Traditional Chinese
Medicine
English 2 (ESP 0205)
Research Paper
H’ng Xuan Ning(0310110)
Lim Fang Shiuan(0310399)
Wong Zi Xiu(0309732)
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Names of group members: H’ng Xuan Ning, Wong Zi Xiu, Lim Fang Shiuan, Xavier Ooi 1
Xavier Ooi(0307620)
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Names of group members: H’ng Xuan Ning, Wong Zi Xiu, Lim Fang Shiuan, Xavier Ooi 2
Table of Contents
No. Title Page no.1 The Research Proposal2 Report3 Biblography4 Appendix
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The Research Proposal
Name: H’ng Xuan Ning, Lim Fang Shiuan, Wong Zi Xiu, Xavier Ooi
Class: English 2
Period: TUES &THURS
INTRODUCTION:
Our research is about the Traditional Chinese Medicine businesses in Klang.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. How old is the shop?2. Which generation is currently handling the business since the business started?3. How many kinds of herbs do the shop has?4. Which kind of people that come and buy the TCM?5. What makes the shop famous?6. What is the good of TCM?7. How is the business lately?8. What do the customers mainly buy?9. Where do you get the herbs from?10. Why are you doing this business?11. Where are you from?12. What is the most expensive herbs in the shop?13. Are you a TCM practitioner?
METHODOLOGY:
We planned to carry out the research by interviewing the owners of the shops. We prepared a list of questions and noted down the answers and other important information.
CONCLUSION:
We hope to get a lot of information regarding the shops, the owners, and TCM. We also hope that the interviews can be carried out well.
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Report
English two was one of the most enjoyable subjects in semester two. As the final
assignment, we were given a task to research on a type of business that is at least fifteen to twenty years
of experience. The site that we were required to research on was Klang. We decided to research on
traditional Chinese medicine. We took this opportunity to research on traditional Chinese medicine because
we think that traditional Chinese medicine is slowly fading out in the modern era. As we all can see,
western medicine is developing at great efficiency in terms of speed and effectiveness making them to take
over the market as the monopoly. People are more likely to use western medicine as it provides faster
recovery compared to traditional Chinese medicine that is slower. Besides that, western and modern
Chinese medicine comes with pills and liquid form that has different flavor making it is easy to be
consumed especially for kids , while traditional Chinese medicine need to be boiled for long hours, it is a
waste of time as when it comes to recovering from illness, every second counts. Besides that, the taste and
the smell of traditional Chinese medicine is quite strong, making younger generations refuse to take it even
before looking at it. Teenagers nowadays are not only interested in Chinese medicine, but also reluctant to
consume any bit of if as they find it dull, disgusting and useless. These are the reasons why many of the
traditional Chinese medicine shops close down as they have no newer generation to succeed their
businesses.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a broad range of medicine practices sharing common
theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000
years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and dietary therapy.
“During the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, with the development of economy and culture and the
improvement of material civilization, people had already begun paying attention to the health care and the
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prevention of disease.” (Chen & Wang, 1999, p. 25) The doctrines of Chinese medicine are rooted in books
such as the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon (Huang Di Nei Jing) and the Treatise on Cold Damage Disorder
(Shang Han Lun), as well as in cosmological notions like yin-yang and the five phases. Huang Di Nei Jing
(Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) is the earliest and most important written work of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. It was compiled over 2,200 years ago during the Warring States period (475-221 BC) and is
regarded as the fundamental and most representative medical text. (UNESCO, 2011) “TCM therapeutics
principles: “to prevent diseases before its onset”, “to focus on the principal cause of disease”, “to restore
the yin-yang balance by proper regulation”, “to stress the overall regulating of qi and blood in treatment”
and proper therapies are decided according to individually.” (Men and Guo, 2010, p. 14) TCM's view of the
body places little emphasis on anatomical structures, but is mainly concerned with the identification of
functional entities such as regulating digestion, breathing and aging. Health is perceived as harmonious
interaction of these entities and the outside world, disease is interpreted as a disharmony in interaction.
