Phoenix Academy is delighted to announce the establishment of the Jing Fang UK Branch, launched at a landmark event in London on 1st October 2025.

This momentous development represents a ground-breaking collaboration between Phoenix Academy and Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (NJUCM), one of China’s most prestigious institutions for classical Chinese medicine education and research.

The establishment of the Jing Fang UK Branch represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Chinese Medicine practice in the United Kingdom, promising to advance the understanding and application of classical formulas in contemporary clinical settings whilst fostering deeper collaboration between Eastern and Western medical communities.

The Jing Fang International Development Roundtable: A Watershed Moment

(Pictured above left: A round table discussion between masters, peers and colleagues, above right: our panel of masters and professionals for our round table discussion, left: Another shot of the roundtable discussion in full flow)

The inauguration of the UK Branch followed an engaging peer-led roundtable discussion that proved to be a watershed moment for the Jing Fang movement in the United Kingdom. This historic gathering brought together leading voices in classical Chinese medicine to address the critical questions facing the discipline in the modern world.

The distinguished panel included Professor Huang Huang (Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine), Professor Dr Fan Yi Meng, Dr Kai Cun Zhao, Tony Todd (BAcC), Martin John (RCHM), and Dr Lieu. Throughout the discussion, participants shared their experiences and expectations for the future of Jing Fang practice internationally, with unanimous agreement that the establishment of the UK Jing Fang Branch in collaboration with NJUCM was essential to further develop Jing Fang practice and research in the UK.

The event was also attended by representatives from the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture UK (ATCM), the British Acupuncture (BAcC), Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (FTCMP), the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), British Pharmacopoeia, and The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)  as well as representatives from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, demonstrating strong support from across the Chinese medicine community.

Four Pillars for International Jing Fang Development

The roundtable explored four key themes that will shape the future of Jing Fang practice internationally:

Education Research: Building an International Jing Fang Education System

How can we bring classical formula teaching into the modern era whilst staying true to the original texts and principles? Participants explored the exciting challenges of adapting Jing Fang teaching for international audiences, ensuring that ancient wisdom remains academically rigorous whilst becoming accessible to practitioners worldwide.
The discussion examined how traditional Chinese medicine education overseas should integrate with mainstream medical curricula, producing clinicians who can engage confidently with the international medical community. A key question emerged: how do we honour the depth and complexity of classical texts whilst making them understandable and practical for Western learners? Finding this balance is essential for Jing Fang’s global development.

Clinical Practice: Breaking Through Cross-Cultural Healthcare Barriers

The roundtable tackled real-world challenges facing practitioners working internationally. How can classical formulas be adapted to treat conditions particularly common in Western countries, such as allergies, anxiety, and chronic fatigue? Participants also discussed the tension between the individualised treatment approach and patients’ expectations for standardised prescriptions.
One exciting development was the exploration of “Pattern Differentiation Templates” that stay true to classical methodology whilst meeting the practical demands of modern clinical practice. The conversation also focused on building trust and collaboration with biomedical professionals. By establishing effective communication channels with conventional healthcare providers, practitioners can enhance patient confidence and improve treatment outcomes through truly integrative care.

Regulatory Compliance: Navigating Legal Restrictions

A particularly important discussion addressed the complex regulatory landscape facing practitioners in Europe. With certain traditional ingredients such as Fuzi, Xixin, and animal-derived materials now restricted or banned, participants examined practical solutions for maintaining therapeutic effectiveness whilst staying within legal boundaries.
The forum also explored how to design clinical research on Jing Fang that meets international evidence-based standards. As European regulators increasingly demand rigorous documentation of traditional medicines’ effectiveness, this conversation proved essential for practitioners working to bridge the gap between time-honoured classical practice and modern regulatory requirements.

Communication Focus: Translating Ancient Wisdom for Modern Audiences

The final theme addressed perhaps the most fundamental challenge: how can we explain Jing Fang theories, such as Shaoyang Syndrome, using modern medical language that healthcare professionals and patients understand, whilst preserving their classical essence? Participants discussed practical strategies for raising the profile of traditional Chinese medicine and recognition amongst European communities, helping to preserve this ancient knowledge and share it more widely internationally.
The conversation emphasised the importance of cultural sensitivity whilst advocating for the industry’s rightful place in the global healthcare landscape. The key question remains: how do we communicate the profound value of Classical Chinese Medicine to audiences who may be completely unfamiliar with its philosophical foundations? Finding effective ways to bridge this gap is crucial for Jing Fang’s future growth.

