Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

About this Course

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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

Learner Career Outcomes

75%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

25%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English, French

Learner Career Outcomes

75%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

25%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 11 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English, French

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.81/5 (19 Ratings)

Robert Ko

Professor

Division of Life Science

11,671 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

HKUST - A dynamic, international research university, in relentless pursuit of excellence, leading the advance of science and technology, and educating the new generation of front-runners for Asia and the world.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

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.

2 hours to complete

13 videos (Total 43 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

13 videos

Course Overview2m

Chinese Medicine History4m

Yin Yang Theory1m

Five Element Theory2m

Qi1m

Blood1m

Meridian1m

Zang Fu Theory40s

1.1 Historical Outline on the Development of Chinese Medicine6m

1.2: Yin Yang Theory6m

1.3 Five Element Theory5m

1.4 Qi and Blood6m

1.5 Meridian, Zang Fu Theory and Concluding Remarks3m

3 readings

Assignments and Grading10m

Video Scripts20m

Supplementary Reading Materials10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 150m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

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.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 32 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

2.1 Balance of Yin and Yang for Qi generation3m

2.2: Interactions of Visceral Organs6m

2.3 How to Remediate a Sub-healthy Status in Body Function6m

2.4: Practical Examples of Deficiency in Body Function7m

2.5 Chinese Medicine Vs Modern Medicine in Preventive Health8m

5 readings

Survey 1: Find out your Five-Element type5m

Video Scripts10m

Survey 2: Are you in a Sub-healthy Condition?5m

Video Scripts20m

Supplementary Reading Materials30m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 230m

Week

Week 3

1 hour to complete

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.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 13 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

2 videos

3.1 Yang/Qi Invigoration Tonifying Herbs6m

3.2 Yin Nourishment/Blood Enrichment Tonifying Herbs6m

3 readings

Video Scripts10m

Supplementary Reading Materials20m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 330m

Week

Week 4

1 hour to complete

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.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 11 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

2 videos

4.1 What are Yin and Yang in Modern Medicine?5m

4.2 Pharmacological Basis of Yin/Yang Tonifying Herbs5m

2 readings

Video Scripts10m

Supplementary Reading Materials15m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 420m

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Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine