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Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) has attracted global attention as a
key anti-epidemic program in China. YBAM Negeri
Sembilan SLC and Terengganu SLC jointly organised an
online seminar entitled ‘Fighting the Pandemic with
Traditional Chinese Medicine’. Associate Professor
Dr Te Kian Keong, the chairperson of the Malaysian
Chinese Medical Society of Epidemic Control and
Prevention (CMEC), was invited to speak on how TCM
can help to fight the pandemic.
Dr Te Kian Keong shared the basic theories of TCM and
explained how TCM combines different disciplines to
treat diseases. He also refuted some of the unverified
anti-epidemic Chinese Medicine prescriptions to
establish proper understanding of TCM.

According to Dr Te, TCM treats diseases in a way quite
different from modern medicine. Instead of focusing
on the specific disease, TCM studies the whole human
body. It cures patients not only from the biological
perspective but also from sociological and psychological
perspectives. TCM treatment uses a holistic approach 郑医师解释古人预防天花的四种方法，即痘衣法、痘浆法、旱苗
and is different from allopathic medicine. 法和水苗法。
Four methods were used in ancient China to prevent smallpox infection, which
He said the way of coping with pandemic in ancient were liquid vaccine, dry vaccine, pox coat, and pox fluid.
China had some similarities with the modern way. remedy for COVID-19, but for TCM practitioners, the
For example, there were pox shelters in the Qing risk can be reduced by optimising the condition of
Dynasty, which functioned like quarantine centres in the body using TCM.
the present day.
He pointed out that there is no term called ‘immunity’
Interestingly, vaccination concept even existed in TCM, but there is a concept of ‘healthy qi’. The
during the ancient time. There were four methods ‘healthy qi’ keeps the functions of the qi, blood
to prevent smallpox: liquid vaccine, dry vaccine, and internal organs in a balanced state. Those with
pox coat, and pox fluid. As an example, the doctor healthy qi are less likely to get sick.
produced liquid vaccine by grinding the crust taken
from the rashes of a smallpox patient and mixed it Coping with the pandemic is not just about killing the
with water to form liquid vaccine. After that, the virus, he said. There are three levels in the treatment.
liquid vaccine was dropped into the nasal passage of The first level is infection prevention by washing hands
a normal person who was able to develop immunity frequently, wearing masks and avoiding crowds. The
against the disease. In short, TCM practitioners agree second level is treatment when infected. Do not react
with vaccination as long as the vaccine is appropriate negatively after getting sick. If having symptoms such as
for one’s body condition. fever and cough, be sure to seek medical attention to
prevent the condition from worsening. The third level
TCM believes that physique affects one's personality is the recovery stage. Many patients still experience
and the ability to adapt to the external environment. symptoms such as diarrhoea and fatigue even after
Dr Te said that the most ideal physique is the ‘peaceful’ being discharged from the hospital. Their health
type. People with a peaceful physique are easy-going condition can be improved by taking Chinese medicine.
and cheerful, have fewer illnesses, and are more
adaptable to the natural and social environment. He pointed out that apart from Chinese herbs,
Whether it is the spread of the virus or changes in the acupuncture and tui-na can also help in health
weather or the surrounding environment, their physical improvement. Besides, practising Ba Duan Jin qigong
health and mental health will not be easily affected. can also strengthen the body.

Instead of developing prescriptions in the laboratory A total of 80 people participated in the seminar.
as modern medicine does, TCM treats patients using Judging from the numerous questions posed by the
a holistic perspective, adjusting strategies according audience, the public had high interest and confidence
to time, place and people. Modern medicine finds no in TCM to fight the epidemic.