Doctor Wang Changguo, who specializes in Miao ethnic group therapy, takes the pulse of two patients at the Nanming Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Guiyang, Guizhou province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At the age of 8, Wang Changguo began studying traditional Miao herbal medicine under his father. Now 62, he has become one of the most sought-after traditional medicine practitioners in Guizhou province.

As more practitioners of ancient herbal treatments are allowed into hospitals, traditional medicine in the province is becoming mainstream.

On April 7, Miao and Dong healers were on duty at the ethnic medicine department at the Nanming Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in the provincial capital, Guiyang.

Guizhou is known for its ethnic diversity, and is home to groups such as the Miao, Dong, and Bouyei. Each group has its own traditional medical system, with theories, remedies and treatment methods that sometimes overlap.

Despite it being the first day of the workweek, the clinic was already crowded with patients. "It's nearly impossible to get an appointment with Wang. Booking several months in advance is normal," one remarked.

A couple and their child present a thank-you banner to Wang Changguo (center). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In China, alternative medicine doctors must undergo modern medical education, pass professional exams, and obtain a license to practice. However, some other traditional herbal doctors, many as popular as Wang, have been licensed under a different system on the basis that they have practiced for many years with good results and are specialists in their field.

Attracted by Wang's precise, personalized treatments, patients from all over the country flock to his clinic.

The doctor has a consultation room adorned with thank-you banners given to him by patients from Shandong and Shaanxi provinces. Many express gratitude for his tuina (medical massage) technique, which is recognized locally as a form of intangible cultural heritage, and is credited for treating infertility, a problem for which many seek his help.

"Sometimes, patients even come from Canada, the US and the Philippines," says Cai Mengheng, the hospital's publicity director.

Like most forms of traditional medicine, Miao medicine evaluates a patient's condition through observation, listening, smelling, questioning, pulse-taking and palpation. In addition to prescribing herbs, common treatments include hot compresses, acupuncture, bloodletting, tapping and even rolling boiled eggs on the body.

Wang says that Miao practitioners prefer simple remedies, often using single-herb treatments and rarely prescribing formulas with more than 10 ingredients. All are prepared using fresh herbs.

Doctor Wang Changguo, who specializes in Miao ethnic group therapy, takes the pulse of two patients at the Nanming Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Guiyang, Guizhou province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The practice of Miao medicine is believed to date back at least 3,000 years. Historically, it had shamanic elements. It is traditionally passed down orally, due to the loss of a written language, and even today, it is mainly taught through master-apprentice relationships.

While Miao folk doctors can still be found in many parts of Guizhou, their numbers are declining as modernization and an aging practitioner base take their toll.

According to Wang, the effectiveness of Miao medicine lies in its precision. Treatments often make use of seasonal fresh herbs. He says that he always limits the number of herbs he uses, often choosing an odd number in keeping with tradition.

Each year, Wang takes his apprentices into the mountains to identify herbs and preserve specimens. "For any practitioner of traditional medicine, the inability to accurately identify various medicinal herbs means they cannot practice. But it's not just about recognition, it's about mastering the properties and therapeutic benefits of the herbs."

In addition to prescriptions, another popular method is acupuncture therapy targeting the navel. According to Wang's bio on the hospital's website, stimulating the point around navel can help alleviate issues like back and leg pain and a stiff neck, with patients experiencing no soreness, numbness or swelling. This unique approach has earned Wang a large following.

A staunch believer in simple living, he tells China Daily that many modern ailments stem from unhealthy lifestyles.

"Diseases like diabetes are increasingly affecting younger people. It is something that was rare in the past," he says. "In our tradition, treatment is secondary to preserving health. I advocate a modest diet and lifestyle that emphasizes preventive healthcare that empowers individuals to take charge of their health before illness strikes. Modern society isn't short on nutrition; cutting back on rich foods and embracing whole grains and vegetables can only be beneficial."

The emergence of new illnesses also challenges traditional medicine. Diseases with no preexisting protocols have prompted Wang to explore ways of integrating traditional and modern practices.

He acknowledges that as a form of alternative medicine, Miao prescriptions need further standardization. "Historically, there were no written records, which has resulted in considerable uncertainty."

Wang says that he is now compiling an outline of Miao medicine along with a selection of proven prescriptions to help standardize and preserve this legacy. Eventually, he hopes that proper standardization will make it easier for Miao practitioners to get medical licenses.

Liu Boqian contributed to this story.