Description This unit completes the study of Chinese medicinal herbs, which forms the basis for Chinese herbal medicine. It covers the commonly used herbs in each of the twelve categories of the Chinese materia medica, including the herbal properties, actions, indications, contraindications and combined usage. It also introduces the basic knowledge of herbal pharmacognosy. This unit also expands upon the student's understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and practice principles.
School Health Sciences
Discipline Traditional Chinese Medicine
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp
Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.
Equivalent Subjects LGYA 7240 - Chinese Herbal Medicine 2
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Apply basic herbal theory and practice;
Identify the major individual herbs in each of the twelve herb categories utilising visual recognition, tasting, smelling and hand examination;
Describe the major individual herbs in each of the twelve herb categories, in terms of properties, functions and contraindications;
Explain known herb interactions for the herbs in each category;
Apply the concept of synergy in Chinese herbal medicine, specifically in reference to the herbs covered in this unit;
Compare and contrast the range of commonly used Chinese herbs in each of the twelve categories.
1. Individual herbs (including commonly used combinations):
- herbs for warming The interior
- Astringent herbs
- herbs for dispelling Wind-dampness
- phlegm resolving, antitussive & antiasthmatic herbs
- herbs for relieving food stagnation
- herbs for purgation
- herbs for arresting bleeding
- herbs for calming The shen
- herbs for extinguishing The liver Wind
- Aromatic substances for Opening The orifices
- herbs for expelling parasites
- herbs for external application
2. Introduction to herbal pharmacognosy
- Plant physiology, Morphology and taxonomy
- major Chemical groups of Plant constituents
Legislative pre-requisites
Prior to enrolling in this subject, students must have submitted a Student Undertaking Form and undertake to apply for a National Police Check, which is required to be submitted before placement. Students must also hold a valid and current First Aid Certificate from a Registered Training Organisation. Refer to the Special Requirements website for more information. Special Requirements
Assessment
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
Item
Length
Percent
Threshold
Individual/Group Task
Practical Exam
40 minutes
25
N
Individual
Twelve Herb Category Essay
1,500 words
25
N
Individual
Final Examination
2 hours
50
N
Individual
Clinical Observation
10 hours at UniClinic
Pass/Fail
Y
Individual
Prescribed Texts
Yu, C., (2000). A Clinical Guide to Chinese herbs and Formulae. Melbourne: Churchill Livingstone.
Bensky, D., Clavey, S., Stoger, E., (2004). Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, (3rd ed) Seattle: Eastland Press.
