10 Most Influential Chinese Doctors Throughout History

Published in

Heritage Digest

13 min readJan 28, 2024

China’s history is rich with medical advancements and influential doctors whose contributions have shaped traditional Chinese medicine and impacted the global medical landscape. From ancient herbalists to pioneering surgeons, these individuals have left an indelible mark on medicine. Their legacies, deeply rooted in practice and philosophy, influence modern healthcare. Here is a list of the ten most influential Chinese doctors throughout history:

Bian Que (407–310 BC)
Hua Tuo (c. 140–208)
Zhang Zhongjing (c. 150–219)
Sun Simiao (581–682)
Li Shizhen (1518–1593)
Huangfu Mi (215–282)
Ji Ben (died 218)
Zhang Yuansu (c. 1151–1234)
Tao Hongjing (456–536)
Shen Kuo (1031–1095)

1. Bian Que (407–310 BC)

Bian Que, born Qin Yueren (407–310 BC), is celebrated as the earliest known physician in ancient China, hailing from the State of Qi. His transformation into a legendary figure in Chinese medicine began when, as a humble attendant at a hostel, he received a miraculous medicine from a grateful elderly guest. This medicine, when consumed, endowed Bian Que with extraordinary diagnostic abilities akin to X-ray vision. His newfound skill in seeing through the human body significantly enhanced his diagnostic accuracy. His proficiency wasn’t limited to diagnosis; he excelled in pulse reading and acupuncture, making him a versatile and sought-after healer.

Bian Que’s life is filled with tales that underline his medical prowess. In one instance, in the State of Cai, he warned the local lord about a latent disease in its early stage. Despite his repeated warnings, the lord ignored his advice until the disease progressed beyond cure, leading to the lord’s demise. This story not only highlights Bian Que’s diagnostic skill but also reflects the ancient belief in the importance of preventive medicine. In another remarkable legend, Bian Que astutely recognized that the heir apparent of a lord believed dead was actually in a coma. He successfully revived and healed the prince using his acupuncture skills and herbal medicine, showcasing his expertise in emergency medicine and pharmacology.

Beyond his legendary diagnostic and healing abilities, Bian Que is credited with pioneering the four-step diagnostic process of “Looking, Listening, Inquiring, and Taking (pulse).” This methodology laid the groundwork for future diagnostic techniques in traditional Chinese medicine. Furthermore, a Daoist legend in the Liezi describes him performing what resembles a heart transplantation, a testament to his innovative spirit in medical practice. Although the historical accuracy of these legends is debated, they symbolize the profound impact Bian Que had on the development of medical science in ancient China. His work is so influential that some texts found in Chengdu, written on bamboo slips, are believed to be composed by him, signifying his lasting legacy in the annals of Chinese medicine.

2. Hua Tuo (c. 140–208)

Hua Tuo, born circa 140, was a revolutionary Chinese physician from Qiao County in present-day Bozhou, Anhui. His upbringing and early life details are sparse, but historical records depict him as an avid student of the Chinese classics, particularly within Xu Province. Despite opportunities for official employment, Hua Tuo chose a path in medicine, practicing across various regions and refusing offers from high-ranking officials. His life exemplifies the dedication to medical practice over bureaucratic prestige, highlighting his commitment to the healing arts.

Hua Tuo’s major medical contributions were groundbreaking, particularly in surgery and anaesthesia. He is celebrated as the first in China to use an anaesthetic mixture called mafeisan, combining wine with herbal components, possibly including cannabis. This enabled him to perform surgeries painlessly, a feat unparalleled in his time. Hua Tuo’s proficiency wasn’t limited to surgery; he was also adept in acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine and developed the Wuqinxi exercises inspired by animal movements. His multifaceted approach to treatment and his development of comprehensive fitness regimes demonstrate a holistic understanding of health.

Hua Tuo’s life ended tragically around 208, marked by his conflict with the warlord Cao Cao. Initially summoned to treat Cao Cao’s chronic headaches, Hua Tuo grew weary of the court life and attempted to return home. His efforts to avoid Cao Cao led to his arrest and eventual execution. Before his death, Hua Tuo reportedly destroyed his writings, including the recipe for mafeisan, resulting in a significant loss to traditional Chinese medicine.

