Dissemination of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Germany from an Intercultural Perspective: A Brief Introduction of Franz Hübotter

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the cultural heritage of all humankind. TCM not only embodies the cultural crystallization of the region and the nation, but also performs the important mission of curing the lives, saving the sick and maintaining the health of the people. In the history of the spread of Chinese medicine to the West, foreign missionaries have played an important role, and researches about this role have continued in China. In the history of Chinese medicine in Germany, there is a pivotal figure named Franz Hübotter (1881–1967), who broke through the deadlock in the academic research of Chinese medicine in the 19th century in Germany, but the discussion on his contribution has been comparatively rare in China. His works and translations are not only of medical value, but are also valuable historically, culturally, and socially. The historical development of TCM has the authenticity of history, the integrity of the environment, and the richness of the times. Medical experts have explored and verified the value of medicine. Translators and scholars are mainly concerned with the dissemination of knowledge from an intercultural perspective. This paper provides a primitive and objective introduction to Franz Hübotter, hoping to trigger off the secondary research among scholars of different professional backgrounds and to expand professional thinking, and then get over the barriers of disciplines.