Oriental Herbology
Education in herbal medicine starts in the first trimester with an introduction to Herbology and the traditional Chinese herbal categories.
The second and third trimesters detail over 350 single herbs, including their functions, indications, dosages, contraindications, temperatures, and channels entered.
Classes in the fourth, fifth, and sixth trimesters educate students on how to combine single herbs to make over 150 formulae — including traditional functions, clinical indications, modifications, combinations, and contraindications — and focuses on the activity of individual herbs within the formulae. During this time students also learn about herb-drug interactions and mislabeling.
The sixth trimester Oriental Clinical Medicine series introduces students to classic and modern prescriptions for treating different types of medical conditions within orthopedics, gynecology, traumatology, and internal medicine.
Students review and test their herbal knowledge in the tenth trimester with Advanced Case Studies and AOM Review classes.
Introduction to Oriental Herbs
OH 100 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisites: none
Develops an overview of Chinese Pinyin specifically for the study of the Chinese herbs. Also provides an introduction to Classical medical literature; a history of the Chinese Materia Medica (including the twenty-seven categories and the primary herbs in each category); herbal formulas; politics and safety; and the basic concepts of Chinese herb directions, flavors, nature, preparations, and dosing.
Oriental Herbology
OH 101 & 102
Focuses on herb identification skills and therapeutic properties, indications, characteristics (including flavor, temperature, and activity in the channels and organs); methods of preparation; contraindications; as well as dosages and drug-herb interactions of more than 300 herbs from the Oriental Medicine Materia Medica.
Oriental Herbology
OH 101 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisite: OM 100; OH 100
Focuses on herbs that release exterior, clear heat, cool blood, purge fire, detoxify, dry dampness, clear summer heat, dispel wind dampness, drain dampness, drain downward, transform heat and clear phlegm, alleviate wheezing, warm the interior, and alleviate food stagnation.
Oriental Herbology II
OH 102 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisite: OM 100; OH 100
Focuses on herbs that regulate Qi, aromatically transform dampness, expel parasites, calm the spirit, tonify Qi, blood, yin and yang, invigorate blood, and stop bleeding, aromatically open the orifices, stop wind and tremor, astringe, and herbs that are externally applied.
Herbal Prescription
OH 201 – 203
Features a comprehensive study of the traditional Oriental Medicine formulary according to therapeutic categories. Introduces 150 formulae, including traditional functions, clinical indications, modifications, and contraindications, along with the activity of individual herbs within the formulae. Emphasizes the importance of specific herb pairings (Dui Yao) and formula modifications, and includes case studies that illustrate patterns of disharmony, treatment principles and methods, appropriate formula prescription, and modification. *Courses may be taken in any sequence.
Herbal Prescription I
OH 201 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisites: OH 101 & 102; OM 151 & 152
Focuses on formulas that alleviate exterior conditions, harmonize, treat dampness and phlegm, warm interior cold, reduce food stagnation, and expel parasites.
Herbal Prescription II
OH 202 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisites: OH 101 & 102; OM 151 & 152
Focuses on formulas that tonify, invigorate the blood, stabilize and bind, stop bleeding, calm the spirit, and expel wind.
Herbal Prescription III
OH 203 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture ∙ Prerequisites: OH& 102; OM 151 & 152
Focuses on formulas that clear heat, drain downward, expel damp, and regulate the Qi.
Herbal Prescription: Prepared Formulas
OH 207 ∙ 2 units – 2-hour lecture
Prerequisites: OH 201, 202 & 203
Provides an overview of how to combine and prescribe formulas using tea pills and prepared powders with an emphasis on the traditional formulae from which today’s modern patents are derived, and ancient and modern modification trends.
Herbal Prescription: Formula Writing and Modifications
OH 206 ∙ 3 units – 3-hour lecture
Prerequisites: OH 201, 202 & 207; IM 302
Instructs students in writing and modifying herbal prescriptions using traditional formulas, herb combinations, and customization of single herbs in an effort to better understand and utilize the ancient tradition of Chinese herbal medicine. Utilizes case studies to illustrate concepts.
Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization committed to the development of caring, proficient, and successful practitioners who serve communities and the Oriental medicine profession worldwide by treating illness and promoting health and wellness.
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