My trip to India back in 2019 was an experience of a lifetime! I went for a week to teach 32 doctors, TCM diagnosis & Pattern differentiations!
The kindness, generosity and eagerness to learn from each participant blew me away. Each participate gave 200% during the 5 day seminar. They processed the information with patience and an open mind & heart.
I connected with each participant and loved everyone’s energy! I feel blessed to have been invited! I’m humbled by this experience and I think I have left a little piece of my heart in India. ❤️
In India, I researched Ayurveda. Alternatively known as Ayurvedic medicine (AM). I was fascinated by the similarities and differences with Chinese medicine! I wanted to share with you my humble understanding of AM comparing to TCM. Please, be kind if I make some mistakes, as I am just going by my basic readings. I hope to give it justice.
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Clara
TCM Geek
PS: Listen and learn about this subject on the go and get your digital or hard copy that makes Chinese Medicine easy to grasp and fun to learn!
The Basics of Ayurvedic Medicine
In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “life knowledge”. Ayurveda is a comprehensive medical and spiritual system that merges the mind, body and spirit. In a nutshell, Ayurveda promotes life long wellness. It focuses on prevention and treatment of diseases.
During most readings I came across, it is said that Ayurveda developed in India 5000 years ago, and all the world medicine derive from it (including TCM! Food for thought). Like Chinese medicine, it is based on observation, trial and errors.
Evidently, AM recognizes the individuality of each patient. Determined by defining their unique constitution, according to aspects of their physical, physiological, psychological and emotional selves.
Thus, Ayurveda modalities include lifestyle recommendations: dry skin brushing, self massage, oil pulling, diet, herbal medicine, aromatherapy, meditation, mantras (chanting), exercise (Yoga), and acupressure.
As you can see, Ayurveda practitioners, just like TCM practitioners, are educators first. Their purpose is to help each patient achieve balance and reach optimum health. However, TCM focuses on the balance of mind and body. AM encompasses mind, body and spirit. Connecting to higher self, and achieving higher consciousness.
The 5 Elements
Ayurveda’s 5 Elements are: Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Ether (Space). Each relates to one of the 5 senses.
- Fire: eye/sight
- Water: tongue/taste
- Earth: nose/smell
- Air: skin/tough
- Ether: ears/hearing
These 5 elements make up the 3 Doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha), which are primary life energies that govern all emotional and physical processes.
Vata is composed of Air and Ether. In short, these control the nervous system and all movement in the body. A Vata type is creative, has a lean body, and can get anxiety or digestive issues.
Pitta is comprised of fire and water. Undoubtedly, Pitta operates the stomach and all transformation in the body. A Pitta type is ambitious, has an athletic body, easily gets angry and heartburn.
Kapha is comprised of earth and water. Importantly, Kapha regulates the structure and all stability in the body. A Kapha type is compassionate, has a curvy bigger body, and can get depression and gain weight easily.
Like in TCM, balance between the 5 elements (and the 3 Doshas in AM) is considered optimal health. The elements and Doshas break are the ecosystem. This ecosystem breaks if there is sickness. They all depend on each other for balance.
Air and Ether are divergent from Wood and Metal. TCM has 5 body types personalities, tissues, senses, colours, tastes, seasons. AM combines 2 of the 5 Elements. This is done by using the Doshas. It describes biological functions, mind, body, food, environment and more.
The Substances
Similarities
Firstly, Prana (AM) and TCM Qi has the same concept of life force! Secondly, Prakriti (AM) and TCM Essence (and Pre natal Qi) share the same idea of individual constitution, roots, genes. These cannot be changed! Thirdly, Vikruti (AM) and TCM Post Natal Qi are affected by lifestyles, diet, trauma, environment and pathogens.
Differences
Firstly, Srotas (AM) are channels that transport substances (nutrients, blood, body fluids and wastes) into, through and out of the body. Secondly, Agni fire (AM) is in charge of digestion, absorption, metabolism and creation of body tissues. Thirdly, Dhatus (AM) are the bodily tissue groups where disease manifests. There are seven within the body: plasma, bones, muscles, fat, nervous system, and reproductive system.\
Flavours
Particularly, AM has 6 flavours: Sweet, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, Sour, Astringent. On the other hand, TCM shares 5 similar flavours. However, in Chinese medicine, astringent is not a flavour. Rather, it is function of the Sour food/herbs.
