Diploma in Practical Chinese Herbal Medicine

Teachers
Dr MingZhao Cheng
Dr Kaicun Zhao
Professor Ye Zhang
Dr Fanyi Meng
Category:
Chinese Herbal Medicine/ Diplomas/
Chinese herbal medicine diploma course

Duration: 2 years part time
Lectures: 16
Diploma Certificate

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a two year, part-time herbal medicine course tailored for the working acupuncturists, who also have a busy family and social life. Our course features Sunday teaching lectures, virtual tutorials, guided self-study and clinical practice to optimise your professional practice with Chinese herbal medicine.

This diploma course is run over the course of two years and involves lectures, case studies and clinical practice. In year 1, students will be primarily studying Chinese herbal medicine theory and in year 2, students will have a combination of theory and clinical practice.

Students are required to complete 200 hours of clinical practice time and 150 case studies in order to pass the course. There is also a final examination at the end of the course.

We also offer the option of a 3rd year of study, which converts the diploma into a Masters degree in TCM with the highly esteemed Shanghai University of TCM. For students who already have a Masters degree in Chinese medicine, can study for a PhD degree with the University.

This course is taught in English.

Any questions? Request a call back with our team

High standard

High standard

Our herbal medicine course is jointly run with our partner – Shanghai University of TCM , a renowned university for Chinese medicine. This partnership allows us to achieve a high level of educational standard. This course has also been granted accreditation by the TCMAB, therefore successful completion will lead to being a registered member of the professional body (ATCM)

Strong team

Strong team

Selected team of teaching staff with rich clinical experience and a high reputation in Chinese medicine education; many of whom work directly with ATCM and have taught TCM to degree level in Lincoln, London & Middlesex Universities.

Better manageability

Better manageability

Each year there are 8 modules (see details below), which will be covered step by step through self-study, virtual tutorials, web learning exchange and 8 face-to-face teaching lectures. You will focus on each module by carrying out thoroughly all these teaching-learning parts in 1 to 2 months. In addition, you will do 200 hours of clinical practice. A professional and rigorous training for students will be guaranteed.

Unique possibility

Unique possiblity

Shanghai University of TCM has been working out the project to offer the possibility of further study to a master degree in Chinese medicine. Upon completion of the 2-year herbal training course with us, you will be able to continue your study for a master degree in China. If you have an equivalent master degree here in the UK, you may also carry on your study in Shanghai for a PhD degree.

Easy accessibility

Easy accessibility

We run our teaching sessions in central London which is easily accessed by public transport. We host our lectures at The Institute of Chinese Medicine.

We also record all of our lectures so that they can be accessed online after the class, just in case you can’t make it or would like to re-watch them.

Student perks

Student perks

Students on the course will be offered up to 10% discount on other CPD courses that we will run throughout the two years.

Outstanding chances

Outstanding chances

We’ve been successfully organising study trips to Shanghai since 2013. You will be able to do 80 hours of your 2nd year clinical observation and practice at Shanghai University of TCM.

How long is the duration of this course?

This is a 2 year part-time course, with lectures held on weekends.

Is this suitable for acupuncturists?

Yes, this course is designed specifically for health professionals who have been trained in Acupuncture and also want to continue their TCM learning in herbal medicine. Applicants must have a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

This course was designed to fit around practising acupuncturists’ busy schedules, social and family lives.

Where are lectures held?

We hold all of our lectures at the Institute of Chinese Medicine in Covent Garden, London UK. Our lectures are also recorded so you can watch the lectures from home if you have missed classes. Please note that in order to pass this course, you must attend at least 80% of the classes in person.

Can I learn from home?

All of our lectures will be recorded so you can watch them from home. However, the TCMAB requires that students attend at least 80% of the course in person in order to pass the course. If students miss a lecture, they can attend the same lecture in the following year.

Our course administrator will be accessible via email and a forum will be available for interaction with other students. We strongly recommend that the cohort organises a Facebook group.

How is clinical practice in year 2 arranged?

On top of the sessions outlined above you will need to complete the required 200 hours of clinic practice time and 200 hours of case studies.

