FNBE SEPT 2012 - ENGL 0205 English 2

Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

Comparative Research
Traditional Chinese Medicine
English 2 (ENGL 0205) Assignment 2

Adrian Yap (0309343) Swafaa Sihag (0306347) Tam Jhung Leung (0310082) Yaseen Syed (0309021)

FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2

Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

3 Content Research Proposal Report Appendix Bibliography Page 4 5 14 15

FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2

Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

The Research Proposal

Name: Adrian, Tam Jhung Leung, Swafaa, Yaseen Class: English 2 Period: MON /TUES INTRODUCTION: We are to study a traditional trade or business in Klang. This research assignment is conducted through a combination of both primary sources i.e. interviews, data obtained through questionnaires etc. on the site visit. Our research report is about the traditional Chinese medicine halls in Klang. How their business have developed through the years and what is their story. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. How long history? How it all started? Which generation? How many kinds of medicine? Who are the targeted customers? Family business? Heal what sickness? What is good about Chinese medicine? Hows business lately? What do customer buy usually? Do you have medical care unit? Owner is from where? Whats your history with this shop? What products you sell? What is Chinese medicine? Have ever shifted?

METHODOLOGY: We are going to Klang with the others and carry out interviews with the shop owners. We will take the train there and back. We will bring our camera to shoot photos of the place, the shop and the owner. CONCLUSION: We will have the answers to our questionnaire to carry out our reports. Some pictures is captured to put into our report too. We will search the internet for more sources about traditional Chinese medicine. Lastly, we will gain knowledge about the traditional Chinese medicine and the traditional Chinese medicine halls in Malaysia. FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2
Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

Comparative Research: Traditional Chinese Medicine Hall

Zhong Yi in Mandarin, which is also known as Chinese medicine or traditional Chinese medicine, have received growing attention around the world. According to World Health Organization, a large number of people in many developing countries rely heavily on traditional Chinese medicine to meet their primary health care needs. (Chaudhruy, 2002) Even though developing countries like United Kingdom and Russia which have high technology in the medicine field also relies on traditional medicine. With history of over thousands of years, the TCM practices safe and natural cure for much disease with fewer side effects. In treatment, it includes the use of various intervention modalities such as Chinese medication, acupuncture, dietary and Qigong.

According to JingFeng, Traditional Chinese medicine has a time-honored history of several thousand years. It is the sum of knowledge gained by all the nationalities of China in fighting disease and maintaining good health in the course of a considerably long historical period. According to the Internal Classic of Yellow Emperor, the human body is built upon two opposing aspects, the yin and the yang, which are interdependent and interrelated. TCM aims at maintaining the harmonious relationship between these two aspects so as to achieve physical health and longevity.

Yin & Yang

FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2

Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

6 Furthermore, Chinese medicine believes that every part of the human body is intimately interconnected; it stresses the overall harmony and coordination among different parts of the body. traditional Chinese medicine emphasize on the careful readjustment and maintenance of the natural balance of the body. The concept of Yin Yang and Five Elements are used as theoretical tools. (HongGuang, 2002) In traditional Chinese medicine, to maintain the human body at its normal psychological functioning, ones must implies harmonious coordination among the various parts of the body. traditional Chinese medicine believes that when a disease occurs, it is the breakdown of the relative equilibrium between the different parts of the body. The earliest reference to Yin Yang is the one in the book Yi Jing. Yin Yang were originally two topographic term used to describe the shady and sunny side of a hill, or the north side and south side of a mountain or hill. It is said that, the theory of Yin Yang holds that the universe consist of two opposing but mutually dependent forces that complement and supplement each other and maintain a constant balance. (HongGuang, 2002)

The Five Elements Together with the theory of YinYang, the theory of Five Elements constitutes the basis of Chinese Medicine. According to HongGuang and XiaoRui, originally the Five Elements refers to the five kinds of material, which are wood, fire, earth, metal and water with their characteristic properties. The theory of Five Elements is used to group the things though their properties and to interpret the relationship among these different things though generating a sequence and a counteracting sequence among the Five Elements. The generating sequence is in the follow: wood, fire, earth, metal and water, each element is conceived to promote or produce the subsequent one, for instance, wood produces fire, fire produces earth, etc. The counteracting FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2
Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

7 sequence is in the follow: water, fire, metal, wood and earth, in which each element is considered checking the subsequent one. The Five Element is widely applied in almost every aspect of Chinese medicine. (HongGuang, 2002) In physiology, it is used to explain the function of the organ, tissues and their interconnections. In traditional Chinese medicine, every organ in our body is interrelated, therefore when considering a certain disharmony organ, one should keep in mind the relationship between the organs.

Traditional medical practices brought by Indian and Chinese traders and migrants, with the diverse population of Chinese, Indian and Malay, traditional medicine of these three major races can be found easily. Chinese migrants working in the tin mines introduced TCM into Malaysia. These migrants brought herbal medicines as well as other forms of treatment, including acupuncture. Chinese medical practitioners hold high status and are known as sinseh. Today, traditional Chinese medicine is also used in urban centers. TCM nowadays have been used by all the races in Malaysia not only Chinese.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years. Although the first recorded history of Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back over 2,000 years, it is believed that the origins of TCM goes back more than 5,000 years.

