Hải Thượng Lãn Ông

Vietnamese physician and scholar

Hải Thượng Lãn Ông (chữ Hán: 海上懶翁; 1720–1791), born Lê Hữu Trác, was a renowned Vietnamese physician and scholar. He is celebrated for his contributions to traditional Vietnamese medicine and his extensive writings on medical practices.

Early Life

Lê Hữu Trác was born in 1720 in Hưng Yên Province, Vietnam. He was the son of Lê Hữu Mưu, a scholar and official, and his mother was from the Trịnh family. From a young age, Lê Hữu Trác was exposed to the scholarly environment of his family, which laid the foundation for his future pursuits in medicine and literature.

Medical Career

Lê Hữu Trác, also known as Hải Thượng Lãn Ông

Lê Hữu Trác initially pursued a career in the military but later turned to medicine, where he found his true calling. He studied under various traditional medicine practitioners and became proficient in diagnosing and treating illnesses using herbal remedies and acupuncture.

In 1760, Lê Hữu Trác moved to Hà Tĩnh Province, where he dedicated himself to the study and practice of medicine. He adopted the pen name Hải Thượng Lãn Ông, which means "Lazy Old Man of Hải Thượng," reflecting his humble and contemplative nature.

Contributions to Medicine

Hải Thượng Lãn Ông is best known for his comprehensive medical treatise, Hải Thượng y tông tâm lĩnh (海上醫宗心領), which consists of 28 volumes. This work is a compilation of his medical knowledge and experiences, covering a wide range of topics including diagnostics, treatment methods, and herbal medicine.

His writings emphasize the importance of understanding the patient's condition holistically and tailoring treatments to individual needs. He also advocated for the integration of traditional Vietnamese medicine with Chinese medical practices, enriching the medical knowledge of his time.

Legacy

Hải Thượng Lãn Ông's contributions to medicine have had a lasting impact on Vietnamese traditional medicine. His works continue to be studied by practitioners and scholars, and he is revered as a pioneer in the field.

In recognition of his contributions, various medical institutions and streets in Vietnam are named after him. His legacy is celebrated annually on the anniversary of his death, which is observed as a day of remembrance for traditional medicine practitioners.

Related Pages

• Traditional Vietnamese medicine
• Acupuncture
• Herbal medicine
• Hưng Yên Province
• Hà Tĩnh Province