Are the longevity and vitality of traditional Chinese
medicine (TCM) due to its holistic approach? Indeed, Chinese medicine is not
simply about treating illness, but rather about taking care of the whole
person—body, mind, and spirit. According to an analysis¹ of TCM’s origins and
development by Lin Shi from Beijing Normal University and Chenguang Zhang from
Southwest Minzu University in China, traditional Chinese medicine is profoundly
influenced by Chinese philosophy and religion. To date, modern science has been
unable to explain the mechanisms behind TCM’s effects. The study is published
online in Springer's journal Pastoral Psychology, in a special issue² dedicated
to the psychology of religion in China.