(Wu & Fischer, 1997) TCM diagnosis consists in tracing symptoms to patterns of an underlying
disharmony, mainly by palpating the pulse and inspecting the tongue. It can also be done by looking at
Shen(Spirit), and body(appearance). (Chen, 2004) By doing so, the practitioner can determine the overall
state and prognosis of an imbalance. Observation is very important in TCM therapies, as by observing, the
TCM practitioner can find out what is wrong about the patient and provide treatment according to the
constitution of an individual. “When Yin is stabilized and Yang well-conserved, the spirit will be in harmony;
separation of Yin and Yang results in exhaustion of essential Qi.” (Zhu & Wang, 2010, p. 25) Yin and Yang
represent two abstract and complementary aspects that every phenomenon in the universe can be divided
into. Primordial analogies for these aspects are the sun-facing (yang) and the shady (yin) side of a hill. Two
other commonly used representational allegories of yin and yang are water and fire. Yin and Yang are
infinitely divisible. Why is it so? As there is Yin-Yang within Yin and Yang. Between Yin and Yang also has
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a dynamic mutual transforming relation. As the situation changes, Yin can transform into Yang and the
other way around. Yin and Yang are not only in opposition but also in unity. The balance of Yin and Yang
eventually leads to harmony. The concept of Yin and Yang can also be applied to human body. For
example, the upper part of the body and the back are assigned to yang, while the lower part of the body is
believed to have the yin character. Yin and yang characterization also extends to the various body
functions, and – more importantly – to disease symptoms (e.g., cold and heat sensations are assumed to
be yin and yang symptoms, respectively). The deficiency of Yin will lead to Yang diseases and the
deficiency of Yang will lead to Yin diseases. (Zhu & Wang, 2010, p. 25) Five Phases Theory is equally
important in TCM. Five Phases Theory can also be translated as the "Five Elements" theory, presumes that
all phenomena of the universe and nature can be broken down into five elemental qualities – represented
by wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Strict rules are identified to apply to the relationships between the
Five Phases in terms of sequence, of acting on each other, of counteraction etc. The five phases mutually
engender one another. Wood engenders fire, fire engenders earth, earth engenders metal, metal
engenders water and, water engenders wood. The five Phases also mutually restrain one another. Wood
restrains earth, earth restrain water, water restrain fire, fire restrains metal, and metal restrain wood. (Bob,
Micheal & Timothy, 1994, p. 16, 17) All these aspects of Five Phases theory constitute the basis of the
zang fu concept, and thus have great influence regarding the TCM model of the body. Five Phase theory is
also applied in diagnosis and therapy. The primary functional entities used by traditional Chinese medicine
are Qi, Xue(Blood), the five Zang(five viscera) organs, the six Fu(six bowels) organs, and the meridians
which extend through the organ systems. These are all theoretically interconnected: each Zang organ is
paired with a Fu organ, which are nourished by the blood and concentrate Qi for a particular function, with
meridians being extensions of those functional systems throughout the body. Herbal Medicines are usually
used in TCM. Typically, one batch of medicines is prepared as a decoction of about 9 to 18 substances.
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Some of these are considered as main herbs, some as ancillary herbs. Within the ancillary herbs, up to
three categories can be distinguished, raw materials, animal substances and human body parts. The main
medications used are examining the pulse and tongue and also the use of acupuncture. Other minor
therapies used in TCM are Tui na, Qi gong, Cupping, Gua sha, Tie da. All these treatments are used to
harmonize the Yin and Yang, to regulate the Qi and also vitalize the Xue. In the Traditional Chinese
Medicine viewpoint, a healthy person has a balanced and harmonious Yin and Yang.
During our entire journey in Klang, we
had a chance interview three of the oldest
traditional Chinese medicine shops. The
shops are 'Thye San', 'Thye Loy' and 'Thye
Fung'. Our very first shop that we came
across was ‘Thye San’. We then started
interviewing the owner of 'Thye San', 'Thye
San' has more than 12 years of business
experience in this line. The business has been passed down to the second generation that is the current
owner of the business. The owner of the shop is a traditional Chinese medical doctor himself where he
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studied in Guangzhou, China back in his younger age. He studied about traditional Chinese medicine there.
Once back in Malaysia, he then decided to start this business as he has loadfull of knowledge and interest
towards this field. His shop has seven hundred to eight hundred types of traditional herbs. The most
expensive herb in his shop is ginseng. We also questioned him on where sis he get his herbs from or do he
create his own type of medicine. According to him, he buys raw herbs from an agent that import herbs from
China and premix them together to cure certain specific illness. Besides selling herbs, he also sell groceries
such as breads, drinks, sesame seeds, liqour and many more for the convenience of his customers.
Customers that buy herbs from him come from all types races. Most of them come for herbs and soup
ingredients that are used to make Chinese herbal soup and herbal drinks. The owner also stated that
traditional Chinese medicine can cure almost all types of sickness without having any side effects. Anyone
can drink herbal drinks even though they have no sickness as it is also good for health. The owner also
said that the business is not as good compare to the olden days. This makes the economy not bright these
few years. The main reason is because the western and modern Chinese medicine is taking over the
market. Many older generation patients still seek him for medication as they trust him to be more
experienced in this traditional Chinese medicine line. We also got to ask and interview a few of his
customer and most of the customers that seek for medication from him told us that the owner is a good
traditional medication doctor and they will always come back looking for him not only to seek for curing
illness but for chit-chatting. This is because, many of his customers like to listen to his olden days stories of
his lives and how many thanked him for saving their lives. Moreover, they also said that he is a good
listener and adviser. His shop is always filled with laughter as the old folks enjoy themselves there very
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much.
