Basics - The Rough Guide to Beijing - page 56

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Chinese traditional medicine has been used for 2200 years - ever since the semi-mythical
Xia king Shennong compiled his classic work on medicinal herbs. Around eight thousand
“herbs” derived from roots, leaves, twigs, fruit and animal parts are used - usually dried
or roasted, but sometimes stir-fried. They are generally taken as a bitter and earthy tasting
tea. Diagnosis involves feeling the pulse, examining the tongue and face, and listening to
the tone of voice. Infections are believed to be caused by internal imbalances, so the whole
body is treated rather than just the symptom. In the treatment of flu, for example, a “cold
action” herb would be used to reduce fever, another to induce sweating and so flush out the
system, and another as a replenishing tonic.
Just as aspirin is derived from willow bark, many Western drugs come from traditional
herbal remedies: artemisin, for example, which is an effective anti-malarial treatment. With
their presentation boxes of ginseng roots and deer antlers, traditional Chinese pharma-
cies are colourful places; unfortunately, few practitioners or pharmacy staff will be able to
speak English, but there are a few good places for international visitors to head to.
Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine 北京中医医院 bĕijīng zhōngyī yīy-
uàn 23 Meishuguan Houjie 010 52176852, bjzhongyi.com ; Nanluoguxiang subway
(line 6). Renowned hospital with a range of services and English-speaking staff; call ahead
to book an appointment. Daily 8am-4.30pm.
Meridian Massage Center 明经堂中医诊疗机构 míngjīngtáng zhōngyī zhĕnliáo jīgòu
9-10A Fangyuan Xilu 010 84567010; Sanyuanqiao subway (line 10). More than a mere
massage centre, this clinic offers various treatments including cupping, moxibustion and
acupuncture; courses of the latter sometimes see electrical charges applied to the needles.
Daily 8am-4.30pm.
Tongrentang 同仁堂 tóngréntáng 24 Dashilan Jie 010 63030221, tongrentang.com ;
Qianmen subway (line 2). Famed pharmacy with branches all around the country. Their
Dashilan branch is the most beautiful of the lot, and particularly useful since it has English-
speaking staff; they're able to advise on appropriate herbal purchases, and offer on-the-spot
diagnoses for a range of ailments. Daily 8am-8pm.
HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Beijing International SOS Clinic 国际 SOS , guójì SOS Suite 105, Kunsha Building, 16
Xinyuanli 010 64629199, internationalsos.com . Foreign-staffed clinic that's corres-
pondingly a little dear; it'll be at least ￥ 1000 for a simple consultation. Daily 24hr.
China-Japan Friendship Hospital 中日友好医院 , zhōngrì yŏuhăo yīyuàn 1 Off Beisan-
huan Donglu 010 64221122, english.zryhyy.com.cn . In the northeast of the city, this