Encyclopedia/1. The Cosmos & The Natural World/6. Medicine & Human Biology • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Traditional Asian Healing Systems encompass a diverse range of medical practices and philosophies from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kampo, Korean medicine, Tibetan medicine, and Unani, with roots dating back thousands of years and continuing to influence global health today.
Chronological Storyline (44 Milestones)
5000 BCE
Earliest Evidence of Acupuncture
Archaeological findings in China show stone needles (bian) used for therapeutic purposes, marking early acupuncture practices. #history #TCM
Earliest Evidence of Acupuncture By Kyle Hunter (= original uploader Kphunter at en.wikipedia) - Own work. I took the photograph and have released it to the world at http://www.bhupendratechniques.com/ Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2036294
1500 BCE
Ayurvedic Origins in Vedas
The Atharvaveda contains hymns referencing medical knowledge, forming the earliest textual roots of Ayurveda. #Ayurveda #history
Ayurvedic Origins in Vedas By HPNadig - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12401996
1000 BCE
Huangdi Neijing Compiled
The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) is compiled, establishing foundational theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine including yin-yang and five elements. #TCM #history
Huangdi Neijing Compiled By Unknown author - [1], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11662446
600 BCE
Charaka Samhita Composed
The Charaka Samhita, a foundational Ayurvedic text on internal medicine, is written, focusing on diagnosis and treatment. #Ayurveda #medicine
Charaka Samhita Composed By Unknown author - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/ea/3a/3951eb729fdec6d8916e8d8be07e.jpg Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0040423.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-03-22): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/f2kqft8j CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36096211
500 BCE
Sushruta Samhita Describes Surgery
The Sushruta Samhita details surgical procedures including rhinoplasty and cataract surgery, highlighting advanced ancient surgery. #Ayurveda #surgery
Sushruta Samhita Describes Surgery By Unknown author - Image: http://collections.lacma.org/sites/default/files/remote_images/piction/ma-31972784-O3.jpg Gallery: http://collections.lacma.org/node/170472 archive copy at the Wayback Machine, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32452002
400 BCE
Bian Que Practices Pulse Diagnosis
The legendary physician Bian Que in China pioneers pulse diagnosis and uses anesthesia. #TCM #history
Bian Que Practices Pulse Diagnosis By Gan Bozong (Tang period, 618-907) - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/f6/01/8696804baac0c699593e99ff2521.jpg (hi-res image) Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0039317.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-03-28): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/am6daq96 CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33926719
200 BCE
Shennong Ben Cao Jing Compiled
The Shennong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) lists 365 medicinal substances, forming the basis of Chinese herbalism. #TCM #herbalism
100 BCE
Zhang Zhongjing Writes Shang Han Lun
Zhang Zhongjing compiles the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), a classic on febrile diseases and herbal formulas. #TCM #medicine
Zhang Zhongjing Writes Shang Han Lun By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127556257
200 CE
Hua Tuo Uses Anesthesia
Hua Tuo, a renowned Chinese surgeon, uses mafeisan (herbal anesthesia) for surgeries, centuries ahead of Western medicine. #TCM #surgery
Hua Tuo Uses Anesthesia By Unknown author - http://members.shaw.ca/jiuwan4/HuaTuo.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1250948
500 CE
Kampo Medicine Reaches Japan
Chinese medicine is introduced to Japan via Korean monks, later evolving into Kampo. #Kampo #history
Kampo Medicine Reaches Japan By Shinno_(Shennong).inscribed.artist_not_identified.19th_century.japanese.Wittig_collection_-_painting_21.JPG: artist not (yet) identified, photograph by uploader derivative work: nagualdesign (talk) - Shinno_(Shennong).inscribed.artist_not_identified.19th_century.japanese.Wittig_collection_-_painting_21.JPG, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17557530
610 CE
Sun Simiao Writes Important Medical Texts
Sun Simiao, the 'King of Medicine', compiles the Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), covering ethics and treatments. #TCM #medicine
Sun Simiao Writes Important Medical Texts By Gan Bozong (Tang period, 618-907) - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/f7/9e/94a41d43ae53679850a89cc8e340.jpg (hi-res image) Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0039324.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-03-28): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/v4exceyg CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33926776
700 CE
Tibetan Medicine Four Tantras Composed
The rGyud bZhi (Four Tantras) are compiled, becoming the foundational text of Tibetan medicine. #TibetanMedicine #history
Tibetan Medicine Four Tantras Composed By Unknown author - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/e0/2a/48f49825daa5015614000af801c7.jpg Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0038345.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-03-30): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/bqnvdb4s CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36087548
800 CE
Jivaka, Buddhist Physician, Flourishes
Jivaka Komarabhacca, the personal physician of Buddha, advances traditional Indian medicine and surgery. #Ayurveda #Buddhism
Jivaka, Buddhist Physician, Flourishes By Tevaprapas - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Watkhungtaphao_Herbal_Garden.jpg, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73408283
900 CE
Vagbhata Authors Astanga Hrdayam
Vagbhata compiles the Astanga Hrdayam, a concise Ayurvedic text still widely used. #Ayurveda #medicine
1000 CE
Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine Influences Asia
Avicenna's Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb (Canon of Medicine) spreads to Asia, influencing Unani medicine in India and beyond. #Unani #medicine
Ibn Sina's Canon of Medicine Influences Asia By Coffeetalkh - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11906621
1100 CE
Huangfu Mi Compiles Systematic Classic of Acupuncture
Huangfu Mi's Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) standardizes acupuncture points and techniques. #TCM #acupuncture
