Chinese Medicine Classics

Bànxià 半夏 Formula Family

A Clinical Masterclass for Modern Practitioners

In this 3.5-hour intensive, you’ll develop true clinical confidence using the Bànxià 半夏 formula family—one of the most widely used yet frequently misunderstood groups of formulas in classical medicine.

Rather than memorizing indications, you’ll learn how to recognize the patient in front of you and determine when Bànxià-based formulas are truly appropriate in real clinical settings.

What you will learn

By the end of this class, you will be able to:

• Identify constitutional types that respond best to Bànxià-based formulas

• Recognize hallmark tongue, pulse, and abdominal findings

• Distinguish key symptom patterns that separate similar presentations

• Avoid common prescribing mistakes and contraindications

• Confidently modify formulas based on real-world presentations

Course structure

1. Foundations

We begin by establishing a clear diagnostic framework:

• Historical usage of Bànxià 半夏 in classical medicine

• Body types and constitutional tendencies

• Core diagnostic markers:

  • Tongue

  • Pulse

  • Abdominal findings

  • Other critical clinical signs

This section builds your pattern-recognition skills so you know who these formulas are truly for.

2. Formula Families in Depth

We then examine the major Bànxià-based formulas, covering:

• Classical indications

• Key diagnostic features

• Modern clinical applications

• Dosage strategies and formula modifications

Throughout the course, you’ll see real clinical cases showing how these formulas are applied in contemporary practice.

3. Textual Authority

All relevant lines from the Shānghán Zábìng Lùn 傷寒雜病論 are:

• Quoted

• Translated

• Analyzed in depth

We unpack:

• Key symptoms and signs

• Underlying physiology and pathology

• Herbal dynamics and flavors

• Complex terminology practitioners often misunderstand

You’ll also see how later physicians interpreted these formulas, with references to:

• Huángdì Nèijīng 黃帝內經

• Nánjīng 難經

• Shénnóng Běncǎo Jīng 神農本草經

• Influential commentaries spanning the last 1800 years

Formulas covered

You’ll gain in-depth understanding of:

• Bànxià Xièxīn Tāng 半夏瀉心湯

• Bànxià Hòupò Tāng 半夏厚朴湯

• Bāwèi Jiě Yù Tāng 八味解鬱湯

• Bāwèi Chú Fán Tāng 八味除煩湯

• Wēn Dǎn Tāng 溫膽湯

• Xiǎo Bànxià Tāng 小半夏湯

• Xiǎo Bànxià Jiā Fúlíng Tāng 小半夏加茯苓湯

• Dà Bànxià Tāng 大半夏湯

• Guālóu Xièbái Bànxià Tāng 瓜蔞薤白半夏湯

Who this class is for

• Practicing acupuncturists and herbalists

• Senior students in clinical internship

• Clinicians serious about jīngfāng 經方–style diagnosis

Outcome

By the end of this masterclass, you will:

• Clearly recognize when a Bànxià formula is indicated

• Confidently differentiate between similar patterns

• Understand why these formulas work—not just that they work

• Apply this knowledge immediately in clinic

Format

• 3.5-hour recorded masterclass

• Lifetime access

• NCCAOM Credits

• CE Credits for Canadian Students