Medicine and healing have always played a central role in human civilization． China's traditional medicine comprises three distinct aspects：traditional Chinese medicine，national medicine and folk medicine．National medicine refers to the traditional medicine of Chinese minority ethnic groups．As a united，multi-national country，the Chinese nation comprises the Han ethnic group and 55 minorities．These minorities have accumulated a rich storehouse of medical knowledge and practical experience accumulated over the course of many centuries．Traditional medicine forms a key element in the rich tapestry that is Chinese ethnic culture．