You can do your clinical practice in one of the following ways:

  • One of our approved clinics from our list (which you can find here).
  • A validated clinic of your own choice (an inspection fee may be charged in this case). The practitioner you study under must be a member of the ATCM with a degree in a relevant subject and has been practising for over 5 years treating at least 5 patients per day.
  • If you take part in our yearly Shanghai study trip (click here for more details), your study hours will be accordingly counted into your required clinic practice hours. But be aware that the study trip will be charged separately.

We recommend you take part in clinic practice from the 2nd year of the course

Clinic Practice will be at your own cost (estimated £50 per day)
The case studies are mainly carried out by guided self-study and then submitted to the supervisors for advice and approval. You may use your own patients’ cases at your acupuncturist clinic or take the cases from clinic practice.

To find out more, please email the team at info@phoenixtcm.org.uk

Can I carry out clinical observation with a clinic/practitioner of my choice?

Yes, we provide a selection of recommended clinics but if you cannot access these, you may submit a request for a clinic inspection. Please ensure that the practitioner is happy to accommodate you as a student. Clinical observation fees can be arranged between yourselves and the practitioner. The clinic supervisor must be:

  • The practitioner should have university degree in Chinese Medicine and have been a professional practitioner for over 5 years
  • The practitioner is full member of a recognized professional body such as the ATCM.
  • On each clinic observation day there cannot be any less than 4 patients requiring Chinese Herbal treatments.

Based on the satisfaction of above conditions, Phoenix Academy of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine will appoint a inspector to assess the qualification of both the practitioner and clinic (fees chargeable, currently £100 in mainland UK. Any other locations, travel, accommodation etc will need to be considered).

To find out more, please email the team at info@phoenixtcm.org.uk

Can I carry out my Clinical Observation hours in multiple locations?

Yes, you are more than welcome to do your Clinic Observations at multiple locations. However the locations will need to be approved by Phoenix Academy of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. You will need to contact the Clinics directly to arrange your schedule.

What qualification will I receive upon completion of this course?

Diploma of Chinese Herbal Medicine

You will have the option to continue with a third year with Shanghai University of TCM to convert your diploma into a Masters degree.

Can the course lead to us being registered with a different association rather than ATCM?

Our course is accredited by the TCMAB, and thus can allow you to become a member of the ATCM after completion of the course. If you would like to join any other professional bodies please contact them directly.

Course dates - Year 2019 - 2020

Year 1 dates – Starting September 2019 – Dates to be confirmed

  • Unit 1.1: Introduction to Chinese herbal medicine
  • Unit 1.2:  Herbs for external pathologies and typical formula
  • Unit 1.3: Tonifying herbs and typical formula
  • Unit 1.4: Heat-clearing herbs and typical formula
  • Unit 1.5: Herbs for clearing dampness and phlegm and typical formula
  • Unit 1.6: Herbs moving Qi and Blood
  • Unit 1.7: Other commonly used herbs and typical formula
  • Unit 1.8: Dispensary Training and Essay Briefing

Year 2 dates – 2020

  • Unit 2.1: Respiratory system’s  common conditions and its commonly used formula
  • Unit 2.2: Digestive conditions and its commonly used formula
  • Unit 2.3: Pain management in Muscular-Skeletal and Neurological conditions
  • Unit 2.4: Mind and emotional disorders
  • Unit 2.5: Introduction to Gynaecology and its common conditions
  • Unit 2.6: Skin conditions, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, etc
  • Unit 2.7: Managing conditions in children and other uncovered conditions
  • Unit 2.8: General revision with Q&A +  Exam (2 hours)

Course dates - Year 2018-2019

Year 1 dates – 2018

  • Unit 1.1: Introduction to Chinese herbal medicine – 17/06/2018
  • Unit 1.2:  Herbs for external pathologies and typical formula – 15/07/2018
  • Unit 1.3: Tonifying herbs and typical formula –23/09/2018
  • Unit 1.4: Heat-clearing herbs and typical formula –28/10/2018
  • Unit 1.5: Herbs for clearing dampness and phlegm and typical formula –18/11/2018
  • Unit 1.6: Herbs moving Qi and Blood – 16/12/2018
  • Unit 1.7: Other commonly used herbs and typical formula –20/01/2019
  • Unit 1.8: Dispensary Training and Essay Briefing – 24/02/2019

Year 2 dates – 2019

  • Unit 2.1: Respiratory system’s  common conditions and its commonly used formula – 17/03/2019
  • Unit 2.2: Digestive conditions and its commonly used formula – 14/04/2019
  • Unit 2.3: Pain management in Muscular-Skeletal and Neurological conditions – 19/05/2019
  • Unit 2.4: Mind and emotional disorders – 30/06/2019
  • Unit 2.5: Introduction to Gynaecology and its common conditions – 21/07/2019
  • Unit 2.6: Skin conditions, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, etc – 15/09/2019
  • Unit 2.7: Managing conditions in children and other uncovered conditions – 20/10/2019
  • Unit 2.8: General revision with Q&A +  Exam (2 hours) – 24/11/2019

Course fees

Each year costs £2,495. An 8% deposit (£239.52) is payable upon enrolment.

Please email our team to enrol or for more information: info@phoenixtcm.org.uk

Payment options
  • One off payment (incl. deposit): £2495.
  • Payable in instalments with admin fee, please enquire.

Syllabus for Study of Materia Medica
(1st. Study Year)

Lecturers: Professor Ye Zhang MBAcC MRCHM, Dr Fanyi Meng  MATCM

Units/ Time:  8 Units per year / 56 hours / Sun. 10:00AM-5:30PM

Required Texts:  Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica 3rd Edition by Dan Bensky, Steve Clavey, Erich Stoger

Module description

In the first year, students will understand herbs used in Chinese pharmacopoeia, their properties, channels entered, and relevant cautions and contraindications. This year is compulsory and students must pass in order to enter the second year of study, which involves application of herbal formulas in treatment.

Unit 1.1:

  • The nature of herbs: FOUR Qis and FIVE flavours, the movement of them in the body, meridian pertains
  • The principle of combining individual herbs to form formula
  • Main methods of preparing the herbs
  • The administration of herb doses
  • The safety concerns and regulations applying to the practice of herbal medicine
  • Yellow card system
  • Evidence based practice

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 1.2:

  • This session has broad coverage of all herbs for clearing external syndromes caused by the invasion of external pathogenic factors, including wind, cold, heat, dampness, etc. The discussion will be divided according the nature of the herbs, mainly warm herbs and cold herbs.
  • Examples: Fang Feng, Jing Jie, Gui Zhi, Ma Huang, Bo He, Sang Ye, Huo Xiang, etc.
  • Example of formula: Gui Zhi Tang, Yin Qiao San, Jiu Wei Qiang Huang Tang, Sang Ju Yin

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 1.3:

  • The herbs for tonifying Qi, blood, yin and yang are discussed in this session.
  • The session will cover the four categories of above-mentioned tonifying herbs in details. Examples: Ren Shen, Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, Dang Shen, Dan Shen, etc.
  • Examples of formula: Si Jun Zi Tang, Si Wu Tang, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 1.4:

  • Their common features, their use in different heat conditions, mainly according to where the heat stays, for example, heat in the lung, heat in the stomach, etc.
  • It is also very important to distinguish the difference of excess heat and empty heat.
  • Example of those herbs: Huang Lian, Huang Bai, Huang Qin, Zhi Mu, Sheng Di Huang, Lian Qiao;
  • Example of formula: San Huang Tang, Bai Hu Tang, Xie Bai San, Qing Wei San

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 1.5:

  • The session will discuss the herbs drying dampness, resolving dampness, discharging dampness, and related herbs treating water and phlegm.
  • Examples: Fu Ling, Ze Xie, Ku Shen, Long Dan Cao, Ban Xia, etc.
  • Example of formula: Er Miao San, Er Chen Wan, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang; Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 1.6:

  • The session has its main content as those herbs for treatment Qi stagnation and blood stasis.
  • Examples: Xiang Fu, Zhi Shi, Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Chi Shao, etc.
  • Example of formula: Si Ni San, Shu Gan San, Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, Shi Xiao San

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 1.7:

  • This session includes purgatives, herbs for external applications, herbs supressing liver wind and liver yang, herbs stopping bleeding, and etc.
  • Examples: Mang Xiao, Fan Xie Ye, Ma Zi Ren, Tian Ma, Gou Teng, San Qi, Da Ji, Pu Huang, etc.
  • Example of formula: Xiao Yao Wan, Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, Ma Zi Ren Wan, Xiao Ji Yin Zi

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 1.8:

Please login to download lecture and case study materials prior to class

Year 1 Final Assessment

Online timed examination, consisting of 50 multiple choice questions and 5 written short essay questions.

