Registration closes one week prior to the start of each seminar. Contact Anastacia White at white.anastacia@gmail.com for exceptions.

An Introduction to Chinese Five Element Theory
This series of five classes is designed to introduce you to the concepts of the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Five Element model. An ancient system of correspondences that informs us of how deeply the human psyche and soma are influenced by cosmic cycles. The Five Element theory is based on observations of the natural world, for this reason it is easily understood and has a profound personal resonance. These classes will give you deeper insights and practical tools for healing.
In these classes you will learn:
• The cycles of Five Elements; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water
• Correspondences of the Elements
• Herbs and essential oils for balancing each Element
• Oriental energetics of food for balancing each Elements
• To identify the prominent Element in yourself and of your classmates via an interactive format
• Insights into how emotions affect the balance of the Elements
• Useful lifestyle recommendations for maintaining Elemental equilibrium through the cycles
To register, contact www.gatheringthyme.com.
Suggested reading: The Energetics of Western Herbs by Peter Holmes.
Credits: Certificate of Completion

Chinese Herbal Medicine - Six module course
Modules may be taken separately, 10% discount if you register and pay for the entire course.
Suggested reading: The Foundations of Chinese Medicine and The Practice of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite for Modules II-VI: completion of Module I or equivalent knowledge.
Credits: 79 NCCAOM PDAs

Chinese Herbal Medicine, Module I
Introduction to Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine
The Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine has three segments: Segment one gives an overview of the history of Chinese herbal medicine, nomenclatures of Chinese herbs, growing /harvesting and preparation/processing of Chinese herbs, side effects and interactions. The second segment provides an understanding of the matrix of the Chinese herbal materia medica covering classification and therapeutic categories including two herb monograms from each category. Segment three covers the major patterns of the Zang Fu (the five Yin and coupled Yang organs) including etiology, pathology, acupuncture and herbal formulas for treatment. 8 weeks.
Suggested reading: The Foundations of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia: Chapters 1-30.
Credits: 19 NCCAOM PDAs

Chinese Herbal Medicine, Module II
Pain Diagnosis and Treatment
This seminar presents etiology, pathology and differential diagnosis of three major areas of pain: musculo-skeletal, headaches and digestive. Herbal formula, lifestyle, and dietary recommendations are offered for treatment protocols for each area discussed. 5 weeks.
Suggested reading: The Practice of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia: Chapters 1, 14-16, 23 & 24.
Prerequisites: Completion of The Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine or The Introduction of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine or equivalent knowledge of the material presented.
Credits: 12 NCCAOM PDAs

Chinese Herbal Medicine, Module III
Upper Respiratory Diseases and Eczema
This seminar addresses the Traditional Chinese Medical diagnosis and treatment of allergies, sinusitis, rhinitis, asthma, common colds and eczema. A wide variety of formulae are available to treat these diseases. We focus on discerning appropriate application of herbal formulas and diet and lifestyle to sustain lasting health. 5 weeks.
Suggested reading: The Practice of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia: Chapters 4-8 & 34.
Prerequisites: Completion of The Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine orThe Introduction of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine or equivalent knowledge of the material presented.
Credits: 12 NCCAOM PDAs, 10 CA CEUs

Chinese Herbal Medicine, Module IV
Chronic Fatigue & Digestive Disorders: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment
This seminar is presented in two segments. Segment one covers differential diagnosis, Oriental medical theory and herbal treatment of chronic fatigue and related disorders. Segment two includes diagnosis using both herbal and dietary treatments for digestive disorders. Students will learn how to differentiate between seemingly similar formulas for treatment of chronic fatigue and digestive disorders. 5 weeks.
Suggested reading: The Practice of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia: Chapters 12, 17-19 & 25.
Prerequisites: Completion of The Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine or The Introduction of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine or equivalent knowledge of the material presented.
Credits: 12 NCCAOM PDAs, 10 CA CEUs

Chinese Herbal Medicine, Module V
GYN & Infertility: Physiology, Pathology and Herbology
This is an in-depth presentation of the physiology, pathology, diagnosis and herbal treatment of women’s diseases according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Disorders presented are dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, breast disease, infertility, vaginitis, and menopausal symptoms. NOTE: According to TCM, accurate diagnosis of non-gynecological disorders in women requires a fundamental understanding of the unique patterns of the reproductive organs. Therefore, this module is recommended for all practitioners, not exclusively for those specializing in Gynecology. 6 weeks.
Suggested reading: The Practice of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia: Chapters 31, 32 & 33.
Prerequisites: Completion of The Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine or The Introduction of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine or equivalent knowledge of the material presented.
Credits: 12 NCCAOM PDAs 12 CA CEU

