ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the beliefs and practices of traditional Chinese religion, primarily focusing on Confucianism and Taoism as indigenous traditions that influenced the formation of unique Chinese health beliefs and practices. It introduces Chinese medicine as the integration of Chinese health beliefs and health practices and its clinical cautions. The practice of Chinese medicine in China and Taiwan is different from that of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the United States. There is a limitation in the scope of practice of TCM in the United States compared to China or Taiwan. Traditional Chinese religions – Confucianism, Taoism, universism (a natural philosophy), divination practice, and Buddhist elements – are widely practiced in 60 countries around the world with more than 225 million adherents. Common tools in the practice of Chinese medicine include acupuncture, herbal practice, nutrition therapy, and exercise. Health practices of the Chinese also include mind therapy or mind–body therapy.