1200 CE
Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica Not Yet Written
No specific event, but during Song dynasty, Chinese medicine flourishes with government-sponsored pharmacopoeias. #TCM #history
Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica Not Yet Written By Félix An - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=119997838
1271 CE
Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Develops
During Tran dynasty, Vietnamese medicine (Thuoc Nam) emerges, integrating Chinese and indigenous herbs. #VietnameseMedicine #history
Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Develops By Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17639039
1400 CE
Korean Medicine Codified with Hyangyak
The Hyangyak (native herbs) system is formalized in Korea, using local plants. #KoreanMedicine #history
Korean Medicine Codified with Hyangyak By Unknown author - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/2d/bc/3e9564baab6ddf6b20006d9ec5cc.jpg Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/V0018478.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-03-22): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/kvsy8kee CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36517817
1500 CE
Unani Medicine in India Flourishes
Unani medicine, based on Greek humors, becomes established in India under the Mughal Empire. #Unani #history
Unani Medicine in India Flourishes By Unknown author - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/eb/7a/cb947b98e7d0b3456b1c698d6012.jpg Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0058933.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-03-29): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/qv5yfqdc CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36212995
1578 CE
Li Shizhen Publishes Bencao Gangmu
Li Shizhen completes the Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), cataloging 1,892 substances. #TCM #herbalism
Li Shizhen Publishes Bencao Gangmu By Unknown author - http://huntbot.andrew.cmu.edu/hibd/departments/Library/ChineseHerbal.shtml, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19570678
1600 CE
Heo Jun Writes Dongui Bogam
Heo Jun compiles the Dongui Bogam (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine), a cornerstone of Korean medicine. #KoreanMedicine #history
Heo Jun Writes Dongui Bogam By en:Heo Jun - http://100.nate.com/dicsearch/pimage.html?i=222742003&en=&pg=search&v=44, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7430010
1700 CE
Thai Traditional Medicine Systematized
King Narai's reign sees codification of Thai traditional medicine, blending Buddhist and Ayurvedic influences. #ThaiMedicine #history
1800 CE
Ayurveda Declines Under British Rule
British colonial policies marginalize Ayurveda in India, but it survives through oral and local practices. #Ayurveda #colonialism
1885 CE
Kampo Modernization Begins
Japan's Meiji Restoration leads to Western medicine dominance, but Kampo is preserved and later integrated. #Kampo #modernization
1900 CE
Hakim Ajmal Khan Revives Unani in India
Hakim Ajmal Khan establishes the Central Unani Medical College and advocates for Unani integration. #Unani #revival
1929 CE
Chinese Medicine Faces Reform
The Chinese government attempts to suppress TCM, but public support leads to its preservation. #TCM #history
1950 CE
PRC Establishes TCM Colleges
The People's Republic of China founds colleges to modernize TCM, integrating Western medical education. #TCM #education
1956 CE
Ayurveda Recognized in India's Constitution
India's constitution lists Ayurveda as a recognized system of medicine, leading to official support. #Ayurveda #policy
1960 CE
Korean Medicine Licensure Introduced
South Korea establishes licensing exams for traditional Korean medicine doctors. #KoreanMedicine #modernization
1971 CE
James Reston's Acupuncture Experience
New York Times journalist James Reston writes about acupuncture analgesia during his appendectomy in China, sparking Western interest. #acupuncture #integration
1979 CE
WHO Lists Diseases Treated by Acupuncture
The World Health Organization publishes a list of conditions for which acupuncture is effective, boosting global acceptance. #acupuncture #WHO
1983 CE
Kampo Extracts Approved in Japan
Japanese Ministry of Health approves standardized Kampo extracts as prescription drugs, integrating them into mainstream medicine. #Kampo #pharmacy
1993 CE
Tibetan Medicine Gains International Attention
The Dalai Lama speaks at the first International Conference on Traditional Tibetan Medicine, raising global awareness. #TibetanMedicine #global
1996 CE
Ayurveda Gains WHO Recognition
WHO includes Ayurveda in its global Traditional Medicine strategy. #Ayurveda #WHO
2000 CE
Thai Traditional Medicine Officially Recognized
Thailand passes the Thai Traditional Medicine and Alternative Medicine Act, formalizing practice. #ThaiMedicine #policy
2002 CE
TCM Included in Medicare in Australia
Australia becomes one of the first Western countries to offer insurance rebates for TCM treatments. #TCM #integration
2006 CE
UNESCO Intangible Heritage: Acupuncture
UNESCO inscribes acupuncture and moxibustion of TCM on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. #acupuncture #UNESCO
2010 CE
Chinese Medicine in Global Health Emergencies
TCM herbal formulas are used in China during the H1N1 influenza pandemic, and later in COVID-19, sparking debates on efficacy. #TCM #pandemic
2013 CE
Unani Medicine in India Gets Central Council
India's Central Council for Unani Medicine (CCIM) is established to standardize education and practice. #Unani #regulation
2016 CE
Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Research Expansion
Vietnam launches national programs to research and integrate traditional medicine into public health. #VietnameseMedicine #research
2019 CE
WHO's First Global Report on Traditional Medicine
WHO publishes its first global report on traditional and complementary medicine, including Asian systems. #WHO #global
WHO's First Global Report on Traditional Medicine By Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France - World Health Organization @ Pregny-Chambésy, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=105949300
2020 CE
COVID-19: TCM Used in China's Protocols
TCM is officially recommended in China's COVID-19 treatment guidelines, with some studies suggesting benefits. #TCM #COVID19
COVID-19: TCM Used in China's Protocols By Mikael Häggström - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=117153245
2022 CE
WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India
WHO establishes its Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, India, to promote evidence-based integration. #Ayurveda #WHO
