Ge Hong (葛洪; Gě Hóng, 283 - 364 AD), or Zhichuan (稚川) is a Chinese linguist, philosopher, physician, alchemist and writer during the early centuries AD. A rebel and sometime recluse, he is the originator of first aid in traditional Chinese medicine.
Ge Hong adopts the name Baopuzi, meaning to "embrace simplicity". This name reflects his philosophy of cherishing core virtues and resisting allure of materialistic desires. Embracing simplicity encapsulates an ascetic way of life of purity, authenticity, and inner contentment.
Ge Hong values the essence of things over superficial appearances. This dedication to simplicity is a guiding principle. It shapes his worldview and influences his actions. As a philosopher he seeks wisdom through humility and sincerity.
Ge Hong's work covers various fields including Chinese alchemy, medicine, and religious studies. His philosophy involves a unique blend of Confucianism and Taoism, challenging the established norms.
Confucianism promotes principles from the Five Classics, to be followed to maintain harmony of family and of society. In Taoism, beings should live in balance with the Tao, or the universe. Taoists believe in spiritual immortality. The spirit of the body joins the universe after death.
Unlike contemporaries who revere ancient texts, Ge Hong emphasizes the importance of embracing new ideas and pushing the boundaries of knowledge through innovation and experimentation. His contributions to medicine and alchemy are remarkable.
As a scientist he seeks tangible results and practical applications. Ge Hong's approach revolutionizes the way these disciplines are viewed and practiced, paving the way for future advancements in Chinese medicine and alchemical practices.
In the practice of medicine, Ge Hong reads a large number of medical books in his analysis and research. He summarizes treatment experience and collects knowledge from folk treatments, a practice much later echoed in the Renaissance healing arts of Paracelsus.
In his book Emergency Formulae at an Elbow's Length (肘后备急方), he suggests treating rabies patients by applying the brain matter of rabid dogs to the bite wound. He recommends extractions of the plant Artemisia annua, or sweet wormwood, to treat malaria.
Ge Hong is esteemed for his knowledge of chemistry. He documents the redox reaction of mercury, and also discovers chalcanthite (copper sulfate pentahydrate) can be transformed to a golden bronze-like alloy through a redox reaction involving copper sulfate and iron.
He gives several treatments to bring an emergency patient out of a coma including blowing air into the ear, nose insufflating therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion or burning a product applied to the skin. Many techniques of modern medicine come from his ideas.
Tu Youyou, a Chinese malariologist and pharmaceutical chemist, draws inspiration from the use of A. annua to treat malaria. Her experiments lead to discovery of artemisinin extracted from Artemisia, for which she receives part of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
In Xiaolingfeng Temple (小灵峰寺) a statue of Ge Hong is enshrined. In c. AD 327, Hong works here to distill elixirs. During his seclusion in the nearby Lingfeng peaks (Yandang Mountains), a plague breaks out, and he comes down from the mountains to help the people.
Ge Hong believes immortality can be achieved through diligent effort and study, regardless of wealth or status. He emphasizes individual determination, not divine intervention, as crucial for attaining eternal life.
Ge's Inner Chapters are written for educated individuals willing to strive for immortality, highlighting its importance. He views physical immortality as feasible due to the metaphysical oneness, xuan, which sustains all things.
Maintaining this internal oneness is the key to immortality, as attachment to external desires leads to its loss. Ge emphasizes those who grasp xuan become divine, while those who forget it are empty vessels.
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