Northwestern Professor Gives New Thought to an Ancient Theory
Posted on Nov. 19, 2009
A professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University was recently published in the prominent Journal of Chinese Medicine. Yongping Jiang, PhD, LAc, and NCCAOM Diplomate, published an article looking into a central theory of Chinese medicine that has been clouded in confusion for thousands of years.
Jiang authored, “The San Jiao: Returning to the Nei Jing (A Modern Explanation of Original Theory,” which was published in October 2009. The article explains how the original theory of the San Jiao has been lost due to misinterpretation of the original texts.
“Organ theory is important in Chinese medicine,” explains Jiang, “but there has been much confusion about the specific identity of the San Jiao.” Using the ancient Nei Jing text as a basis for his findings, Jiang asserts that the San Jiao is one organ, but is essentially made up of several, including the esophagus, the stomach and the small intestine.
Jiang has studied Chinese medicine for nearly 30 years. His interest in the theory grew over that time. “As I practiced more, studied more and thought about it more, I came to realize how useful and important for students and practitioners to understand what the San Jiao is,” he says.
Jiang has published many articles in the Journal of Chinese Medicine, but he is particularly proud of this article. “I believe this is the first time it has been mentioned that San Jiao is essentially made up of several organs, including the esophagus, the stomach and the small intestine,” he says.
The article abstract can be found online at “The Journal of Chinese Medicine.” To read the complete text, visit the Greenawalt Library at Northwestern. The October issue should be available in January.