從單細胞到五臟六腑：生命進化與整體觀念
在浩瀚的宇宙時空中，生命以其獨特的姿態，演繹着一場場壯麗而神奇的進化之舞。從最初的單細胞生物，到如今五臟六腑、四肢百骸俱全的人類，這不僅僅是形態上的鉅變，更是生命智慧與自然法則深度融合的奇蹟。中醫的陰陽五行、氣血精津液等整體觀念理論系統，恰如一把鑰匙，爲我們揭開了生命進化背後的奧祕，讓我們深刻體會到生物發展之必然。
回溯生命的源頭，一切始於那微小而簡單的單細胞生物。在那個遙遠而混沌的時代，它們憑藉着對內環境穩定的精準控制，以及對周圍理化狀態的敏銳適應，悄然繁衍生息。我們對人體基因與遺傳一般規律的認識，很大程度上得益於這些看似微不足道的大腸桿菌。它們取材簡便，卻蘊含着生命最本質的密碼——基因轉錄、蛋白合成的“中心法則”，與高等生物如出一轍，彷彿是大自然特意爲我們準備的一本生命教科書。
然而，生命的進化從未止步。隨着多細胞生物的誕生，細胞間的相互協調成爲了新的挑戰。爲了保持“同步前進”，生命體發展出了一套複雜的調節機制，體液調節在這一階段扮演了至關重要的角色。它像是一位無形的指揮家，引領着細胞們和諧共奏生命的樂章。
時間的車輪滾滾向前，神經組織的出現爲生命帶來了新的飛躍。脊索、脊椎的逐漸形成，不僅爲生命體提供了更加堅實的支撐，也爲神經組織的進一步分化提供了可能。神經與體液調節的網絡日益完善，生命體的反應更加迅速、準確，彷彿被賦予了智慧的光芒。
在這一進程中，細胞的分化同樣令人驚歎。原本“全方位”應對內外環境的細胞，逐漸有了明確的分工。有的專注於消化，將食物轉化爲生命所需的能量；有的則只在腸管內皮默默吸收，爲身體輸送養分；有的負責呼吸，讓生命之氣在體內流淌；還有的則在骨骼肌肉中堅守，支撐着身體的每一個動作。
中醫的陰陽五行理論，恰如一幅生動的畫卷，描繪了生命體內的這種和諧與平衡。陰與陽，相互依存、相互制約，共同維持着生命的穩態。五行之間，相生相剋，構成了生命體內錯綜複雜的聯繫網絡。氣血精津液，更是生命活動的物質基礎，它們通過氣化的升降出入作用，流轉於經絡之間，滋養着身體的每一個角落。
不妨以心臟爲例。在中醫看來，心爲君主之官，主血脈，藏神。心臟的不斷跳動，推動着氣血在全身流淌，如同一位英明的君主，指揮着生命的運轉。而現代醫學的研究也證實，心臟不僅負責泵送血液，還與內分泌、免疫等多個系統密切相關。這種中西醫的契合，不正是生命智慧跨越時空的共鳴嗎？
再看肝臟，中醫稱其爲將軍之官，主疏泄，藏血。肝臟的解毒功能、代謝功能以及儲存血液的能力，都彰顯着其在生命體中的重要地位。而現代醫學對肝臟的研究也表明，它不僅是人體最大的腺體，還參與着多種生物化學反應，是生命體內不可或缺的“化工廠”。
生命的進化，是一場沒有終點的旅程。從單細胞生物到五臟六腑、四肢百骸俱全的人類，每一步都凝聚着生命的智慧與力量，同時也是從簡單塑造複雜系統的人體工程！中醫的陰陽五行、氣血精津液等整體觀念理論系統，爲我們提供了理解生命進化、呵護複雜生命的寶貴視角。讓我們懷揣着對生命的敬畏與熱愛，繼續探索這條神奇而美麗的進化之路吧！
參考文獻：2005年9月15日《中國中醫藥報》，作者:曹東義，《中醫診察手段基於生物進化》
作者簡介：梁世傑 中醫高年資主治醫師，本科學歷，從事中醫臨牀工作24年，積累了較豐富的臨牀經驗。師從首都醫科大學附屬北京中醫院肝病科主任醫師、著名老中醫陳勇，侍診多載，深得器重，盡得真傳！擅用“商湯經方分類療法”、專病專方結合“焦樹德學術思想”“關幼波十綱辨證”學術思想治療疑難雜症爲特色。現任北京樹德堂中醫研究院研究員，北京中醫藥薪火傳承新3+3工程—焦樹德門人（陳勇）傳承工作站研究員，國際易聯易學與養生專委會常務理事，中國中醫藥研究促進會焦樹德學術傳承專業委員會委員，中國藥文化研究會中醫藥慢病防治分會首批癌症領域入庫專家。榮獲2020年中國中醫藥研究促進會仲景醫學分會舉辦的第八屆醫聖仲景南陽論壇“經方名醫”榮譽稱號。2023年首屆京津冀“扁鵲杯”燕趙醫學研究主題徵文優秀獎獲得者。事蹟入選《當代科學家》雜誌、《中華英才》雜誌。
From the single cell to the insides: evolution of life and the concept of the whole.
