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Key Steps in Learning and Practicing Chinese Herbal Medicine

By Dr. Zong Lan Xu

Having over 20 years of experience from learning, teaching, and practicing Chinese herbal medicine, I can truly say that there are no "short cuts" you can take to learn this art. However, there are definitely some key steps that can be followed in order to make your study of Chinese herbal medicine easier and your practice more effective. These steps are from personal experiences as well as from my teachers.

Step 1: Repetition

Having a solid knowledge of individual herbs should be or primary concern prior to studying the formulas. This requires a great deal of memorization. How can you remember hundreds of herbs that all have different properties and functions? Repetition is the key. I remember that when I began to study herbs at school, every student wrote down the main information of the herbs and formulas in a small pocketbook. Whenever we had a chance, either standing in line to get lunch or waiting at the bus stop, we always referred to the pocketbook.

Step 2: Categorization

Studying herbs by categorizing them will assist in understanding and memorizing them more quickly. Every herb in the same category shares similar properties and main functions. Once you have memorized the herb's pertaining category, common properties and main functions of that category, all that is required is for you to understand and remember the specialty and additional functions of each individual herb. This also allows you to make a clear comparison of all herbs in the same category.

Step 3: Functionality

Studying each formula by focusing on the functions of the "king (principal) herbs" will help you understand the treatment strategies associated with the formula. You also need to analyze the composition of the formula to absorb the real "essence" of it.

Step 4: Comparison

Comparing the formulas in the same category will lead you to a deeper understanding of each formula. Formulas in the same category have certain common features, but each formula is designed to treat a particular pathological condition based on its unique combination.

Step 5: Familiarity

The following is a partial list of the more commonly used Chinese medicinal substances and formulas that contain multivalent cation minerals. It is compiled based on information published in standard textbooks. Readers are advised to use their own professional judgment when making clinical decisions.

It is important that you familiarize yourself with every ingredient in the formula, so that not only will you be able to use the formula properly, but you will also be able to modify it suitably for any given pathological condition. This is another reason why you need a solid knowledge of individual herbs. Also, on today's market, there are many valuable patent Chinese herbal formulas that have already been modified from the classic ones. To use these formulas successfully, you need to analyze their ingredients to gain a better understanding of each formula.

Step 6: Utilization

Clinical usage of herbal remedies is the best way to retain knowledge of herbs and formulas. Once you have used an herbal formula for a patient and obtained successful results, you will never forget that formula.

These six simple steps will make your study and practice of Chinese herbal medicine an easy task.