TCM in Everyday Life
Chinese Medical Cosmetology
Chinese medical cosmetology has a long and glorious history in China.
During the Qin and Han Period (221BC-220AD), Chinese medical cosmetology
established its theory with some fruitful methods.
Under the Sui and Tang Period (581-907), aiming to delay aging and ensure
health, Chinese medical cosmetology initially formed its discipline and became
an independent subject. Against this background, while using some external
medicament, people began to apply a synthetic technique of medicine intake with
dietotherapy, massage,
and so on.
During the Ming and Qing Period (1368-1911), Chinese medical cosmetology was
widespread in the whole county and more than 500 herbs for cosmetology were
recorded.
The method for Chinese medical cosmetology can be divided into five species
of natural therapeutics -- Chinese medicine, dietotherapy, acupuncture,
massage, and qigong.
Each kind also contains many specific methods. For example, medicament
cosmetology includes both inner body aspects and outer body aspects (such as
outside pasting (on the skin), washing, and so on).
Banting
The general method for Chinese medical banting (losing weight via Bantingism,
which is a diet that shuns eating food with a lot of oil and sugar) includes
acupuncture, massage, and taking Chinese herbs. TCM believes that obesity is a
kind of disease that is caused by many reasons and that is a manifestation of
unbalanced inner organs.
The main principle for acupuncture is dredging the vital energy and blood.
The adjustment of some main acupuncture points in areas, like the liver, spleen,
and stomach, can improve the function of internal organs and increase
metabolism, thereby achieving the goal of losing weight and maintaining
health.
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