A Phylogenetic Study On Brain Theory Of TCM

Objective: The paper aims to study the occurrence,development and evolution of brain theory of traditional Chinese medicine,trying to explore the treatment of modern encephalopathy in terms of TCM.Methods: The study employs the methods of phylogenetics,literature research and information retrieval.By referring to medicine classics and searching modern literature,the paper systemizes brain theory with reference to relevant philosophical works,Daoism in particular.Conclusion: The brain theory of TCM originates from Canon of Medicine and Taoism,which is influenced by Taoism and Western medicine in its further development.TCM does not pay much attention to brain,insisting the heart governing mental activity instead,which is a synthetic result of anatomy,ancient philosophy,feudal etiquette and clinical practice.Daoism insists that the brain governs mental activity,which is associated with meditation practice of religion and theology.Western medicine insists that the brain and the heart govern mental activity together,which is related to anatomy.However,both Daoism and western medicine differ from TCM in the recognition of the brain,and thus,both are not included in the theoretical system of TCM.TCM regards the brain as a part of visceral manifestation theory,and it is mainly illustrated in Canon of medicine,in which the brain is known as an extraordinary fu organ and sea of marrow,associated with vision and audition.In clinical practice,deficiency or excess must be identified before the treatment of encephalopathy.Deficiency syndrome mainly manifests as the deficiency of zang-fu organs,and thus warm and restorative medication are preferred,while excess syndrome is mainly caused by the invasion of wind,cold and dampness pathogen,and thus pungent medication with dispersing effect is preferred in treatment.TCM insists that the treatment of encephalopathy should be based on five zang organs,the heart in particular,namely heart governing mental activity.