3. Zhang Zhongjing (c. 150–219)

Zhang Zhongjing, renowned as a pivotal figure in the history of Chinese medicine, was born around 150 AD in Nanyang. Little is detailed about his early life and family background, but it is known that he rose to prominence in a time of great turmoil during the Eastern Han Dynasty. His foray into medicine was driven by personal tragedy, as many of his family members succumbed to infectious diseases common during the chaotic warlord period.

Educationally, Zhang Zhongjing honed his medical skills by learning from Zhang Bozu, a respected local physician. He delved deeply into classical medical texts, particularly the “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic” (Huangdi Neijing), significantly influencing his medical understanding and practices. His dedication to studying and assimilating various medical theories and prescriptions led him to compile the “Shanghan Zabing Lun” (“Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseases”). This work became a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine.

Zhang Zhongjing’s life spanned the volatile years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and he is believed to have died around 219 AD. His greatest contribution to medicine was the “Shanghan Zabing Lun,” later reconstructed and revered as a foundational text in Chinese medical practice despite being lost in the subsequent wars. This work, divided into “Shang Han Lun” and “Jingui Yaolue,” provided profound insights into treating epidemic diseases and internal disorders. His methodologies in diagnosis and treatment have been guiding principles for subsequent generations of Chinese medical practitioners. Zhang’s legacy in Chinese medicine is immortalized through his innovative treatments, notably the Liu Wei Di Huang Wan formula and the Medical Sage Temple in Nanyang, which are dedicated to his memory.

4. Sun Simiao (581–682)

Sun Simiao, an illustrious figure in the annals of Chinese medicine, was born close to the end of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and lived through the Sui and Tang dynasties, passing away in 682 AD. Details about his early life, including his family background and upbringing, are sparse. However, it is known that from a young age, he was deeply interested in the study of medicine and the art of healing.

Sun Simiao’s education was extensive and multifaceted, encompassing medical knowledge and Daoist practices. He dedicated his life to the study and practice of medicine, assimilating knowledge from various existing medical works and combining it with his extensive research and experience. His commitment to medicine was not just a profession but a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and service to humanity.

His most significant contributions to medicine are encapsulated in his seminal works, “Beiji Qianjin Yaofang” and “Qian Jin Yi Fang.” These texts, monumental in scope, compiled impressive medical knowledge, including thousands of medicinal prescriptions. Beyond his medical writings, Sun Simiao is revered for his ethical stance on medical practice, as outlined in his famous declaration, which is often likened to the Hippocratic Oath. This declaration emphasized a physician's moral and ethical responsibilities, a perspective that profoundly influenced the practice of medicine in China. Sun Simiao’s legacy extends to his work in ophthalmology and alchemy, further underscoring his role as a pioneer in various medical fields. His impact on Chinese medicine is so profound that he is venerated as the “King of Medicine” in China.

5. Li Shizhen (1518–1593)

Li Shizhen, born on July 3, 1518, in Qizhou, Qichun County, Hubei, was a prominent figure in the Ming dynasty’s medical community. His birth into a family with a medical background profoundly influenced his path; his grandfather was a traveling doctor, and his father was a traditional physician and scholar. Li’s childhood was marred by an eye disease, purportedly due to excessive consumption of peppercorn seeds, a condition that perhaps deepened his interest in medicinal studies.

Despite his father’s encouragement to pursue a government position, Li Shizhen’s repeated failures in the national civil service exam redirected his focus to medicine. Apprenticing under his father at the age of 78, Li honed his skills in traditional Chinese medicine. His medical prowess gained recognition when he successfully treated the son of the Prince of Chu, leading to an invitation to serve as an official. Eventually, he attained a position at the Imperial Medical Institute in Beijing. However, his commitment to medical practice led him to leave this prestigious appointment to return to his roots as a physician.