Moreover, Ayurveda nature of foods and herbs are warm, cold, oily, dry, light & heavy. On the other hand, Traditional Chinese Medicine nature of foods are warm, hot, cool, cold, neutral, damp, dry, light, heavy.
Energy Centres
Similar to TCM, Ayurveda has 107 Marma points on which Prana (Qi) is concentrated. In contrast, TCM has over 365 points. AM uses acupressure much more and TCM uses acupuncture and Tui Na.
Acupuncture points and meridians in TCM are to maintain balance between the body and mind. Chakras (AM) are energy centres that regulate the flow of consciousness into and from the body, and contain the spiritual information of the soul. Chakra health determine physical, emotional and spiritual development.
The 7 main Chakras
Root Chakra to the Solar Plexus Chakra
Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine. Spiritual growth begins here. It connects to KD, BL, Spine, Blood, Rectum, immune systems, childhood, and heredity. It governs survival instinct, safety, stability, and trust. Correspondingly, the TCM connection is located at the DU 1 area. They both connect to Essence, spine stability, and TCM KD. Finally, it addresses issues with rectum & hemorrhoids.
The Sacral Chakra is located below the navel. Purification reside here. It connects to LV, GB, SP, ST, KF, BL, intestines, skin, sexual orientation, and reproduction. It governs sexuality, creativity, and developing relationships (getting along well with others). Altogether, with TCM the Sacral Chakra is connected At the REN 4 area. They both connect to the reproductive system, libido, bowel issues, TCM KD and Essence.
The Solar Plexus Chakra is located behind the solar plexus. Willpower resides here. It connects to the digestive tract, LV, GB, ST, SP, SI, and adrenals. It governs power, accomplishments, life fulfillment, self-esteem, responsibility and Vital energy. The TCM connection is located at REN 12 area. To sum up, they connect to the stomach and digestion.
Heart Chakra to the Throat Chakra
The Heart Chakra is located in the chest. Love resides here. It connects to the HT, LU, esophagus, breasts, circulatory system, and blood. It governs unconditional love, humanitarianism, compassion, forgiveness and self acceptance. At the REN 17 area is where you can find the TCM connection. To sum up, they connect to the Heart, Lung, opens the chest and calms the mind.
Throat Chakra: located in the middle of the throat. Communication resides here. It intertwines to the throat, thyroid, Lung, mouth, teeth, gums and neck. It governs speech, truth, integrity, dreams and imagination. Looking at REN 22/23 and ST 9 area is how it’s connected to TCM. In the same way, they both connect to the throat, thyroid gland, Lu, voice, and tongue.
Third Eye Chakra to the Crown Chakra
Third Eye Chakra is located between the eyebrows. Intuition resides here. It connects to the brain, pituitary gland, pineal gland, eyes, ears and nose. It governs awareness, vision, wisdom, self reflection and intellect. Yin Tang, is where it is connected to TCM. It connect to the mind, opens the nose, relieve headache.
The Crown Chakra is located on the top of the head. Spirituality resides here. It connects to the brain, pituitary gland, pineal gland, and nervous system. Referencing the DU 20 area, is where the Crown Chakra is connected to TCM. It connects to the brain, calm the mind, and lift energy.
Exercises & Meditation
Firstly, Yoga is a much more popular form of exercise in the west than Tai Chi. They form of self healing using movements of the body. Secondly, Yoga, and Tai Chi use animal poses and connect with nature, balance the mind and body, and use energy (Qi/Prana) as their connection to the space around them. Thirdly, Ayurveda Meditation & TCM Qi Gong. Together, they focus on connecting the mind and body, and increasing self awareness, consciousness and mindfulness.
In my opinion, TCM is much stronger in its diagnosis tools (including Tongue and Pulse), and Ayurveda is much stronger in its spirituality. If we were knowledgeable in both, we could be true TCM & AM Rock Stars!
Thank You Clara for this really interesting analysis. I was wondering if TCM had lost its spiritual connection due to the fact that its spread in the western world was done after the cultural revolution and therefore deprived of its spiritual approach in mainland China? Isn’t The Tao Philosophy is deeply connected to TCM ? And hasn’t qigong a spiritual touch?
Thank you for all your enthusiasm in sharing your knowledge and experience!
Yes Agnès, I agree with you! TCM connection to the Tao and Qi Gong is there but not taught in TCM schools in the west unfortunately, but Ayurveda spirituality part is taught to their students.
I’m glad you enjoy my creations, thank you for your constant support 🙂
Thank You Clara for making it so easy to grasp the similarities and dfferences in your comparison!
