Acupuncture School Degree
Master of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization
Category: Chinese Medical Theory

TCM Classics: Shang Han Lun

Course Description
The Shang Han Lun is an essential component of the curriculum of the Yo San University Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. As a classic Chinese medical text, it provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to pattern differentiation and treatment that is fundamental to the practice of Chinese medicine.

In our Master’s degree program in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, the Shang Han Lun is studied in depth as part of the coursework in Chinese medical theory and diagnosis. Students at Yo San learn about the six channels and the 8 methods of treatment, as well as the use of herbs and other remedies in the treatment of disease.

The text is used as a guide for understanding the basic principles and concepts of Chinese medicine, including the nature of qi, yin and yang, and the five elements. Students learn how to apply these principles to diagnose and treat various conditions, including acute and chronic diseases.

The study of the Shang Han Lun is integrated with other classic Chinese medical texts, such as the Huangdi Neijing, and is complemented by practical training in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other modalities. The goal is to provide Yo San University students with a comprehensive and integrated understanding of Chinese medicine that will enable them to effectively diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions.

This course is part of the
Yo San University Master’s Degree Program

In conclusion, the Shang Han Lun is an essential component of the Yo San University Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine curriculum and is essential for students to understand the basic principles and concepts of Chinese medicine, as well as to develop the skills necessary to effectively diagnose and treat disease.

Overview of the Chinese medicine classic Shang Han Lun

The Shang Han Lun is a Chinese medical classic text written by Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD). It is considered one of the most important works in traditional Chinese medicine and is still widely studied and used in China and around the world. The text provides a systematic description of the causes and treatment of disease based on the theory of yin-yang and the five elements. It covers diagnosis, treatment principles, formulas, and materia medica. The Shang Han Lun emphasizes the importance of pattern differentiation and the use of herbal formulas to restore balance and harmony to the body.

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Shang Han Lun treatment of disease based on the differentiation of patterns

In the Shang Han Lun, treatment of disease is based on the concept of pattern differentiation, which is the process of identifying the specific pattern of disharmony or imbalance that is causing the disease. This approach considers the individual’s overall health and symptoms, as well as their personal and environmental factors, in order to determine the underlying pattern of disharmony.

Once the pattern is identified, the appropriate treatment is determined based on the principles of yin-yang and the five elements. For example, if a patient has symptoms of heat in the body, the treatment would aim to clear heat and cool the body, while if the patient has symptoms of cold, the treatment would aim to warm and invigorate the body.

The treatment methods used in the Shang Han Lun include herbal formulas, acupuncture, massage, and dietary changes. Herbal formulas, in particular, play a central role in the treatment of disease in the Shang Han Lun. The text provides detailed information on the properties, indications, and use of various herbs, as well as guidelines for combining them into formulas that address specific patterns of disharmony.

Overall, the approach described in the Shang Han Lun emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying pattern of disharmony in order to restore balance and harmony to the body, leading to improved health and the resolution of disease.

The Six Channels as presented in the Chinese medicine classic Shang Han Lun

In the study of Shang Han Lun, Yo San students learn the six channels (also known as the six stages or the six divisions) as a fundamental aspect of pattern differentiation and treatment. The six channels are: Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, and Jueyin.

1. Taiyang (Greater Yang) refers to the first stage of the disease process and is characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches.
2. Yangming (Bright Yang) refers to the second stage of the disease process and is characterized by symptoms such as fullness and pain in the chest and abdomen.
3. Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) refers to the third stage of the disease process and is characterized by symptoms such as pain in the ribs and flanks.
4. Taiyin (Greater Yin) refers to the fourth stage of the disease process and is characterized by symptoms such as coldness, chills, and cough.
5. Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) refers to the fifth stage of the disease process and is characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, and blurred vision.
6. Jueyin (Absolute Yin) refers to the final stage of the disease process and is characterized by symptoms such as collapse, coma, and death.

Each of the six channels is associated with specific organs, meridians, and physiological functions, and each has its own distinctive symptoms, signs, and treatment methods. In the Shang Han Lun, pattern differentiation is based on identifying the specific channel involved in the disease process, and selecting treatment methods that address the underlying imbalances associated with that channel. This approach allows for a customized and targeted approach to treatment, aimed at restoring balance and harmony to the body and resolving the disease.

The 8 methods of treatment described in the Shang Han Lun

The Shang Han Lun describes 8 methods of treatment for resolving disease and restoring balance and harmony to the body:

1. Clearing Heat: This method is used to clear heat from the body and resolve symptoms such as fever, redness, and irritability. It is accomplished through the use of herbs and other remedies that have cooling and detoxifying properties.
2. Cooling Blood: This method is used to cool and stop bleeding, and is used to treat conditions such as menstruation-related bleeding, nosebleeds, and other internal or external bleeding. It is accomplished through the use of herbs and other remedies that have cooling and hemostatic properties.
3. Resolving Toxicity: This method is used to resolve toxicity and treat conditions such as abscesses, sores, and skin infections. It is accomplished through the use of herbs and other remedies that have purifying and antibacterial properties.
4. Dispelling Wind: This method is used to dispel wind and treat conditions such as headache, dizziness, and tremors. It is accomplished through the use of herbs and other remedies that have calming and sedative properties.
5. Regulating Qi: This method is used to regulate qi and treat conditions such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. It is accomplished through the use of herbs and other remedies that have invigorating and harmonizing properties.
6. Nourishing Yin: This method is used to nourish yin and treat conditions such as dryness, night sweats, and fatigue. It is accomplished through the use of herbs and other remedies that have nourishing and moisturizing properties.
7. Warming Yang: This method is used to warm yang and treat conditions such as coldness, chills, and weakness. It is accomplished through the use of herbs and other remedies that have warming and invigorating properties.
8. Supplementing Qi: This method is used to supplement qi and treat conditions such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. It is accomplished through the use of herbs and other remedies that have fortifying and energizing properties.

In the Shang Han Lun, the choice of treatment method depends on the pattern of disharmony and imbalance that is causing the disease, and the treatments are often combined and customized to address each individual’s unique needs. The text provides detailed information on the properties, indications, and use of various herbs and other remedies, as well as guidelines for combining them into formulas that address specific patterns of disharmony.

This course is part of the
Yo San University Master’s Degree Program

Herbal formulas discussed in the Shang Han Lun that play a central role in the treatment of disease