Abstract: Qiushi, which literally means “autumn mineral”, was made from human’s urine and considered as a kind of elixir in ancient China. This thesis explores the cultural and theoretical background of the production and indications of qiushi. The function of the human body and the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine are discussed with qiushi as a case. The technology of qiushi resulted from the combination of some Daoist practices and the knowledge of medicine. Long term elements are taken into account in the evaluation of the effects of medicines, and the interaction between medicine and human body is emphasized – these constitute the features of the cognitive patterns in traditional Chinese medicine. The effects of medicines are explained in terms of yin, yang and five elements. Medicines and human body, which is in flux, interact with each other through their similar factors. The beliefs in traditional and classical theory have played an important part in the application of qiushi for a long time.