Later that day, as we walked around
Klang town, we found and interviewed the
second shop named 'Thye Loy'. 'Thye Loy'
has over twenty years of history in business
and medication. Same as 'Thye San', it has
been passed to the second generation as
they remain as family business. This, the
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second shop, provides more than a thousand types of herbs. The most valuable item would be antler (deer)
and 'chang bai san' ginseng, it costs approximately four thousand each. Customers that visits this shop
comes from all races, majority of them are Chinese following by Malays then Indians. Many of the
customers come for the cure of 'huang dan bing' also known as jaundice. Jaundice is a sickness is caused
by hyperbilirubinemia. Jaundice is often seen in liver disease such as hepatitis or liver cancer. Many
patients that have that sickness ware told by hospitals that their sickness are unable to be cured. They
came to seek for help and advice then go for second solution into trying traditional medicine. Some of the
patients’ illness cured after consuming the traditional Chinese medicine that was recommended for a period
of time. The best part of these traditional medicines is that there is no side effect even after recovering. As
expected, the business is quite bad these few years. It got worse when there were less foreigners coming
in to town, making their business limited to the old folks surrounding. For now, the business has reaches its
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lowest peak and there is no sign of recovery in this business soon.
'Thye Fung' was the last shop we interviewed. This shop started its business in the year of 1971.
This shop has been operating for forty one years. Before moving to the current shop, there was another
shop that was at origin of this business right opposite of the Klang River. It moved to the new location ten
years back. This business also has been passed to the second generation. The owner stated that he is also
training his children so that they will be well prepared to take over the business. The first owner that started
this business studied herbs for the entire journey of his life making him to start off with this business having
intention to help those in needs of illness. This shop also has more than a thousand of herbs available,
herbal tea has the highest demand from customers as it is good for health no matter whether you are sick
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or not. Customers can get the medicine
with recipes provided by the owner. The
owner also sells herds that are already
premixed in a set so that it is more
convenient and can attract more
customers. The most expensive herbs in
the shop is cordyceps, it costs roughly
five thousand each, depending on the weight. Cordyceps are good for lungs infection, coughing and helps
almost the entire body. Same as the other shops, its customer comes from all races. We also got the
opportunity to ask the customers why they would want to continue consuming traditional Chinese medicine
compared to the modern or western medicine. The answer given were because there are no side effects
after consuming traditional Chinese medicine and they can take as much as they want to be healthy without
worrying anything wrong will happen to them. When we asked the owner how the business is going on
these days, his also gave the same expression of answer as well. He says that his business has drop
drastically for more than 30% over the years and the reasons given was the same as the two shops we
interviewed before this. He said that he hoped that more people will educate themselves about the benefits
of traditional Chinese medicine and support it. He also wished and hoped that traditional Chinese medicine
will not extinct in the future.
Traditional Chinese medicine is a huge role in the Chinese culture, but people in the moderns days
are starting to forget about it, making it to slowly fading away from the modern world. After researching on
traditional Chinese medicine, we found out that it is way better than western and modern Chinese
medicine. Even though it takes a long period of time to recover by consuming traditional Chinese medicine
but it has no side effects and all cells do not just die off compared to the western antibiotic medicine that
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has side effects. We think that the government should have some campaign to promote or increase the
popularity of the importance of traditional Chinese medicine. The Chinese should also promote the use of
Traditional Chinese Medicine to the surrounding people. This is to let people know the benefits of it and that
traditional Chinese medicine still exists in the modern world. We ourselves should also support the
traditional Chinese medicine by buying it and advertise them to our family and friends. We really hope that
this culture will survive in the modern world and even in the future.
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Biblography
Bob, F., Micheal, J., Timothy, R. (1994) Statements of Fact in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Boulder: Blue Poppy Press
Chen, P., & Wang, Z. G. (1999). History and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Beijing: Science Press
Chen, P. (2004). Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Taos: Complementary Medicine Press.
Men, J. Z. & Guo, L. (Eds.). (2010). A General Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Boca Raton: CRC Press
UNESCO, 2011. Huang Di Nei Jing 《黄帝内经》 (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon). [online] Available at <http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-4/huang-di-nei-jing-yellow-emperors-inner-canon/> [Accessed 20 January 2013]
Wu, Y., Fischer, W. (1997). Practical Therapeutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Taos: Paradigm Publications.
Zhu, B. & Wang H. C. (Eds.). (2010) Basic Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine. London & Philadelphia: Singing Dragon
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Meeting Title
MINUTES 20 DECEMBER 2012 8PM-10PM XAVIER’S HOUSE
MEETING CALLED BY
Xavier Ooi Win Yang
TYPE OF MEETINGProject Meeting Minute
FACILITATORH’ng Xuan Ning
NOTE TAKERWong Zi Xiu
TIMEKEEPERLim Fang Shiuan
ATTENDEESXavier Ooi Win Yang, H’ng Xuan Ning, Wong Zi Xiu, Lim Fang Shiuan
Agenda topics8PM-8.30PM HOW TO DO THE REPORT WONG ZI XIU
DISCUSSIONBrainstorming on how to do the report
CONCLUSIONS
We decided to break the report into few parts and everyone do his own part of the
report and we will combine the works together
ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Dividing report into few part H,ng Xuan Ning 25-12-12
8.30PM-10PM LIM FANG SHIUAN
DISCUSSIONDividing the info we got from Klang and extra information for the report
CONCLUSIONS
We successfully divided the info and assign someone to find extra info from the net
ACTION ITEMS PERSON RESPONSIBLE DEADLINE
Getting extra information form the web Lim Fang Shiuan 25-12-12
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