CARB-TCMPA TCM Herbalist study plan
CARB-TCMPA TCM Herbalist · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
TCM Foundations, Theory, and Diagnostic Methods & Chinese Materia Medica (Single-Herb Herbology)
Map the eight diagnostic principles and the six excess and pathogenic factors into a one-page clinical decision tree.
List the primary materia medica categories and assign three representative herbs, with their four qi, five flavors, and channel entries, to each category.
Recite the four qi, five flavors, and channel-entry framework and apply it in writing to 30 core herbs.
Build a spaced-repetition deck of 120 herb cards containing name, category, properties, channels, and dose range.
Your checkpoint
A one-page diagnostic decision tree plus a 120-card herb deck; score at least 90% on a 30-card self-quiz drawn from the deck.
Chinese Materia Medica (Single-Herb Herbology)
Profile 150 herbs by category, properties, channel entries, dosage range, and principal contraindication.
Compare 25 herb pairs that are commonly confused, substituted, or used together for contrasting effects.
Identify 30 herbs that require special dosing, processing, or toxicity precautions.
Self-test on herb identification from written descriptions only, without images.
Your checkpoint
A 150-row herb profile spreadsheet with a 25-pair comparison tab; score at least 85% on a 60-item materia medica quiz.
Chinese Materia Medica (Single-Herb Herbology) & Classical and Modern Chinese Herbal Formulations
Complete profiles for the remaining core herbs to reach 250 total, prioritizing high-weight categories.
Deconstruct 40 classical formulas into chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy roles.
Match each of the 40 formulas to its pattern, chief herb, and three common modifications.
Explain in writing how dosage and processing changes alter formula action in 10 worked examples.
Your checkpoint
A 40-formula composition and indication matrix; score at least 85% on a 40-item formula-role and modification quiz.
Classical and Modern Chinese Herbal Formulations
Memorize 60 high-yield formulas with ingredients, indications, and contraindications.
Compare 15 classical formulas with their modern patent-medicine equivalents.
Write modification logic for 20 formulas after a specified symptom picture changes.
Complete a timed 60-item mixed assessment covering Domains 1 through 3.
Your checkpoint
A 60-formula summary set with one page per formula and a timed mixed assessment score of at least 80%.
Classical and Modern Chinese Herbal Formulations & Treatment Strategy, Pattern Differentiation, and Case Management
Solve 12 written case vignettes by identifying pattern, treatment principle, formula, and modifications.
Differentiate eight commonly confused patterns using a compare-and-contrast table.
Prioritize treatment strategy when presentations are mixed, distinguishing root from branch and acute from chronic.
Justify formula substitutions when a patient has a comorbid condition or concurrent medication.
Your checkpoint
12 completed case write-ups scored against a rubric; at least 10 of 12 must show the correct formula and at least two valid modifications.
Treatment Strategy, Pattern Differentiation, and Case Management & Herbal Safety, Toxicology, Contraindications, and Herb-Drug Interactions
Integrate safety screening into 15 case plans covering pregnancy, pediatrics, older adults, and renal or hepatic impairment.
List 40 clinically significant herb-drug interactions with mechanism and management.
Identify 20 toxic or restricted herbs with overdose signs, dosing limits, and contraindications.
Apply contraindication checks to every formula in the Week 4 summary set.
Your checkpoint
A 40-interaction quick-reference plus 15 case plans each containing a written safety screen; score at least 90% on a 25-item safety quiz.
Herbal Safety, Toxicology, Contraindications, and Herb-Drug Interactions & Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology, and Western Diagnosis Correlation
Correlate 20 biomedical laboratory values and diagnoses with TCM patterns and treatment cautions.
Explain pharmacological mechanisms for 15 commonly used herbs and formula ingredients.
Identify red-flag presentations that require Western medical referral.
Review toxicology, dosing limits, and adverse-event reporting requirements for high-risk herbs.
Your checkpoint
A 20-row laboratory and diagnosis correlation table plus a red-flag referral checklist; score at least 85% on a 40-item mixed Domain 5 and 6 quiz.
Professional Practice, Ethics, Informed Consent, and Recordkeeping & Jurisprudence, Scope of Practice, and Regulatory Compliance
Document informed consent, scope-of-practice, and recordkeeping requirements in a compliance checklist.
Outline jurisprudence and regulatory compliance points for herbal dispensing, labeling, and advertising.
Complete a 100-item timed mock exam covering all eight domains.
Review every missed mock-exam item and write a one-line correction note for each.
Your checkpoint
A completed 100-item mock exam with a score of at least 80% plus a personal error log containing corrections for every missed item.
Milestones
Week 2: Herb profile spreadsheet covers at least 150 herbs and the 60-item materia medica quiz score is at least 85%.
Week 4: Timed 60-item mixed assessment on Domains 1 through 3 scores at least 80%; any category below 70% is flagged for review in Weeks 5 through 8.
Week 6: Safety audit of all prior case work shows 100% of plans include contraindication, pregnancy, and herb-drug interaction checks; safety quiz score is at least 90%.
Week 8: Mock exam scores at least 80% overall with no domain below 65%; compliance checklist and error log are complete.