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 the second session, Heiner continues to explore representative formulas in the Dihuang family. He discusses their historical context, dosages, formula architecture, therapeutic actions, indications, and clinical applications. The focus is on Baihe Dihuang Tang, Baihe Zhimu Tang, Baihe Huashi San, Zhi Gancao Tang and Yanghe Tang. Case studies and discussions of Glacier Pearls and Wind Pearls are used to explain how to modify/combine formulas to address specific presenting patterns.

Course Objectives

• Discuss and compare Baihe Dihuang Tang & its modifications, Baihe Zhimu Tang & Baihe Huashi San. Explore Zhi Gancao Tang & Yanghe Tang. Address historical context, structure, common herb pairings, dosages, indications, applications & case examples.
• Explain the hallmark symptoms or features that allow you to choose the most appropriate remedy for common presenting patterns, given the formulas presented.
• Describe how to craft modifications of Dihuang formulas and/or suggest formula combinations that will achieve a desired therapeutic effect for unique presenting patterns.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 30 minHeiner continues to explore the Dihuang family of formulas. The focus is Baihe Dihuang Tang, and formulas Baihe Zhimu Tang and Baihe Huashi San, addressing historical context, structure, dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.

30 min - 1 hrsHeiner continues the exploration of Dihuang family of formulas. The focus is Zhi Gancao Tang and Yanghe Tang, addressing historical context, structure, dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsHeiner continues the exploration of Dihuang family formulas. The focus continues to be on Zhi Gancao Tang, including historical context, structure, dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsHeiner discusses how to modify and/or combine Dihuang formulas to achieve the desired effect for specific patterns. He uses Glacier Pearls and Wind Pearls as examples of how to combine Dihuang formulas.

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.