Dàhuáng 大黃 & Zhīzǐ 梔子 Formula Families

A Clinical Masterclass for Pattern-Based Practice

In this 4-hour intensive, you’ll develop real clinical confidence using the Dàhuáng 大黃 and Zhīzǐ 梔子 formula families—cornerstone prescriptions for heat, constraint, and complex excess patterns in classical medicine.

Rather than viewing these formulas simply as “purgatives” or “heat-clearing” tools, you’ll learn how to recognize the deeper constitutional and pathological patterns they address and apply them precisely in modern clinical settings.

What you will learn

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

• Identify constitutional types that respond best to Dàhuáng and Zhīzǐ–based formulas
• Recognize hallmark tongue, pulse, and abdominal findings
• Differentiate similar clinical presentations with precision
• Understand when to modify formulas and how to do so safely
• Avoid common prescribing errors
• Apply these formulas confidently across a wide range of conditions

Course structure

1. Foundations

We begin by establishing a clear diagnostic framework:

• Historical usage of Dàhuáng 大黃 and Zhīzǐ 梔子 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 formulas from both families, covering:

• Classical indications
• Key diagnostic features
• Modern clinical applications
• Dosage strategies and modifications

Throughout the course, you’ll see real clinical cases drawn from:

• My own practice
• My teacher Huáng Huáng

This grounds the classical theory in real-world clinical decision-making.

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 & pathology
• Herbal dynamics and flavors
• Complex terminology often misunderstood in modern practice

You’ll also see how these formulas were interpreted historically, with references to:

• Huángdì Nèijīng 黃帝內經
• Nánjīng 難經
• Shénnóng Běncǎo Jīng 神農本草經
• Influential commentaries spanning 1800 years

Formulas covered

Dàhuáng 大黃 Formula Family

You’ll gain in-depth understanding of:

• Dà Chéng Qì Tāng 大承氣湯
• Xiǎo Chéng Qì Tāng 小承氣湯
• Táohé Chéng Qì Tāng 桃核承氣湯
• Tiáo Wèi Chéng Qì Tāng 調胃承氣湯
• Dàhuáng Zhé Chóng Wán 大黃蟅蟲丸
• Dàhuáng Fùzǐ Tāng 大黃附子湯
• Dàhuáng Huánglián Xiè Xīn Tāng 大黃黃連瀉心湯
• Dàhuáng Mǔdānpí Tāng 大黃牡丹皮湯
• Dǐ Dàng Tāng 抵當湯
• Dàhuáng Gāncǎo Tāng 大黃甘草湯

Zhīzǐ 梔子 Formula Family

You’ll gain in-depth understanding of:

• Zhīzǐ Chǐ Tāng 梔子豉湯
• Zhīzǐ Gāncǎo Chǐ Tāng 梔子甘草豉湯
• Zhīzǐ Shēngjiāng Chǐ Tāng 梔子生薑豉湯
• Zhīzǐ Hòupò Tāng 梔子厚朴湯
• Zhīzǐ Gānjiāng Tāng 梔子乾薑湯
• Zhǐshí Zhīzǐ Chǐ Tāng 枳實梔子豉湯
• Zhīzǐ Dàhuáng Tāng 梔子大黃湯
• Zhīzǐ Bǎipí Tāng 梔子柏皮湯
• Yīnchénhāo Tāng 茵陳蒿湯

Who this class is for

• Practicing acupuncturists & herbalists
• Senior students in clinical internship
• Clinicians seeking jingfang-style precision

Outcome

By the end of this masterclass, you will:

• Confidently recognize when Dàhuáng or Zhīzǐ formulas are indicated
• Differentiate between closely related formulas
• Understand why these prescriptions work
• Apply this knowledge immediately in clinic

Format

• 4-hour recorded masterclass
• Lifetime access
• NCCAOM Credits
• CE Credits for Canadian Students