A Partnership Rooted in Excellence: Phoenix Academy and NJUCM

(Pictured above:  Professor Huang Huang and Phoenix Academy MD George He unveiling the International Jingfang Institute UK Branch in collaboration with NJUCM.)

The collaboration between Phoenix Academy and Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine brings together complementary strengths that promise to elevate Jing Fang practice throughout the United Kingdom.
NJUCM stands as one of China’s premier institutions for Chinese Medicine education and research, with a distinguished history of advancing classical formula scholarship and clinical application. The university’s expertise in Jing Fang methodology, combined with Phoenix Academy’s established presence in the UK’s complementary natural medicine landscape, creates an ideal foundation for developing classical Chinese medicine practice in Britain.
This partnership enables British practitioners to access world-class resources, connect with leading Chinese scholars, and participate in an international community dedicated to rigorous study and clinical application of classical formulas. The collaboration will facilitate ongoing educational opportunities, research initiatives, and clinical excellence through shared knowledge and expertise.

The Vision: Advancing Classical Chinese Medicine in the UK

The Jing Fang UK Branch aims to serve as a hub for education, clinical collaboration, and research, bringing together practitioners dedicated to classical approaches. It will facilitate ongoing training opportunities, support clinical excellence through peer discussion and case sharing, and advocate for the integration of classical Chinese medicine principles into contemporary practice.
By establishing a formal presence in the UK, the branch will strengthen connections between British practitioners and the international Jing Fang community, particularly with leading institutions in China. The branch represents not just an organisation but a movement, a community of practitioners committed to the rigorous study and clinical application of classical formulas.
The atmosphere following the inauguration announcement was filled with genuine excitement, a sense that something significant had been set in motion, promising to elevate the practice of Chinese medicine throughout the United Kingdom for decades to come.

(pictured top left:  Professor Huang Huang mid lecture, top right: The Phoenix Academy team along with colleagues sitting on the roundtable discussion, bottom left:  The establishment of the International Jing Fang institute in collaboration with Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (UK Branch), bottom right, Professor Huang Huang imparting knowledge to our attendees.)

The launch of the International Jingfang Institute UK Branch followed an intensive masterclass led by the legendary Professor Huang Huang of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, held in London from 29th September to 1st October 2025. The programme attracted practitioners from across Europe, all eager to learn from this distinguished scholar whose teaching style combines rigorous textual analysis with practical clinical wisdom gained over decades of practice.

Professor Huang Huang’s reputation as one of the most respected voices in contemporary Classical Chinese Medicine precedes him. A prolific lecturer, writer and editor at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Professor Huang Huang has studied and worked in Japan, lectured widely throughout China, the United States, Australia and Europe. His work challenges practitioners to dig deeper into the treasure trove of classical Chinese medicine and apply its methods in the modern clinic.

The masterclass covered essential areas where Classical Chinese Medicine demonstrates remarkable efficacy, including gynaecological disorders, men’s health, paediatric conditions, dermatological diseases, and oncology support. Professor Huang Huang’s signature teaching methodology guided participants through classical texts, using real-life cases from Professor Huang Huang’s long and illustrious, explaining the original context and rationale for formulas before demonstrating their application to contemporary clinical conditions.

During the paediatrics session, attendees experienced a truly remarkable and rare opportunity when Professor Huang Huang invited one of his former paediatric patients to join the masterclass. This generous gesture allowed practitioners to witness classical Chinese medicine’s real-world impact firsthand. Professor Huang explained his original diagnosis and treatment approach in detail, bringing the theoretical concepts to life through this living case study.
This intimate glimpse into Professor Huang’s clinical work provided invaluable insights that simply cannot be replicated through textbook examples alone, demonstrating the profound and lasting benefits that classical formulas can achieve when properly applied.

Attendees described the event as career-defining, an opportunity to learn from one of the greatest living scholars of Classical Chinese Medicine whilst participating in the foundation of a new chapter for Jing Fang in the UK.

(pictured above left:  Professor Huang Huang discussing a previous paediatrics case with a previous patient, pictured above middle:  Professor Huang Huang imparting wisdom on our attendees, pictured top right: Professor Huang Huang delivering the masterclass)

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An Invitation to Join the Journey