List of Chinese physicians

List of Chinese Physicians encompasses a range of medical practitioners in China, from ancient times to the present, who have contributed significantly to the field of medicine. This list includes those known for their contributions to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a holistic approach to health and healing that has been developed over thousands of years, as well as those who have made significant contributions to modern medical practices within China and globally.

Ancient Physicians

• Bian Que (c. 500 BCE) - Considered one of the earliest known physicians in Chinese history, Bian Que was famous for his proficiency in pulse diagnosis and herbal medicine. He is often revered as the pioneer of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
• Zhang Zhongjing (150-219 CE) - Often referred to as the "Sage of Medicine," Zhang Zhongjing is best known for his work Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases), which is one of the earliest and most influential works on Chinese herbal medicine and diagnosis.
• Hua Tuo (c. 140–208 CE) - A legendary figure in Chinese medicine, Hua Tuo is credited with being the first surgeon of China and is known for his use of anesthesia in surgery. His contributions to surgery, acupuncture, and herbal medicine are highly celebrated.

Medieval Physicians

• Sun Simiao (581–682 CE) - Known as the "King of Medicine," Sun Simiao made significant contributions to both medicine and ethics. His works, Qian Jin Yao Fang (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies) and Qian Jin Yi Fang (Supplement to the Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), include thousands of medical treatments and ethical guidelines for physicians.
• Li Shizhen (1518–1593) - One of the most renowned physicians in Chinese history, Li Shizhen authored the Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), an encyclopedic work documenting the traditional medicine of China. It remains a crucial reference for the study of Chinese medicinal herbs.

Modern Physicians

• Wu Lien-teh (1879–1960) - A physician and public health pioneer, Dr. Wu is best known for his work in controlling the pneumonic plague outbreak in Manchuria in the early 20th century. He is also credited with inventing a surgical mask that was the precursor to the N95 mask.
• Tu Youyou (1930-) - A pharmaceutical chemist and educator, Tu Youyou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015 for her discoveries concerning a novel therapy against Malaria. Her work on extracting artemisinin from the sweet wormwood plant has saved millions of lives worldwide.

Contemporary Physicians

The list continues to grow as Chinese physicians contribute to various fields, including genetics, oncology, and epidemiology. Their work not only enriches traditional Chinese medicine but also contributes to global health advancements.

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Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on List of Chinese physicians for any updates.

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