Chinese Herbal Medicine & Formulae 2

Additionally, this unit introduces the student to TCM herbal formulae. In the second half of this unit the student will study the theory of Chinese herbal formulae classification, the construction and application of formulae including its historical development; its form and function; its current classification; and its therapeutic methodologies. For each herbal category studied, the student will examine and explore the formulae modification, preparation and administration.

Students will be informed about restricted and scheduled herbs and their use throughout the study of this subject and in accordance with Australian regulations and the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). The importance of a commitment to the appropriate reporting of adverse events will be also emphasised and 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. These latter are provided in the prescribed and recommended readings.

1. Identify Chinese medicinal substances with their Chinese, scientific and common English nomenclature (in pinyin and/or Chinese characters).
2. Analyse the functions and therapeutic applications of the main traditional Chinese medicinal substances in each category from their properties and channel tropism.
3. Explain and describe the cautions or contraindications in the dosage range of the main Chinese medicinal substances and any special preparation requirements of specific substances; Describe the compatibility and incompatibility of specific Chinese material medica including toxicity and the restricted schedules of drugs and poisons used in CM practice, and the importance of a commitment to the appropriate reporting of adverse events.
4. Describe and explain the development of TCM formula theory and its principles; Evaluate the principal functions of formulae in each category and the relationship between each category and its treatment strategy; Compare and contrast the principal formulae of the same category and identify the appropriate formula to achieve a particular therapeutic effect.

Assessment 2: Quiz (25%)

Assessment 3: Final examination (50%)

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John K.Chen &Tina T. Chen (2009). Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. LA: Art of Medicine Press.

Bensky, D., & Barolet, R. (2009). In Scheid V. (Ed.), Chinese herbal medicine: Formulas & strategies (Rev. ed.). Seattle, WA: Eastland Press.

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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)

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

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