Analysis the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine in English literature development in modern history

Ann Palliat Med. 2021 Aug;10(8):9251-9258. doi: 10.21037/apm-21-1820.

Abstract

The large-scale exchange and spread of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the West began in the 17th century. From the first English Chinese medicine book "gout collection" published in London in 1676, the British began to understand the mysterious and ancient oriental medicine of TCM. Britain is one of the earliest countries where TCM began to spread. TCM is an important carrier of China's excellent traditional culture. With the development of the world's medical technology and the continuous improvement of China's cultural soft power, the cross-cultural communication of TCM has become a characteristic business card for China to go to the world. For the research of a work, we must start from the source, so it is very important to first count the history of TCM external communication, and then systematically analyze and study the various phenomena in this history, so as to summarize the experience and inadequacy of TCM external communication process, and provide feasible guidance for future TCM research, And promote the effective development of TCM, and ultimately spread TCM culture to the international community more comprehensively and accurately. Although the greater than 300 hundred years' history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) spreading throughout Britain has been continuously mentioned in literature, studies on the historical development of TCM in Britain are rare. In this paper, the authors gathered information including the chronological statistics and stages of the 300 hundred years' dissemination of TCM in Britain, in order to provide more historical data and research materials for the spread of Chinese medicine in Britain.

Keywords: England; Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); communication; research.

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Communication*
  • London
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*