Ancient Medicine MOC
Scope
Cross-system comparison and navigation hub for traditional medical systems represented in the Vitals vault.
Systems
Ayurveda
Five-thousand-year-old Indian proto-systems biology. Core: Dosha balance, Agni (metabolic fire), Ama (metabolic waste), Dinacharya (circadian living), Panchakarma, Rasayana.
Key links:
- Panchakarma — five-action detoxification protocol
- Rasayana — rejuvenation and longevity therapy
TCM Superior Herbs
Six Superior (Shang Pin) tonic herbs from the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Mapped to Three Treasures: Jing (essence), Qi (vitality), Shen (spirit).
Individual herbs:
- Reishi — Shen tonic, NK cell activation, GABAergic
- Astragalus — Qi tonic, telomerase/TERT activation
- Cordyceps — Qi/Yang tonic, AMPK/mTOR, ATP enhancement
- Schisandra — Astringent adaptogen, HPA normalization
- Goji — Yin/Blood tonic, macular protection
- He Shou Wu — Deepest Jing restorative, mitophagy
Thai Traditional Medicine
Three-thousand-year-old pluralistic synthesis (indigenous animism + Ayurveda + TCM). Four Elements theory, Sen Sib myofascial lines, NLEM integration.
Key links:
- Luk Pra Kob — Thai herbal compress therapy
Cross-System Comparison Notes
| Dimension | Ayurveda | TCM Superior Herbs | Thai Traditional Medicine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | ~5,000 years, India | ~2,000 years, China | ~3,000 years, Thailand |
| Core diagnostic | Tridosha (Vata/Pitta/Kapha) | Three Treasures (Jing/Qi/Shen) | Four Elements (Earth/Water/Wind/Fire) |
| Physical therapy | Panchakarma, Abhyanga | Acupuncture, Tui Na | Thai massage, Sen Sib, Luk Pra Kob |
| Rejuvenation | Rasayana | Superior Herb system | Ritucharya + seasonal adaptation |
| Evidence base | Prakriti genomics, RCTs | Multiple RCTs + meta-analyses | RCTs, WHO benchmark, NLEM |
| Vitals relevance | Circadian optimization, HRV, metabolic | Longevity, immunity, cognition | Inflammation, lipids, recovery |
Shared Mechanisms Across Systems
- HPA-axis modulation — Ayurveda (Ashwagandha), TCM (Schisandra), TTM (Andrographis)
- AMPK/mTOR — TCM (Cordyceps), Ayurveda Rasayanas
- NF-κB inhibition — TTM (Plai), TCM (Reishi), Ayurveda (Turmeric)
- BDNF/NGF — Ayurveda (Medhya Rasayanas), TCM (He Shou Wu)
- Gut microbiome — all three systems; each has a gut-axis protocol