Achievements of Huang Yuanyu in the Herbal Medicine Field

Introduction

Huang Yuanyu, the eleventh-generation descendant of the renowned Ming Dynasty official Huang Fu, was born into a family with a rich scholarly heritage. His grandfather, Yunzhen, was a student at the Imperial Academy and a tutor at Houxuan. His uncle, Yunqi, achieved the rank of Jinshi during the Wuxu year of the Shunzhi reign and served as a Jieshizhong in the military department. His father, Zhong, was a student of Yixue, while his brothers, Derun and Dechun, were Zengsheng and Jiansheng, respectively.

Growing up in such an academically inclined family, Huang Yuanyu was profoundly influenced by his family’s educational background. His father arranged for Mr. Yu Ziju, a renowned scholar from Changyi, to be his teacher. Under Mr. Yu’s guidance, Huang Yuanyu studied for the imperial examinations, delving into classics and historical texts with the hope of bringing honor to his family by becoming an official.

Huang Yuanyu was determined to achieve success and gain fame, following in the footsteps of his illustrious ancestor, Huang Fu. In the second year of Emperor Yongzheng reign (1724), at nearly twenty years old, he passed the examination and became a student of Yixue.

His Illness

In the twelfth year of Emperor Yongzheng reign (1734), Huang Yuanyu, then thirty years old, suddenly developed an eye disease due to overwork. His left eye became red and astringent, with bloodshot whites. Seeking medical help, he consulted a doctor.

Unfortunately, the doctor prescribed rhubarb, coptis chinensis, and other cold-natured herbs, which led to a severe deficiency of spleen yang. Over the next few years, his condition worsened, and he eventually lost sight in his left eye.

During the imperial examination era, individuals with irregular facial features were barred from taking the exams or entering government service. This misfortune completely derailed Huang Yuanyu’s career aspirations.

In his sorrow, he resolved: “If I can’t be a good minister to serve the country, I will be a good doctor to help the people.”

Becoming a Herbal Medicine Practitioner

Huang Yuanyu embarked on a transformative journey, forsaking scholarly pursuits to delve into the world of herbal medicine. His path led him to immerse himself in ancient texts, studying the timeless wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine across dynasties.

With a solid scholarly foundation, Huang Yuanyu dedicated years to mastering these ancient texts. His diligence paid off, and he emerged successful. Now equipped with profound knowledge, he stepped into the realm of healing, serving the people through his practice of medicine.

In the process, he continually refined his skills, drawing from practical experience. His reputation grew, earning him the title “Zang in the South and Huang in the North,” alongside Zang Meiji, another renowned doctor from Zhucheng.

The Beginnings of Huang Yuanyu’s Medical Journey

Huang Yuanyu embarked on his medical career by immersing himself in the ancient texts of Chinese medicine. His journey began with Zhang Zhongjing’s “Shang Han Lun” (Treatise on Febrile Diseases), followed by “Jin Gui Yu Han Yao Lue” (the Golden Chamber), “Huang Di Nei Jing” (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Book by Qibo), and “Nan Jing” (Difficult Classics Book by Bian Que), among other foundational works.

He revered Zhang Zhongjing and his contemporaries as the “Si Sheng ” (Four Saints of Medicine). However, Huang Yuanyu recognized that beyond these revered figures, many famous doctors from past dynasties had made errors in their theories, leading to misdiagnosis.

The root cause lay in the disorganized state of Si Sheng’s texts and the inaccuracies introduced by annotations over time. Driven by a sense of duty, Huang Yuanyu dedicated his life to meticulously re-examining the Si Sheng texts, aiming to restore their original clarity for future generations.

In the second year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1737), Huang Yuanyu initiated the compilation of “Shang Han Xuan Jie” and began writing “Su Ling Wei Yun.” Completed in September of the fifth year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1740), this work spanned four volumes and twenty-six chapters. Notably, Huang Yuanyu introduced the diagnostic theory of “cultivating the middle qi, supporting yang, and suppressing yin.”

To illustrate the concept of qi (yuanqi) within the body, he used a vivid metaphor: “jing (nutrient or essence) resembles the seed of a fruit, while qi represents the Sheng Yi (life force, vitality) of that fruit. Just as a seed relies on life force to sprout into a bud, nutrients alone cannot sustain life; it is the life force within the seed that truly supports vitality.”

Advancing Traditional Chinese Medicine: Huang Yuanyu’s Journey

Guided by a profound understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, Huang Yuanyu consistently applied treatment principles rooted in the digestive system (bitu), while emphasizing the balance of Yang and suppression of Yin. His unwavering commitment to these principles fostered the cultivation of yuanqi—the vital life force—within the body. This marked a significant evolution in the theoretical foundations of Chinese medicine.

