Traditional Vietnamese medicine for charity

The saying "Vietnamese medicine treats Vietnamese people" by the renowned physician Tuệ Tĩnh remains relevant today. Since ancient times, familiar plants and herbs with their unique medicinal properties have been studied and formulated by traditional healers into many valuable remedies to treat illnesses and save lives. In Tây Ninh, many charitable traditional medicine clinics – places applying herbal and traditional medicine treatments – have long been a reliable support system, accompanying and sharing with those facing difficulties in their journey to healthcare.

One of the familiar addresses for patients is the Tay Ninh Holy See Medical Hospital. Established right from the time the Cao Dai religion was founded in 1926, with the motto "thinking, discipline, order, and integrity," after nearly 100 years of operation, the hospital has become a free treatment center sought after by many patients from within and outside the province.

The hospital currently has departments for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Medicine, modern pharmaceuticals, traditional Vietnamese medicine, paraclinical services (ultrasound, electrocardiogram), dentistry, acupuncture and physiotherapy, male and female wards, and a nutrition department. Each month, the hospital spends approximately 250-300 million VND on medicine, with thousands of doses of traditional Vietnamese medicine prepared for patients.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phung has been volunteering at the Holy See Hospital in Tay Ninh for over 10 years.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phung (76 years old) previously lived in Ho Chi Minh City. More than 10 years ago, she moved to Tay Ninh to live near relatives. Having studied traditional medicine, when she learned that the hospital needed healthcare workers, she volunteered to work there. “Everyone works here out of compassion, putting in their time and effort without any money. Many people come for check-ups and prescriptions when their health is quite weak, but after a while, seeing them recover, eat and sleep well, makes me happy too,” Ms. Phung shared.

The traditional medicine clinic located at the Truong Tay Buddhist Mother Temple (Long Hoa ward) has been operating for nearly 40 years, becoming a "common home" for those who practice medicine on a charitable basis. Traditional medicine practitioner Tong Viet Nhan (residing in Long Hoa ward) has been diagnosing and prescribing medicine here for almost 30 years. Mr. Nhan said that this clinic previously belonged to the Truong Tay Commune Traditional Medicine Association, and is now the Long Hoa Ward Traditional Medicine Association. The clinic operates from Monday to Friday each week. On average, the clinic sees 200-300 patients daily for examination and treatment.

“I started learning traditional medicine in 1995, and in 1997 I began working at the Truong Tay Buddhist Temple, where I've been ever since. Besides taking pulses there, I also work at the Tri Giac Cung Traditional Medicine Clinic, which belongs to the Long Hoa Ward Traditional Medicine Association. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, I'm at home, providing free acupuncture for anyone who needs it. I learned this profession with the aspiration of helping people recover from illness, so I haven't charged anyone any money since then; I'm just happy when patients get better,” said traditional medicine practitioner Tong Viet Nhan.

Traditional medicine practitioner Tong Viet Nhan examines patients by taking their pulse and prescribing medicine.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Quan (residing in Tan Ninh ward) has suffered from cirrhosis for many years. Previously, he sought treatment in many places, but his condition did not improve, and his health deteriorated. One day, a friend introduced him to the traditional medicine clinic at Phat Mau Truong Tay. He visited for examination and received medicine, which he has been taking regularly for nearly five years. “Every week, I come here for a follow-up examination, and my condition has improved significantly. Everything here is free, so even seriously ill patients save a lot on medication costs!” Mr. Quan confided.

The charitable traditional medicine clinic is also a heartwarming story of compassion among the people of the countryside. Knowing that the clinic is free, people from many parts of the province regularly bring herbs from all over to provide medicine, depending on the clinic's needs. Some people cut medicinal plants from their gardens and bring them along. Others borrow land and grow medicinal plants such as Bồ bồ (a type of herb), lemongrass, Đinh lăng (a type of herb), mugwort, etc., then harvest them and bring them to various places. For rare and precious herbs that cannot be found elsewhere, everyone contributes money to buy them.

After the medicinal herbs are brought in, they are harvested, dried, or pre-processed, then sorted and stored in the warehouse. These tasks are all done voluntarily by people from near and far. For the past four years, Mr. Nguyen Van Tam (70 years old, residing in Long Hoa ward) has regularly come to the Traditional Medicine Room at the Truong Tay Buddhist Mother Temple to harvest herbs. “Traditional medicine needs to be thoroughly dried, so it’s less work in the dry season, but very difficult in the rainy season. It’s hard work, but everyone is willing. We just hope to have medicine to treat people’s illnesses; we don’t ask for anything in return!” said Mr. Tam.

Thanks to the generosity of the people, these charitable traditional medicine clinics always have an abundant supply of medicine to provide free treatment and save lives. Despite the hard work and difficulties, everyone feels happy to contribute to this meaningful endeavor.

Using simple herbs and the dedication of traditional medicine practitioners, the charitable traditional medicine clinics in Tay Ninh not only treat illnesses using traditional medicine principles but also spread compassion, sharing, and kindness. By providing free medical examinations and treatment to the people, especially those in difficult circumstances, these clinics become a source of spiritual and physical support, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the essence of traditional medicine.

Khai Tuong

Source: https://baolongan.vn/thuoc-nam-tu-thien-a201338.html