Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/health-concepts-chinese-medicine

Introduction

**Course Review: Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine on Coursera** ### Overview The course "Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine," hosted on Coursera, is a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of Chinese Medicine, delivered by the knowledgeable Prof. Ko. This course stands out for its unique approach in bridging the gap between traditional Chinese Medicine and modern medical practices, allowing learners to appreciate both systems' complementary strengths in the prevention and treatment of human ailments. ### Course Structure The course is designed into various modules that progress logically. It begins with foundational concepts and gradually dives deeper into the pharmacological aspects and seminars that make the course both informative and engaging. 1. **Basic Theories in Chinese Medicine**: - The course kicks off with animations and lectures that lay down the historical context and fundamental concepts of Chinese Medicine. This engaging format allows students to grasp the essence of Chinese Medicine quickly while keeping the learning experience dynamic. 2. **Balance and Interactions, and Preventive Health**: - Understanding the core principle of "Holisticity" in Chinese Medicine is crucial. This module emphasizes the Yin-Yang balance and the interactions between the body's organs, illustrating how imbalances can lead to health deficiencies. Prof. Ko expertly compares these concepts with modern preventive health practices, providing a nuanced understanding for learners. 3. **Pharmacological Basis of Chinese Tonifying Herbs**: - In this segment, the course delves into the pharmacological properties of tonifying herbs, discussing their roles in enhancing Yang and Qi, nourishing Yin, and enriching blood. These explanations, framed in modern medical terminology, help demystify traditional practices and highlight their relevance today. 4. **Seminars on Yin and Yang, Yang Invigoration and Yin Nourishment, and Qi Invigoration**: - The seminar series offers an in-depth exploration of how the balance between Yin and Yang is essential for maintaining health from a biochemical perspective. This aspect is particularly beneficial for those with backgrounds in health sciences and interested in understanding how these traditional concepts correlate with modern medical understanding. ### Recommended For This course is highly recommended for students, healthcare professionals, and individuals who are curious about alternative medicine and its role in holistic health. It is especially useful for those already practicing in the health field seeking to expand their knowledge of complementary medical systems or for individuals exploring personal health optimizations through alternative approaches. ### Learning Experience The course utilizes various educational modalities, including animated videos, in-depth lectures, and seminar discussions, ensuring that learners remain engaged and can digest complex topics effectively. Prof. Ko's teaching style is approachable and well-structured, fostering an environment where students feel confident discussing and exploring these intricate concepts. ### Conclusion In conclusion, "Health Concepts in Chinese Medicine" is a thoughtfully designed course that successfully integrates ancient wisdom with contemporary medical practices. It broadens the learner's appreciation for the importance of holistic health principles and their application in everyday life. For anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of health, wellness, and preventive care, this course is a valuable resource worth pursuing. For those eager to embark on this enlightening journey into Chinese Medicine, you can enroll in the course directly on Coursera and pave your way towards a better understanding of health from a unique perspective.

Syllabus

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.