Application of Taoistic Naturalism and Treatment of Naturalistic medicine: The history of Taoism and Traditional Chinese medicine in 《Laozi》,《Zhuangzi》,《Huainanzi》,《Huangdi-Neijing》
Authors:   The Korean Association for Philosophy of Medicine, Kim Tae-eun 
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates the relationship of medical practitioners based on the concepts of Naturalism and Power of natural treatment(自然治癒力) in Taoism. It focuses on how the concept of Naturalism has been applied and evolved in 『Laozi』, 『Zhuangzi』, 『Huainanzi』, and 『Huangdi-Neijing』. The characteristic of the Naturalism in 『Laozi』 is to minimize artificial acts(人爲) and preserve the essence(精) and spirit(神) of the body, achieving maximum effects with minimal involvement and effort. 『Laozi』 emphasizes emptying desires and delusions, achieving inner stability, behaving with gentleness and humility, practicing moderation in vital energy(精氣) and conduct, and cultivating physical essence. The teaching of 『Laozi』 aims to let the state and the body operate naturally without artificial acts. Furthermore, 『Laozi』 suggests that even when problems occur in any process, the body has an inherent self-healing power that resolves the health problems and restores its original state.
『Zhuangzi』 depicts the ideal of living with empty mind without greed for external things, practicing deep breathing, and cultivating the union of heaven and human(天人合一). It emphasizes the possibilities of the universal system and the motive power of medicine and science within the concept of Naturalism. Interpreted through Guo Xiang(郭象)'s theory of self-becoming(獨化論), Taoist philosophy of 『Zhuangzi』 enhances its natural scientific characteristics. If the meaning of self-perception(自得) in 『Zhuangzi』 is interpreted through Guo Xiang's theory of inner sage and outer ruler(內聖外王論), it can be summarized as the perception of governing the external world through the inactive attitude(無爲). The theory of Naturalism in 『Zhuangzi』 respects the principles of nature and individual nature and personality, aiming to govern all affairs in accordance with the will of heaven(天命) and prolong the lifespan of individuals and communities.
In 『Huainanzi』, the concept of Naturalism is supplemented with the notion of assisting the realization of one's innate nature, emphasizing the necessity of active efforts and education. According to 『Huainanzi』, there are conditions for natural healing in the spirit(神) and body(形). If the body follows the spirit, it leads to survival and healing, while if the spirit follows the body, it leads to death. The theory of mutual response(感應論) and the relation of heaven and men(天人相通) in 『Huainanzi』 control the fundamental aspects to the terminal symptoms through the power of natural healing. 『Huainanzi』 emphasizes the importance of active actions based on one's nature. In the context of 『Huainanzi』, Naturalism as an inactive attitude, amplifies the realization of all possibilities by adding human actions, embodying an active and intentional philosophy. The characteristic of 『Huainanzi』 is respecting the natural disposition while considering the importance of human actions.
『Huangdi-Neijing』 is a medical theory that applies the Taoist concept of Naturalism. In 『Huangdi-Neijing』, the role of medical techniques based on the power of natural healing is crucial. The direction of life and death is determined by the principles of direct motion(順行) and retrogression(逆行) respectively. The treatment approach focuses on balancing and promoting circulation. The human body possesses dynamism. It is important to regulate the balance between Yin and Yang and the fullness and emptiness of Qi(氣) within the appropriate therapeutic period. By addressing the problem within the progressing time period, one can resolve a problem and restore the body to its original healthy state. The emphasis here lies in the timing propriety of treatment. The logic of cause and effect(本末) from Taoism has been specialized into the medical theory of 『Huangdi-Neijing』. In essence, diseases have both root causes and peripheral symptoms, and the relationship between diseases and treatments involves addressing both the root cause and the peripheral symptoms.