In short, TCM has shown its unique charm in Nashville, a city in the heart of the United States. Through the exploration and practice of “Qi Culture”, TCM is expected to bring a healthier lifestyle to people in the southern United States, and also make a positive contribution to the exchange and integration of Chinese and American cultures.
IV. The Connection of Ancient Babylonian Health Care to Appalachian Folk Remedies
(1) The history and value of health care in ancient Babylon
Located in present-day Iraq, ancient Babylon has been a meeting place of various nationalities, religions and cultures since ancient times, and an important transit point for commercial trade and economic exchanges. This multicultural exchange and blending greatly contributed to the development of health care in ancient Babylon.
In ancient Babylonian society, health care was seen as an important cause. The early culture was highly developed, people valued life, respected health, and accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge in health care. The society at that time was a monarchical city-state, and the aristocracy generally attached great importance to health care, had strict health and hygiene habits, and focused on disease prevention and treatment.
The medical knowledge and theoretical system of ancient Babylon still has important enlightenment and reference value in the field of contemporary medicine. People have a deep understanding of health and disease, and believe that human health is closely related to blood, mucus, breath, spirit and other factors, and only by coordinating and opening up the balance between these factors can we maintain health. In the medical literature, the human brain, liver, lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys and other organs are accurately described, and their functions are also accurately explained in medical treatment. Ancient Babylon also used a variety of medical techniques such as acupuncture, dietary therapy, herbal therapy, etc., which are now commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. In addition, the ancient Babylonians also had a strong focus on health care and had a wealth of practical experience.
Doctors in ancient Babylon were highly trained to effectively diagnose diseases, notice unusual phenomena in the body’s physiological processes, and treat them with remedies or surgery. They also developed a number of herbs and remedies that are still used today as folk remedies.
(ii) Implications for Appalachian folk remedies
Ancient Babylonian health care has many implications for Appalachian folk remedies. First, in its understanding of health and disease, the ancient Babylonian emphasis on the balance of the body’s elements is similar to Appalachia’s emphasis on nature and tradition. Appalachian folk remedies with herbal treatments, such as lobelia, oregano, chaparal, and eucalyptus, are similar to those of ancient Babylon. The accurate description and functional interpretation of human organs by the ancient Babylonians may also provide a reference for Appalachian folk medicine in understanding the relationship between the human body and disease.