The people of Yi, one of the most populous minority groups in Southwest China, are reported to enjoy the lowest incidence of cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases. The message indicates that the indigenous medicine has a great value of study in health care.
    The Yi medicine was originated in the primitive society, that is, from the first year of Anno Domini to the establishment of the slavery system. According to Yi medicine, the heaven is an entity and so is the human body; man and nature are a unity with intrinsic relations. Yi medicine was founded on such theories as “nature and man are in harmony” and ‘Yin and Yang and five primordial elements. In diagnosing diseases, Yi doctors use such methods as observation, auscultation, and offaction, interrogation, pulse feeling and palpation and position identification. The last method is used to find the position of “ben ming” (fate) and therapy to be used. It is an expression of the form of the movement of life.
    As compared with other minority groups, Yi medicine has its distinct national and local colors, tinged with customary ideas, religious culture and national feelings and habits. The Huang School of Medicine absorbed the cream of the Yi medicine, especially the knowledge about traditional medicinal herbs in the course of mingling with the Yi culture.