Chinese Herbal Medicine, Module VI
Psyche and Soma: Understanding Mental-Emotional Disorders and Insomnia
This seminar unravels the Oriental concept of the Five Spirits as they relate to mental-emotional imbalances of depression, anxiety, mania and insomnia. Treatment protocols of herbal formula, acupuncture, lifestyle and dietary recommendations are included. 5 weeks.
Suggested reading: The Psyche in Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia.
Prerequisites: Completion of The Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine or The Introduction of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine or equivalent knowledge of the material presented.
Credits: 12 NCCAOM PDAs

Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden Tour
Join Anastacia White and a small group on a discovery of one of the most extensive Chinese herbal medicine gardens in the United States. The herbs in the garden were a gift from the People's Republic of China to the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens. The garden was designed and planted in 1986 with the supervision of Professor Xu Hong-Hua of Guang Zhou College. Additional $9 admission fee to enter the botanical gardens.
For more information, see Chinese Herb Garden Tour.
Credits: 5 CEUs

Consultations and Tutorials
For more information, see Services.

Fundamental Theory of Chinese Herbal Medicine (10 weeks)
The Fundamental Theory of Chinese Herbal Medicine is designed for those practitioners who come from medical paradigms other than Traditional Chinese Medicine. This seminar includes four segments. Segment one offers foundational medical concepts of Chinese Medicine: differential patterns of the vital substances, combinations of yin/yang theory and climatic pathogenic factors. Segment two is an overview of the history of Chinese herbal medicine, nomenclatures of Chinese herbs, growing/ harvesting and preparation/processing of Chinese herbs, side effects and interactions. Segment three provides understanding the matrix of the Chinese herbal materia medica covering classification and therapeutic categories including two herb monograms from each category. Segment four covers the major patterns of the Zang Fu (the five Yin and coupled Yang organs) including etiology, pathology, acupuncture and herbal formulas for treatment. 10 weeks.
Suggested reading: The Foundations of Chinese Medicine by Giovanni Maciocia: Chapters 1-30.

Medicinal Mushrooms
Chronic Disease and Immune Deficiency
Medicinal Mushrooms have long been documented in the Chinese materia medica. More recently there is research citing the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms on the immune system. Studies continue to document how useful the mushrooms are for managing chronic disorders such as chronic fatigue, diabetes, hepatitis and cancers. This seminar begins by outlining the historical and modern information on the uses and effects of the medicinal mushrooms, followed by a presentation on the major active components of medicinal mushrooms. Attendees learn nine medicinal mushrooms and how they can be used in chronic diseases and to differentiate them according to Chinese therapeutic categories. The seminar concludes with modern cultivation/processing and distributors of mushroom products. 5 weeks.
Credits: 10 CEUs, 10 PDAs

The Five Elements
Journey into a new vision of your world!
This seminar tells the story of The Five Elements theory in an interactive, experiential format, exploring who we are via an ancient paradigm of correspondences to the macrocosm of life and the microcosm of body and mind. A history of the Chinese Five Elements theory and elemental cycles begins the seminar, after which each element and its numerous correspondences are presented in depth. As we move through the material you will begin to identify yourself and others within the elements. Discovering where healing of mind/body and spirit may be needed and understanding our personal strengths and expressions are reflected by each element. Closing the seminar attendees will choose which elemental group most represents them. A panel narrative from each group allows us to experience the embodiment of the elements. Practical suggestions for improved health and balance include diet, herbs, exercise, spiritual practices, essential oils and finding emotional equilibrium.
Suggested reading: Between Heaven and Earth by Harriet Beinfeild and Efrem Korngold .

The Five Spirits
The Heart of Chinese Medicine
The material presented in this seminar offers a personal journey of self discovery informed by The Five Spirits. An overview of the history and shamanic origins of this ideology as well as the Chinese creation story opens the seminar. A look into the Chinese characters of the Spirits gives us a deeper perspective as to their meaning. The seminar presents each one of the Five Spirits as a guide to observing human psychophysical occurrences that can bind psychic energy and stagnate physical energy. Learning how to keep these energies flowing allows us to transform our lives as we dream them to be. The information being offered directs you through the Taoist alchemical tradition as its correspondences to human psychology and physiology. Lifestyle, diet, herbs, spiritual practices, essential oils and flower essences are recommended for balancing mind, spirit and body. The Five Spirits system offers us a roadmap to transformational healing. 5 weeks.
Suggested reading: The Five Spirits by Lorie Eve Dechar.
Credits: 10 CEUs, 10 PDAs

Work Study Program
Would you like to study, but don’t have the finances you need? A work study arrangement can be made. If you would like to assist in setting up a workshop or seminar in your area in exchange for half the tuition, please contact me.