History of Chinese Medical Theory - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering legends, dynasties, foundational texts, and major concepts in the history of Chinese medical theory.

Fu Xi

Father of Chinese medicine; credited with inventing Bagua (eight trigrams) used as the basis for the I Ching.

Bagua

Eight trigrams used to model the universe; precursor to the I Ching’s 64 hexagrams.

I Ching

Book of Changes; classical text whose Bagua symbols underpin cosmology and divination.

Shen Nong

Divine farmer; founder of agriculture and herbal medicine; tested herbs and explored their properties.

Huang Di (Yellow Emperor)

Legendary originator of Chinese medicine; central figure in foundational texts like the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic.

Huang Di Nei Jing

Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic; foundational CM text in two parts (Su Wen and Ling Shu).

Su Wen

Simple Questions; part of Huang Di Nei Jing addressing medical theory (yin–yang, five phases, seasons).

Ling Shu

Spiritual Axis; acupuncture-focused section of Huang Di Nei Jing.

Nan Jing

Classic of Difficult Issues; early diagnostic text (1st–2nd c. AD) introducing the four diagnostic methods and pattern differentiation.

Six Stages Theory

Framework for febrile disease progression (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin).

Shang Han Lun

Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases by Zhang Zhongjing; foundational for pattern-based diagnosis and Six Stages.

Mai Jing

Pulse Classic; first dedicated monograph on pulse diagnosis, classifying 24 pulse types.

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing

Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica; earliest herbal compendium describing 365 herbs and their properties.

Si Qi

Four properties of herbs: cold, hot, warm, cool.

Wu Wei

Five flavors of herbs: sour, bitter, sweet, acrid, salty.

Jun, Chen, Zuo, Shi

Monarch, Minister, Assistant, and Guide—the four roles in formula composition.

Qi Qing He He

Seven conditions considered when composing prescriptions.

Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing

Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion by Huangfu Mi; organizes points, techniques, and indications.

Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang

Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies by Sun Simiao; comprehensive emergency formulas.

Li Dongyuan (Li Gao)

Proponent that most diseases originate from stomach/spleen deficiency; authored Pi Wei Lun; promoted Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang.

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Formula to tonify the middle burner and raise qi; strengthens spleen/stomach.

Liu Wansu (Liu Wan-su)

School of Cold and Cool; emphasized cooling herbs for fever/inflammation and epidemics.

Zhang Zihe (Chang Tzu-Ho)

Developer of the Attacking School; used diaphoretics, emetics, purgatives to expel pathogens.

Zhu Danxi

Enriching Yin school; advocated tonifying yin and kidney/liver; temperance and tonics.

Wen Bing

School of Warm Diseases; acute febrile illnesses with heat signs, distinct from cold-induced diseases.

Ben Cao Gang Mu

Grand Materia Medica by Li Shizhen; 1,892 substances; peak of classical pharmacology.

Sun Simiao

Renowned physician (King of Medicine) of the Tang dynasty; author of Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang; emphasized medical ethics.

Modern Times (1949)

PRC founding; modernization of CM and integration with Western medicine; standardized education.

CM–WM Integration

Policy of integrating traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine in practice and education; dual-skilled practitioners.