chinese apothecary

Jun

2018

Historical Chinese Medicine Museum

Kam Wah Chung & Company is a time capsule of early Chinese medicine history and culture in the US, established during the gold mining days of the Wild West. The building, which stands today, was built in 1860 and was purchased in 1877 by Chinese immigrants, husband and wife, Ing Hay and Lung On. The building was their residence, a general store that purveyed Chinese medicines, and it served as a community center.

Gold rush activity in 1862 generated an influx of Chinese immigrants to the region of Eastern Oregon. The Chinese population in the vicinity of John Day, Oregon was about 2,000, making it the third largest enclave of Chinese in the United States, only slightly smaller than those of Portland and San Francisco at that time.

Both Ing Hay and Lung On operated Kam Wah Chung which filled the important niche of apothecary and doctor’s services. Patients would come from near and far to seek the care and traditional Chinese medicines that ‘Doc’ Hay stocked and prescribed. When Doc fell ill in 1948 the business closed its doors after more than 70 years. The stocked formulas and supplies in their apothecary have withstood time and happen to be ones we still commonly use today. The original site and its contents are preserved as a museum at 519 W. Main Street in John Day, Oregon, 97845.

Take a 360 tour using this link

A precious piece of Chinese Medicine history

Mar

2015

The Basics on Chinese Herbs

Bulk Chinese herb preparations are one form of supplementation in Chinese herbal medicine. Others are freeze-dried concentrates, as well as various pill forms, and externally applied liniments, washes and plasters. More than three hundred Chinese herbs and medicinal substances are commonly used in herbal prescriptions that have a history of use dating back more than 2,000 years.

Today it is important that sources of these medicinals are made using highest quality raw materials and processing standards such as GMP *Good Manufacturing Practices,” which lab tests for microbial contaminants, heavy metals and pesticide residues. It is also important to be aware that no form of endangered species, pharmaceutical contaminants, lactose, corn, wheat, or sugar are part of medicinals. Over the course of history, vast experience has been gained in perfecting clinical applications, as well as in ethical, healthy sourcing of Chinese herbal medicinals.

Aug

2014

Moxibustion Charts 灸法圖

Earliest illustrations of moxibustion treatment. By at least a century, moxibustion pre-dates the earliest bronze models from the Song dynasty used to understand locations of meridians and points in acupuncture. Therapeutic moxibustion, applying Artemisia cautery techniques, treats illnesses and strengthens the Qi of the body. It is a prevalent modality in Chinese medicine.

Six fragments now survive, although not consecutive:

Juan I, II, III, IV, V, VI, Jia Juan甲卷, Yi Juan乙卷, Bing Juan丙卷, Ding Juan丁卷, Wu Juan戊卷, Ji Juan己卷

From the remaining fragments of moxibustion illustration and text, 18 diagrams can be distinguished.