principles; (3) Prioritizing Chinese medicine, valuing antiquity over modernity. As a pioneer of Chinese-Western medical integration, his pioneering contributions are invaluable. The "Continuation of the Qing Dynasty Literature Comprehensive Examination" noted: “In modern times, those favoring novelty lean toward Western medicine, while those clinging to tradition favor Chinese medicine. Neither side has fully integrated Chinese and Western medical texts to achieve balanced judgment. Tang Zonghai lamented this state and devoted himself to intensive study, writing five works, offering a clear guide.” This was a contemporary assessment of Tang Zonghai.
2. Zhu Peiwen’s “Both Chinese and Western Medicine Have Validities and Limitations”
Zhu Peiwen (circa mid-19th century), courtesy name Shaolian, authored "Brief Compilation of Chinese and Western Visceral Images" (1892), also known as "Combined Compilation of Chinese and Western Visceral Images." He emphasized learning Western anatomy to compensate for the lack of detailed anatomical knowledge in traditional Chinese medicine. His approach to integrating Chinese and Western medicine was cautious, advocating “understand what can be understood, preserve what differs,” and refusing forced synthesis.
3. Zhang Xidun’s “Integrate Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine”
Zhang Xidun, building on predecessors’ insights, avoided rigid distinctions between Chinese and Western medicine. Grounded in traditional Chinese medicine, he “adopted the strengths of Western medicine to supplement our own shortcomings” (Zhang Xidun, Records of Integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing: People's Health Publishing House, 1974, p. 18. Zhang Xidun: "Record of Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine," People's Health Publishing House, 1974: p. 18). He established the principle of “integrating Chinese medicine with Western medicine.” Zhang Xidun emphasized clinical treatment, particularly drug therapy, to bridge Chinese and Western medicine, proposing a new pathway for integration.
4. Yun Tieqiao’s “New Chinese Medicine”
Yun Tieqiao possessed deep classical learning, extensively engaged with Chinese and Western cultures, and was fluent in English. These enabled him to conduct in-depth comparative research on Chinese and Western medicine, pioneering unique insights. In his "General Discussion on the Study of the Treatise on Cold Damage," he stressed: “To reform medicine today, one must engage with Western medicine; there is no other path.” He also said: “For Chinese medicine to evolve, it must absorb the strengths of Western medicine, integrate them, and produce a new Chinese medicine.” He believed: “The differences between Chinese and Western medicine stem from differences in Chinese and Western cultures.” “They are fundamentally different methodologies of two distinct systems of knowledge.” (Yun Tieqiao, Study on the Treatise on Febrile Diseases. In: Second Volume of Yao’an’s Collection of Medical Books, pp. 10 and 81. Yun Tieqiao: "Yao’an Medical Series, Volume Two, Study on the Treatise on Febrile Diseases," pp. 10, 81).