By: Charles Chace The first systematic discussion of the extraordinary vessels in Chinese herbal medicine appears in Li Shizhen’s 李時珍Exposition on the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qijing bamai Kao奇經八脈考, circa, 1576).  In our forthcoming translation and commentary on this text, Exposition on the Extraordinary Vessels, Acupuncture, Alchemy and Herbal Medicine, Eastland Press, 2009, my co-author Miki Shima and I describe Li’s approach to herbal prescribing as an overarching “meta-diagnosis” encompassing a wide range of possible zangfu presentations. For instance, Li Shizhen…

A Model for a Mode of Inquiry in Chinese Medicine By: Bob Damone According to Wiseman and Feng (1998), Vacuity Detriment (xū sǔn 虚损) is “any form of severe chronic insufficiency of yīn-yáng, qì-blood, and bowels and viscera arising through internal damage by the seven affects, taxation fatigue, diet, excesses of drink and sex, or enduring illness.” (p.646) I have found this Chinese disease category helpful in evaluating and formulating treatment strategies for patients with enduring diseases such as Chronic…

By: Jason Blalack Ye Tian-Shi was one of the most influential doctors in Chinese medical history in developing clinical applications of the eight extraordinary channel herbal theory. Following is a translated excerpt that summarizes some of the core ideas that he used. Following this piece will be numerous case studies demonstrating these principles in action. Ye Tian-Shi’s Pattern Differentiation and Treatment of the Eight Extraordinary Channels Ye Tian-Shi used eight extraordinary channel theory in 165 recorded cases.

Essentials of Warm disease

Thursday, November 19th, 2009 with 2 comments
Tags:Qin Bo-Wei  Warm Disease

Of all the diseases under heaven, which is more [prevalent] than warm disease?” – Wen Bing Tiao Bian By: Qin Bo-Wei Introduction by Jason Blalack: Although all of us have some ideas about warm disease theory, it is one of the most complex and misunderstood areas in Chinese medicine. One reason for its complexity is that it was developed during a time period – the Qing dynasty – when Chinese medicine was flourishing on many levels. Consequently, contributions from…