This traditional Chinese
therapy was believed to
cleanse the body of trapped
waste and bring fresh blood
flow to sore and stiff muscles.
Practitioners of the massage
technique press and rub
a smooth bone, coin, or
stone across a patient’s oiled
body in long strokes. Still
popular today in many Asian
countries, the treatment
causes the body to erupt in
bruises from the breaking of
numerous capillaries.
In their pursuit of immortality,
some Chinese emperors had
their imperial alchemists
attempt to concoct the
elixir of life. Many of these
mixtures contained mercury
and arsenic, toxic chemicals
that claimed the lives of
these rulers. Ancient Hindu
scriptures also mention the
use of rasasindura (a mercury
compound) in herbal and milk
products. It was thought to
boost immunity, but often led
to mercury poisoning.
Ancient Chinese philosopher
Lao Tzu first described
breathing techniques as
a way to stimulate qi, the
“vital energy” underpinning
traditional Chinese medicine
and martial arts. The belief
is that this “life force” flows
around the body, and
illnesses are caused when
the flow is blocked. Healers
use a variety of techniques to
restore balance, regenerate
depleted qi, and flush out
disease-causing qi.
Considered one of the
oldest medical therapies,
moxibustion was used in
ancient China, Japan, and
Korea, and consisted of
burning dried mugwort on
special points of the body.
In some cases, the herb was
burnt just enough to heat
the skin, while in others
it was left long enough to
cause second-degree burns!
Practitioners believe that it
stimulates the circulation of
blood and qi.
Gua Sha Mercury Elixirs Qi Healing Moxibustion
3rd century Bce 5th century Bce 6th century Bce 17th century Bce
Gua Sha
Qi Healing
Mercury Elixirs
Moxibustion