Traveling through time and space: Medical skills travel the world

Chapter 166 Learning Acupuncture

"Master, look at the grass over there, there are several kinds of herbs that I can recognize." Chen Fang pointed ahead with an excited smile on his face.

Old man Li stopped, smiled slightly, and looked in the direction she pointed. "Oh? Tell me, what kind of herb is it?"

"That's a dandelion. The leaves have serrated edges, the flowers are golden yellow, and the roots can be used as medicine." Chen Fang answered confidently with a hint of pride in her tone.

"Good, keep going." Old man Li nodded in praise, with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

"And the Angelica dahurica over there, its leaves are palm-shaped and its roots are fragrant, and it is often used to treat colds." Chen Fang's voice became clearer and clearer, as if she was showing her master all her knowledge.

"Very good, your observation skills have improved a lot." Old Man Li nodded with satisfaction and continued to walk forward. "However, the secret of herbs lies not only in their appearance, but also in their growing environment and the time to pick them."

"Master, can you teach me?" Chen Fang asked impatiently, with a desire for knowledge flashing in his eyes.

"Of course." Old Man Li stopped and turned to face her. "For example, Angelica dahurica is best picked in spring, while dandelions are most effective when picked before they bloom. You have to learn to observe their growth status."

"I understand, Master." Chen Fang nodded seriously and secretly made up his mind to remember this knowledge in his heart.

"For example, some herbs are more effective when picked on rainy days," Old Man Li continued. "This is closely related to the growth cycle of herbs and climate change."

"Master, you are truly knowledgeable and talented." Chen Fang admired sincerely, and her respect for her master grew deeper and deeper.

"I just went through some hardships." Old man Li smiled slightly, with a hint of sadness in his eyes, "But some herbs will lose their medicinal properties if they are not picked carefully."

"I will be careful, Master." Chen Fang said firmly, secretly vowing in his heart to become an excellent herbalist.

At this moment, there was a rustling sound in the bushes ahead. Chen Fang and Old Man Li looked at each other, and both became alert.

"Let's go and take a look." Old man Li said in a low voice, walking slowly forward.

When she got closer, Chen Fang found that it was a wounded little fox, curled up in the grass, looking very helpless. Her heart tightened, and she quickly squatted down and asked softly, "Little fox, what's wrong with you?"

Old man Li was watching from the side, his eyes showing concern. "It might be injured, don't get too close."

"I want to help it," Chen Fang said firmly, with a surge of sympathy in her heart. She slowly stretched out her hand and tried to approach the little fox.

"Wait a minute, let's take a look at its injuries first." Old Man Li reminded, "Small animals tend to panic when they are injured and may bite people."

"I understand." Chen Fang nodded and carefully observed the little fox's leg. She found a wound with blood dripping from it.

"This needs to be treated with herbs." Old Man Li thought for a moment, then turned around and looked for suitable herbs. "Do you remember the herb that can stop bleeding?"

"It's purple grass!" Chen Fang answered immediately, feeling excited. "I remember its growing environment. It should be nearby."

"Go find it quickly." Old man Li encouraged, with approval in his eyes.

Chen Fang quickly ran towards the direction where the purple grass grew, silently reciting the characteristics of the herb in her mind. After a while, she found a few purple grasses, and with a burst of joy in her heart, she quickly picked them up and quickly returned.

"Master, I found it!" She excitedly raised the purple grass in her hand, her face full of a sense of accomplishment.

Old man Li took the purple grass and began to treat the wound of the little fox. His technique was skillful and gentle, and Chen Fang watched quietly from the side, full of admiration.

"You see, herbs can not only cure diseases and save lives, but also save these little lives." Old man Li said as he treated the wound.

"I understand. The power of herbs is infinite." Chen Fang nodded seriously, and her love for herbs grew deeper.

After the treatment, the little fox gradually regained some strength, raised its head, and showed gratitude in its eyes. Chen Fang gently stroked its head, feeling extremely warm in her heart.

"First of all, the foundation of acupuncture is the understanding of meridians," Dr. Zhang said slowly, holding a silver needle in his hand and gently shaking it, as if demonstrating this precious tool. "The meridians are the channels for the flow of qi and blood in the human body. Only by understanding them can we better use acupuncture."

Li Qing nodded and thought to himself: "Meridians, Qi and blood, how can I truly understand them?" He raised his head with a firm gaze: "Doctor Zhang, can you teach me how to identify meridians?"

Doctor Zhang smiled and motioned Li Qing to come closer. The two sat at a simple wooden table, on which were some books and acupuncture tools. Doctor Zhang pointed at Li Qing's wrist and said slowly: "This is the pulse. The beating of the pulse is closely related to the meridians. You can feel the flow of qi and blood in your body by touching the pulse."

Li Qing carefully stretched out his hand and gently pressed his wrist, trying to feel the subtle beating. Doctor Zhang patiently instructed him: "Feel it with your heart, don't be impatient. The changes in the pulse will tell you a lot of information."

"I understand." Li Qing closed his eyes, held his breath, and silently recited Dr. Zhang's words in his heart. After a moment, he opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with excitement: "I feel it, it seems that there is a power flowing!"

Doctor Zhang nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, next we will learn how to use acupuncture to regulate qi and blood." He picked up a silver needle from the table and gently stroked it across Li Qing's palm. His voice was low and powerful: "Acupuncture is not just about inserting needles, it is also about guiding and harmonizing qi and blood."

Li Qing listened carefully and thought to himself, "How can I master this guiding technique?" He couldn't help but ask, "Doctor Zhang, can you teach me how to give acupuncture?"

Doctor Zhang smiled and motioned Li Qing to stand up: "Okay, today we will practice the basic techniques of acupuncture." He took Li Qing to a wooden bed covered with a clean sheet.

"First, the needle should be applied gently, not too hard." Doctor Zhang picked up the silver needle and demonstrated how to gently insert the needle into the skin. Li Qing watched intently, secretly amazed in his heart: "This needle is so light, as if there is no resistance at all."

"Next, you try it." Doctor Zhang handed the silver needle to Li Qing, his eyes full of expectation. Li Qing was nervous, but also full of courage. He held the silver needle carefully, took a deep breath, and slowly approached the bed sheet.

"Relax and let nature take its course." Doctor Zhang's voice was like a warm current that slowly flowed into Li Qing's heart. Li Qing closed his eyes and silently said to himself, "I can do this."

He gently placed the needle tip close to the cloth sheet, silently reciting Dr. Zhang's instructions, and slowly inserted the needle. With a slight "click" sound, the silver needle successfully entered the cloth sheet. Li Qing was delighted, opened his eyes, and saw Dr. Zhang's smiling face, and his heart was immediately filled with a sense of accomplishment.

"Very good, well done." Doctor Zhang nodded approvingly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "The skill of acupuncture lies in the tacit understanding between the heart and the hands. You have taken the first step."

Li Qing was so excited that he couldn't help asking, "Doctor Zhang, how do you judge the effect of acupuncture?"

Doctor Zhang smiled slightly, with wisdom in his eyes: "It takes time to accumulate experience. You can observe the patient's reaction and feel the changes in Qi and blood. Every time you give acupuncture, it is a new experience."

Li Qing nodded seriously and vowed to himself: "I must study hard and master this skill!" He looked at Doctor Zhang with respect and expectation in his eyes: "Doctor Zhang, I will work hard!"