Yaoshi Tongyuan: The Symbiotic Practice in Traditional Medicines

We discuss the boundaries of symbiosis or gongsheng and coexistence under the theme of yaoshi tongyuan (food and medicine have the same source) in traditional medicines. The term wu wei, or five flavors, is explored in two senses: experiences of eating and cooking, and patterns of qi movement that animate and invigorate the body. Tracing the eventfulness and powers at play in healing and eating when they are seen as closely related forms of life, ancient and modern understandings of flavor are here shown to be a common basis for the healing and harming powers of both food and medicine. We argue that medical practice is also a long-term process of working with the ethics and politics of life forms.