Emergence and development of Uyghur medicine from the perspective of Chinese traditional medicine

The origin of medicine, to some extent, can be seen as the evolution of primitive medical knowledge and experience, and it is a process of continuous integration as well as inheritance of the good and elimination of the bad. There are four important factors, including labor (the external factor), survival instinct (the internal factor), representative doctors (the dominant factor), and philosophy (the critical factor), and only by the inspiration of philosophy can we establish and improve the theoretical system of medicine that will comprise the accumulated primitive medical experience, and instinctive medical practice. Here, we proposed that Uyghur Medicine is considered neither indigenous nor introduced. It is rooted in Chinese traditional cultures, and after integrating ancient Chinese philosophy with primitive medical experience and practice in Western China, and subsequently being inspired and enlightened by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM, Han Medicine), it gradually evolves and matures over time. Consequently, TCM (Han Medicine) has extensively contributed to the emergence and development of Uyghur Medicine. Specifically, the medical knowledge and practice of TCM (Han Medicine) introduced into Western China are the basis, whereas those of Persian Medicine and Ancient Indian Medicine introduced through the Silk Road are the important sources of enrichment.