Zhang Zhongjing

A Han Dynasty physician who revolutionized traditional Chinese medicine with systematic clinical methodologies.

Zhang Zhongjing (150–219 CE), known as the 'Hippocrates of China', authored Shanghan Zabing Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), a foundational text in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). His work introduced diagnostic principles like pulse analysis and symptom-based treatment, shifting medicine from superstition to evidence-based practice.

During epidemics, Zhang developed therapies using herbal compounds, such as Ephedra for fevers, which remain in use today. He emphasized preventive care and individualized treatment, concepts ahead of their time. His formulas, including Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Decoction), are still prescribed globally.

Zhang’s legacy lies in codifying TCM into a structured science. His methodologies influenced East Asian medicine for millennia, and modern researchers study his texts for insights into integrative healthcare. By prioritizing observation over tradition, Zhang Zhongjing redefined medical practice, saving countless lives.