Classical Chinese Medicine resources on the web
It’s been a while since I’ve talked about what’s available on the web for people interested in Chinese Medicine. Living in Portland, OR, I have so many amazing wellsprings of knowledge and experience all around me, I sometimes forget that other folks are relatively more isolated from the information they seek. The Internet is a fantastic source for both the more and the less isolated. You just have to know where to look! I’m in the process of updating my Resources page, but I thought I would do a more in depth review of a few of the most promising resources.
1. ClassicalChineseMedicine.org : Internet home of Dr. Heiner Fruehauf, PhD the founder and continued inspiration behind the incredible Classical Chinese Medicine program at National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. I’ve talked many times about Heiner Fruehauf on this site, but let it suffice to say that he is what drew me to this medicine and what he has taught me has helped me to expand my ideas not only about health and healing, but about the world and my place in it.
There are some articles available for free available along the top of the main page, including basic information about Classical Chinese Medicine, some partial translations of Classical Chinese texts and more. You can also access information about upcoming lectures, Dr. Fruehauf’s clinic and a list of excellent links. There is some incredible paid content available as well. For $195 a year, you have access to an ever expanding collection of video and written material from leading voices in the field of Classical Chinese Medicine. This is content you simply will not find anywhere else. You can also obtain NCAAOM continuing education credits through the Associates Forum, which more than justifies the cost. You can check out a preview of the Associates Forum if you haven’t already. I’ve really benefited from the use of this site and I think you will as well.
2. Arnaudversluys.com : Website for Dr. Arnaud Versluys, PhD, leading scholar and clinician of Chinese Medicine in the Shang Han Lun tradition. There are a few gems here, although I think the best is still yet to come. I want to point out the incredible resource that is the Forums section of his website. There are some pretty intense theoretical discussions going on, plenty of food for thought in an environment of open inquiry. I would love to see more people putting their questions out there and sharing their wisdom. You have to sign up to access the forums, but there is no cost and you will not be spammed! You won’t get a follow up email once you register, just try your username and password later the same day to see if you’ve been given access. You can also find information on the now forming Journal of Classics in East Asian Medicine, Dr. Versluys’ diagnostic services, his clinical practice and the upcoming addition of Continuing Education material.
3. Not strictly Classical, but an invaluable and rapidly developing resource is the Chinese Medicine site, Rootdown.us, my go-to source for basic info on herbs and acupuncture. There are 7 basic portions to the site: Herbs, Formulas, Acupuncture, Tests, Community, Pearls and CEUs. The first three sections are basic information about Chinese Medicine presented in a very accessible format. The databases for these three sections are expanding and being cleaned up all the time. You can also add your experiences with these categories through the “suggestions” tab - such as special clinical information that you’ve learned about a particular formula. Through this tool, I think this section can grow to be a repository of great Chinese medicine information!
The last four sections are incredibly exciting! The testing section is new and is growing daily. Here you can take tests on a variety of Chinese medicine subjects for free, both California-only information and information on the national Board exams. What an incredible asset! I don’t have space to discuss the rest of the sections right now, but they are all well worth your time. Accounts are free - if you sign up, be sure to add me as a “buddy” as the social interaction with colleagues all over the world is one of the primary aims of Rootdown.
4. A newly launched Classical Chinese Medicine wiki was started by a NCNM student. If you don’t know, the idea of a Wiki is that anyone can edit the information and through the power of the group, a rich and accurate resource is created. While it is true that “anyone editing” means that “anyone can add incorrect information,” in general the group will correct any misleading passages quickly - particularly when the amount of subject material is relatively small. I suggest you check it out and add what you know!
5. A couple of resources for research purposes: You can do a Google Book Search for “Classical Chinese Medicine” and restrict it to give you only books that have partial or full previews, then read full pages of various texts. If you’re working with Chinese language texts and would like more information on a particular character, including ancient forms of the character, check out the Chinese Etymology Home Page. Finally, definitely check out all of the articles available for free with Blue Poppy’s “TCMInfo” online database.
6. Finally, I’ve recently come across a number of great Chinese medicine related blogs to add to my daily reading list. I’d like to list them (as well as my old favorites) here and ask you to check them out.
Abdallah B Stickley writes about Chinese Medicine, Islam and clinical practice at Even Unto China
G. Michael Reynolds writes about Asian martial arts, Chinese medicine and many topics at The Life Giving Sword
Yael in Israel writes about many facets of Chinese Medicine and clinical practice at Chinese Medicine Notes
Ross Rosen writes eloquently about Chinese medicine practice and other facets of daily life on his blog
The recently started Five Minds holds a lot of promise in discussing some more esoteric and personal aspects of Chinese medical theory and practice.
Portland Acupuncture Blog is just getting started but covers some specific conditions and provides a ready example of how blogging can be used to promote CM businesses
I don’t mean to leave anyone out - these are just the few that stand out in my mind as being quality sources of Chinese medicine related information with relatively frequent updates.
If you think I’ve missed something vital - add it in the comments and maybe I’ll edit the post and add your choices! Don’t be afraid to self promote… if I missed you and you think I shouldn’t have, it’s probably just because my mind is melted after having PASSED MY CLINICAL ENTRANCE EXAMS. Oh yeah!
Eric
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Tags: Acupuncture, Blogging, Blogroll, Character, chinese-medicine-research, internet, scholar, websites
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7 Responses to “Classical Chinese Medicine resources on the web”
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Eric,
Thanks for the link! :)
And thanks for the others as well, though I know most of them, 2 of them are new and I’m happy to explore them.
Congrats on passing your exams.
Talk to you soon,
Yael
Hi Eric! Thanks for the shout-out! I really like you last few post- great information. I look forward to checking out the sites you suggested.
-amy
thanks for the information. I wonder to visit the second one.
Great links : ] Thanks so much for sharing! I’m looking forward to learning more!
Good site!! Thank’s so much for information & sharing!
Thanks Eric, It was great to read your perspective of my blog. At this point, I’m just trying to find my on-line voice and learn as I go what it is I have to contribute through this medium. Thanks for your support. Your blog has been a great inspiration to me. Julie
I am a firm believer in alterative medicine. What is amazing is that America is certainly coming around with Chinese sources. Perhaps the worst thing about these medical approaches is that the insurance company’s lack of support. I think once the benefits of these alternate medicines is proven, tradition medicine should come around as well.