In the vast universe of space and time, life, in its unique stance, performs a magnificent and miraculous dance of evolution. From the original single-celled creature to the present-day human body with all its internal organs and limbs, this is not only a dramatic change in morphology, but also a miracle of the deep integration of the wisdom of life and the laws of nature. The overall concept and theory system of yin and yang, qi and blood and semen and fluids of traditional Chinese medicine are just a key, which has revealed the mysteries behind life''s evolution and allowed us to deeply appreciate the necessity of biological development.
Going back to the beginning of life, it all began with the tiny simple single-celled creature. In that distant and chaotic era, they lived quietly by their precise control of internal environmental stability and their sharp adaptation to the physical and chemical states around them. Our understanding of the general laws of genetics and heredity in the human body is largely due to these seemingly trivial E. coli bacteria. They are simple sources, but they contain the most essential code of life - the "central laws" of gene transcription and protein synthesis, similar to higher organisms, as if nature were preparing a life textbook for us.
However, the evolution of life never stops. With the birth of multicellular organisms, cellular coordination becomes a new challenge. In order to maintain "synchronous progress," the organism develops a complex regulatory mechanism, and fluid regulation plays a crucial role in this stage. It is like an invisible conductor who leads the cells to harmoniously play the music of life.
The wheel of time rolls forward, the emergence of nerve tissue for the life of a new leap forward. The gradual formation of notochord and spine not only provides a more solid support for the living body, but also provides the possibility for the further differentiation of nerve tissue. The networks of nerve and fluid regulation were increasingly perfect, and the organisms responded more quickly and accurately, as if they had been given the glow of wisdom.
In this process, the differentiation of cells is equally amazing. Cells, which originally responded "in all aspects" to the internal and external environment, gradually have a clear division of labor. Some focus on digestion, turning food into energy needed for life; Some are only absorbed silently in the endothelium of the intestine to deliver nutrients to the body; Some are responsible for breathing, allowing the breath of life to flow through the body; Others persevere in skeletal muscles, supporting every movement.
The theory of yin and yang in Chinese medicine is a vivid picture of this harmony and balance in the body of life. Yin and yang are interdependent and constrained by each other, and together maintain the steady state of life. Between the five branches, they form and interact, forming an intricate network of connections within the body of life. Air, blood and semen are the material basis of life activities, and they flow between the meridians through the rising and falling effects of airification, nourishing every corner of the body.
Take the heart as an example. In traditional Chinese medicine, the heart is the organ of the monarch, the master of blood, and the hiding of the gods. The constant beat of the heart promotes the flow of blood throughout the body, and like a wise monarch, directs the movement of life. Modern medical research has also confirmed that the heart is not only responsible for pumping blood, but also closely related to endocrine and immune systems. Isn''t this combination of Chinese and Western medicine a resonance of the wisdom of life across time and space?
Then look at the liver, which is known in Chinese medicine as the organ of the general, which mainly drains the blood and holds it. The detoxification function of the liver, its metabolic function and its ability to store blood all underline its importance in the living organism. Modern medical research on the liver also shows that it is not only the largest gland of the human body, but also participates in a variety of biochemical reactions, and is an indispensable "chemical factory" in the life body.
The evolution of life is a journey with no end. From a single-celled organism to a human being with all of its internal organs and limbs, each step brings together the wisdom and power of life, and it is also human engineering from simple to complex systems! The overall concept theory system of yin and yang, qi and blood and semen, such as traditional Chinese medicine, provides us with valuable perspectives on understanding the evolution of life and protecting complex life. Let us continue to explore this amazing and beautiful path of evolution with the awe and love of life!
References: Chinese TCM Daily, September 15, 2005. Author: Cao Dongyi, TCM diagnostic methods based on biological evolution.
Author Bio: Liang Shijie is a senior medical practitioner in traditional Chinese medicine with an undergraduate degree. He has been engaged in traditional medicine clinical work for 24 years and has accumulated a wealth of clinical experience. Following Chen Yong, chief physician of liver disease at Beijing Traditional Medicine Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, and renowned old Chinese medicine, he has been treated for many years and received great attention. He specializes in the treatment of difficult diseases using "conversational traditional therapy" and special treatments combined with the academic ideas of Jiao Shude and Guan Yubo''s ten-level diagnosis.He is currently a researcher at the Shude Tang TCM Research Institute in Beijing, a fellow at the new 3 + 3 project of traditional Chinese medicine flame inheritance in Beijing - a scholar at the inheritance workstation of Jiao Shude''s protégés (Chen Yong),He is a standing committee member of the International Expert Committee on E-learning and Health Care, a member of the Jiao Shude Academic Heritage Special Committee of the Chinese Association for the Advancement of Chinese Medicine Research, and the first cancer specialist to be included in the chapter of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Culture Research Association. Won the 2020 China Association for the Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine Zhongjing Medical Branch held the eighth session of the Medical Saint Zhongjing Nanyang Forum "Classic Prescription Famous Doctor" honorary title. The winner of the first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei "Pingui Cup" Yanzhao Medical Research Essay Award in 2023. His work was featured in the journal Current Scientist and the journal Chinese Talent.
