This book explains the ideas and practice of Chinese medicine from its beginnings in antiquity to today. Paul U. Unschuld describes medicine's close connection with politics and society, bringing together texts, techniques, and worldviews to understand changing Chinese attitudes toward healing and the significance of traditional medicine today.
Unschuld's critique of Chinese medicine (past and present) provides readers with a very useful resource for understanding the development of Chinese medicine and for thinking about the future of TCM and its incorporation into Western health care systems.