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The Chinese art of combining medicinal herbs. Herbology
is traditionally one of the more important modalities utilized
in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Each herbal medicine
prescription is a cocktail of many herbs tailored to the
individual patient. One batch of herbs is typically decocted
twice over the course of one hour. The practitioner usually
designs a remedy using one or two main ingredients that
target the illness. Then the practitioner adds many other
ingredients to adjust the formula to the patient's yin/yang
conditions. Sometimes, ingredients are needed to cancel
out toxicity or side-effects of the main ingredients.
Some herbs require
the use of other ingredients as catalyst or else the brew
is ineffective. The latter steps require great experience
and knowledge, and make the difference between a good Chinese
herbal doctor and an amateur. Unlike western medications,
the balance and interaction of all the ingredients are considered
more important than the effect of individual ingredients.
A key to success in TCM is the treatment of each patient
as an individual. See also: Individualism
Chinese herbology often incorporates ingredients from all
parts of plants, the leaf, stem, flower, root, and also
ingredients from animals and minerals. The use of parts
of endangered species (such as seahorses, rhinoceros horns,
and tiger bones) has created controversy and resulted in
a black market of poachers who hunt restricted animals.
Many herbal manufacturers have discontinued the use of any
parts from endangered animals.
Benefits/Contraindications
Treatments should
be prescribed and monitored by a trained practitioner, because
some Chineses herbs can be toxic in large doses, others
should be used with caution during pregnancy.
Training/Certification
Curriculum
for Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine (CCHM)
The Chinese herbal medicine program is designed for those
seeking comprehensive training in the field of Chinese herbal
medicine. This program is a postgraduate course for licensed
acupuncturists. The CCHM curriculum enables students to
gain skills and knowledge in the principles of Chinese herbology,
including materia medica, formulations, prepared medicines,
dispensary, herbal therapeutics, and clinical training at
the Chinese herbal medicine teaching clinic.
The CHM curriculum
covers a minimum of 300 herbs and other therapeutic substances
and a minimum of 150 herbal formulas. Case studies are presented
to enhance the learning process. Students also gain skills
in understanding drug/herb interactions—a very relevant
topic for today's practitioners. At the conclusion of the
certificate program, graduates have enhanced their academic
skills through clinical training and have gained the traditional
Chinese medicine diagnostic skills to assess and diagnose
syndromes relevant to traditional Chinese medicine.
They also are
prepared to determine and use appropriate Chinese herbal
therapies within the appropriate professional scope of practice.
The CCHM certificate is a postgraduate course of study which
includes both didactic and clinical training.
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