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“What I appreciate the most is the breadth of experience Dr. Chen shared in reference to each of the formula - some of the uses and combinations are new to me and will be helpful in my clinical practice.” L.C.

“I learned many new connections between TCM & Western medication which will help me to mesh both together. Excellent seminars.” M.B.

ZHANG ZHONG-JING: SHANG HAN ZA BING LUN
(DISCUSSION OF COLD-INDUCED DISORDERS AND MISCELLANEOUS DISEASES)

By John Chen, L.Ac., O.M.D., Pharm.D., Ph.D.

Zhang Zhong-Jing, also known as Zhang Ji, was born near the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. During the transition from the collapse of the Eastern Han to the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era, China was ravaged by constant civil war, and people suffered from crime, poverty, infection and death. During a ten-year period near the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, two-thirds of the population fell ill and died. Seventy percent of the fatalities were due to shang han (cold damage). Although Zhang was from a wealthy family of over 200 members, even his family members could not escape the common fate and many succumbed to the epidemic. Greatly affected by the loss of his family members and the devastating impact of widespread losses in the community and nation, Zhang dedicated his entire life to studying and practicing medicine.

Shang Han Za Bing Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders and Miscellaneous Diseases) is the most famous work by Zhang. This original work later was divided by Wang Shu-He into two volumes: Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) and Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet).

Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) emphasized external disorders, and classified them according to Liu Jing Bian Zheng (Six Stages Differentiation).

Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) focused on internal and miscellaneous diseases, and classified them according to Ba Gang Bian Zheng (Eight Principle Differentiation).

Zhang’s work clearly established the relationships among disease, progression, complications, treatment strategies, dosage forms, and herbal formulas. Zhang Zhong-Jing forever changed the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Over 1,700 years after their original publication, his works are still studied as required textbooks in schools of Traditional Chinese Medicine around the world. Many of the formulas he used are still considered to be the standard herbal treatment, such as Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) for fever, Bai Tou Weng Tang (Pulsatilla Decoction) for dysentery, Yin Chen Hao Tang (Artemisia Scoparia Decoction) for jaundice, and Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang (Trichosanthes Fruit, Chinese Chive, and Pinellia Decoction) for chest pain.

Because of his lasting influence, Zhang Zhong-Jing has always been remembered as the Sage of Medicine.

Formulas by Zhang Zhong-Jing that are commonly used today include:

Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction)
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction)
Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction)
Li Zhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill)
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet)
Mai Men Dong Tang (Ophiopogonis Decoction)
Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John K. Chen, L.Ac., Pharm.D., O.M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. John Chen is a recognized authority in both western pharmacology and Chinese Herbal Medicine. He teaches at the USC School of Pharmacy, Emperor’s College, Yo San University of TCM, OCOM, Five Branches, AOMA and ACTCM. Dr. Chen’s most recent published work is Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (2003, AOM Press) and Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications (2008, AOM Press) for which he was lead author.

This article was taken out of Dr. Chen’s upcoming book Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications.
To pre-order a copy, click here.

To learn more about herbs, John Chen is speaking on the following topic for Lotus Institute. This class is approved for 8 CEUs/PDAs by the California Acupuncture Board and NCCAOM.

CLASS BY THE AUTHOR

Meet the Masters: The Classic Formulas They Crafted and Their Contemporary Connections

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