Taoist Medical Research In Song Dynasty

In the history of China,there is not only a rich knowledge and system of traditional Chinese medicine,but also a large number of cultural connotations of traditional medicine in Taoism.Since ancient times,there has been a saying that "medicine and Taoism share the same origin".The use and practice of medicine are not only reflected in traditional medicine,but also widely used and influenced in Taoism."Taoist medicine" is a unique medical knowledge system formed during the development of Taoism,mainly including herbs,medical prescriptions Acupuncture and moxibustion,Daoyin,Inner Alchemy,Outer Alchemy and many other aspects have the same parts as Chinese traditional medicine and also have their own characteristics.Its medical theories mainly include the theory of the vitality of all things,the theory of the correspondence between heaven and man,the theory of yin and yang essence,and the theory of ghosts and gods causing diseases.The origin of Taoist medicine can be traced back to the primitive society.Ancient medical practices,primitive witchcraft,immortal alchemy,Taoist thought,and traditional medical knowledge constitute the foundation of Taoist medicine.After the emergence of Taoism,Taoist medicine has been enriched and developed with the development of Taoism and social history.The Taoist medicine of the Song Dynasty underwent significant development and changes,presenting new content and characteristics.With the decline of external alchemy in the late Tang and Five Dynasties,the Taoist theory of internal alchemy began to flourish in the Song Dynasty,forming different factions such as the Southern and Northern sects of internal alchemy.Taoist practice shifted from seeking external alchemy to focusing on the human body itself.On the other hand,the knowledge of Taoist medicine in the Song Dynasty was further enriched and developed,resulting in numerous works on Taoist medicine and health preservation.The "Materia Medica of Syndrome Types" and "Materia Medica of Illustrated Meaning" describe the Taoist baiting effects of various drugs.The "Eight Meridians Classic" elaborates on the important role of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in the human body.The "Cui’s Mai Jue" establishes a diagnostic system based on the four meridians.Works such as "Mixed Customs Yi Sheng Lu","On Life Taking Information",and "Xiu Zhen Mi Lu" explain the prevention of diseases and the ways to nourish oneself from multiple perspectives,The book mainly absorbs Taoist health practice and TCM health knowledge,discusses the important principles and methods of daily health care,and greatly increases the relationship between Taoist medicine and traditional Chinese medicine."Taoist doctors" generally refer to doctors who used Taoist medical theories and techniques to treat diseases and save people.In the Song Dynasty,there were many stories about the practice of Taoist doctors in treating diseases,including some well-known doctors such as Wang Huaiyin,Ma Zhi,Huang Futan,etc.These Taoist doctors had certain contacts with emperors and scholars,directly or indirectly spreading Taoist medical culture;In addition,there are many Taoist doctors practicing medicine for the ordinary people in the lower society.These Taoist doctors mostly treat patients with positive behaviors,demonstrating the ideological characteristics of valuing people over benefits.They have supplemented certain medical resources and expanded the influence of Taoist medical culture.The emperors of the Song Dynasty mostly used Taoism to maintain the rule of the dynasty.While managing it,they also provided Taoism with a relatively loose political condition.In addition to the personal preferences of the emperors and a series of activities of worshipping Taoism,Taoism gained significant development in the Song Dynasty.The stable political and social environment also promoted the development of Taoist medicine,internal alchemy,health preservation,and other theories.At the same time,the rulers of the Song Dynasty also paid more attention to medicine.A series of factors,such as the increase in social mobility and the development of culture,made the Song Dynasty display a relatively unique political and social environment of "advocating medicine" and "valuing medicine".Some Taoist doctors communicated with the upper class and civil society,and traditional medicine and Taoist medicine learned from each other,achieving a deeper integration and interaction between Taoist medicine and the society of the Song Dynasty.