Li Shizhen’s contributions to medicine are monumental, primarily through his authorship of the “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Bencao Gangmu). This comprehensive work, which took 27 years to complete, involved extensive research, including correcting errors in existing medical texts and integrating information from over 800 books. The Compendium, with its detailed entries on traditional Chinese medicines and herbs, is a testament to Li’s dedication to his field. The intensity of his work on this magnum opus significantly impacted his health, with rumors stating he remained indoors for ten consecutive years during its creation. Li Shizhen passed away before the official publication of his work, leaving a legacy as a pioneering figure in pharmacology and traditional Chinese medicine.

6. Huangfu Mi (215–282)

Huangfu Mi was born in 215 into a humble farming family in Sanli Village, Chaona, Pingliang. Despite his familial connection to the renowned general Huangfu Song, his upbringing was modest, far removed from the privileges of nobility. His early life was marked by the challenges typical of a rural farming community, yet he showed an early aptitude for learning and intellectual pursuits.

Despite the limitations of his rural upbringing, Huangfu Mi’s keen intellect and determination led him to educate himself extensively. Lacking formal education opportunities, he relied on self-study, demonstrating a remarkable ability to absorb and synthesize knowledge from various fields. His self-directed education laid the groundwork for his later accomplishments in medicine, history, and literature, showcasing his versatile intellect.

Huangfu Mi’s most significant contribution was in medicine, particularly through his compilation of the “Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion” between 256 and 260. This seminal work, comprising 12 volumes and 128 chapters, was one of the earliest systematic treatises on acupuncture and moxibustion and profoundly impacted the development of traditional Chinese medicine. Additionally, his literary and historical works, including the “Records of Emperors and Kings,” “Biographies of Exemplary Women,” and “Biographies of Exemplary Gentlemen,” further cemented his legacy as a scholar of diverse talents. Huangfu Mi passed away in 282, leaving a rich intellectual legacy that influenced subsequent generations.

7. Ji Ben (died 218)

Ji Ben, historically known as Ji Pi, was an imperial physician during the turbulent late Eastern Han dynasty. Born into an era of political upheaval and declining imperial authority, he grew up witnessing the central government’s struggle for power. Despite the social and political instability, Ji Ben pursued a medical career, rising to a prominent position in the imperial court as a court physician. His background and early life, including details about his family and education, are not extensively documented, reflecting his chaotic times.

Ji Ben’s medical expertise was highly valued as a physician in Emperor Xian's court. However, the extent of his contributions to medicine is not well-recorded in historical texts. His career was overshadowed by his involvement in political intrigue, which ultimately led to his downfall. His medical achievements, if any, were eclipsed by his role in the political events of his time, and thus, his impact as a medical professional remains largely unknown.

In 218, Ji Ben became embroiled in a rebellion against Cao Cao, the de facto ruler of the state. Along with several co-conspirators, including Geng Ji and Wei Huang, Ji Ben plotted to overthrow Cao Cao’s control over the Han government. Their plan involved taking Emperor Xian hostage and supporting Cao Cao’s rival, Liu Bei. However, the rebellion was swiftly suppressed, and Ji Ben, along with his fellow conspirators, was captured and executed for treason. His involvement in this failed uprising marked a dramatic end to his life, overshadowing his career as a physician and defining his legacy in the annals of history.

8. Zhang Yuansu (c. 1151–1234)

Zhang Yuansu, also known as Zhang Jiegu, was born around 1151 during the transition period from China’s northern Jin dynasty to the Mongolian Yuan dynasty. Details about his early life, including his upbringing and his parents’ occupations, are scarce. However, he lived in a time of significant historical and medical evolution, which likely influenced his later work in traditional Chinese medicine.

Zhang Yuansu’s education and medical journey were marked by his innovative integration of medicinal materials into the traditional Wuxing (five elements) framework. This integration was a significant advancement in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Zhang’s understanding and application of the five Shen (spirit) herbs framework and qi meridians further distinguished his work from his contemporaries. His approach to medicine was holistic, focusing on the harmony and balance of elements within the body.

