Debunking the Scientific Foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
By
mgh2
The bagel they save for the regulars. Don't skim, savour.
Summary
The article discusses a recent study claiming to reveal the scientific foundation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by analyzing connections between symptoms, proteins, and herbs used in TCM. It highlights the limitations and implausibility of TCM, emphasizing the variability of herbal mixtures and the historical reinvention of TCM by Mao Zedong. The study's findings are contextualized within the broader skepticism towards TCM's effectiveness and reliability.
Key quotes
· 3 pulled"Scientists find traditional Chinese medicine is based on a complex network of proteins – 3,000 years before modern science."
"Connecting TCM to the modern biomedical literature is challenging, due to the absence of the concept of ‘disease’ in TCM."
"TCM focuses on symptoms, not diseases. This is because whatever is wrong with the body is claimed to be due to blockages in the flow of qi, a presumed life force for which there is no evidence."
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