Herbal understanding

March 7, 2003

You maybe totally right here, but let us look at the other side. The side of being able to write individualized herbal Rxs. A) is this a goal of the current educational process. – In china , obviously, prob all docs can do this… - In the states a very small % are really comfortable with this. (this may be changing) B) IMO, I did not really start ‘getting’ formulas, until I really started memorizing them. Of course I have forgot much of it, but there is something about drilling those combos over and over into one’s head. Having to make sense of why a given herb is in an herbal Rx and memorizing that. There is also some intangible osmotic type learning that occurs that is hard to describe. Its not really about drilling the combos (pure memorization) its about seeing them, in different situations and then how they interact with the rest of the herbs. Until I see the majority of students coming out of school being able to write an herbal Rx I think that something is wrong. I.e. I was supervising on a internal medicine clinic shift a couple of weeks ago, this shifts focus is herbs, it occurs once a week. Guess what? I didn’t do 1 raw Rx in 6 hours. I did 2 granular Rxs (after badgering them) and the rest were PILLS… Now there are many issues that go into this situation, but fundamentally I see the students lack of confidence and understanding of Rx’s. PAthomechanisms, dynamics and understanding (of the Rx) come about how? Do they just read BEnsky and get it? Well maybe I was too dense and it took memorizing it over and over to get it… But I am for memorization TO GET it. I think the earlier herbs 1-3 shouldn’t be a dense , but when one gets to Rx classes, I see great importance. One can look it up, but if one doesn’t truly understand the Rx / pathomechanism etc., than the game is lost. Finally understanding the single, as we have discussed, is not enough, because many of the Fxs are in formulas or combos, therefore where does the student get this?

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From a students perspective I agree with Jason. Memorization is not a mindless activity. It pays off. Patterns of herbal combinations are more easily identified in different formulas, the herbs themselves become more familiar, etc. At SBCOM we are required to memorize herbs and formulas, and memorize them well. There is a waiting list for interns to work the twice a week herbal shift without acupuncture. Patents are rarely

prescribed. Granular and raw herbal formulas are the norm. I think the students enthusiasm and sincere belief in the effectiveness of herbal medicine carries over to the patient. This may be especially true when explaining the benefits of a formula specifically made for each patient. The truth is learning requires both hard work and the investment of ones time. Eight hours a week devoted to herbal study is hardly unreasonable. In fact, given the

importance of herbs in treatment, this number may be on the low side. -Greyson Ross