The Practice and Predicament of the Ancient Daoist Medical Therapy "Distributing External Qi"
"Distributing External Qi" was a component of ancient Daoist medical practices in China. It was believed that individuals with abundant qi could transfer it to patients with "insufficient qi," promoting the circulation of qi within the patient's body to cure diseases. This m...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | zho |
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Editorial Office of Medicine and Philosophy
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Yixue yu zhexue |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://yizhe.dmu.edu.cn/article/doi/10.12014/j.issn.1002-0772.2025.02.14 |
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| Summary: | "Distributing External Qi" was a component of ancient Daoist medical practices in China. It was believed that individuals with abundant qi could transfer it to patients with "insufficient qi," promoting the circulation of qi within the patient's body to cure diseases. This method was thought to treat illnesses affecting the "four limbs and five viscera," improve physical constitution, and address various complex conditions. The practice adhered to the principle of "treatment based on syndrome differentiation" and had specific operational guidelines, such as maintaining symmetrical positioning and contact between the practitioner and the patient. However, the historical application of "qi distribution" was limited, and its transmission faced challenges. On one hand, practitioners require rigorous training in "holding qi" and "operating qi". On the other hand, many practitioners prioritized preserving their own vital energy in pursuit of "longevity" and "immortality," leading to passive or oppositional attitudes toward the act of transferring qi to others. |
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| ISSN: | 1002-0772 |