Intro to Chinese Herbology

Introduction to Chinese Herbology

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REQUIRED RESOURCES:

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Bensky, Clavey and Stoger, Eastland Press, 2004. (BC)
Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine, Wiseman and Ellis, Paradigm Publications.Brookline: 1995. (WE)
Course Notebook (PDF) - download this notebook, print and bring to class each week
“Recognition and Prevention of Herb-Drug Interaction”, Chen, J., Ph.D., Pharm.D., OMD, L.Ac.
"The Interactions of Herbs and Drugs" by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D.
Online Course Reader - Damone and Luger
The online reader has the following features:
- Links - to other Internet based resources; linked readings are highly recommended
- Photos - Photos of the herbs materials
- Sound - To hear the pronunciation of an herb name additional times, just click on the pin yin name of the herb (curently only works in Explorer, but is included in the weekly presentation in a universal format)
- Video - A quicktime movie on modern herb delivery forms (currently only works in Explorer, but is included in the weekly presentation in a universal format)
- Notes - There are a number of linked files that include quick summaries and occasional quotes from famous teachers like Jiao Shu De (cited as JSD). Recently added definitions of important concepts. All definitions in Wiseman terms from his Introduction to English Terminology of Chinese Medicine (cited as IET).
CHA Database - A comprehensive series of hyperlinked databases covering all standard herbs, formulas and patterns. This database is fully searchable using boolean operators or keywords. The data included in these databases is still primarily derived from the 2nd edition of Bensky's Materia Medica. However, it has been cross-referenced the material with numerous other sources and it all appears to be fair use or public domain. Major terms conform to those presented in Wiseman's Practical Dictionary. All the herb names for the 40 medicinals listed in the syllabus below have been updated to conform to the latest international conventions.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

Full-Size FlowCharts from Lecture (in PDF Form)
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies, Bensky and Barolet, Eastland Press, 1990.
Ten Lectures in the Use of Medicinals From the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu De, Translated by Craig Mitchell, Shelley Oak, Marnae Ergil, and Nigel Wiseman. Edited by Andrew Ellis
A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine, Wiseman and Ye, Paradigm Publications, 1998
Introduction to English Terminology of Chinese Medicine, Wiseman and Ye, Paradigm Publications, 2002 (IET) - source for reader definitions
The Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica, Yen, Taipei, 1992 - source for reader photos
Wenlin Software for Learning Chinese - source for reader sounds

Acknowledgements - The contents of this reader are derived from both the required and recommended resources listed on this page. The primary source materials are the two required texts listed above. The material contained on this page and linked pages is for personal educational use and may not be copied or redistributed in any way.

WEEKLY TOPICS AND READINGS:

WEEK 1-3: Introduction
History, Classics, Herb Properties, Herb Functions, Pao Zhi, Contraindications, Form and Dosage, Herb Combining, Formula Composition, Formula Modification
Read: BC: ix-xxxi
Drug-Herb Interaction Links (see above)
Highly recommended: Dui Yao, Sionneau: pp 1-14

WEEK 4: Herbs and formulas that release the exterior:
Warm: Ma Huang, Gui Zhi, Ma Huang Tang, Gui Zhi Tang
Read: BC: pp. 3-11
WE: pp. 187–189, 225–229, 253–255.

WEEK 5: Herbs and formulas that release the exterior:
Cool: Bo He, Chai Hu
Herbs and formulas that clear heat:
Drain Fire: Shi Gao, Zhi Mu,
Read: BC: pp. 47-49, 73-78, 89-95
WE: pp. 189–190, 197–201, 229–230, 231–232, 237–240, 255, 256–258.

WEEK 6: Herbs that Clear heat (Cont.)
Cool Blood: Xi Jiao, Sheng Di
Damp-heat: Huang Qin, Huang Lian, Huang Bai,
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Read: BC: 120-123, 130-141
WE: pp. 203–208, 240–244, 258–260.

WEEK 7: Midterm Exam

WEEK 8: Herbs that Clear heat (Cont.)
Toxin: Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, PATENT: YIN QIAO SAN
Deficiency Heat: Qing Hao
Herbs and formulas that drain dampness: Fu Ling and related parts,
Aromatic herbs and formulas that transform dampness: Hou Po, Ping Wei San
Read: BC: pp. 148-151, 153-156, 100-102, 267-271, 467-473
WE: pp. 199–203, 283–284.

WEEK 9: Herbs that dispel wind dampness: Du Huo
Herbs and formulas that regulate qi: Chen Pi
Herbs that relieve food stagnation: Shan Zha
Downward draining herbs and formulas: Da Huang, Huo Ma Ren, Gan Sui
Read: BC: 235-240, 323-326, 509-513, 493-495
WE: pp. 145–147, 211–213, 282–283.

WEEK 10: Herbs and formulas that transform phlegm:
Hot: Qian Hu
Cold, damp: Ban Xia, Er Chen Tang
Herbs that alleviate cough and wheezing: Xing Ren
Herbs and formulas that regulate the blood:
Stop Bleeding: San Qi, PREPARED MEDICINE: YUNNAN BAI YAO
Invigorate the Blood: Chi Shao, Chuan Xiong,
Read: BC: pp. 437-440, 559-562, 598-602, 622-624, 245-247, 251-253, 375-378, 412-418
WE: pp. 148–149, 193–197, 229–231, 238–241, 261–267, 213–220, 280–282.

WEEK 11: Herbs that warm the interior: Fu Zi
Herbs and formulas that tonify qi: Ren Shen, Dang Shen,
Bai Zhu, Gan Cao, Si Jun Zi Tang
Herbs and formulas that tonify yang: Lu Rong,
Read: BC: pp. 709-717, 726-730, 732-735, 764-768, , 673-677
WE: pp. 135–136, 145–147, 150–151, 273–277

WEEK 12: Herbs and formulas that tonify blood: Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Si Wu Tang
Herbs and formulas that tonify yin: Mai Men Dong,
Herbs that stabilize and bind: Shan Zhu Yu
Read: BC: pp. 742-744, 748-752, 822-825, 855-858
WE: pp. 147–148, 150–151, 273–277, 286–290.

WEEK 13: Herbs and formulas that calm the spirit: Suan Zao Ren, Long Gu,
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Herbs that extinguish wind: Gou Teng
Herbs that aromatically open the orifices: She Xiang

Herbs that expel parasites: Da Suan
Read: BC: pp. 925-928, 907-910, 968-970, 945-948, 1012-1013
WE: pp. 155, 175, 284–286, 290–292.

WEEK 14: Final Exam