The first day of this seminar will discuss important respiratory infections seen in clinical practice, including flu, RSV, chronic sinusistis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and bronchitis. Strategies for preventing and treating avian flu will be included. We will examine these conditions in terms of viral/bacterial/fungal/allergic categories as well as TCM syndrome differentiation.

Treatment will focus on formulas modified with Chinese and Western herbs, and augmented with essential oil usage. In particular, certain herbs and essential oils have shown superior antiviral, antiallergic, etc. properties that can make a big difference in the clinical outcome of these conditions. The important dosage and administration protocols for essential oils will be covered.

Second day (Sunday):

On Sunday we will focus on increasingly common endocrine and metabolic disorders, including abdominal obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hypoglycemia and polycystic ovarian syndrome. These conditions today are commonly known to result from metabolic syndrome (syndrome X); they involve insulin resistance as key feature and have wide pathological effects.

We will describe the symptomatology, pathophysiology and treatment of these modern conditions using acupuncture, herbs and essential oils. We will focus in particular on the disruption of Spleen functions and the generation of pathogens in analyzing the etiology and presentation of these disorders. Participants will learn the essential tools neccessary for evaluating and treating these conditions in Chinese medicine. Chinese and Western herbs/oils and formulas will be discussed in full detail that may be used to treat both the root and the branch of each condition.