杏林探宝——认知中药 from Coursera

《杏林探宝——认知中药》是由上海中医药大学推出的一门关于中药学的慕课课程，由上海中医药大学杨柏灿教授主讲。

上海中医药大学（Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine）的前身是上海中医学院，创建于1956年，是新中国诞生后国家首批建立的四所中医药高等院校之一，也是上海市属高校中唯一的一所医科类重点特色院校。

中药学根植于中华文化，是中医药学的重要组成部分，也凝聚着中华文明的精髓。其悠久的历史，卓越的防病治病效果，较少的毒副作用，成为中华民族防病治病不可或缺的选择。同时，中药的作用也日益引起国际社会的关注和重视。但不可否认，对中药的认识和应用存在着一些不容忽视的误区与盲区，非常有必要采取一定的方式，通过合适的平台传播、普及中药知识，使人们对中药有一个更为全面准确的认识，并能合理应用，让中药为人类的健康保健发挥更大的作用。

What's inside

Syllabus

中药的概念与文化属性

主要中药名称的由来、中药以及与之相关的一些名称的基本概念，简要发展史、中药的主要特点；中药治病的主要作用原理。通过具体实例（如生姜治疗喉痈，端午节与艾叶、雄黄、香囊，甲骨文与龙骨等）从哲学、历史、饮食、民俗、汉字、文学等多个角度介绍中药的文化属性，凸显中药与文化的交融。介绍药物：生姜、艾叶、雄黄、龙骨。

中药的作用原理与治病智慧

从中医对人体健康与疾病的认识引入中药的基本作用原理——以偏纠偏，着重介绍中药的四气、五味、归经等药性理论的概念、作用与应用，并从季节气候、地理环境等角度举例介绍古人对一些药物性能、功用认识的智慧。介绍药物：夏枯草、半夏、麦冬、黄芩、乌梅、芒硝等。

药食两用品

名贵中药的概念及应用介绍药物：桂枝、大黄、茯苓、三七、丹参、当归、黄芪、天麻、冬虫夏草、人参、鹿茸、肉苁蓉、藏红花、牛黄、羚羊角等。

名贵药材在疾病防治中的地位

从药食同源的理论引入药食两用品的概念、种类、范围、适用范围及应用形式、应用原则，重点举例介绍个别药物的主要功用、特点、应用范围等。介绍药物：生姜、牛蒡子、桑叶、白芷、葛根、鱼腥草、山楂、陈皮、薏苡仁、莲子、枸杞子、地骨皮等。

安全合理应用中药

用药安全性概念及影响因素。以具体实例从组方配伍、用量用法、病证禁忌等方面，强调医患配合在确保中药既有效又安全上的重要性。提出如何应用一定的方法确保一些有毒药物在疾病治疗中的作用与安全，使之由毒物变宝物。介绍中药：马钱子、朱砂、砒石等。

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the cultural attributes of traditional Chinese medicine, showcasing its connections to history, philosophy, and other aspects of Chinese culture

Examines the fundamental principles of traditional Chinese medicine, including the concepts of qi, yin and yang, and the five elements

Introduces commonly used traditional Chinese herbs and their medicinal properties, providing practical knowledge for their application in healthcare

Discusses the importance of traditional Chinese medicine in preventive healthcare and disease management, highlighting its holistic approach to well-being

Requires a basic understanding of traditional Chinese medicine concepts and terminology, which may not be suitable for absolute beginners

Taught in zh-CN, which may pose a language barrier for non-Chinese speakers

Reviews summary

Cognitive course on chinese herbology

杏林探宝——认知中药 is a course that provides a comprehensive survey of the history, benefits, and uses of Chinese herbal medicine. Based on reviews, it is informative, well-structured, and engaging, which is likely to make it appealing to laypeople and future medical professionals alike. However, some students note that some of the material could be explained more simply.

Warns about potential dangers of certain herbs.

"It also discussed the problems, such as safety concerns, that TCM faces nowadays."

Rich in traditional Chinese medicinal knowledge.

"This course provides a really good starting point to understand the basic concepts of TCM and the philosophy behinds it."

Some students found the material overly complex.

"...If in the lecture, you can speak in a more popular way, or explain in a simple way, it may be better for the public."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 杏林探宝——认知中药 with these activities:

背诵常见中药名称及功效

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背诵常见中药名称及功效有助于你加深对中药的认识。

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收集常见中药的名称和功效
使用卡片或笔记记录中药名称和功效
每天背诵一定数量的中药名称和功效

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Career center

Learners who complete 杏林探宝——认知中药 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners use a variety of techniques to diagnose and treat illnesses, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and massage. TCM practitioners must have a comprehensive understanding of TCM, including the properties and uses of different herbs. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which is essential for TCM practitioners.

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Acupuncturist

Acupuncturists use thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body to relieve pain and treat a variety of illnesses. Acupuncturists must have a comprehensive understanding of TCM, including the properties and uses of different herbs. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which is essential for acupuncturists.

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Herbalist

Herbalists use plants and herbs to treat a variety of illnesses. They must have a comprehensive understanding of herbal medicine, including the properties and uses of different herbs. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which includes herbal medicine.

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Ethnobotanist

Ethnobotanists study the relationship between plants and people. They must have a comprehensive understanding of plants, including medicinal plants. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which includes herbal medicine.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and play a vital role in patient care. They must have a comprehensive understanding of pharmacology, which includes knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which can be useful for pharmacists who work with patients who use TCM or who want to specialize in TCM.

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Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in dispensing medications and providing patient care. They must have a good understanding of pharmacology, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which can be useful for pharmacy technicians who work with patients who use TCM or who want to specialize in TCM.

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Naturopathic Doctor

Naturopathic doctors use a variety of natural therapies to treat a variety of illnesses, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition. Naturopathic doctors must have a comprehensive understanding of natural medicine, including TCM. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which may be useful for naturopathic doctors who want to specialize in TCM.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures. They often specialize in a particular region or culture, and may study traditional medicine practices. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which may be useful for anthropologists who want to specialize in TCM.

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Health Educator

Health educators promote healthy lifestyles and provide information about health and wellness. They must have a good understanding of public health, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which may be useful for health educators who work with populations that use TCM.

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Historian

Historians study the past. They may specialize in a particular period or region, and may study the history of medicine. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which may be useful for historians who want to specialize in the history of TCM.

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Medical Writer

Medical writers create educational materials about health and medicine. They must have a good understanding of medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which may be useful for medical writers who want to specialize in TCM.

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Philosopher

Philosophers study the fundamental nature of reality and existence. They may specialize in a particular area of philosophy, such as ethics or metaphysics. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which is based on a unique philosophy of health and illness.

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Science Writer

Science writers communicate complex scientific information to a general audience. They must have a good understanding of science, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which may be useful for science writers who want to specialize in TCM.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal issues and represent them in court. They must have a comprehensive understanding of the law, including the regulation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which may be useful for lawyers who work with clients who use TCM or who want to specialize in TCM law.

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Business Consultant

Business consultants advise businesses on how to improve their operations. They may specialize in a particular industry, such as healthcare. The course, 《杏林探宝——认知中药》, can help build a foundation in TCM, which may be useful for business consultants who work with clients in the TCM industry.

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