You truly make a huge dfference in the TCM (and Ayurvedic) Worlds.
Rock On Queen Clara <3 !
Thanks Charlotte! I’m so happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Hey Clara,
We are happy you enjoyed and relished the stay in India.
More happy that you related AM & TCM.
Just wanted to inform you about the following aspect, probably missed in the post. AM also has “nadipariksha” [=pulse diagnosis]. Over the period, the traditional knowledge of this pulse diagnosis was fading…..now to be revived by SRI SRI Ravishankar (art of living ashram). It is taught as a post doctoral certificate course in his campus in Bangalore now…since couples of years.
Hope this helps you give the missing link to pulse diagnosis in AM
We are blessed to have you as our mentor or guide in TCM
Thank you my friend for the teaching and clarification 🙂
Keep rocking it with AM & TCM until we meet again!
Hello Vinaya Shyam,
Regarding your comment on Naipariksha – is this similar to pulse diagnosis in TCM on both wrists and 3 levels each? As I don’t know much about Ayruverda but been practicing yoga for quite a few years- I am eager to know the differences and similarities in diagnosis. Thank you for your feedback
Interesting article thank you. I agree with Agnes, in popular TCM the spiritual side was lost during the cultural revolution, and I think it is not something they wish to focus on in present day China as they want to be accepted by the Western Medical community. However it is still very much present in most Qigong teachings and some Chinese Medical Practitioners would still have a spiritual element… I think it is more present in 5 element acupuncture and practitioners such as Lonny Jarrett would teach from a spiritual perspective. Once you get more into kundalini type yoga and qigong as a spiritual practice, there are a lot of similarites in the movement of energy in the channels and the energy centres (even Tantric practise in Tibetan Buddhism would have similarities). To simplify there is always the practice of raising the energy through the different energy centres up the central channel to reach a more enlightened state, whilst removing and clearing blockages in the energy centres and channels (this is very simplified, look at practises such as the microcosmic orbit in Qigong). Also it you look at the 8 extraordinary vessels, quite a few interpret these as have deeper spiritual, mental and emotional clearing actions.
I agree with Jacqueline, great points 🙂
My comment was that TCM teaching was lacking in spirituality, when I was in TCM college. WE never touched on it. Also over the years, TCM practitioners I’ve seen as patients never talked about spirituality. I definitely agree it’s part of Chinese medicine, but it’s not very strong in the profession in the west.
Mam, your generosity of spirit and positivity shine through in every word! Have yet to explore all that you have shared.
Would love to attend your next class in India. I guess it was in Sri Sri Ashram Bangalore.
How would one come to know about your next India schedule. Thanks!
Thanks Radhika! If you follow me on Facebook or if you sign up to my email notifications, you’ll know about my schedule to India in advance! I’am planning on going in December again this year 🙂
Bravo clara super intéressant comme d’habitude merci d’être si motivée et de créer autant d’inspiration pour nous tous.
Nous avons besoin de cette énergie.
Gros bisous de nice
Merci Ropert!
Soyez prudent et rester en santé.
Bisou de Vancouver!
Clara, a very interesting and elucidative article about these 2 ancient Traditional Medicines. Hope to see soon other articles like these. Congratulations and thanks for your knowledge sharing. Namaste’ _/\_
My pleasure 🙂
Hi, my name is Lawrence. In 2016 I graduated from an acupuncture program that focused on Taoist Medicine; moreover, learned philosophy and healing techniques from an actual master. There are only but a few schools in America that teach the spiritual aspects of TCM. Taoism is the key and origin.
Thanks Lawrence for your input 🙂
Expert Ayurveda practitioners very much rely on aspects of pulse for diagnosis! A woman practitioner from Nepal, Dr. Shresta, seems to go into trance when she diagnoses pulse! I think her work is quite effective! Your article was very clear and very well written! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing, I wasn’t aware as often Ayurveda practitioners ask me about pulse and don’t have the knowledge 🙂
Awesome to know 😍
Really great work, thank you for all the work to put this together. I agree with some other comments, during the rebranding from classical Chinese medicine to TCM. As I understand it, spirituality started being removed around 450 BC for political reasons.
Thank you Parker, love everyone’s input 😍 That’s how I keep learning.
Wonderful combination
Ayurveda and acupuncture
Thank you so much 🙂
Absolutely amazing! Thank you for this wonderful text. 🙏
My pleasure! I’m so happy you enjoyed it 😍