A Comparison of the Development of Ethnic Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

 In the field of academic research, Chinese medicine in a broad sense covers both minority medicine (shaoshu minzu yixue, or ethnic medicine) and Han medicine. In a narrower sense, Chinese medicine refers only to Han medicine, while minority medicine in the general term for the theories and experiences of the various minority nationalities in China. This article attempts to summarise the links and differences between minority medicine and traditional Chinese medicine by analysing the relevant literature, with a view to explaining the characteristics of the development of minority medicine, and giving its own views on the difficulties and opportunities it is currently facing.