Sun Simiao

Chinese woodcut, Famous medical figures; Sun Simiao Wellcome L0039324

Tianfei Gong - Yao Wang hall - P1070416

Sun Simiao (孙思邈; 581–682 AD) was a famous traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and writer of the Tang Dynasty. Known as the "King of Medicine" (药王, Yaowang) for his significant contributions to Chinese medicine and ethics in medical practice, Sun Simiao authored two major works, Qianjin Yaofang (千金要方, Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies) and Qianjin Yifang (千金翼方, Supplement to the Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), which have been influential in the field of Chinese medicine for centuries.

Life

Sun Simiao was born in what is now Shaanxi Province, China. Despite the lack of detailed records about his early life, it is known that he was deeply interested in the study of medicine from a young age. Sun Simiao lived through the Sui Dynasty and into the Tang Dynasty, reaching the remarkable age of over 100 years, which was attributed to his extensive knowledge of medicine and health practices.

Contributions to Medicine

Sun Simiao's contributions to Chinese medicine are vast. He is credited with compiling and writing over 30 volumes of medical texts, with the Qianjin Yaofang and Qianjin Yifang being the most notable. These texts cover a wide range of topics, including pharmacology, dietetics, gynecology, pediatrics, and acupuncture. His work was groundbreaking in that it not only provided detailed prescriptions but also emphasized the importance of ethics in medical practice, advocating for compassion and dedication in the care of patients.

Ethical Principles

One of Sun Simiao's most enduring legacies is his advocacy for ethical medical practice. He famously stated that a physician must first understand the cause of a disease before treating it and that the well-being of the patient should be placed above personal gain. His ethical guidelines for physicians, often summarized by the phrase "do not kill for the sake of profit," remain influential in the field of medicine.

Legacy

Sun Simiao's works have been studied and revered in China and across Asia for centuries. His approach to medicine, which combines treatment with ethical practice, has made him a legendary figure in Chinese history. Temples have been built in his honor, and he is celebrated annually on the 28th day of the third lunar month.

His teachings and ethical principles continue to be a subject of study in the fields of Chinese medicine and medical ethics, reflecting his lasting impact on the practice of medicine.