ThyeSan, a Chinese Traditional healer, has set up his own abode in Klang after studying the ethics of TCM in Guanzhou. His business has been running for over seventeen years, as it is a family business. He is the second generation taking over the business. The medicine that is created is made from traditional Chinese herbs and spices, however, a few ingredients are FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2
Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

8 imported from other countries. Over 800 herbs are used in preparing these remedies, and Thye San guarantees that all diseases can be cured, without any side effects and sicknesses. He has given his services to all races and has a large database of customers, Chinese, Malay as well as Indians. Those interested include not only people who suffer from chronic ailments or disease that have no known cure in Western medicine, but also patients who are tired of taking medications with dangerous and debilitating side effects, known and unknown. (JingPei, 2000) But due to the declining economy of the country, his business does not seem to be running well at the moment as some customers are approaching other traditional doctors who are based in the urban areas of Malaysia and are introducing science into their medicine. However, Thye San is confident that his medicines are of great quality and can be used by all. The herbs are flown in by an agent from China, with Ginseng being the most expensive. This is because Ginseng is grown under harsh climatic conditions and harvesting it can be really tough. Apart from selling traditional Chinese medicine, groceries are also sold. Usually the customers purchase the ingredients and prefer to prepare the medicine themselves, but in some cases the patient approaches the doctor, who then prepares medication for them and treats them until they are cured.

ThyeLoy, another traditional doctor, also located in Klang, has a business that has been running for over twenty years. He is also the second generation to be running it. With over 1000 different types of herbs, he has also established himself as one of the leading doctors in the Klangvalley. When asked about the business advantages, Thye Loy has said that Chinese Medicine, is only bought by a certain percentage of people, as not many people believe in the healing power of the herbs. Most of his customers are Chinese. However, he says that tourists are very keen on buying his medicines and herbs and that he makes a large profit when they come. FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2
Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

9 Antler(deer) and Chang Bai San Ginseng are the most expensive ingredients sold in his shop. They are each sold at a price over four thousand ringgit. Even though his medicine works slowly, it has a long term effect with no side effects what so ever. He mentions cases of people who have been making rounds at hospitals and have been told that there is no cure available for them, however he confesses to have made medicines from his various herbs that have cured them. Overall, one can conclude that rural traditional Chinese doctors are still in business but have lost most of their customers to traditional doctors in the city or urban areas, as they make use of more scientifically proven chemicals that give people a guarantee that they are in the right hands.

Apart from Klang we also went to Kuala Lumpur which is the most federal capital and most popular city in Malaysia, for a site visit and research on the type of business of the Chinese medicine. The company we researched on is called Eu Yan Sang. This is a home grown business to a public listed company with global ambitions. It started since the 1873 when the founder Eu Kong left his hometown of Foshan in southern of China, to seek his fortune in Malaya. This man when living in Malaya noticed that the tin mine workers depended on opium to ease the pain and suffering from hard work and poor living conditions, soon later he introduced traditional Chinese herbal remedies. This led to the opening of the first Sang shop in 1879.Two generations have Eu Kong the founder and his son Eu Tong Sen (his only son) have dedicated their lives in growing the business and till now it has become successful.

Because of being probably the best stocked traditional Chinese medicine retailer outside China, they source their own raw materials, produce and distribute their products. To increase their excellence in their production, they work closely with the consumers by monitoring FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2
Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

10 their needs and trends when buying the products. They market quality Chinese herbs, Chinese Proprietary Medicines, as well as health foods and supplements, offering more than 900 products under the Eu Yan Sang brand name and sub brands and over 1,000 different types of Chinese herbs and other medicinal products. These products can be easily be purchased in Asia, their products are available in thousands of drugstores, pharmacies, medical halls, supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitals, health clubs and spas worldwide.

In making their products they work closely with a traditional Chinese medicine physician who analysis sicknesses then combine the analysis of the clinical information with application of traditional Chinese medicine principles, and come up with the appropriate medicine of a specific sickness. Western medicine does not tend to focus on the causes of disease: it focus instead on their manifestation. (McGrath, 2009) Eu Yan Sang sources their herbs only from reliable and reputable suppliers with GAP (Good Agriculture Practice) certification. This ensures the authenticity and quality of the raw herbs.

They care for a wide range of conditions and illnesses including fertility, cancer, stroke, arthritis, eye ailments, pediatric illnesses, dermatology, cardio-vascular diseases and nephrology. they have extensive chain of traditional Chinese medicine centers, integrative medical centre, general clinics, sectional clinic, and lifestyle clinics in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, they are committed to bringing holistic care and lifelong health to all their customers. They care for a wide range of conditions and illnesses including fertility, cancer, stroke, arthritis, eye ailments, pediatric illnesses, dermatology, cardio-vascular diseases and nephrology.

FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2

Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

11 They are now a progressive, global healthcare and wellness company with a strong foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Thye San have a history of 17 years which is short compared to Eu Yan Sang which have a history of 140 years in this land. The owner of the traditional Chinese medicine hall in Klang is a traditional Chinese doctor himself while Eu Yan Sang have generations of Chinese medicine doctors taking care of the business till this day. The main difference between the traditional Chinese medicine business in Klang and in Kuala Lumpur is the traditional Chinese medicine business in Kuala Lumpur is more commercialized in a way that the company profits more than the ones in rural areas. The Eu Yan Sang Chinese medicine has its extensive chain of traditional Chinese medicine centers, integrative medical centre, general clinics, sectionals clinic, and lifestyle clinics in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. At first, most traditional Chinese medicine business starts with a Chinese medicine hall. Like the one in Klang, they run a small business for the town to cater the population there. Their also consist a wide variety of customers that are from different races and background, it is just that the modern traditional Chinese medicine business of Eu Yan Sang has extended its business to an international level. They get customers from different countries requesting for a certain kind of herb. Modern Chinese medicine businesses have more customers than the rural kind of traditional Chinese medicine hall. The supply of herb for the rural traditional Chinese medicine hall is usually through a few agent, these agents are not only supplying for one Chinese medicine hall but others too. For the modern Chinese medicine business, they get their herb from agents too. But some of the agents are especially hired by the company to carry out their supply work, their work are specialized and they have to find a specific kind of herbs only. They were to choose the best of quality in herbs to produce their medicine, their FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2
Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

12 quality in product is vital as they serve a huge variety of customers. Both the traditional Chinese medicine hall in Klang and city have supplies of a lot of herbs from around the world, which are used for treating illnesses and mending wounds. The difference is that each of them serves different purposes and people. Eu Yan Sang which are mostly situated the city is more focus on its production of Chinese medicines and making it into the market, while traditional Chinese halls in rural area are more focus on tending to the needs of some buyers who wanted a specific kind of recipes for soups or curing.

As a conclusion, Traditional Chinese medicine halls have developed in Malaysia through the years and has gone from generation to generation. They are always a welcome sign in a city or a town, people use the Chinese medication herbs as an alternative to the expensive western medication. Although the Chinese medicine needs lots of time and effort to cure an illness, it is the safer and much more traditional way to get well entirely. In a family, the mother always make soup out of herbs brought from these traditional Chinese medicine halls to keep the family healthy and fed. Every family should practice the Chinese medication to have a healthy lifestyle, buy herbs and make soup every now and then. Not only has it efficiency of medicine but also the delicacy of food, and can be used to prevent and cure disease, build up ones health and prolong ones life. (Jinglun, 1994) The traditional Chinese medicine also creates job opportunity for people living around the world, people living in extreme climates are paid to collect herbs and send them here. These people should be given credits for getting the herbs for the use of traditional Chinese medication, they have save thousands of life from getting sick and ill. Some traditional Chinese medicine doctor are paid to do acupuncture and Chinese medication for people with sickness, the effectiveness of the Chinese medication can be seen clearly. Acupuncture, for example, long recognized in Asia as FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2
Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

13 beneficial for numerous maladies, was unknown in the West until the latter part of this century; now many Western physicians are seeking specialized training in order to be able to give treatments. (JingPei, 2000) These doctors are considered life saver in some way, they would go around peoples house to tend to emergency illnesses. Traditional Chinese medicine can be used by all regardless of age, sex and race. Since traditional Chinese medicine has been introduced to the world, it is getting more and more famous around the world. They are widely used by people who wanted to go the safe and natural curing way instead of the western medications. Through the years, there hasnt been any report of side effects in Chinese medicine. If there is, it would be a minor one and can be cured instantly. Some activities can be practiced to get to know more about traditional Chinese medicine because being able to exercise is also building up your immune system, the Qigong exercises your body in and out to maintain physical health. The Chinese medicine will continue to grow as more and more new curing methods are being discovered, it can still save a thousand more lives each day. No matter if you are in rural or city area, you can be healthy and live a healthy lifestyle with traditional Chinese medication.

FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2

Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

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Appendix

FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2

Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed

15

Bibliography
Chaudhruy, R. R., & Rafei U. M., (2002) Traditional Medicine in Asia. New Delhi: World Health Organization.

Eu Yan Sang: Caring for Mankind. Retrieved January 20, 2012, from http://www.euyansang.com/index.php/eu-yan-sang/profile

Hong Guang, D.,& XiaoRui Z., (2002) An Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

JingFeng, C., (2012) A historical overview of traditional : Chinese medicine and ancient Chinese medical ethics. Retrieved January 16, 2012, from http://www.medizinethik.ch/publik/historical_overview.html

JingPei, F., (2000) Chinese Healing Foods & Herbs: Natural Remedies from the Chinese Cupboard. Malaysia: Pelanduk Publications.

Jinglun, H.,(1994) Medicated Diet Of Traditional Chinese Medicine. China: Beijing Science & Technology Press.

McGrath, H.,(2009) Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches to Cancer. United Kingdom: Singing Dragon. FNBE March 2012 ENGL 0205 English 2
Adrian Yap | Tam Jhung Leung | Swafaa Sihag | Yaseen Syed