Marie Gicquel, edited by Laura Laplaud / Photo credit: SANDRINE MARTY / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP 10:25 am, August 15, 2023

Explore Asian medicines thanks to an exhibition proposed by the Guimet Museum in Paris, of which Europe 1 is a partner. 300 works to discover its history, its rudiments, from Ayurvedic in India, to the importance of taking the pulse in Japan.

Open your chakras and let's discover Asian medicines. Until September 18th, the National Museum of Asian Arts - Guimet, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, offers an exhibition entitled "Medicines of Asia, the art of balance". Through 300 works, the tour appears as an introduction to Asian medicine, from Ayurvedic in India, to the importance of pulse taking in Japan.

>> Find Europe 1 Matin in replay and podcast here

"Good health in Asia is reflected in a reharmonization of circulation systems"

Garlic for vision problems, dried snakes for sore throats and lizards for calming coughs. These treatments, unusual for the West, are based on small bottles from China and India. Medical treatises and massage manuals dating back centuries are also on display.

"Good health in Asia is reflected in a reharmonization of pneumatic and hydraulic circulation systems, that is to say everything related to breaths and fluids inside our body," explains Thierry Zéphir, curator of the exhibition.

Anti-demon clothing to protect against evil spirits

Men's health is also threatened by evil spirits. But do not panic, there are anti-demon clothes. "We represent very amazing and amusing costumes of Chinese children, small mules that have the appearance of small tigers, bibs with animals a little particular, scorpions, snakes and others, but which are there to protect the child," details the curator of the exhibition.

To stay away from evil spirits, the exhibition invites visitors to meditate in an alcove with a peaceful atmosphere guarded by a protective Buddha.