Insights and Updates

In psychiatry, an important subfield is mental disorders in the elderly. Besides the common Alzheimer's disease, the elderly commonly also have depression, anxiety, delusions, or bipolar disorder. Some people had no such problems when young, but in old age develop the corresponding symptoms: as aging…

My first gaokao was in July 1998. My score that year passed the key-university cutoff, but I filled out my application poorly, so I actually wanted to retake it immediately in 1998. But my family's finances were terrible; both my brother and I were in…

Over the past few days I paused all work because of the gaokao. I am very grateful to all my fellow patients for their understanding and patience during this time; most of you kindly refrained from disturbing me so that I could focus fully on…

The 2024 gaokao is nearly here. Over the last few days I have been packing my luggage, getting ready to sit the exam. This is my first time in a gaokao examination room in 26 years. In 1998 I was admitted to a national key…

The Yifang Jiejie (A Comprehensive Compendium of Medical Formulas) records a formula called Xiangfu Liuyi Tang. It is composed of Xiangfuzi (Cyperus rotundus rhizome) 6 liang (180 g) and Gancao (licorice) 1 liang (30 g). Grind these two into a fine powder; each time take…

The Jisheng Fang (Formulas to Aid the Living) contains a formula called Yanhusuo Tang. Its composition: Danggui (angelica; soaked in wine, filed, stir-fried), Yanhusuo (corydalis; stir-fried, peeled), Puhuang (typha pollen; stir-fried), Chishao (red peony root), and Guigui (official cinnamon, not exposed to fire) — each…

After dinner I often take walks on the nearby university campuses. Near my home, besides the National Library, are Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Renmin University of China, China Youth University of Political Studies, Minzu University of China, Capital Normal University, Beijing…

In 1998, I had just finished the gaokao (national college entrance exam) and was spending the summer in my hometown. One evening, an elder from our village said to me: "Zhiyuan, you are the village's scholar, and there is something I need you to help…

On the afternoon of May 30, 2024, the widow of a lung-cancer patient I had known years ago suddenly told me that Guangpin Shanren, a senior founding member of Sina's Circle of Cancer Friends and a gastric-cancer survivor, had passed away. I quickly opened his…

Emotional disturbance (qingzhi shitiao) is a common occurrence in daily life, usually caused by physical discomfort, overwork, plus some unhappy event. If neglected and allowed to drag on, it easily develops into anxiety disorder or depression. This article introduces two commonly used Chinese patent medicines…