Ethical and Ecological Considerations of Chinese Materia Medica

Catalog description

The traditional practice of using endangered species (plant and animal) is controversial within TCM. Comprehensive Chinese herbal textbooks often discuss substances derived from endangered species, emphasizing alternatives. Poaching and black market issues with animal products, particularly tiger bone, rhinoceros horn, seahorse and bear bile have all raised ethical and ecological concerns in the use of Traditional Chinese formulae. In this course, we will discuss the ethical and ecological impacts of TCM materia medica on the health of the individual and the world.