The holism refers to the unity and the integration of the body and the relationship of the natural world to the human being. The body and the external environment together create an organic whole, and the body itself is an epitomizing of Universe. The holism of TCM includes two aspects:
(1) The body itself is an organic whole
There are various viscera, tissues and organs with separate functions in our body. These interact together to make up an entire system to maintain itself through the coordination and balance of its physiology. The interrelationship is formed by the zang-fu as the center, and is brought into existence through the connection of meridian system. The system is concretely bound in physiological, pathological, diagnostic, therapeutic aspects.
(2) Unification of human and Natural World
The changes of the natural world have direct and indirect influence on the body, and the body keeps connection with natural environment through various sense organs. TCM believes that the heaven has six climatic agents, including three yin qi and three yang qi, and the motion of five elements. There are also six meridians qi including three yin qi and three yang qi, as well as the movement of five zang-viscera in human body. So “Man harmonizes with the heaven and the earth, corresponds with Sun and Moon.â€
Key words: TCM, Holism
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