"Great Medicine eradicates karma.
High Medicine cures future diseases.
Intermediate Medicine cures present diseases.
Low Medicine applies static methods.
Inferior Medicine takes peoples’ lives."
Taoist medicine is a complex system that perceives man as a unity of heaven and earth, emphasising the principles of Jing 精(essence) Qi 氣 (energy) and Shen 神 (mind), and constant play of the 5 Elements (Wu Xing 五行).
It comprises a collection of special contents, medical skills and techniques that are cultivated and protected by the highly virtuous Taoist temple priests. Some of this knowledge is transmitted outside of religious Taoism forming basis for the Traditional Chinese Medicine as known and used today. It is only limited circle of people in China who still cultivates the whole spectrum of the skills used in Taoist medicine. The transmissions of this knowledge are mainly limited to specific lineages inside of Taoist schools. Although some knowledge is considered as secret and is transmitted only to chosen disciple after decades of hard practice, all Taoist schools share cultivation of the Tao and the variety of arts that are considered as a source and way to Tao.
Traditional Taoist healers are very restrictive in terms of passing on knowledge and healing. They follow the rule:
“Heal people who beg for cure;
Save people who have virtue;
Deliver people, who have this destiny.”
Some of methods used in Daoist medicine:
Exercise healing methods:
QiGong
Longevity Taiji
DaoYin (Taoist Yoga)
Material healing methods:
Herbal medicine
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Moxibustion
Cupping
Guasha
Taoist massage
Fire healing
Non Material healing methods:
Music and Sounds
Rituals and Ceremonies
Mantras & Mudras