Last week I mentioned that I am not enrolled in an herbal class
this trimester, but I am enrolled in Herbal Practicum. Herbal
Practicum is spent entirely in the Herbal Pharmacy in the clinic
and is not a class itself. I spend a total of 30 hours over the
whole trimester in the herb room preparing formulas for the
interns.
OK, let me back track. As an MSOM student, once you are in
clinic, you will eventually be formulating a "prescription" for
patients (with faculty supervision) based on their diagnosis and
symptoms. The herbal formulas may be "raw" formulas using the live
herbs itself, tinctures (a prepared liquid extract of a formula),
or tablets.
I like preparing the "raw" formulas. Not only do I learn to
memorize what the herb looks and smells like, but also its
properties - hot, warm, cool, bitter, acrid, sweet, etc. As I am
preparing the formula by pulling the herbs and weighing them, I can
recognize a basic formula but with modifications based on the
patient's individual symptoms. Each formula has a chief herb(s) and
deputy herbs to assist the chief herb(s). Some herbs are aromatic,
meaning they loose their potency quickly in boiling water and
should not be cooked for more than five minutes; they are packaged
separately for the patient. Likewise, minerals that need to be
cooked for at least 30 minutes prior to adding additional herbs,
also need to be packaged separately.
This sounds like a lot to remember and indeed, no kidding, it
is. Herbs are not an easy feat but require a time-consuming
dedication that is very rewarding in the end because they just add
to a great acupuncture treatment. Herbs are useful when a patient
is needle-shy or when the patient wants to achieve ultimate results
from treatment.
Last week was also a very exciting week! My cousin had a
beautiful healthy baby GIRL, 6lbs 10oz and 19 inches long, on
Tuesday morning which brought a flood of emotions upon me
especially it being the first baby in my generation of the
family.