About this course: Course Overview: https://youtu.be/L0-cZt1Hw7c Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine are two distinct medical systems, yet they both aim at the prevention and treatment of human diseases. With this in mind, we should understand the practice of Chinese Medicine in the context of Modern Medicine. In this course, we explore the basic theories underlying the practice of Chinese Medicine, compare and contrast the use of Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine in Preventive Health, and discuss how to restore a healthy condition and understand the pharmacological basis of different types of Chinese tonifying herbs. By the end of this course, you will be able to: - state the important Chinese Medicine literature from 5th century B.C. to 16th century A.D. - describe and interpret basic Chinese Medicine theories - apply the basic Chinese Medicine theories (such as the balance between Yin and Yang and the interaction among organs) to restore a healthy condition - compare and contrast the use of Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine in Preventive Health - explain how the balance of Yang/Qi and/or Yin/Blood can be restored by using Chinese tonifying herbs - adapt the Chinese Medicine concepts by reviewing the contemporary researches on pharmacological activities in Chinese tonifying herbs
Created by: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Taught by: Robert Ko, Professor
Division of Life Science
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 6 weeks of study, 1.5-2 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Basic Theories in Chinese Medicine
In the first foundation module, students are going to learn basic theories in Chinese Medicine. Please enjoy a series of animations introducing Chinese Medicine History and different Chinese Medicine Concepts. Prof. Ko explains these concepts further in the lecture videos afterwards.
13 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Course Overview
- Reading: Assignments and Grading
- Discussion Prompt: Meet and Greet
- Video: Chinese Medicine History
- Video: Yin Yang Theory
- Video: Five Element Theory
- Video: Qi
- Video: Blood
- Video: Meridian
- Video: Zang Fu Theory
- Video: 1.1 Historical Outline on the Development of Chinese Medicine
- Video: 1.2: Yin Yang Theory
- Video: 1.3 Five Element Theory
- Video: 1.4 Qi and Blood
- Video: 1.5 Meridian, Zang Fu Theory and Concluding Remarks
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Reading: Supplementary Reading Materials
Graded: Quiz 1
WEEK 2
Balance and Interactions, and Preventive Health
Chinese Medicine concerns about "Holisticity", which involves (1) Yin and Yang balance and (2) Five Elements Interaction among visceral organs. In this foundation module, you will learn the importance of Balance and Interactions, as poor Balance and Interactions lead to body function deficiencies. Common examples of body function deficiencies encountered by many city dwellers are illustrated. Prof. Ko also explains how different Chinese Medicines can prevent and/or treat these deficiencies. Some people may make use of Modern Medicine, such as Vitamins, for preventive health, Prof. Ko also compares and contrasts the difference between Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine in preventive health.
5 videos, 5 readings
- Video: 2.1 Balance of Yin and Yang for Qi generation
- Reading: Survey 1: Find out your Five-Element type
- Video: 2.2: Interactions of Visceral Organs
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Video: 2.3 How to Remediate a Sub-healthy Status in Body Function
- Reading: Survey 2: Are you in a Sub-healthy Condition?
- Video: 2.4: Practical Examples of Deficiency in Body Function
- Video: 2.5 Chinese Medicine Vs Modern Medicine in Preventive Health
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Reading: Supplementary Reading Materials
Graded: Quiz 2
WEEK 3
Pharmacological Basis of Chinese Tonifying Herbs
In the last foundation module, Prof. Ko explains, in the language of Modern Medicine, the pharmacological basis of different kinds of Chinese Tonifying Herbs - (1) Yang and Qi invigoration, (2) Yin Nourishment and (3) Blood Enrichment, We also look into different examples of Chinese Medicine for their effects and applications.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: 3.1 Yang/Qi Invigoration Tonifying Herbs
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Video: 3.2 Yin Nourishment/Blood Enrichment Tonifying Herbs
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Reading: Supplementary Reading Materials
Graded: Quiz 3
WEEK 4
Seminar 1: Yin and Yang: A Pharmacological Perspective
Chinese Medicine concerns about Yin Yang Balance, as Yin Yang balance generates Qi, which can circulate along the Meridian and nourish different organs. In this seminar series, Prof. Ko explains how Yin Yang is related to Modern Medicine. Chinese Medicine also believes that Chinese tonifying herbs can restore the Yin Yang balance in body function and hence a healthy body status. The seminar series also describes how different Chinese tonifying herbs can enhance the physiological function by means of activating energy metabolism, stimulating immunomodulatory action, enhancing antioxidation ability, etc.
2 videos, 2 readings
- Video: 4.1 What are Yin and Yang in Modern Medicine?
- Video: 4.2 Pharmacological Basis of Yin/Yang Tonifying Herbs
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Reading: Supplementary Reading Materials
Graded: Quiz 4
WEEK 5
Seminar 2: Yang Invigoration and Yin Nourishment
From the previous seminar series, we understand that Yang is primarily related to energy metabolism while Yin is primarily related to the immune system in our body. In this seminar series, we look into the effect of Yang Invigoration and Yin Nourishment to our body, from the biochemical perspective, in the language of Modern Medicine.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: 5.1 Decoding Yang Invigoration in Chinese Medicine
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Video: 5.2 Yin Nourishment: A Modern Medicine Perspective
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Reading: Supplementary Reading Materials
Graded: Quiz 5
WEEK 6
Seminar 3-4: Qi Invigoration and Chinese Tonifying Herbs for Promoting Health
In Chinese Medicine, Yin Yang Balance generates Qi. In the last module of the course, Prof. Ko gives a thorough explanation of the nature of Qi from the biochemical perspective. Schisandra Berry - a common Qi invigorating tonifying herb is used for illustration on how Qi invigoration is important to our health. Due to the gradual change of diseases over the past century from the prevalence of infectious diseases to age-associated diseases, Chinese Medicine is highly regarded as a gold mine for exploring alternative ways to prevent and treat these diseases. Prof. Ko wraps up the course by summarizing the use of different categories of Chinese tonifying herbs and when we should use them for preventive health.
3 videos, 3 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: 6.1 Qi Invigorating Action in Chinese Medicine
- Video: 6.2 A Qi Invigorating Herb - Schisandra Berry
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Video: 6.3 Chinese Tonifying Herbs are Effective Means for Promoting Health
- Reading: Video Scripts
- Reading: Supplementary Reading Materials
- Practice Quiz: Post-course questionnaire
Graded: Quiz 6
Graded: Final Exam
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Ratings and Reviews
Love the materials and how there are transcripts of all lessons! My wrists thank you! Also, I like all videos and how they are taught in a smooth and fun way. I had already taken a Chinese Medicine course here on Coursera and this one focuses way more on its applications and on Herbology which is my main interest. It is worth it to get the certificate because there is a lot of material and quizzes are long, so you might as well! Recommended!
Fascinating course. I learned a lot!
I enjoyed the course tremendously. I am going to take all the knowledge I obtained and apply it to furthering my career in holistic health. Thank you!
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Excellent introduction of Chinese Medicine health concepts. Totally agree with the title of the course. I encourage people that interested in learning more about Chinese Medicine to join this course. I can say that this course give a taste about what you will get in a full course if you join a University to enroll in this subject. Bravo!