Chinese Herbal Medicine & Formulae 1

Throughout the entire course, students are required to study approximately 450 Chinese medicinal substances. The depth of study for each herb will vary depending on the importance of the substance and its frequency of use. The characteristics and therapeutic applications of individual Chinese medicinal substances in each of the categories are identified, including their names and their appearance, their primary method of preparation, their characteristics (flavour, nature, and channel tropism), functions, combinations with other herbs, primary therapeutic applications, dosage range and any cautions or contraindications.

Students will also learn to identify and describe Chinese medicinal substances that are affected by Australian regulations and the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). The importance of commitment to the appropriate reporting of adverse events and necessary referral will be emphasised. The desire to achieve excellence in the practice of Chinese herbal medicine and to contribute to improving both the quality of life of patients and the wellbeing of the community and the environment will be a key feature in the teaching and learning of this unit.

Students will be referred constantly and appropriately throughout the course to the TGA and CMBA guidelines on the use of herbs vis-à-vis the various regulatory instruments and the management and reporting of adverse events.

1. Describe the historical development, classification and properties of the Chinese material medica, and how Australia’s multi-cultural/multi-racial context may affect CM herbal application.
2. Describe the primary methods by which Chinese medicinal substances are collected and processed/prepared (paozhi), and explain the aim and function of specific herb processing methods; Describe the various types of preparations of Chinese medicinal substances and evaluate the respective indications of decoction, infusion, powder, pill, syrups, plasters, and medicinal wines.
3. Identify commonly used Chinese medicinal substances and name or write (in pinyin and/or Chinese characters) their scientific name and common English name (if applicable); Describe and explain their characteristics, functions and therapeutic applications in each category including properties and channel tropism, and how they contribute to improving the quality of life of patients and the wellbeing of the community and the environment
4. State the dosage range and any cautions or contraindications of commonly used Chinese medicinal substances and describe any special preparation requirements of the substance; Explain the concept of toxicity, the compatibility and incompatibility of Chinese material medica.
5. Explain the impact of regulations that establish restricted schedules of drugs and poisons, what impact these have on the use of toxic herbs and endangered species used in CM practice, and the importance of commitment to appropriate reporting of adverse events and necessary referral to other medical practitioners.

Assessment 2: Practical Test (25%)

Assessment 3: Final examination (50%)

Bensky, D., Clavey, S., Gamble, A., &Stoger, E. (2004). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica (3rd ed.). Seattle, Wash.: Eastland Press.

Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (2018). Nomenclature compendium of commonly used Chinese herbal medicines. Retrieved from https://www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines/Guidelines-for-safe-practice.aspx (Accessed 30/01/2019)

Therapeutic Goods Administration, Poisons Standard October 2018, 25 September 2018. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2018L01344 (Accessed 30/01/2019)

TGA (2018). Australian regulatory guidelines for complementary medicines (ARGCM). Retrieved from http://www.tga.gov.au/industry/cm-argcm.htm. (Accessed 30/01/2019)

TGA (2018). Reporting adverse events. Retrieved from https://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-adverse-events (Accessed 30/01/2019)

Chang, H. & But, P. P. H., (1986). Pharmacology and applications of Chinese materialmedica (English ed.). Singapore; Philadelphia, PA, USA: World Scientific.

Sionneau, P. (1997). Dui yao: The art of combining Chinese medicinals (B. Côté Trans.). (1st ed.). Boulder, CO: Blue Poppy Press.

Gao, Xue Min (2007): Chinese Materia Medica (2nd ed.). Beijing, China Chinese Medicine Press.

Wu, J. N. (2005). An illustrated Chinese materia medica. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://www.booktopia.com.au/an-illustrated-chinese-materia-medica-jing-nuan-wu/prod9780195140170.html?source=pla&zsrc=n-stock-all&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMDiBRDNARIsACKP1FGBmOGBOVQ19AurOtKH8TbtqXnzB8h29q9MaqoSXjHndsybI2XAtaYaAjoxEALw_wcB