Ancient Natural Painkillers

Acupuncture

The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (c. 100 BC) is the first text in which acupuncture is set forth as “an organized system of diagnosis and treatment.” Written partly in a question-answer format, the document presents questions by the emperor, who is answered by his minister Chhi-Po. The document is likely based on centuries-old traditions embedded in Taoist philosophy. It mentions life force channels (meridians), a concept important to treating various conditions by inserting needles in precise locations associated with these channels. The practice fell into disfavor in the 17th century and was outlawed in 1929. It became respectable again in 1949, when it was reinstated as a medical alternative. Thereafter, the use of acupuncture spread to Japan and throughout Europe and the United States, although little clinical research supports acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating pain or other conditions.