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 Institute 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 six courses offered in our Chinese herbology curriculum are comprised of a survey of the identification, categorization and clinical use of the Traditional Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia. Students receive a solid working knowledge of more then 350 individual herbs and more than 150 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.
[ Required Courses ]
 |
| MHB 100 3 Units 48 Hours |
|
| In this course students gain general knowledge in TCM herbology, such as herbal concepts, herbal categorization, taste, temperature and entering meridians. The class includes instruction in methods of preparation and delivery as well as the laws of herbal combining and TCM treatment methods. Students learn approximately 120 single herbs including clinical use and contraindications. Information from current research in the field of TCM herbology will augment lectures. Upon completion of this course, students will have solid knowledge of TCM herbology and be able to visually identify over 100 single herbs and describe their category, nature, properties, entering meridians, functions, indications and contraindications. |
|
| Prerequisite: None |
|
|
| MHB 200 3 Units 48 Hours |
|
| In this course students study approximately 120 single herbs including their category, taste, temperature, entering meridians, functions, indications and contraindications. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to visually identify over 200 of the herbs taught at the University and describe their category, nature, properties, entering meridians, functions, indications and contraindications. |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 100 TCM Herbology I |
|
|
| MHB 310 3 Units 48 Hours |
|
| In this course students learn approximately 120 single herbs including their category, taste, temperature, entering meridians, functions, indications and contraindications. Results from modern research in TCM herbology supplement lectures. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to visually identify any of the herbs taught at the University and describe their category, nature, properties, entering meridians, functions, indications and contraindications. This knowledge will serve as foundation for the three formula courses that follow. |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 200 TCM Herbology II |
|
|
| MHB 410 3 Units 48 Hours |
|
| 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 previous knowledge they have acquired in the single herbs courses as well as TCM differential diagnosis, into understanding how a formula is designed. In this first course, students are introduced to the principles of creating herb formulas through in-depth study of the elegance and economy of classical Chinese herbal prescriptions. The formulas are taught in functionally related categories. In this first course students study 80 herbal formulas including formula composition, functions, clinical indications, modifications and contraindications. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the principles of making herbal formulas and will be able to identify approximately 80 herbal formulas and prescribe and modify these formulas according to TCM principles. |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 310 TCM Herbology III; MCT 200 TCM Diagnostics; MRA 200 Cum Review I |
|
|
| MHB 520 2 Units 32 Hours |
|
| In this second course in a three-part series students will study an additional 70 traditional formulas, including formula composition, functions, clinical indications, modifications and contraindications. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify the 70 additional herbal formulas and be able to prescribe and modify these formulas according to TCM principles. |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 410 TCM Formulas I; MRA 400 Cum Review II |
|
|
| MHB 530 2 Units 32 Hours |
|
| Since the beginning of TCM, great physicians have 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, dietary programs appropriate for the treatment of prevalent TCM disharmonies, as well as for health and longevity. Effective food combinations and recipes are included for both the treatment of common diseases and for general well being. Upon completion of this course, students will know how to use foods and diet in maintaining health according to TCM theory and how to make useful dietary recommendations to patients for common disharmonies. |
|
| Prerequisite: MCT 200 TCM Diagnostics; MHB 310 TCM Herbology III; MRA 400 Cum Review II |
|
|
| MHB 610 2 Units 32 Hours |
|
| In this third and last course students will continue to build upon previous knowledge and study the remaining 80 traditional formulas, including formula composition, functions, clinical applications, modifications and contraindications. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to know all 230 formulas taught at the University and be able to prescribe and modify the appropriate prescriptions in a clinical setting. |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 520 TCM Formulas II |
|
|
| MHB 620 1.5 Units 24 Hours |
|
| This is an invaluable class for all students and every clinician using herbal pills and prepared solutions. The course covers major TCM syndromes and the patent herbs that are used to treat them. The lecture also includes 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 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. |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 520 TCM Formulas II; MRA 400 Cum Review II |
|
|
| MHB 700 0.5 Units 8 Hours |
|
| This course addresses the increasing concern among the medical community, including TCM practitioners who prescribe medicinal herbs, about 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. This course includes the critical analysis of literature and research reports of herb/drug interactions. Upon completion of this course the students will understand the potential interaction between medicinal Chinese herbs, supplements and pharmaceutical drugs. |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 310 TCM Herbology III; MWM 410 Pathophysiology II; MWM 620 Pharmacology |
|
[ Elective Courses ]
| Course Title | Code | Unit | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herb Pairs | MEL 520 | 1 | 16 |
| Advanced Herbs | MEL 530 | 1 | 16 |
|
| MEL 520 1 Units 16 Hours |
|
| 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. Upon completion of this course, the student will have acquired skills for composing a basic framework for formulas through an enhanced understanding of complimentary herb pairs. |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 310 TCM Herbology III; MRA 400 Cum Review III |
|
|
| MEL 530 1 Units 16 Hours |
|
| 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 be surprising to the students 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. Upon completion of this course, the student will have gained valuable functional knowledge of current clinical applications for many commonly used herbs. . |
|
| Prerequisite: MHB 410 TCM Formulas I; MRA 400 Cum Review II |
|