Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine - (December 2021)

DECEMBER 3 -6,  2021 (FRI - MON) 

Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese  herbal medicine is an immensely complex and powerful modality. In  modern times, the typical methods of introducing Chinese herbal medicine  have been streamlined and simplified and are heavily influenced by the  Western pharmaceutical model. However, this is not how herbal medicine  used to be taught.   Traditionally, if you wanted to become an  herbalist, you needed a much deeper understanding of herbs that goes  beyond simple categorizations or memorizing book knowledge. The initial  stages of learning involved creating a more intimate understanding of  herbs. Where possible the apprentice would gain experience in  identifying and gathering herbs, carefully observing not only the herb  itself, but the environment it lives in. The apprentice would also take  the various herbs internally and observe one’s own experiences with  them.

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While  having a more intimate knowledge of each herb was important, much of an  apprentices time was spent observing and assisting the master. First,  the apprentice would observe how herbs worked together in formulas. Just  as you can’t know a person until they interact with others, different  qualities of herbs come out depending on their interaction with other  herbs. The same is true as different people take the same herbal  combination. The person is like an additional herb to the energetic  environment you are creating with the combination. Preparation (pao zhi)  of herbs was another skill that was simultaneously cultivated.   This  year long program (16 sessions) is designed to communicate herbal  medicine in as close to the traditional way as we can. As Jeffrey  stated, “the goal of this course is to teach herbs the way they were  traditionally taught …the way I learned."