Information Overload

[Guest guest]

Ed Kasper wrote:

>>>I most often was frustrated in school because the functions / category of

the herbs (and acupuncture points) too seldom matched the prescriptions

given in the books.

for example

Want to Strengthen the Yin; Liu Wei Di Wan- No Yin Herbs!

Want to Strengthen the Yang - jin Gui Shen Qi, Si Ni tang, Zhen Wu, Wu Ling

San, Bu Zhong Yi Qi tang, _only one_ Tonify Yang herb in the whole bunch.<<<

 

Categorization of course is an arbitrary thing, because herbs don't grow with category labels hung on their little stems. Herbs don't know what category they belong to. They just be themselves. Qi may be a real thing, but herbal categories definitely exist only in our minds. This is a point which I think is not sufficiently brought home to students. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan has Shu Di Huang in it, which is thought to be the best single medicinal at supplementing yin. However, most Chinese herbalists think it is even better at supplementing blood, so it goes in that category.

 

The reason these formulas accomplish what they accomplish is via the inter-relationships among the various medicinals they contain. How can students make sense of why a formula does what it does unless they are first or simultaneously familiar with the energetic functions and indications of the formula's ingredients? Otherwise it just becomes meaningless rote learning which quickly fades. I begin to like the idea someone wrote about of simultaneously teaching an individual herb class and a formula class, but I think the simultaneous first herb class should focus on core formulas, those being major formulas only, formulas from which many other formulas are derived, with an emphasis on dui yao. Derivative and less-major formulas would be addressed later in the curriculum.

Joseph Garner

[Guest guest]

acugrpaz

 

Tue, 11 Mar 2003 15:19:49 EST

 

Information Overload

 

 

Ed Kasper wrote:

 

Want to Strengthen the Yin; Liu Wei Di Wan- No Yin Herbs!

 

 

 

Actually, one of the most intriguing aspects of LWDHW is the emphasis of spleen tonics: fu ling and Shan yao. I like that the formula references herbs that nourish post natal qi as a source of Yin. I like that a blood tonic furthers the foundation.

When I was in China, I was taught that w/ premenopausal women you treat the kidneys and postmenopausal treat the spleen.

Cara

[Guest guest]

, acugrpaz@a... wrote:

but I think the simultaneous first herb class should focus on core

formulas, those being major formulas only, formulas from which many

other formulas are derived, with an emphasis on dui yao. Derivative

and less-major formulas would be addressed later in the curriculum.

 

 

 

This is pretty much the way we did it back in the 70s and still

seems absolutely resonable to me.

 

 

Jim Ramholz

[Guest guest]

Alon, I started studying acupuncture at the time one could buy the answers

to the State test. The test then was viewed as a money generating scheme by

those in power. It was an extremely " difficult " test for those that did not

pay. An FBI sting almost brought acupuncture to a halt. About 1985 I began

at Five Branches in Santa Cruz, CA. I remember clearly when I asked

questions there was a standard answer 1. because the Nei jing says so and 2.

Because its on the State Boards. And every pulse was " wiry " . I then

transferred to the San Francisco Acupuncture College. I liked their

" atmosphere " better BUT the school was sold and the transaction was

horrible and the State closed the school. Then I went to The Academy of

Chinese Culture in Oakland. At numerous meetings with the State and other

schools 'we students' were promised that they (Oakland School) would help us

by opening a San Jose branch. They did, I went and after about one year I

discovered (by checking with the State) that the Branch did not conform to

the States requirement. I had numerous dialogues with both the Oakland

School and the State about what was being taught and the requirements for

graduations. Two big problems for me there was

1. The San Jose " branch " was not official and I may not get credit. Although

Oakland seemed very willing to accommodate the students, the State was not

flexible on the standards and rightfully so. Oakland was forced to close

the branch.

2. Most of the teachers (at the main School in Oakland) were ONLY Chinese

speaking. Here even with numerous complaints by students the school was

unwilling to accommodate. Most of my fellow students felt " well, we need the

clinic hours to graduate so why fight it " Most of the time I was able to

hang with (and make friends with) a few of the Chinese students who would

personally translate for me. This distracted from their studies but I

wouldn't have survived without them.

 

After running out of local schools I got the opportunity for a tutorial with

Andrew Wu (San Jose, CA). So after some five years I started over with a

then 2 year required tutorial . Great clinical experience - poor preparation

for the State boards.

By the time I passed the first part (of the 2 part test then) and ready to

retake the second part. (I still wonder how any student could miss 50% of

point locations (?)I got caught up in the testing scandals and the state

delayed and canceled the testing and eventually replaced the testing

company. This was not a good times for the State Acupuncture Committee - nor

for the students whose final tests were all of a sudden canceled with only

weeks notice.

 

All of this is now over ten years ago.

Just 2-3 years ago the Acupuncture Board invited me (via random choosing) to

review their new single test. I was impressed and believe that the Board is

on track, honest and fair.

 

Everybody raises to great levels based upon their own effort.

But geez, a little help would be appreciated.

 

Ed Kasper LAc. Santa Cruz, CA.

 

 

Mon, 10 Mar 2003 14:30:59 -0800

" ALON MARCUS " <alonmarcus

Re: RE: Information Overload

 

Personally I attended THREE California Accredited Acupuncture Schools. A lot

of wasted time.

>>>Ed which three?

alon

 

 

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