CHINESE HERBAL SCIENCES
and health education

RMHI

Discover the secrets to achieving clinical results with Chinese (TCM) herbology. Know the attributes of a successful student. Use this website to learn specific ways to improve quality in herbal practice, to promote common sense in using herbs and herbal formulas, and to protect your right to practice as an herbalist.

Chinese (TCM) herbology,
environmental health, nutrition;
On-site and distance-learning programs;
Research and clinical systems development;
Courses and services for improving health.

Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute (RMHI)
Roger W. Wicke, Ph.D., director

PO Box 579; Hot Springs, Montana 59845 USA / 406-741-3811 / email to: rmhi@rmhiherbal.org

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The information on RMHI's website is of an educational and general nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Individuals desiring help for specific health problems should seek advice from qualified professionals.

Introduction to Chinese herbology: how to use herbs safely and avoid common mistakes

Sometimes referred to as traditional Chinese medicine or TCM, the traditional Chinese herbal sciences are a distinct, independently recognized body of knowledge from acupuncture, with a 2000-year history of continual evolution and refinement. Because the term "traditional Chinese medicine" includes a variety of techniques including acupuncture, we refer to the Chinese system of growing, processing, and clinical usage of herbs as the Chinese herbal sciences. (We avoid using the term "medicine", to distinguish our profession from that discipline.)

To understand how Chinese herbal methods differ from allopathic medicine and western approaches to clinical herbology, consider the following examples:

To go beyond herbal hype, explore RMHI's website to find the answers to the preceding problems, and discover ways to understand the often conflicting and technical information about herbs. A good place to start, whether you are an individual seeking help or a health professional wishing to learn more about Chinese herbology, is "Chinese herbology, correct and incorrect ways of choosing herbs".

Chinese herbal science provides a means for maintaining and improving health distinct in methods and philosophy from the Western medical tradition, which focuses on biological tissue pathology. Instead, Chinese herbal science integrates the individual's sensations and perceptions with the herbalist's perceptions and experience to arrive at common-sense solutions. Rather than consider only isolated bits of medical data or individual symptoms, precise clinical rules and principles lead to herbal strategies based on whole-body criteria.

Chinese herbal science continually strives to improve how herbal formulas are chosen and developed, so that these formulas will harmonize important physiological functions without side effects. Chinese herbology is one of the most sophisticated clinical systems in the world for analyzing patterns of symptoms and other clinical indicators with repeatability and consistency.

The modern Chinese herbal sciences include a range of subject areas including clinical herbology and research, pharmacognosy, botany, agronomy and plant taxonomy. China, Japan, and other Asian countries actively support research and development of these fields, for the ultimate benefit of TCM herbalists and their clients worldwide.

Who we are

The Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute comprises a small group of independent teachers, herbalists, and researchers committed to constructive action in solving personal and community health care problems. For over a decade we have taught courses to both professionals and the general public, published textbooks on Chinese herbology, offered herbal health care to the public, and conducted research projects. (More about RMHI, instructors, and staff...)

We support your right to uncensored health information and information about herbs, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. To use herbs for improving health and to teach others how to do this requires no license, only knowledge and dedication.

Chinese herbal sciences FAQ

The articles and pages in RMHI's website answer many frequently asked questions about Chinese herbology: how to improve your health using herbs; how to find a qualified herbalist; how to prepare yourself for a career in the herbal sciences; continuing education for health professionals.

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RMHI directory of educational programs, publications, and services

Here are links to RMHI pages about courses and services we offer, plus advice for beginning herbalists and individuals wanting to improve their health.

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NEW courses, articles

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The Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute's
Health Sciences Kiosk

Following are links to RMHI essays, reference information, quizzes, clinical case studies, and reading lists on herbal health care and other health topics. Introductory topics are listed first, followed by progressively more advanced material of interest to the professional herbalist.

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Other resources

Our favorite herbal and health links (herbal sciences, health topics, book distributors of herbal textbooks, herb products, research resources, etc.)

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TCMherbal Forum, a moderated forum for discussing


Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute
email: rmhi@rmhiherbal.org
homepage: http://www.rmhiherbal.org/
Since 1996.dec.12: 2320 +

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