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 presented 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 third session devoted to "Yellow" formulas, Heiner compares representative formulas in this family of heat- and toxicity-clearing herbs. He discusses their therapeutic actions, indications, and clinical applications, and focuses on formulas in which Huangqin, Huanglian and Huangbai serve as chief herbs, including Xiexin Tang, Gegen Qin Lian Tang, Huanglian Jiedu Tang and Fengsui Dan. Case studies explore how to modify/combine formulas to address specific presenting patterns. Dragon Pearls are used as an example.

Course Objectives

• Describe the energetic properties and actions of the bitter, heat-clearing herbs Huangqin, Huanglian and Huangbai. Given their nature, explain how easily they can be misused in clinical practice.
• Discuss and compare Xiexin Tang, Gegen Qin Lian Tang, Huanglian Jiedu Tang and Fengsui Dan, addressing historical context, structure, dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.
• Of the Dahuang formulas discussed, explain the distinguishing features enabling you to choose the most appropriate remedy for common presenting patterns.
• Describe how to craft modifications of Dahuang 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 bitter, yellow herbs and why they are so powerful, and often misused, in clinical practice. He includes Huangqin, Huanglian and Huangbai.

30 min - 1 hrsHeiner continues the exploration of "Yellow" family formulas. The focus is Xiexin Tang, addressing historical context, structure (including the use of Dahuang, Huangqin and Huanlian), dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsHeiner continues to explore "Yellow" family formulas. He focuses on Gegen Qin Lian Tang, Huanglian Jiedu Tang and Fengsui Dan, addressing historical context, structure (including pairing), dosages, indications, typical applications and case examples.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsHeiner explains how to modify "Yellow" formulas and/or combine formulas to achieve a desired effect for individual presenting patterns. He uses Dragon Pearls, which combines Xiexin Tang, Yinchenhao Tang and Sini Tang (among others), 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.