Charity herbal medicine

The saying “Nam Duoc Tri Nam Nhan” (using Vietnamese medicinal plants to treat Vietnamese people) by the great physician Tue Tinh still holds true today. Since ancient times, familiar herbs in nature with their unique medicinal properties have been researched and prepared by physicians into many valuable remedies to cure diseases and save lives. In Tay Ninh, many charitable Oriental medicine clinics - where herbal and traditional medicine treatments are applied - have long been a reliable support, accompanying and sharing with those in difficult circumstances on their journey to health care.

One of the familiar addresses for patients is the Tay Ninh Holy See Hospital. This place was established right from the time Cao Dai religion opened in 1926. With the motto "thinking, discipline, order, purity", after nearly 100 years of operation, the Hospital has become a free treatment address sought by many patients inside and outside the province.

The hospital currently has departments of Eastern medicine, Western medicine, modern medicine, traditional medicine, paraclinical (ultrasound, electrocardiogram), dentistry, acupuncture and physical therapy, male and female infirmaries, and nutrition. Each month, the hospital spends about 250-300 million VND on medicine with thousands of traditional medicine prescriptions for patients.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phung has volunteered to work at Tay Ninh Holy See Hospital for more than 10 years.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phung (76 years old) used to live in Ho Chi Minh City. More than 10 years ago, she moved to Tay Ninh to live near her relatives. Having studied traditional medicine, when she learned that the hospital needed someone to take care of patients' health, she volunteered to work. "Everyone works here out of love, putting in the effort, not for money. Many people come to see a doctor and get medicine when their health is quite poor, but after a while, seeing them get better, eat and sleep well, I am also happy" - 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 and has become a "common home" for volunteer medicine practitioners. Physician Tong Viet Nhan (residing in Long Hoa Ward) has been taking pulses and prescribing prescriptions here for nearly 30 years. Mr. Nhan said that this Traditional Medicine Clinic used to belong to the Truong Tay Commune Traditional Medicine Association, now the Long Hoa Ward Traditional Medicine Association. The clinic works from Monday to Friday each week. On average, the clinic receives 200-300 patients a day for medical examination and treatment.

“I studied medicine since 1995, and in 1997 I started working at the Truong Tay Buddhist Mother Temple until now. In addition to taking pulses here, I also work at the Tri Giac Cung Traditional Medicine Clinic, which is also part of the Long Hoa Ward Oriental Medicine Association. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, I stay at home and do free acupuncture for anyone in need. I studied this profession with the wish to help people recover from illness, so from then until now I have not charged anyone, as long as the patient is healthy, I am happy,” said physician Tong Viet Nhan.

Physician Tong Viet Nhan takes the pulse and prescribes a prescription for the patient.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Quan (residing in Tan Ninh ward) has suffered from cirrhosis for many years. Previously, he had been treated in many places but his illness did not improve, his health became increasingly poor. Once, an acquaintance introduced him to the traditional medicine clinic at Phat Mau Truong Tay, he came to see a doctor and get medicine to take regularly for nearly 5 years now. "Every week, I come here for a check-up, my illness has improved a lot. Everything here is free, so serious patients also save a lot of money on medicine!" - Mr. Quan confided.

Charitable traditional medicine is also a warm and affectionate story of the villagers. Knowing that the clinic is free, in order to have medicine, people from many places in the province often bring herbs from all over, depending on the needs of the clinic. Some people cut medicinal plants in their gardens and bring them. Some people borrow land, plant traditional medicinal plants such as bo bo, lemongrass, ginseng, mugwort, ... and then harvest them to bring to other places. With rare and hard-to-find medicinal herbs, everyone contributes money to buy them.

After being brought in, the medicinal plants will be spread out, dried or pre-processed, then classified and put into storage. These tasks are also done voluntarily by people from near and far. For the past 4 years, every day, Mr. Nguyen Van Tam (70 years old, residing in Long Hoa ward) has come to the Traditional Medicine Room at the Truong Tay Buddhist Mother Temple to spread the medicinal herbs. “Traditional medicine must be dried thoroughly so it is less difficult in the dry season, but it is very difficult in the rainy season. It is hard work, but everyone is willing. I just hope to have medicine to treat people, I don’t ask for anything!” - Mr. Tam said.

Thanks to the generosity of the people, the charity clinics of Oriental Medicine always have an abundant supply of medicine to dispense free medicine to save people. Although it is hard and tiring, everyone feels happy to contribute to meaningful work.

From simple herbs and the dedication of traditional physicians, the charity traditional medicine clinics in Tay Ninh not only treat diseases with traditional medicine but also spread humanity, sharing and compassion. With free medical examination and treatment activities for people, especially those in difficult circumstances, the clinics become a spiritual and health support, contributing to preserving and promoting the quintessence of traditional medicine./.

Khai Tuong

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