[3] However, she did not start implementing this knowledge until she herself became ill.[2] Tan Yunxian later married, raised four children, and practiced medicine on women.
Other patients had illnesses that either sex could contract, such as coughing, insomnia, rashes, swellings, diarrhea or nausea.
Since the physician applying the moxa had to physically touch the patient, male doctors were unable to perform this treatment on women.
Various accounts show Tan's conclusions that these women often overworked themselves, whether physically or mentally[2] thus bringing on various symptoms.
"[2] Quite different from their male counterparts of ancient China, women did not hone their skills by studying with masters nor did they have the purpose or goal in mind to set up their own clinics after their apprenticeship.
While women were quite skilled in their medical techniques, they rarely made any recorded theoretical additions to the field.
[3] Male doctors were often not allowed to physically touch women due to issues of propriety and gender norms.
Female doctors had an advantage in working with just women patients because they knew the nature of their bodies, and many had already birthed children.
[12] A character that combines Tan with Jingtai Emperor consort Empress Hang was portrayed by Cecilia Liu in 2016 Chinese historical drama series The Imperial Doctress.
The series focuses on a fictionalized love triangle between Tan and two emperors,[13] with her medical work becoming a side plot.
The novel focuses on the personal life of Tan, beginning with her education from her grandmother and through her struggles as a female physician in the Ming Dynasty.