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Chinese Materia Medica Exhibition
Uncover the Hidden Story of Healing Plants.
Ever wondered how plants have kept us healthy for thousands of years? The Chinese materia medica, also known as Chinese herbal medicine, has the answer. With its rich history, it continues to play a vital role in global health today.
Join us on a fascinating journey through our exhibition that brings the world of Chinese herbal medicine to life. It's a treasure chest full of age-old wisdom, captivating stories, and balanced healing methods.
Whether you’re a wellness enthusiast, healthcare professionals, or just curious about alternative health, this exhibition has something for you. Check out exhibits on plants and herbs, antique prescriptions, and get a taste of Chinese culture with activities like calligraphy and Tai Chi.
This exhibition is brought to you by the Chinese Medicine Centre, in collaboration with their partners: Western Sydney University, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development of China Academy of Medical Sciences.
Come and join us to see how the stories of healing plants unfold! Let us show you a world where past meets present.
When: 6th July to 20th July 2023
Where: Victoria Lodge, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Mrs Macquaries Rd
Price: Free
Contact: Chinese Medicine Centre ChineseMedicine@westernsydney.edu.au
Transport: Public transport recommended.
Together We Are Stronger: Traditional Chinese Medicine Global Virtual Choir
The Chinese Medicine Centre has released a message of healing in a new, creative mash up of You Raise Me Up (Secret Garden, 2002) with A Spray of Plum Blossoms 一剪梅 (Fei Yu-ching 費玉清, 1983). The virtual choir performance aims to support hope and the importance of a shared global community, together drawing strength for resilience.
The choir performance includes an impressive collection of homemade videos recorded by 53 Chinese medicine practitioners, academics, researchers, patients, and their families from Australia, China, England, France, Greece, Holland, Israel, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and USA. The song covers draw from the Eastern and Western traditions, merging harmoniously together singing, playing of traditional Chinese music instruments, and Qi-Gong (mind-body) exercise.
The Chinese Medicine Centre wanted to extend a message of solidarity with our fellow health care colleagues, while hoping our community may find strength and inspiration through the unique resonance of music, and the message: Together We Are Stronger.
The Chinese Medicine Centre received overwhelming support from our global professional community, with 22 Chinese medicine and acupuncture professional organisations including major international institutes such as the European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA), and three leading organisations in the USA, representing education, certification, and accreditation in acupuncture, contributing their time. Practitioner’s families of all ages joined in the performances and contributed to making the videography possible.
Participating in the creation of the message through music became a healing process for some people. Our performers shared their experiences in being a part of this project.
Dr. Kang Wang, our lead Qi-Gong (Baduanjin) performer who is also Associate Chief Physician at Dongfang Hospital affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, describes his experience:
“It was wonderfully serendipitous. I received a call from Professor Xiaoshu Zhu on the night before Dahan (Major Cold as defined in the 24 Solar Terms of the traditional Chinese calendar), the last solar term of the Year of the Ox, asking if I would be happy to shoot a video of Baduanjin Qi-Gong performance. I decided to shoot the video the very next day.
I could not believe it snowed on the day of the shoot! The effect of heavy snowfall serendipitously illustrates the lyrics of A Spray of Plum Blossoms, which speak of a scene of ‘snowflakes fluttering and the north wind blowing’, as sung in the song. My father, age 70, as my videographer was able to capture on video the beauty of winter in Beijing.
We shot the video at Yongdingmen Gate Tower, a location which is very characteristic of Beijing and China. Yongdingmen also literally translates into ‘Gate of Lasting Peace,’ a true message we want to share with the world, that is, peace and hope!
It was fortuitous timing. Everything made for the best arrangement and for a very unforgettable experience.”
Ms Christine Fantine, a fellow Chinese medicine student at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and another lead Qi-Gong (Liuhe Gong) performer, included scenic videography of the French Alps in her performance. She was assisted with loving support by her parents, her father who is age 84 was her videographer.
Ms Christine Fantine describes her experience: “To me, this project is synonymous with care. So much care and detail went into every stage of making this possible.
The songs drew from two traditions, Eastern and Western, and merged into one universal harmony: a message of aid and community.
When I listened to the songs, I adapted my performance of Liuhe Gong to the rhythm of the vocal and instrumental melody. The solicitude of my elderly parents allowed me to find a peaceful place on the shores of Lake Annecy in the French Alps where my father filmed me. It was a morning full of joy and sweetness. We forgot about Covid-19 as we thought about all the other people all over the world that were also making recordings of their performances.
The main thing is to feel united, to take care of one another, sincerely. It makes us stronger; it opens our hearts. Love and support are more contagious than a virus. I think this project is a symbol of that.”
The team has worked tirelessly for two months on the project. They were thrilled to receive positive feedback from the Chinese medicine community when the footage was posted on the University’s YouTube channel.
Dr Liming Tseng, Conference Chair of the American Society of Acupuncturists sent us her message of appreciation from Vermont, USA:
‘Thank you to everyone on the amazing team putting this wonderful project together! I can’t imagine how you did it all. So many hours of work! Thank you for your dedication!
The American Society of Acupuncturists has posted the video on our Facebook. We have 13,600 Followers. Additionally, we will be posting the video in our ASA Newsletter (which has 20,000 subscribers)’.
Dr Georgette Young, Secretariat of ETCMA also sent us with her appreciation from Athens, Greece: “I have already watched the video chorus 10 times. I LOVE IT! Many, many thanks for orchestrating this fine piece of work. I have already shared it on our social media. We will stay close in touch. And hopefully will be collaborating on many more projects”.
We also share Dr Young’s vision and hopes of further collaboration. The goodwill generated from this international music project has opened new and surprising opportunities, including new friendships from across the world.
The Chinese Medicine Centre would like to thank the enormous effort and support shown by the global Chinese medicine community and their families. We have come together, transcending geographical boundaries to create this message of hope and healing.
The performance is dedicated to all the frontline health care workers, fellow acupuncture, and Chinese medicine practitioners, and to all patients and their communities throughout the world.
The Chinese Medicine Centre would also like to share our acknowledgement of our donors including:
LEE Ming Tee Foundation
Purapharm & Mr Abraham Chan
Epic Wright Heaton Pty Ltd
The Honourable Helen Sham-Ho OAM
AM Media Group
Beijing Tong Ren Tang
Hang Tat Enterprises (Australia)
George WH Lan Memorial (Professor Yi-Chen Lan)
National Auto Glass Supplies
Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Society of Australia
And more. This project would not have been possible without your support.
