Huángqí 黃芪 Formula Family

A Clinical Masterclass for Pattern-Based Practice

In this 4-hour intensive, you’ll develop real clinical confidence using the Huángqí 黃芪 formula family—essential prescriptions for deficiency patterns, surface regulation, and constitutional strengthening in classical medicine.

Rather than viewing Huángqí simply as a “qi tonic,” you’ll learn how to recognize the deeper constitutional and pathological patterns it addresses and apply these formulas 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 Huángqí-based formulas
• Recognize hallmark tongue, pulse, and abdominal findings
• Differentiate similar deficiency and surface patterns 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 Huángqí 黃芪 in classical medicine
• Body types and constitutional tendencies
• Core diagnostic markers:
 – Tongue
 – Pulse
 – Abdominal findings
 – Other critical clinical signs

Special clinical discussions include:

• Yellow Sweat Disease (Huáng Hàn Bìng 黃汗病)
• Deficiency Taxation (Xū Láo 虛痨)

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 Huángqí-based formulas, 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

You’ll gain in-depth understanding of:

• Huángqí Guìzhī Wǔ Wù Tāng 黃芪桂枝五物湯
• Fángjǐ Huángqí Tāng 防己黃芪湯
• Yù Píng Fēng Sǎn 玉屏風散
• Huángqí Jiàn Zhōng Tāng 黃芪建中湯
• Guìzhī Jiā Huángqí Tāng 桂枝加黃芪湯

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 a Huángqí formula is indicated
• Differentiate between closely related deficiency patterns
• 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