Huangdi Neijing

Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) is an ancient Chinese medical text that has been treated as the fundamental doctrinal source for Chinese medicine for more than two millennia. The work is composed of two texts—each of eighty-one chapters or treatises in a question-and-answer format between the mythical Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) and six of his equally legendary ministers.

Overview

The Huangdi Neijing is divided into two parts. The first part, the Suwen (Basic Questions), has 81 chapters that cover a wide range of topics, including etiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. The second part, the Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot), is a discussion of acupuncture therapy in great detail.

Historical Context

The Huangdi Neijing was compiled around the first century BCE during the Han Dynasty but its origins are much older. The text synthesizes the medical knowledge of China up to that time and includes a rich theoretical framework that is still used today.

Content

The Huangdi Neijing departs from the old shamanistic beliefs that disease was caused by demonic influences. Instead, the natural effects of diet, lifestyle, emotions, environment, and age are the reason for disease. The universe is composed of various forces and principles, such as Yin and yang, Qi and the Five Elements (Earth, Fire, Water, Wood, and Metal). These forces can be understood via rational means and man can stay in balance or return to balance and health by understanding the laws of these natural forces.

Influence

The Huangdi Neijing has been the primary source of Chinese medical theory and practice. Its influence has also spread to neighboring countries like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam and has been translated into many Western languages.