This introductory course provides an overview of Chinese herbal medicine and is the foundation of the program’s herbal medicine courses. The course investigates the history behind the development of the tradition of Chinese herbal medicine, with specific references to classical texts. Students learn the basic characteristics of herbs (taste, temperature, trajectory in the body, and toxicity) and the 17 categories of Chinese herbs and their related characteristics. Students are introduced to herbal preparations commonly used in Chinese medicine and the situations that indicate their use.

This three-trimester 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. 

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-terms 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. Formulas are reviewed in the context of the herbs composing it, their therapeutic function and indications. In addition, the applications of herbal formula prescriptions to specific illnesses will be discussed, as well as how to modify formulas based on the patient specific sign and symptoms.
In the 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. Students will study 80 herbal formulas including formula composition, functions, clinical indications, modifications and contraindications. Formulas categories taught are: formulas that Release the Exterior, formulas Clear Heat, formulas Drain Downward, formulas that Harmonize, and formulas that Tonify.
In the second course of a three-part series, students will study an additional 70 traditional formulas, including formula composition, functions, clinical indications, modifications and contraindications. Formula categories covered in this course are: formulas that Expel Dampness, formulas that Warm Interior, formulas that Regulate Qi, formulas that Regulate Blood and formulas Stop Bleeding.
In the third and final course, students will study additional 70 traditional formulas, including their composition of herbs, functions, clinical indications and the theories behind them. Formula categories covered in this course are: formulas that Treat Dryness, formulas that Stabilize and Bind, formulas that Calm the Spirit, formulas that Expel Wind, formulas that Open the Orifices, formulas that Treat Phlegm, formulas that Reduce Food Stagnation, formulas that Expel Parasites and formulas for External Applications.
Upon completion of this course, students will understand the principles of making herbal formulas. Students will also be able to identify herbal formulas, understand their therapeutic indication and be able to prescribe and modify these formulas according to TCM principles.

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. 

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.

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. 

Join highly experienced faculty and herbalists on an herb walk at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden or the Henry Cowell Fall Creek State Park in Felton to learn how to identify important medicinal plants used in Chinese medicine. You will walk one to two miles on mostly flat terrain and dirt trails seeing over a dozen medicinal and/or edible species such as: huckleberry, Aralia (a relative of ginseng), nettles, lemon balm, and Asarum, a local variety of Xixin.