Since 2014, Mark Yu has been apprenticed to the Puji Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lineage in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. In 2016, he established the Puji Herbal Medicine Clinic in Chongqing to provide healthcare services and started teaching fundamental subjects like “Fundamental Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine” and “Chinese Pharmacology” at universities.
In June 2019, Mark embarked on a journey to Scotland for cultural exchange in TCM and martial arts.
In March 2023, Mark became a registered practitioner with the Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (FTCMP) in the United Kingdom. He assumed the role of chief consultant at the Starlight TCM Clinic in Inverness, Scotland, specializing in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. Additionally, he conducts Tai Chi classes every Saturday morning, promoting Dragon-style Tai Chi and traditional Chinese martial arts. That same year, he became a director of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Pulse Professional Committee and participated in global pulse culture exchange activities.
Scotland, located in the northern hemisphere at high latitudes with an extensive coastline, has developed dietary habits involving high-calorie foods such as cakes, cheese, sweets, and meats. This dietary structure leads to an accumulation of calories, and locals often counterbalance this with the consumption of ice water and cold beer to alleviate heat sensations.
This lifestyle can cause cold affliction in the middle burner (spleen and stomach) in TCM, leading to long-term damage to kidney yang energy and eventually resulting in chronic and complex conditions like obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and pain.
According to Chinese medicine, extremes breed pathology, and moderation is key. The body possesses the ability for self-regulation and dynamic balance. Disrupting this balance through habits and preferences can lead to pathological traits. Therefore, it is common for Western women to have weight issues in middle age.
Chinese traditional medicine and its wellness practices can effectively address these issues. Mark incorporates Qigong and Tai Chi into his treatments, empowering patients to guide their bodies back to health through self-correction.
In early 2024, Mark returned to Scotland to continue his medical practice, spreading the culture of TCM and Chinese martial arts. In February, he travelled from Scotland to Dubai for a cultural exchange in TCM and conducted consultations, serving the Arab community.
The profound culture of Traditional Chinese Medicine captivates foreign friends, who are amazed by the “magical” diagnostics and treatments of Chinese medicine. His story with Starlight was recently published by a journalist (click to view).
As commented by Mark, “Traditional Chinese Medicine is a national treasure, and through our overseas medical activities, we aim to share this rich cultural heritage with the world. In the modern era of advanced technology, we strive to pass on Traditional Chinese Medicine, making it known, accepted, and loved by more people.”
