Don't Say Ancient Medicine Isn't Scientific! From Shang Dynasty Decoctions to Ming Dynasty Orthopedics: Ancient Wisdom You Can Never Surpass

Ancient medical miracles that will absolutely shock you!

From Shamanic medicine and corpse preservation to the casting of acupuncture bronze statues and cleft lip repair, let this book take you on a journey through ancient medicine starting from the origins of pharmacology.

▎A State-Building Healer: The All-Around Chef Born a Slave!

When King Tang of Shang married a woman from the Youshen clan, her dowry slave Yi Yin was a master of cooking. Due to his talents in statecraft, he was appreciated by the King, serving first as a minor official and later as Prime Minister. With Yi Yin's assistance, Tang gathered power and eventually overthrew the Xia to establish the Shang Dynasty. Because Yi Yin lived among slaves, he came into contact with much knowledge regarding ingredients that served as both food and medicine. Not only did he master exquisite cooking techniques, but he also summarized significant therapeutic experiences. Huangfu Mi of the Jin Dynasty even attributed the creation of "decoctions" (tangye) to Yi Yin.

▎An Ancient Emergency Manual: Convenient Enough to Hang on Your Elbow?

Ge Hong authored medical texts, first completing the "Jade Box Formulas." However, the work was voluminous and difficult to carry or search quickly. Thus, Ge Hong imitated the style of previous "emergency formulas," extracting the essence of the "Jade Box Formulas" to compile the three volumes of "Emergency Formulas to Keep Up One's Sleeve" (Zhouhou Beiji Fang). The title "Behind the Elbow" indicates it could be hung on the arm, symbolizing its portability. Created specifically for emergencies, the book chose simple, proven formulas and affordable, easily obtainable drugs, making it suitable for treating acute illnesses in poor, rural households.

▎Corpse Preservation Isn't Just for Mummies: Let's Talk About Scented Wine Baths!

As ancestor worship intensified, rulers and patriarchs sought to preserve their bodies perfectly after death. Through practice, people summarized many methods for treating corpses and sealing tombs. Mature techniques existed as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. The "Rites of Zhou" and "Book of Rites" both record rituals using "Chang Wine" to bathe the corpse. This wine, brewed from tulip grass and black millet, provided excellent preservative effects while ensuring the body maintained a certain fragrant aroma.

▎Ancient People Had Appearance Concerns Too: Plastic Surgery in the Jin Dynasty?

The "Book of Jin: Biography of Wei Yongzhi" records a cleft lip repair performed by an anonymous doctor for Wei Yongzhi. In the 9th century, an intellectual passed the imperial examination but was disqualified due to his "unseemly appearance" (congenital cleft lip). In his old age, he met a master of lip repair and requested surgery, which was successful. According to the "Chronicle of Tang Poetry," this doctor performed repair surgeries for over ten cleft lip patients with excellent results.

Book Features: This book begins with the origins of medicine and hygiene, supplemented by detailed historical data, legends, and mythological accounts. Traditional Chinese medicine is incredibly rich in content, with a wealth of classical literature, numerous effective medical techniques, and unique theoretical characteristics. With patience, you will develop a strong interest in its rich content. Through this book, readers can gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of ancient medicine.