On Monday, 17 April our Caribbean group of journalists visited the Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM).
Hours later, we left with a better appreciation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), relaxed and reinvigorated after sessions of acupuncture, cupping—suction created on the skin with the application of heated cups—and a form of Tai Chi that moved joints and got the blood circulating. I had acupuncture followed by Tuina massage to balance my flow of energy.
Cinnamomum cassia – cinnamon at BUCM. Photo: SLCT
Founded in 1956 and designated as a national key university in 1960, the university is well-known for its Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Chinese Materia Medica and for its renowned higher education institution integrating scientific research, Western and TCM medical treatment and TCM cultural exchange.
Zingberis Rhizoma – ginger at BUCM. Photo: SLCT
The university has trained over 20,000 Chinese medicine practitioners from 94 countries and regions and has established cooperative relations with 118 universities and research institutions in 31 countries and regions. The university welcomes international students from all over the world to learn Chinese medicine and acupuncture. The idea is to bring the benefit of TCM to their countries to help the local healthcare services. At present, 30 students from Africa and nearly 200 students from Asia-Pacific countries are studying at BUCM.
TCM dispensary at BUCM. Photo: SLCT
During the welcome, we were told the university is looking forward to clinical, teaching and scientific research cooperation with more countries. The last part of the visit was about Chinese herbal medicine. Some of the items were very familiar. I think it would be informative for the university to visit Grenada for TCM cultural exchange workshops and to understand how our locally grown herbals can be incorporated.
Citri reticulatae pericarpum – sun dried mandarin peel at BUCM. Photo: SLCT