In the thirteenth year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1748), Huang Yuanyu embarked on a journey to Yangqiu in Qingjiang. The picturesque landscape of Yangqiu eased his spirit, prompting further exploration. Venturing southward, he paid homage at Yu’s Mausoleum on Kuaiji Mountain. Inspired by the majestic mountains and flowing rivers of Yue State, he declared his ambition to write a monumental work.

In April of the same year, Huang Yuanyu began crafting “Shang Han Xuan Jie,” a comprehensive treatise completed by July, spanning fifteen volumes. Later, in late August, he authored “Jin Kui Xuan Jie,” a twenty-two-volume masterpiece, all achieved by the age of forty-four.

During the spring of the fourteenth year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1749), Huang Yuanyu drafted “Si Sheng Xuan Shu,” an analysis of epidemic smallpox. Additionally, he penned “Si Sheng Xin Yuan,” unraveling the origins and outcomes of internal and external diseases. Although he only outlined these works due to other commitments, his contributions left an indelible mark on the annals of medicine.

Becoming an Imperial Physician: Huang Yuanyu’s Journey

In the fifteenth year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1750), Huang Yuanyu embarked on a journey northward to Beijing. The emperor himself was ailing, and the imperial physicians were baffled. Recommended for his exceptional medical skills, Huang Yuanyu entered the palace and successfully cured the emperor’s illness. His prowess earned him Emperor Qianlong’s special favor, along with the coveted title of imperial physician. Thus began Huang Yuanyu’s illustrious career within the Imperial Hospital.

The following year, during Emperor Qianlong’s inaugural southern tour, Huang Yuanyu accompanied him to Hangzhou. His prescriptions and treatments proved remarkably effective, garnering praise from both the emperor and his ministers. In April, seizing an opportunity, Huang Yuanyu returned to his old residence in Qingjiang, determined to complete his work titled “Si Sheng Xin Yuan.”

Despite achieving nine out of ten goals, the work remained unfinished. In June, he meticulously edited and revised “Si Sheng Xuan Shu,” ultimately producing the final draft. On August 15, he sailed back to the capital. It wasn’t until October of the seventh year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1752) that Huang Yuanyu completed the chapter titled “Tian Ren Jie.” This endeavor spanned four years, resulting in the comprehensive book “Si Sheng Xin Yuan.”

Within the chapter “Tian Ren Jie,” Huang Yuanyu diligently explained the content of the renowned work “Huang Di Nei Jing.”

His words echoed a profound truth: those who discuss matters of heaven must have experimented with the lives of people.

Huang Yuanyu’s Impact on Traditional Chinese Medicine

Huang Yuanyu held a deep reverence for the theories of yinyang and wuxing. His expertise lay in elucidating their intricate connections with the natural cycles of the four seasons. Within this framework, he explored the profound transformations of yuanqi—the vital life force—through the interplay of yin and yang dynamics, the generation and control of wuxing elements, the functioning of zangfu (organs), the origins of yuanqi and blood, and the intricate dance between mind and matter. These insights profoundly influenced the practice and conceptual foundations of traditional Chinese medicine.

Despite his prestigious role as an imperial physician, Huang Yuanyu grappled with discontent during his service years. His sentiments found poignant expression in the preface of his work, “Si Sheng Xin Yuan.” The demanding responsibilities within the Imperial Hospital left him with scant time for completing his writings. Filled with regret over precious moments lost, Huang Yuanyu vowed to cherish time like gold, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to his literary pursuits.

Huang Yuanyu’s Military Medical Endeavors

In the seventeenth year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1752), rebellion erupted as Chieftain Cangwang of the Zagu Tribe defied Qing authority. Responding swiftly, Sichuan Governor Celeng and Admiral Yue Zhongqi dispatched troops to quell the uprising.

However, the battle did not favor the Qing forces. During the initial Jinchuan Campaign, a significant number of troops suffered from acclimatization issues and diseases, resulting in reduced combat effectiveness and heavy casualties. Emperor Qianlong attributed these illnesses to blocked meridians, impaired qi and blood circulation, and insufficient vital energy.

To address this crisis, Emperor Qianlong appointed Huang Yuanyu, chief of the Zunjing School and an imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital, as the head of the Sichuan Army Medical Clinic (known as Jiu Zhen Tang). His mission: devise strategies to alleviate the soldiers’ acclimatization challenges.

