Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/zhong-yao-zhi-shi
In a world increasingly looking towards holistic and natural approaches to health, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) stands out with its rich history and profound wisdom. For anyone curious about this ancient practice, Coursera offers a gem: ‘杏林探宝——认知中药’ (Unearthing Treasures: Understanding Chinese Materia Medica), taught by the esteemed Professor Yang Baican from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with its origins tracing back to 1956, is one of the pioneering institutions in TCM education in China. This course leverages the university’s deep expertise to demystify the world of Chinese medicine. The syllabus is thoughtfully structured, starting with the fundamental **Concept and Cultural Attributes of Chinese Materia Medica**. Here, you’ll explore the origins of drug names, basic concepts, historical development, and the core principles of how Chinese medicines work. Professor Yang masterfully weaves in cultural elements, using examples like ginger for sore throats, Mugwort and Realgar for the Dragon Boat Festival, and Oracle Bone inscriptions referencing ‘Dragon Bone’ to illustrate the deep integration of TCM with Chinese philosophy, history, diet, folklore, and literature.
The course then delves into the **Principles of Action and Healing Wisdom of Chinese Materia Medica**. It introduces key TCM theories like ‘correcting the deficient by the deficient’ and explains concepts such as the Four Natures (Si Qi), Five Flavors (Wu Wei), and Meridian Tropisms (Gui Jing). Through examples tied to seasons and geography, you’ll gain insight into the ancient understanding of drug properties and functions, featuring medicines like Selfheal, Pinellia, Ophiopogon japonicus, Scutellaria baicalensis, Wumei, and Mirabilitum Praeparatum.
A particularly fascinating section is dedicated to **Medicinal and Edible Dual-Use Substances**. This segment explores the concept of dual-use items, their categories, applications, and principles, highlighting individual drugs and their primary functions. You’ll learn about commonly used ingredients like ginger, burdock seed, mulberry leaf, Angelica dahurica, hawthorn, tangerine peel, coix seed, lotus seed, and goji berries, many of which are staples in kitchens worldwide.
The course also addresses the **Status of Precious Medicinal Materials in Disease Prevention and Treatment**, further elaborating on the ‘medicine and food homology’ theory. It introduces a wide array of valuable ingredients such as Cinnamon Twig, Rhubarb, Poria cocos, Notoginseng, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus, Gastrodia elata, Cordyceps sinensis, Ginseng, Velvet Antler, Cistanche deserticola, Saffron, Calculus Bovis, and Saiga Antelope Horn.
Finally, the course emphasizes **Safe and Rational Application of Chinese Materia Medica**. It discusses drug safety, influencing factors, and the importance of doctor-patient collaboration in ensuring both efficacy and safety. Professor Yang provides practical examples on formulation, dosage, usage, and contraindications, even touching upon how potentially toxic substances can be transformed into valuable therapeutic agents when used correctly. This includes discussing potent medicines like Strychnos nux-vomica seed, Cinnabar, and Arsenic Trioxide.
Overall, ‘Unearthing Treasures: Understanding Chinese Materia Medica’ is an exceptional course for anyone seeking a foundational understanding of TCM. Professor Yang Baican’s engaging teaching style, coupled with the course’s comprehensive syllabus and cultural insights, makes it both educational and enjoyable. Whether you’re a student of traditional medicine, a health enthusiast, or simply curious about this ancient practice, this Coursera course is highly recommended for its accessible yet in-depth exploration of Chinese materia medica.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/zhong-yao-zhi-shi