TCM Herbology
Jeffrey Pang, L.Ac.
Department Chair
While acupuncture treats disharmony and disease from the exterior of the body, herbal medicine works from the body's interior to support normal Qi, Blood and Fluids. TCM herbal medicine corrects irregular patterns and expels abnormal influences. Following the lead of modern Chinese medical schools, Five Branches University places knowledge of herbs and prescription herbal formulas alongside acupuncture at the heart of TCM education and clinical training.
Chinese herbology is the world's most sophisticated medical herbal system. The curriculum includes extensive training in single herbs including identification, categorization and clinical use of the Traditional Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia. The program continues with 3 semesters of in-depth study of TCM Formulas as well as TCM Dietetics, TCM Patent Herbs and Herb-Pharmacy interactions. Students receive a solid working knowledge of more than 350 individual herbs and more than 200 classical and modern formulas. Advanced classes also show students how to modify and enhance the classical formulas in response to specific variants in a patient's diagnosed condition. All herb classes are taught using the Pinyin names of herbs.
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| MHB 100, MHB 200, MHB 310 9 Units 144 Hours |
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| This three-semester course sequence provides students with knowledge of TCM herbology, including general theory, treatment methods, categorization, taste, temperature, entering meridians, indications, and the laws of herbal combining. Students will learn over 350 single herbs, including clinical use, contraindications, and methods of preparation and delivery. Current research in the field of TCM herbology will augment lectures. This knowledge will serve as a foundation for the TCM Formula courses. |
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| Prerequisite: Herbology I: None Herbology II:MHB 100, Herbology I Herbology III:MHB 200, TCM Herbology II |
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| MHB 410, MHB 520, MHB 610 7 Units 112 Hours |
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| The art of Chinese herbology lies in the practitioner’s ability to combine herbs into a balanced formula tailored to meet each patient’s singular pattern of signs and symptoms. During this three-semester course sequence in TCM Formulas, students will implement the knowledge they have acquired in the single herbs courses, and TCM differential diagnosis, to understand how a formula is designed. The formulas are taught in functionally related categories. Students will study approximately 250 herbal formulas including, formula composition, functions, clinical indications, modifications and contraindications. |
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| Prerequisite: Formulas I:MHB 310, TCM Herbology III Formulas II: MHB 410, Formulas I Formulas III: Formulas 520, Formulas II |
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| MHB 530 2 Units 32 Hours |
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| Since the beginning of TCM, great physicians understood the profound influence of diet on human health. This course introduces theories of TCM dietetics and surveys the TCM functions and properties of common foods, the dietary programs appropriate for the treatment of prevalent TCM disharmonies, and their effect on health and longevity. Effective food combinations and recipes are provided for the treatment of common diseases, and to enhance general well being. |
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| Prerequisite: MCT 200, TCM Diagnostics; MHB 310, TCM Herbology III |
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| MHB 620 1.5 Units 24 Hours |
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| This is an invaluable course for students and every clinician using herbal pills and prepared solutions. The course covers major TCM syndromes and the patent herbs used to treat them. The lectures include the differential analysis of patent herbs used for the same diagnosis, recommended dosages for both adults and children, and contraindications. Much of the information presented is derived from various Chinese texts and clinical expertise, and will not be found in any textbook. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the functions of over 150 prepared Chinese patent herbs and solutions and how to properly prescribe them. |
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| Prerequisite: MHB 520, TCM Formulas II |
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| MHB 700 0.5 Units 8 Hours |
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| This course addresses the increasing concern among the medical community, including TCM practitioners who prescribe medicinal herbs, regarding toxic biomedical interactions between pharmaceutical drugs and natural products, such as Chinese medicinal herbs. The course reviews the biomedical nature of herbs and the potential interaction between them and commonly used pharmaceutical drugs and nutritional supplements. The course includes the critical analysis of literature and research reports of herb/drug interactions. |
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| Prerequisite: MHB 310, TCM Herbology III; MWM 410, Pathophysiology II; MWM 620, Pharmacology |
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* Electives are offered based on faculty availability and student interest.
| Course Title | Code | Unit | Hours |
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| Herb Pairs | MEL 520 | 1 | 16 |
| Advanced Herbs | MEL 530 | 1 | 16 |
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| MEL 520 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| Understanding how to blend herbs is essential for constructing effective and appropriate formulas. This course clearly explains which herbs pair best and why. The foundation of herbal formula treatment is based on understanding how to combine single herbs’ specific inherent properties and functions to maximize their therapeutic qualities. This is an opportunity to enrich one’s skill in basic formula building. |
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| Prerequisite: MHB 310, TCM Herbology III; MRA 400, Cum Review II |
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| MEL 530 1 Units 16 Hours |
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| This course takes an in-depth look into recent research on new functions and applications of some of our clinic’s most popular herbs. It may surprise students to learn the depth of utilizations that many herbs possess. Much of the information will be drawn from modern Chinese clinical and hospital research demonstrating new and important herbal applications for acute, chronic, common and rare diseases. Advanced Herbs will equip the student with a comprehensive up-to-date knowledge of single herb functions to aid in formula construction and disease treatment. |
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| Prerequisite: MRA 400, Cum Review II; MHB 410, TCM Formulas I |
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