Course Overview

Dr. Heiner Fruehaufs master class on Chinese herbal medicine deepens the lifelong learner’s mastery of herbal prescribing by rooting their understanding in classical principles and practices. It accommodates the needs and interests of all levels, from students of Chinese medicine and newer practitioners to seasoned practitioners who are ever-refining their capacity to successfully treat any condition presenting in the clinic. For each of eight major herb families, Heiner describes the energetic properties of the lead herb, common herb pairs, and the major herbal formulas. Case examples are presented to provide a clinical context for learning the indications for particular formulas within each family. With this base of knowledge, practitioners can stand on firm ground while being flexible in their ability to design herbal treatments that effectively treat the complex patterns manifesting in our increasingly out-of-balance world. In this session devoted to the Renshen family, Heiner discusses the nature of Renshen as a chief herb, and introduces representative formulas. He discusses their historical context, dosages, formula architecture, therapeutic actions, indications, and clinical applications. The focus is on Lizhong Wan, Si Junzi Tang, Liu Junzi Tang, Shen Ling Baizhu San, Shengmai San, Buzhong Yiqi Tang, Guipi Tang and Shuyu Wan. Case studies and a discussion of Amber Pearls are used to explain how to modify/combine formulas to address specific presenting patterns.

Course Objectives

• Describe the energetic properties and actions of Renshen. Discuss the sourcing of Renshen. Explore common herb pairings in Renshen formulas.
• Discuss Si Junzi Tang, Liu Junzi Tang, Shen Ling Baizhu San, Lizhong Wan, Shengmai San, Buzhong Yiqi, Guipi Tang, and Shuyu Wan, addressing historical context, structure, dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.
• Explain the hallmark symptoms or features that allow you to choose the most appropriate remedy for common presenting patterns, given the Renshen formulas presented.
• Describe how to craft modifications of the given Renshen formulas and/or suggest formula combinations that will achieve a desired therapeutic effect for unique presenting patterns.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 30 minHeiner discusses the energetic properties and actions of Renshen, including traditional sourcing and preparation methods and importance of this herb in the Chinese materia medica. Common herb pairings are discussed.

30 min - 1 hrsHeiner explores the Renshen family of formulas. The focus is Si Junzi Tang, Liu Junzi Tang, Shen Ling Baizhu San and related formula Lizhong Wan. He addresses historical context, formula structure, dosages, indications, applications & case examples.

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsHeiner continues exploring the Renshen family of formulas. He focuses on Shengmai San, Buzhong Yiqi Tang, Guipi Tang, and Shuyu Wan. He addresses the historical context, formula structure, dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsHeiner explains how to modify and/or combine Renshen formulas to achieve a desired effect for presenting patterns. He uses Amber Pearls, which combines Shen Ling Baizhu San with a classical Ming Dynasty formula Buwei Yaotaixue Fang, as an example.

2 hrs - 2.5 hrsThe final 30 minutes will be devoted to a question and answer period. Questions will be selected from those posted in the Zoom chat based on relevance for the whole group.