French expat promotes traditional Chinese medicine

XI'AN -- Philippe Emmanuel Couste feels he made the right decision to settle in China after living here for 15 years.

The 38-year-old French national brought his dream to fruition in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, becoming an inheritor of centuries-old traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) after a relentless pursuit.

Couste grew up in the southwestern French city of Pau and medical practice runs deep in his family. His grandpa was a doctor who treated the injured during World War II and his grandma was a pharmacist.

"Both of them were interested in TCM, which had a subtle influence on me throughout my childhood and after," recalled Couste.

Although he only had limited knowledge of the Chinese language, Couste followed his inner curiosity and took a bold decision to come to China as an exchange student in 2007.

It seemed to be a random choice for him at that time to journey across the ocean and pursue his graduate degree in the ancient city of Xi'an. But when he looks back after more than a decade, he feels "it was something like a destiny."

During his university days in Xi'an, he met Ji Yunxuan, a Chinese girl who later became his wife. Coincidentally, Ji's father is a TCM doctor specializing in skin treatment.

"With his help, I was able to get closer to realizing my dream. I learned TCM from scratch like the four diagnostic methods, namely, looking, listening, questioning and feeling the pulse," Couste said.

Couste and his wife established a skin medical museum in 2019 in the Gaoling District of Xi'an. According to the couple, the museum has received tens of thousands of visitors.

Walking into the museum, one can quickly notice the fragrant smell of herbs. Specimens of Chinese herbal medicine are neatly arranged and labeled with prescriptions in French and English translations.

Among the collections, numerous items that traveled thousands of miles from France frequently capture the attention of visitors. Acupuncture point maps with French terms are hung on the wall and a white ceramic gallipot embellished with traditional patterns is well preserved in the glass case.

"My grandpa learned acupuncture by himself at home and he gave me those maps before I left for China, and my grandma used to prepare herbal medicine in that pot to treat patients with rheumatic pain," Couste said.

"These serve as a testimony to the integration of Western and Chinese medicine. Now I want to carry forward their legacy," he added.

The past decade witnessed China's continuous efforts to promote TCM across the world. According to the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, so far, TCM has been applied in 196 countries and regions. China plans to work with countries along the Belt and Road to build 30 overseas TCM centers during the 2021-2025 period.

"We have seen that an increasing number of foreign students come to China and learn more about TCM. I am told that books related to TCM with French translation can be found in many stores in France," said Couste, who also takes online courses on TCM from a French professor.

It is Couste's lifelong pursuit to let more people in the world understand TCM and help treat patients. "I have accepted an invitation from my hometown and will give classes to those interested in TCM in France soon to share its charm with others," Couste said.