Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
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
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
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 (Total 43 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
13 videos
Chinese Medicine History4m
Yin Yang Theory1m
Five Element Theory2m
Qi1m
Blood1m
Meridian1m
Zang Fu Theory0m
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 exercises
Quiz 150m
2
Section
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 (Total 32 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
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 exercises
Quiz 230m
3
Section
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 (Total 13 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
2 videos
3.2 Yin Nourishment/Blood Enrichment Tonifying Herbs6m
3 readings
Video Scripts10m
Video Scripts10m
Supplementary Reading Materials20m
1 practice exercises
Quiz 330m
4
Section
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 (Total 11 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
2 videos
4.2 Pharmacological Basis of Yin/Yang Tonifying Herbs5m
2 readings
Video Scripts10m
Supplementary Reading Materials15m
1 practice exercises
Quiz 420m
5
Section
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 (Total 14 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
2 videos
5.2 Yin Nourishment: A Modern Medicine Perspective9m
3 readings
Video Scripts5m
Video Scripts10m
Supplementary Reading Materials15m
1 practice exercises
Quiz 530m
6
Section
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 (Total 19 min), 3 readings, 3 quizzes
3 videos
6.2 A Qi Invigorating Herb - Schisandra Berry5m
6.3 Chinese Tonifying Herbs are Effective Means for Promoting Health8m
3 readings
Video Scripts10m
Video Scripts10m
Supplementary Reading Materials15m
3 practice exercises
Quiz 630m
Final Exam30m
Post-course questionnaire5m
4.5
Top Reviews
By AR•Dec 19th 2017
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!
By JJ•Dec 14th 2017
A great mix of traditional medicine mixed with evidence-based science. Thoroughly enjoyed this course and would recommend !!!
Instructor
Robert Ko
ProfessorAbout 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.
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