Syllabus for Clinical Application of Herbal Formulas
(2nd Study Year)

Lecturer: Prof. Ye Zhang MBAcC, MRCHM, Dr Fanyi Meng MATCM

Units/ Time: 8 Units. / 56 hrs. / Sun. 10:00AM-5:30PM

Required Texts: Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies by Volker Scheid, Dan Bensky, Andrew Ellis, Randall Barolet

Module description:

Following on from the 1st year of study, students will be taught how to apply the materia medica in herbal formulas. This year prepares students for clinical practice and allows them to acquire a deeper level of understanding of how Chinese herbal medicine can be applied successfully to various types of conditions and diseases.

Unit 2.1:

Respiratory system’s  common conditions and its commonly used formula: cold, cough, asthma, hay fever etc;

Asthma and hay fever are two common conditions which Chinese herbal medicine is considered to be effective for. Other topics also include chronic cough, loss of voice and sinusitis.

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 2.2:

Digestive conditions and its commonly used formula: stomach ache, diarrhea, IBS, etc;

Digestive disorder is the traditional area where Chinese medicine performs better. Common conditions like IBS, gastritis, constipation and food intolerance are common in clinical practice.

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 2.3:

Pain management in Muscular-Skeletal and Neurological conditions: including arthritis, migraine and headache, etc;

This is the biggest area of Chinese medicine practice. Chronic pains are a particular area that patients are not happy with the current medical treatment as most pain killer is causing sides effects. For those of muscular origin, acupuncture might perform better, while those from internal organs, herbal remedy shows superiority.

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 2.4:

Mind and emotional disorders: insomnia, depression, anxiety etc;

  • Authentic perception of TCM on the mental health and its pathogenesis
  • In-depth exploration of the acupuncture treatment strategies and TCM Psychotherapy
  • Supplementary of commonly used herbal medicine with acupuncture
  • Based on case studies through the common conditions related to the mind and emotional disorders.

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 2.5:

Introduction to Gynaecology and its common conditions;

This session covers topics of menstrual disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, etc

Gynaecology is the second most popular topics in practice of Chinese medicine and herbal remedy demonstrated great benefit for patients.

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 2.6:

Skin conditions, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, etc;

Skin conditions have long been the advantage of Chinese medicine, since the clinical report on Lancet in 1990’s confirmed the clinical effect of Chinese herbal remedy in treating atopic eczema in children. Other conditions are also treated and good results are often reported.

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 2.7:

Managing conditions in children and other uncovered conditions.

Managing Conditions in Children covers topic of Cerebral Palsy (CP), Nocturnal enuresis, Tic disorders,  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and sleeping unsettlement. Most of the topics are modern clinical conditions, and Chinese herbal medicine has some advantage in managing them.

Lecture and case study materials will be sent via email prior to the class

Unit 2.8:

Year 2 Final Assessment

Online timed examination, consisting of 50 multiple choice questions and 5 written short essay questions.

Optional 2 Week Shanghai Clinical Study Trip with Shanghai University of TCM

Our 2 week study trip to Shanghai is jointly set up with Shanghai University of TCM and the College of Acupuncture and Tuina.  This is a clinically based study suitable for all practitioners, students and healthcare professionals who are practicing or studying acupuncture, Tuina and Chinese herbal medicine. 2nd year students can do part of their 200 clinical study hours on this trip.

About Instructors

Dr MingZhao Cheng
With over 25 years experience, Dr MingZhao Cheng is one of the UK’s foremost knowledgeable teacher and is an experienced practitioner of TCM.
Dr Kaicun Zhao
Dr. Kaicun Zhao is the programme leader of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese herbal medicine degrees at Middlesex University. His expertise is focused on herbal materia medica and Chinese herbal formula.
Professor Ye Zhang
With over 35 years experience, Professor Ye Zhang is one of the UK’s foremost knowledgeable teacher and she is an experienced practitioner of TCM.
Dr Fanyi Meng
Dr Fanyi Meng is a senior lecturer and programme leader at the University of Lincoln for BSc Acupuncture

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