EBE Chapter 159 The Long Road of Medicine
Chapter 159 The Long Road of Medicine
"Doctor Zhang, I want to learn more about ancient medicine." Her serious tone revealed a bit of earnestness.
Doctor Zhang raised his head, his eyes wandered over her face, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Okay, since you have such a pursuit, let's start from the beginning. Where do you want to start?"
"I want to learn how to identify the properties of herbs." Chen Fang's voice was firm, and his eyes were shining with a desire for knowledge.
"Herbs are not simple. Each of them has its own unique properties and uses." Doctor Zhang put down the book in his hand and sighed slightly, "For example, here I have several commonly used medicinal materials." He pointed to the medicine cabinet beside him, where many herbs were neatly arranged.
"Can you introduce them to me in detail?" Chen Fang couldn't wait to approach the cabinet, her eyes full of curiosity.
"Of course." Doctor Zhang walked to the medicine cabinet, took out a small bag of comfrey, and spread it on Chen Fang's palm. "Comfrey is mainly used to clear away heat and detoxify, and treat some skin diseases. Try to smell it, it exudes a light and elegant fragrance."
Chen Fang leaned closer and sniffed carefully, her expression focused: "This smell is really good, so how do you use it?"
"It is usually boiled in water, or it can be ground into powder and applied to the affected area. If you want to use it as a decoction, you need to pay attention to the dosage." Doctor Zhang explained, his eyes moving across Chen Fang's face, as if observing her reaction.
"I remember them. Are there any others?" Chen Fang asked excitedly.
Doctor Zhang took out several medicinal herbs and introduced them to her one by one. During his detailed explanation, Chen Fang was gradually attracted by the knowledge and time passed by unknowingly.
"This is ginseng, a precious herb that replenishes qi and nourishes blood; and this is angelica, which is specially used to treat irregular menstruation." Doctor Zhang arranged the herbs neatly, his eyes revealing his love and dedication to medicine.
"I've heard of Angelica. Can you tell me how to identify the authenticity of these herbs?" Chen Fang's desire for knowledge became stronger and stronger.
Doctor Zhang nodded slightly, his face showing satisfaction: "This is a good question. To identify the authenticity of herbs, we must first observe their color and shape. For example, the authentic angelica root is brown-yellow in color, tough in texture, and has a plump and elastic root. The fake ones are often dark in color and irregular in shape."
"So, are there any particular requirements for the storage of medicinal herbs?" Chen Fang asked.
"Of course. Most herbs should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight, otherwise they will easily deteriorate." Doctor Zhang shook his head and said solemnly, "At the same time, it is best to store large quantities of herbs in bamboo baskets or pottery jars to reduce the chance of contact with the outside air."
"These details really opened my eyes." Chen Fang's face was filled with excitement. She looked up and asked Dr. Zhang: "Then how should I memorize and review the herbs?"
"The knowledge in books is always limited. I suggest you make medicine yourself." Doctor Zhang said in a gentle tone and with a soft look in his eyes, "With practice, you will find the subtle differences between herbs. This is the only way to master it."
These words touched Chen Fang's heart. She clenched her hands and made a secret decision in her heart: I must study hard and become an excellent doctor!
"Doctor Zhang, can you teach me the process of making medicine?" she asked excitedly.
"Okay, let's start with the basics today." Doctor Zhang stood up and walked to the backyard, followed by Chen Fang. The backyard was full of colorful flowers and plants, and the air was filled with a fresh scent.
"Look, here are some common medicinal herbs. Next, we will try to prepare a simple decoction called 'Yin Yang Qingre Decoction'." Doctor Zhang began to assign tasks and materials. "Come, weigh these herbs."
"Okay, I'll be there right away!" Chen Fang answered as she carefully sorted out the materials, with a strong passion for learning surging in her heart.
Following Dr. Zhang's guidance, Chen Fang gradually became familiar with the processing and proportioning of herbs. Her seriousness and concentration made the whole process full of energy. She often asked Dr. Zhang for relevant knowledge, and Dr. Zhang answered her one by one, occasionally adding some interesting things in life, making learning easy and enjoyable.