Yuansu’s major achievement was his profound contribution to the pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine. His seminal work, the “Bag of Pearls” (Zhenzhu Nang), encapsulates his innovative approach to herbal medicine. In this work, Zhang Yuansu emphasized the importance of choosing herbs based on their qi, taste, yin, and yang, properties of the patient’s symptoms, the pathogenic factor involved, and the affected meridian. This method of prescribing herbs was revolutionary and influenced subsequent generations of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Zhang’s theories on the relationships between tastes of medicinals and their effects on organ systems further refined the understanding of herbal medicine. Zhang Yuansu’s contributions to medicine were significant in advancing the practice of herbal medicine in China, laying a foundation that would influence the field for centuries. His insights into the use of herbs and their relationship with the body’s meridians represent a key development in the evolution of traditional Chinese medicine. Zhang Yuansu’s death in 1234 marked the end of an era, but his legacy continued to shape Chinese medicine for generations to come.

9. Tao Hongjing (456–536)

Tao Hongjing, born in 456 AD in Moling (modern-day Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu), was a renowned polymath of China's Northern and Southern dynasties. His birthplace was near Jiankang, the period’s capital, shaping his early exposure to a diverse and rich cultural environment. His father, Tao Zhenbao, and grandfather, Tao Long, were erudite scholars and skilled in calligraphy and herbology, indicating a family legacy steeped in academic and medicinal traditions. His mother, Lady Hao, and her family were devout Buddhists, suggesting a spiritual influence in his upbringing.

From a young age, Tao displayed a remarkable intellect, deeply immersing himself in various subjects once they piqued his interest. At ten, he read the Daoist “Shenxian zhuan” and decided to pursue a life of reclusion as a yǐnshì, or hermit. This early exposure to Daoist texts significantly shaped his philosophical and medical inclinations. Throughout his life, Tao held various court positions under different dynasties, but his passion for learning and medicine remained constant. His decision to become a hermit after his mother died in 484 further solidified his commitment to scholarly and medical pursuits.

Tao Hongjing’s contributions to medicine and pharmacology are monumental. He integrated medicinal materials into the Wuxing (five elements) framework, linking the “tastes” of medicinals to their effects on organ systems. His “Bag of Pearls” work culminated in extensive research and understanding of herbal medicine and its relationship with meridians. His approach to medicine was revolutionary for his time, emphasizing herbs based on their properties and the condition being treated. This methodological innovation in prescribing herbs based on diagnosis significantly advanced traditional Chinese medicine. Tao’s death in 536 marked the end of a distinguished career, leaving behind a legacy that significantly influenced the development of Chinese medicine.

10. Shen Kuo (1031–1095)

Shen Kuo, a prominent polymath of the Song Dynasty, was born in Qiantang (modern-day Hangzhou) in 1031. His father, Shen Zhou, was a minor government official, giving Shen a unique perspective on administrative governance from a young age. Struggling with frequent illness as a child, Shen developed a keen interest in medical and pharmaceutical studies. His mother’s role in his early education was significant, which was common in China during that period.

His varied roles marked Shen Kuo’s life as a civil servant, including positions such as finance minister, state inspector, and academic chancellor. His involvement in various fields, including mathematics, optics, and astronomy, showcased his diverse expertise. Despite his numerous administrative and scientific achievements, Shen Kuo also contributed to medicine, although indirectly, through his wide-ranging scientific inquiries. His understanding of the natural world, including his studies on geomorphology and observations of marine fossils, indicated a keen interest in the scientific processes that underpin medical knowledge.

Later in his career, Shen faced political setbacks, leading to isolation. This phase, however, fueled his scholarly pursuits, resulting in the compilation of his extensive work, the “Dream Pool Essays.” This collection reflects his vast knowledge and observations in various fields, including rudimentary aspects of medical science. Shen Kuo’s intellectual legacy, particularly his contributions to understanding the natural world, had indirect implications for medicine, showcasing the interconnectedness of different scientific disciplines. His death in 1095 marked the end of a life characterized by relentless curiosity and diverse scholarly contributions.