Gathering Medicines: Nation and Knowledge in China's Mountain South

The central government of China encouraged registered minorities to "salvage, sort, synthesize, and elevate" folk medical knowledges to create local health care systems comparable to traditional Chinese medicine. Gathering Medicines is an ethnography of knowledge diversities in multiethnic China, documenting how medicines are gathered and local healing systems codified over six years with seven minority nationality groups in Chinas southern mountains. It showcases the rural wisdom of mountain healers and theorizes the dynamic encounters between formal statist knowledge and the popular authority of the wild.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In the early 2000s, the central government of China embarked on a remarkable initiative to promote the preservation, organization, synthesis, and elevation of folk medical knowledge among the registered minority nations. This endeavor aimed to establish local healthcare systems that could rival the well-established institutions of traditional Chinese medicine, which were nationally supported.

Gathering Medicines, a captivating book by Judith Farquhar and Lili Lai, provides a firsthand account of this transformative journey. Over a span of six years, the authors collaborated with seven minority nationality groups residing in the southern mountains of China. Through meticulous observation, they documented the intricate processes of medicine gathering and the establishment of local healing systems.

What makes Gathering Medicines truly unique is its ability to convey the profound insights into the ways in which people perceive ethnicity, locality, the body, and nature. Through their ethnographic lens, the authors offer a profound exploration of the dynamic interplay between formal statist knowledge and the revered authority of the wild. This book serves as a testament to the rural wisdom of mountain healers, highlighting their invaluable contributions to healthcare practices in multiethnic China.

By delving into the intricate details of medicine gathering, local healing systems, and the cultural significance of traditional practices, Gathering Medicines offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex tapestry of healthcare in China. It sheds light on the ways in which traditional knowledge is intertwined with modern medical systems, highlighting the importance of preserving and leveraging these diverse sources of knowledge for the benefit of all.

Through its engaging narrative and insightful analysis, Gathering Medicines provides valuable insights into the complexities of healthcare in a rapidly changing world. It serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and valuing the knowledge and expertise of marginalized communities, as they often hold valuable insights that can contribute to the development of more inclusive and effective healthcare systems.

In conclusion, Gathering Medicines is a must-read for anyone interested in healthcare, cultural studies, or the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern medicine. It offers a unique perspective on the preservation and promotion of folk medical knowledge in China, highlighting the importance of rural wisdom and the dynamic interplay between formal knowledge and popular authority. This book is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of human beings in the face of adversity, and it provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex world of healthcare.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226763514