electra-supply.comOn October 25, a vibrant Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) cultural exhibition opened at Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s affiliated Huangpu Experimental School, showcasing an array of colorful minerals that can be utilized in medicinal practices, including sulfur, orpiment, realgar, gypsum, and malachite.
During the exhibition titled “Nurturing Growth and Confidence Through Traditional Chinese Medicine — ‘Jiao Xiao Miao Talks Health,’” students were captivated not only by familiar plant-based remedies but also by dozens of raw mineral medicines, each displaying unique forms and distinctive glimmers.
“Today’s exhibition was guided by the concept of the five colors corresponding to the five organs,” explained Zhang Jingying, director of the TCM Culture Research Center at the Shanghai TCM Literature Museum, as she presented a multifaceted gypsum crystal. “In TCM, gypsum is known for its cooling properties and is a key ingredient in the classic formula Bai Hu Tang, used to reduce fever and alleviate cough.” Zhang noted the surprising colors of the minerals on display, pointing out that orpiment is yellow while realgar is orange-red, which intrigued both the teachers and students.
Sixth grader Xiaocai expressed how her visit to the exhibition helped bridge the gap between her and TCM culture. Seventh grader Xiaoxu shared that the unique luster of the minerals really caught his attention, revealing to him the surprising fact that minerals can also be used in medicine.
Starting October 2023, the “Fun with TCM — The World’s Premier Formula” course, designed by the Shanghai TCM Literature Museum, will be implemented at Huangpu Experimental School, giving sixth graders an opportunity to explore this ancient practice. The students will engage in exploratory learning about TCM for an hour each week over the course of ten weeks.
Zhang Jingying shared that the “Fun with TCM” course, aimed at high school students, uses the classic formula Gui Zhi Tang to introduce them to the history of TCM, the properties of herbal medicines, and the principles of diagnosis and treatment. As the instructor, she affirmed that the course has significantly sparked students’ interest in TCM, cultivating a deeper appreciation for traditional Chinese culture and its practices.
Zhou Feng, principal of Huangpu Experimental School, remarked that the students’ curiosity about TCM has flourished through their studies of traditional herbs and techniques. She hopes that the exhibition will encourage the students to observe the world of TCM through their own eyes and express their experiences through art, ensuring that this rich cultural heritage continues through generations.
The exhibition also piqued the interest of students from the neighboring Luwan Center Primary School. The exhibition will run until the end of the semester. As part of the initiative, students have been growing medicinal plants themselves, with Ji Li, head of the student activity department, indicating that they follow the growth process of these herbs. Today, she noted, the school prepared “task cards” for the visiting students, prompting them to look, smell, and identify the various medicinal materials on display. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to visit the Shanghai TCM Literature Museum to observe the herbal plants in the botanical garden firsthand.
Zhang Jingying added that many students expressed a desire to learn more about TCM formulas applicable to everyday life. She plans to incorporate this feedback into future lessons, along with teachings on dietary therapy, further integrating TCM culture into their daily lives.
