The Shennong Bencao Jing is probably the oldest written manual on herbalism. Written approximately 2000 years ago in the Han Dynasty, the text divides medicinals into three general classes; lower, middle, and superior.
Interestingly, in the inferior class are quick acting herbs that address a narrow range of symptoms, while the superior class of herbs have slow, broad acting effects. Quite the opposite of the conventional Western mindset towards medicines.
The slow acting herbs are seen as superior because they can benefit just about everyone without side effects. While the inferior herbs must be used judiciously and for only a short period of time.
If we tale this same idea of classes and apply it to the broader range of health practices then self-treatment (such as diet and exercise) would certainly rank higher than treatments such as surgeries, medications or even acupuncture or herbs. Higher still would be qigong and meditation practices. Amongst the superior class, would be those internal arts that are gradual and safe.
I don't think that all internal practices are inherently safe for everyone. And it is possible to do harm with incorrect practice. But the essential guideline of the superior class is the same: a gradual cultivation of a broad range of benefits. This is the charactistic of a superior practice.
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