Huang Yuanyu meticulously studied the harsh Tibetan climate, the officers’ and soldiers’ hypoxia at high altitudes, and prevalent ailments like typhoid and cough. Drawing upon his expertise, he formulated solutions:

• Leveraging secret prescriptions from the Imperial Hospital.
• Utilizing the finest medicinal materials for treating lung diseases and coughs from the Imperial Pharmacy.
• Incorporating precious substances like Cordyceps Sinensis, Fritillaria Thunbergii, and Rhodiola Rosea.
• Administering precious tonic herbs to bolster the soldiers’ constitution.

Huang Yuanyu’s dedication and innovative approach left an indelible mark on military medicine during this critical period.

In a clandestine effort, Huang Yuanyu transported silver medicine utensils and enlisted workers from the palace pharmacy to Chengdu. There, he meticulously crafted an array of ointments, pills, and powders. These potent concoctions fortified the soldiers’ constitution, bolstered immunity, and provided resilience against the oxygen-deprived plateau environment.

The Qing army carried these remedies, combating ailments such as hypoxia, typhoid, cough, fatigue, and exhaustion. Huang Yuanyu’s ingenuity played a pivotal role in their survival and resilience during challenging times.

Huang Yuanyu’s Literary Legacy and Final Days

In the eighteenth year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1753), Huang Yuanyu, then forty-nine years old, embarked on a prolific writing spree. He meticulously annotated and explained Zhang Zhongjing’s prescriptions and medicines, resulting in “Chang Sha Yao Jie,” a four-volume work containing 161 herbs and 242 prescriptions.

The following year, in the nineteenth year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1754), Huang authored “Shang Han Shuo Yi,” a ten-volume masterpiece that delved into classical texts, sparking debates and inspiring generations to come. In June of the same year, he penned “Yu Chu Yao Jie,” an eight-volume volume addressing the limitations of “Chang Sha Yao Jie.” Notably, he pioneered the treatment of plague using duckweed.

Huang Yuanyu’s literary output culminated in eight medical books, collectively known as “Huang’s Eight Kinds.” By this time, he had reached fifty years of age, but overwork had taken its toll, leaving him exhausted.

His devoted disciple, Bi Wuling, implored Huang to annotate “Su Wen” and “Ling Shu,” chapters from the ancient classic “Huangdi Neijing.” Despite his age, Huang Yuanyu accepted the challenge. In the early spring of the twentieth year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1756), he began annotating “Su Wen.” By November, the thirteen-volume work, titled “Su Wen Xuan Jie,” emerged. Within its pages, Huang introduced the groundbreaking concept of “wu yun liu qi, nan zheng bei zheng,” a theory that continues to perplex herbal medicine scholars and practitioners to this day.

On May 2 of the twenty-first year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1757), Huang completed nine volumes of “Ling Shu Xuan Jie.” In a remarkable feat, he spent seven days crafting two volumes of “Nan Jing Xuan Jie” from May 16 to 22. These three works—collectively known as “Huang’s Three Kinds”—joined the previous eight, forming an enduring legacy of eleven essential texts.

Huang Yuanyu’s Multifaceted Contributions

Beyond his medical expertise, Huang Yuanyu delved into Daoism and classical texts. In the twenty-first year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1757), alongside his medical works, he penned “Dao De Jing Jie” (Explanation of Dao De Jing) at the request of his friend, Tan Ming Ju Shi. This insightful work interpreted the philosophy of the Dao De Jing, revealing its profound meanings.

In June of the same year, Huang completed “Zhou Yi Xuan Xiang” (Explanation of Zhou Yi). Drawing from over a decade of intensive study of Yi Li, he expounded on the theory of Yin Yang Bagua Yao Ci—the changes inherent in the Book of Changes. An official from Sikuguan lauded Huang’s interpretation, declaring it the most solid foundation among modern analyses of the Yi.

In the twenty-second year of Emperor Qianlong reign (1758), Huang Yuanyu succumbed to serious illness, a consequence of his tireless dedication to medical practice and writing. Returning to his hometown, he settled into his study in the southern corner of Changyi City.

On the seventeenth day of the ninth month, in the same year, Huang Yuanyu passed away at the age of fifty-four. His final resting place was the ancestral tomb in Xinguo.

Emperor Qianlong mourned deeply upon hearing of Huang Yuanyu’s demise. In a heartfelt tribute, he personally composed the four characters “Ren Dao Yao Ji,” encapsulating Huang’s lifelong commitment to benevolence and healing through medicine. These words became the guiding principles for generations of students who followed in Huang’s footsteps, perpetuating his medical legacy.

Looking Ahead

For more stories about Huang Yuanyu and his contributions to traditional herbal medicine, and how it helps in rejuvenating our health, stay tuned for the next episode.

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