Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Zang-Fu Organs (藏府)
The internal organs are divided into Zang (full organs, Yin) and Fu (hollow organs, Yang). The Zang (Heart, Lungs, Liver, Spleen and Kidneys) store vital substances and regulate long-term functions, while the Fu (Stomach, Intestine, Bladder, Gallbladder) manage the transformation and elimination of bodily substances.
03
Il Qi (氣) – L'energia vitale
Il Qi è l’energia che scorre attraverso il corpo e sostiene ogni funzione vitale. Quando il Qi è in equilibrio, il corpo è sano; quando è bloccato, carente o eccessivo, si manifestano malattie e disturbi. Il Qi circola lungo i meridiani, canali energetici che connettono gli organi e le diverse parti del corpo.
01
Yin and Yang (陰陽) – Universal dualism
The concept of Yin and Yang describes the dual and complementary nature of everything. Yin is the passive, cold, dark and feminine principle, while Yang is the active, hot, bright and masculine principle. Health depends on the harmony between these two poles: an imbalance leads to dysfunction and disease.
02
The Five Elements (五行) – Wu Xing
TCM is also based on the theory of the Five Elements, which describe the interactions between different aspects of nature and the human body. Each element is associated with specific organs, emotions, flavors and seasons:
Wood (木) – Liver, Gallbladder | Spring | Anger | Sour Taste
Fire (火) – Heart, Small Intestine | Summer | Joy | Bitter Taste
Earth (土) – Spleen, Stomach | Late Summer | Worry | Sweet Taste
Metal (金) – Lungs, Large Intestine | Autumn | Sadness | Pungent Taste
Water (水) – Kidneys, Bladder | Winter | Fear | Salty Taste
These elements interact according to cycles of generation (for example, Wood nourishes Fire) and control (for example, Metal dominates Wood), thus maintaining balance in the body.
04
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a thousand-year-old medical system rooted in Taoist philosophy and based on a holistic approach to health and well-being. Unlike Western medicine, which tends to focus on symptoms and isolated organs, TCM views the body as an interconnected system in which energetic balance is essential to maintaining health.
HOW DOES TCM WORK?
TCM does not only treat the symptoms, but also tries to find the root cause of the disease. A TCM doctor analyzes various aspects of the patient, including:
Observation (face color, tongue)
Listening and smelling (voice, breath, body odor)
Palpation (of the pulses, meridians, skin)
Question (medical history, symptoms, lifestyle)
Based on these elements, the doctor makes a diagnosis according to the theory of Bian Zheng Lun Zhi (辨证论治), or "differentiation of syndromes and personalized treatment".
🔹 WHY IS IT STILL RELEVANT?
Although modern medicine has made great strides, TCM is still widely practiced because it offers a natural and preventive approach to health, aiming to strengthen the body before disease occurs. Furthermore, it is particularly effective for chronic, psychosomatic and functional disorders, where Western medicine often offers only symptomatic solutions.
In essence, TCM reminds us that health is balance, movement and harmony with nature. If Qi flows well and Yin-Yang are in balance, the body can maintain itself in a state of lasting well-being.
THE MAIN THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES OF TCM
Acupuncture (针灸 - Zhēnjiǔ) Uses very thin needles inserted into acupuncture points along the meridians to rebalance the flow of Qi and relieve pain or discomfort.
Chinese Herbal Medicine (中药 - Zhōngyào) The use of medicinal plants and natural preparations to harmonize energetic imbalances and treat various pathologies.
Chinese Dietetics (中医食疗 - Shíliáo) Each food has an energetic quality and an action on the body; the choice of foods is made based on the state of health and the season.
Tuina (推拿) Therapeutic massage that combines acupressure, joint manipulation and relaxation techniques to improve energy flow.
Qi Gong (气功) and Tai Chi (太极) Movement and breathing practices to strengthen Qi and improve psycho-physical health.