Historically known as the “Yue ethnic group”, the Jing ethnic group officially adopted its current name in 1958, approved by the State Council of China [1] . It is the only minority in China primarily engaged in marine fisheries, mainly concentrated in the “Three Islands of the Jing Ethnic Group” (The primary settlement areas for the Jingzu people and consist of three main islands: Wanwei Island, Wutou Island, and Shanxin Island) in Jiangping Town, Dongxing City, Guangxi. Due to the geographical isolation of the islands, residents face difficulties accessing medical care [2] . For survival and reproduction, the Jing people have accumulated extensive experience in preventing and treating diseases over a long period, forming a unique system of Jing ethnic medicine. This system has contributed to the health and prosperity of the Jing people and continues to play a crucial role in their healthcare today [3] . However, Jing ethnic medicine lacks a systematic theoretical framework and relies on the knowledge structure of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, supplemented by traditional folk therapies. Modern medicine has also impacted the preservation of Jing ethnic medicine, leading to the gradual forgetting of traditional prescriptions and empirical formulas. Additionally, Jing ethnic medicine is underappreciated, and the number of local practitioners is decreasing, putting many medicinal experiences at risk of being lost. Advantageous diseases refer to specific conditions that a particular medical system treats with unique advantages and high efficacy. These diseases are often the result of extensive experience and treatment methods accumulated over long periods of practice. Jing ethnic medicine, as a traditional ethnic medical system, has been passed down through generations and has accumulated rich therapeutic experience. It particularly demonstrates significant advantages in the treatment of some common local diseases and difficult-to-treat conditions. Therefore, this project aims to survey the advantageous diseases in Jing ethnic medicine on the Three Islands of the Jing Ethnic Group to better excavate, organize, and promote the development of minority medicine.

Jing ethnic medicine is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, embodying the Jing people’s achievements in combating diseases and their pursuit of a better life. Language and social ideology differences have increased the difficulty of excavating and organizing Jing ethnic medicine. Although research on Jing ethnic medicine started late, significant progress has been made in recent years to rescue and preserve the valuable Jing ethnic medicine, thanks to the efforts of the local government and relevant institutions [5] .

Research on advantageous diseases in Jing ethnic medicine has begun, but systematic studies are lacking. Numerous papers and books on Jing ethnic medicine have been published, such as “An Initial Exploration of Jing Ethnic Folk Medicine” (2009), “Research on the Marine Culture of the Jing Ethnic Group in Dongxing City, Guangxi” (2013), “An Initial Exploration of the Current Status of Jing Ethnic Medicine in Guangxi” (2014), “Application of Self-made Mugwort Wool and Folk Acupuncture in Jing Ethnic Medicine” (2014), “Jing Ethnic Medicine” (2014), “Jing Ethnic Dietary Culture and Jing Ethnic Medicine” (2015), “The Ethnic Style of Jing Ethnic Medicine” (2015), “Research on the Culture of Minority Medicine in Guangxi” (2016), “Research on the Customs of Marine Medicine in Jing Ethnic Medicine” (2016), “An Initial Exploration of Jing Ethnic Medicine” (2016), and “Contemporary Value and Utilization Strategies of Jing Ethnic Traditional Health Preservation Culture” (2017). These publications demonstrate that many scholars have dedicated themselves to the study of Jing ethnic medicine, with most of the research centered at Fangchenggang City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, which has played a significant role in preserving and promoting Jing ethnic medicine, showcasing theoretical achievements and providing important references for future research [6] [7] .

According to existing research materials, detailed records and introductions of Jing ethnic medicine are found in six ancient texts and twelve handwritten manuscripts, containing over 300 single prescriptions, empirical formulas, and secret recipes, 16 folk therapies, and related photos, audio recordings, videos, marine medicines, and commonly used herbs [8] . These materials primarily introduce diagnostic methods and medications but lack discussions on the thinking patterns, philosophical theories, and cultural spirit of Jing ethnic medicine. Establishing a theoretical system for Jing ethnic medicine remains a daunting task.

From the aforementioned research findings, it is evident that the research team is small, funding is insufficient, and conducting field investigations is challenging. Although the research team at Fangchenggang City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital has been engaged in medical work for a long time and has achieved a certain depth of research in this field, there is a lack of interdisciplinary talent exchange, resulting in insufficient research depth and breadth. The main approach to studying Jing ethnic medicine culture is through literature reviews and field investigations, focusing on uncovering and researching the cultural connotations of Jing ethnic medicine from existing Jing ethnic medicine literature, TCM literature, ethnic medicine literature, and field investigations. However, there is a lack of multidisciplinary and multifaceted research approaches, insufficient integration of disciplinary knowledge, and a low overall level of research, particularly in the technical research and promotion of Jing ethnic medicine prescriptions and therapies.

The results of this study indicate that Jing ethnic medicine has distinct advantages in treating certain specific diseases, such as gastric disorders, pediatric colds, and abdominal pain. These findings not only provide new options for clinical treatment but also offer scientific evidence for the development of Jing ethnic medicine. However, the implications of these results for the practice and development of Jing medicine still require further in-depth analysis.

Firstly, the study results reveal the unique advantages of Jing ethnic medicine in treating certain diseases, providing strong support for its further development and application. Secondly, a systematic study of advantageous diseases can lead to a better understanding of the therapeutic principles and methods of Jing ethnic medicine, laying the foundation for establishing a comprehensive theoretical system of Jing ethnic medicine. Additionally, these research findings can facilitate the exchange and collaboration between Jing ethnic medicine and other traditional medicines, promoting the overall development of traditional Chinese medicine.

However, this study also has some limitations. Although multiple methods were employed, there is still a need for improvement in the application of interdisciplinary approaches. Future research should further strengthen collaboration with other disciplines, such as sociology, anthropology, and biology, to comprehensively and deeply explore the scientific basis and effectiveness of Jing ethnic medicine.

To address these issues, our project team, guided by the policy of the “Revitalization Plan for Zhuang and Yao Medicine in Guangxi”, plans to conduct in-depth surveys on the diagnostic experiences of Jing ethnic medicine practitioners on the “Three Islands of the Jing Ethnic Group” (Wanwei, Wutou, and Shanxin) in Jiangping Town, Dongxing City, and surrounding areas. We aim to uncover unique Jing ethnic medicine theories, empirical formulas, advantageous diseases, and classic drugs, and to summarize and organize three advantageous diseases in Jing ethnic medicine (gastric diseases, pediatric abdominal heat pain (colds), and abdominal pain (gallstones)). We will conduct clinical observations and preliminary construct a standardized system for diagnosing and treating these advantageous diseases to promote the standardized development of Jing ethnic medicine, enhance the innovation and development of Jing ethnic medicine technology, and ultimately advance the application of Jing ethnic medicine in clinical practice, thereby promoting the development of Jing ethnic medicine.

Guangxi Key Research and Development Program: Standardization Study of Jing Ethnic Medicine for Advantageous Diseases (Grant No. Gui Ke AB21196013); Exploration of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques for Jing Ethnic Medicine Advantaged Diseases and Development of “Jinghu Weishu Bafang” Hospital Preparation (Grant No. Gui Ke AB23026064).