"You did a great job. Remember, medical skills require not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience." Doctor Zhang nodded with satisfaction. When he saw Chen Fang's serious attitude, he couldn't help but feel secretly relieved.
Xiao Li nodded at the side, like a student who just understood something, with a gleam of curiosity in his eyes: "Doctor Zhang, what ancient medical books have you read? Are they really so magical?"
"There are many," Doctor Zhang paused and said with a smile, "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, and Compendium of Materia Medica, each of which is like a treasure. Every time I read it, I gain new insights."
Xiao Li licked his lips, and seemed to be full of curiosity about these books: "What are they talking about? How do they teach us how to treat diseases?"
Doctor Zhang sat on a rattan chair, rocking gently, thinking for a moment: "Ancient medicine emphasizes harmony, focusing on the balance of yin and yang, and the five elements. For example, the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine mentions 'people-oriented', advocating that doctors should respect the constitution and symptoms of each patient and tailor treatment plans for each patient."
"And the Five Elements Theory tells us that wood, fire, earth, metal, and water interact with each other, and symptoms are often related to the imbalance of these elements." Doctor Zhang's voice gradually became firm. "When we look at diseases, we should not only look at the symptoms, but also consider the patient's overall condition."
Xiao Li was lost in thought and suddenly asked, "Then, Doctor Zhang, can you teach me some specific treatment methods? I want to know how to apply these ancient wisdoms."
Doctor Zhang smiled and was secretly happy: "This has to start with the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases. In the book, Zhang Zhongjing proposed the concept of syndrome differentiation and treatment based on pulse diagnosis. For example, colds are divided into several different types: wind-cold, wind-heat, and summer-dampness, and the treatment methods are also different."
"When you have a cold caused by wind and cold, you need to use ginger soup and red dates to increase the body temperature. When you have wind and heat, you need to use chrysanthemum and honeysuckle to clear away heat and detoxify." Doctor Zhang listed them one by one.
Xiao Li listened attentively, his heart surging with excitement: "These methods sound very simple, but why are they so effective in curing diseases?"
"The key is to prescribe the right medicine for the right condition," Dr. Zhang explained. "Although modern medicine is technologically advanced, it often overlooks this point. For example, the decoctions in Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases are not just a combination of medicinal materials, but a deep understanding of the patient's physical condition."
Just at this moment, there was a knock on the door, interrupting their conversation.
"Come in." Doctor Zhang said with a hint of gentleness in his tone.
The door squeaked open, and Lao Wang quietly walked in, looking a little anxious: "Doctor Zhang, my child has a persistent fever recently, what should I do?"
"How old is your child?" asked Doctor Zhang.
"Just turned five years old." Lao Wang replied.
Doctor Zhang nodded and said meaningfully: "Children are still in the growth and development stage, and their resistance is relatively weak. You should first observe what type of fever it is, such as whether it is an external infection or an internal injury."
"He has been coughing for the past few days, his forehead is very hot, and he has even started to eat less." Old Wang seemed a little at a loss, especially when he mentioned his son's condition, worry flashed in his eyes.
Doctor Zhang immediately stood up and motioned for Xiao Li to accompany him to Lao Wang's home to treat the child in time. "Let's go, let's go take a look and prescribe some medicine for your child."
Xiao Li and Dr. Zhang walked opposite each other, secretly admiring Dr. Zhang's medical skills and sense of responsibility. They came to Lao Wang's home, and Dr. Zhang patiently asked about the child's symptoms and examined him carefully.
"Your son's condition may be caused by a wind-heat cold." Doctor Zhang made a quick judgment, "We need to clear away heat and detoxify now. Prescribe a dose of heat-clearing soup for him."
Lao Wang nodded gratefully: "Thank you, Doctor Zhang, thank you so much."
Doctor Zhang smiled slightly, turned around and said, "I hope you can also remember that this is not just a combination of medicinal flavors, but also a comprehensive understanding of the child's physical constitution."
Xiao Li listened quietly and understood the profoundness and wonder of ancient medicine. He not only admired Dr. Zhang more, but also had a great yearning for the breadth and depth of Chinese medicine. He was determined to go further and further on this path and inherit this ancient and precious wisdom.