Introduction to Basic Concepts in Traditional Herbal Medicine

01 Introduction

Huang Yuanyu faced numerous hardships, but under the protection of Emperor Qianlong and within the stable environment of the Imperial Hospital, he was able to calm down, summarize his medical experiences, and utilize the rich medical resources available to him. This led to the founding of the Zunjing School, a significant development in the history of Chinese medicine. Huang Yuanyu became a master of his generation, profoundly influencing later generations.

He introduced several concepts that continue to impact how we approach bodily health today. His most fundamental concept is encapsulated in eight Chinese words:

Pei zhi zhong tu, fu yang yi yin (培植中土，扶阳抑阴).

These words hold significant guiding principles for treating various diseases, especially chronic and difficult-to-treat conditions commonly faced by middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Before delving into how Huang Yuanyu applied these basic concepts in traditional herbal medicine for disease prevention and treatment, it is essential to understand these concepts ourselves to logically follow his methods.

02 Profound Concepts in Traditional Herbal Medicine

In studying traditional herbal medicine, one often encounters a popular saying about key concepts:

• If you study medicine without reading the Treatise on Febrile Diseases, you will not know how to differentiate between liu jing.
• If you study medicine without reading Zheng Qinan, you will not understand yin and yang, shui and huo.
• If you study medicine without reading Huang Yuanyu, you will not grasp the mysteries of wuxing.
• If you study medicine without reading Zhang Xichun, you will not know the difference between han and re, xu and shi.

This saying highlights the contributions of four renowned physicians in the field of traditional herbal medicine.

03 Zhang Zhongjing and His Theory on Liujing

Without studying Zhang Zhongjing’s “Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases” from the Han Dynasty, one cannot understand the six meridians: Shaoyang, Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyin, Taiyin, and Jueyin. This understanding is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

04 Zheng Qinan and His Theory on Yin-Yang

Zheng Qinan, a prominent doctor during the Daoguang and Guangxu reigns of the Qing Dynasty and founder of the Huoshen School, is renowned for his profound understanding of yin and yang. To learn herbal medicine effectively, one must study Zheng Qinan’s work to grasp these fundamental concepts.

05 Huang Yuanyu and His Theory on Wuxing

Among the many renowned doctors in the history of traditional herbal medicine, Huang Yuanyu’s theory on wuxing stands out for its completeness and clarity. Without studying his work, one’s knowledge of wuxing may remain confused.

06 Zhang Xichun and His Theory on Han-Re and Xu-Shi

Zhang Xichun detailed the concepts of han-re (cold and heat) and xu-shi (deficiency and excess) in “Medical Records of Zhongzhong Canxi.” He believed these concepts were foundational for diagnosis and treatment in traditional herbal medicine.

01 Cold and Heat

Zhang Xichun viewed cold and heat as manifestations of imbalanced yuanqi in the body. Cold syndrome includes symptoms like fear of cold, cold limbs, and pale complexion, while heat syndrome includes fever, thirst, flushed face, and irritability. Diagnosis should consider both surface symptoms and methods like pulse and tongue examination.

02 Deficiency and Excess

Deficiency and excess refer to the strength of the body’s positive yuanqi and the rise and fall of pathogenic factors. Deficiency syndrome manifests as fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale complexion, while excess syndrome includes pain, fullness, and irritability. Zhang Xichun emphasized the importance of pulse in diagnosing these conditions, with floating and weak pulses indicating deficiency and deep, strong pulses indicating excess. Treatment should be tailored to these differences, using warming and nourishing methods for cold and deficiency syndromes, and heat-clearing methods for heat syndromes.

07 Misunderstood Concepts

In China, concepts like yin and yang and wuxing are popular but often misunderstood. This confusion largely stems from their use by fortune tellers to explain life and death, which diverges from their scientific basis in traditional herbal medicine. As we continue, we will explore how these concepts can scientifically revitalize our body and health.

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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