Course Overview

Dr. Heiner Fruehauf's 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 first session devoted to the Dihuang formula family, Heiner discusses the nature of Dihuang 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 Jingui Shenqi Wan, Mai Wei Dihuang Wan, Qi Ju Dihuang Wan, Jisheng Shenqi Wan and Yiguan Jian Wan. Case studies and a discussion of Water Pearls are used to explain how to modify/combine formulas to address specific presenting patterns.

Course Objectives

• Describe the energetic properties and actions of Dihuang. Discuss the sourcing and preparation of Dihuang. Explain how the preparation of Dihuang can alter the actions of the herb. Explore common herb pairing with Dihuang formulas.
• Discuss Jingui Shenqi Wan, liuwei Dihuang Wan, Mai Wei Dihuang Wan, Qi Ju Dihuang Wan, Jisheng Shenqi Wan, and Yiguan Jian, addressing historical context, structure, dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.
• Of the Dihuang formulas discussed, explain the distinguishing features enabling you to choose the most appropriate remedy for common presenting patterns.
• 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 discusses the energetic properties and actions of Dihuang, including traditional sourcing and preparation methods and importance of the herb in the Chinese materia medica.

30 min - 1 hrsHeiner continues with the discussion of preparation. The focus is Jingui Shenqi Wan, Liuwei Dihuang Wan and Mai Wei Dihuang Wan. Addresses the historical context, formula structure, dosages, indications, applications and case examples.

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsHeiner continues to explore Dihuang family of formulas, focusing on Qi Ju Dihuang Wan, Jisheng Shenqi Wan, and Yiguan Jian, addressing the historical context, formula structure, dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsHeiner explains how to modify Dihuang formulas and/or combine formulas to achieve a desired effect for specific patterns. Water Pearls, which combines Jingui Shenqi Wan and Mai Wei Dihuang Wan, among other Shenqi Wan mods, is used 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.