
We learned a few hundred herbs and a couple of hundred formulas (many of which have a written history of 1,800 years) for a wide range of conditions. But the jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the clinic work, where we treated our own patients and followed our classmates' patients for two years, while supervised by three highly respected teacher/practitioners. I am forever indebted to Andrew Flower, Michi Naomoto, and Simon King.
I learned how Chinese herbs can support patients with complex or chronic conditions, particularly in the areas of gynaecology, dermatology, urinary, and auto-immunity. Most of my herbs patients came from my acupuncture practice, and together we learned the limits of acupuncture and how herbal medicine can further help. One of my first patients had debilitating vulvodynia, which acupuncture barely touched but was resolved by herbs.
My research was on the use of Chinese herbal medicine for weight loss - let me know if you want to know more! After which my teacher Andrew told me to consider doing further research, maybe even a PhD. I don't know about this suggestion, because right now I just want to practise and get better and better at this amazing form of medicine.