Shígāo 石膏 & Huánglián 黃連 Formula Families

A Clinical Masterclass for Pattern-Based Practice

In this 4.5-hour intensive, you’ll develop real clinical confidence using the Shígāo 石膏 and Huánglián 黃連 formula families—core prescriptions for Yangming heat, interior excess, and complex heat patterns in classical medicine.

Rather than treating heat-clearing formulas as generic “cooling” prescriptions, you’ll learn how to recognize the precise constitutional and pathological patterns they address and apply them accurately in modern clinical settings.

What you will learn

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

• Identify Yangming heat patterns appropriate for Shígāo formulas
• Recognize hallmark tongue, pulse, and abdominal findings
• Differentiate excess heat presentations with precision
• Understand when to clear heat aggressively and when not to
• Modify formulas safely for complex mixed patterns
• Apply these formulas confidently across a wide range of conditions

Course structure

1. Foundations

We begin by establishing a clear diagnostic framework:

• Yangming pathophysiology
• Historical usage of Shígāo 石膏 and Huánglián 黃連 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 Shígāo and Huánglián–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

Shígāo 石膏 Formula Family

You’ll gain in-depth understanding of:

• Bái Hǔ Tāng 白虎湯
• Bái Hǔ Jiā Rénshēn Tāng 白虎加人參湯
• Zhú Yè Shígāo Tāng 竹葉石膏湯

Huánglián 黃連 Formula Family

You’ll gain in-depth understanding of:

• Huánglián Tāng 黃連湯
• Xiǎo Xiàn Xiōng Tāng 小陷胸湯
• Huánglián Ējiāo Tāng 黃連阿膠湯
• Huánglián Jiě Dú Tāng 黃連解毒湯

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 Shígāo and Huánglián formulas are indicated
• Differentiate between closely related heat patterns
• Understand why these prescriptions work
• Apply this knowledge immediately in clinic

Format

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