I want to teach myself Chinese medicine.

What you said is like Gai Lou, you just want to build the second floor, not the first floor. Is there such a truth?

To learn any knowledge, we must learn and master its basic theory, which is the minimum and the foundation. Only by mastering the basic theoretical knowledge can we understand the principle and further study. The basic theory of TCM is the foundation of the introduction of TCM. If you don't want basic theory, you can only say that you can learn some applied knowledge.

When you say that you want to teach yourself Chinese medicine, can I take it that you want to learn some applied knowledge about Chinese medicine? If so, it will be easy. Starting with the knowledge of TCM health care, learn some knowledge such as scraping. Slowly transition to the treatment of certain diseases by Chinese medicine (such as the treatment of chronic gastritis), and learn the core knowledge of treating common diseases and chronic diseases by Chinese medicine. Through accumulation, you will master the basic knowledge of TCM health preservation, health care and treatment of some diseases.

However, one problem will gradually emerge, that is, as you continue to study and think, you will feel that something will bother you, that is, you don't understand why you should treat it like this, which is why you have no theoretical basis, and in turn you feel that you should learn some theoretical knowledge.

This is also one of the ways for ancient people to learn Chinese medicine from teachers. First, learn how to use medicine to treat diseases (see a doctor), read books designated by the master (follow the master and the theory of library science), and see patients prescribe medicines under the guidance of the master (master teaches patients, now called internship). When the master thinks he can be independent (now graduated from school, practiced for one year, and got a doctor's license), he can start his own business, and then he can see a doctor alone and treat others.

If you just want to learn some knowledge of Chinese medicine, you can teach yourself, but it can only be used for health care, health preservation or treatment of yourself or your family. If you want to learn Chinese medicine to treat patients, you must go to a school related to Chinese medicine and take the road of growing up as a practicing doctor.