Programs
Pharmacology
Miriam Freudenberg, Absolventin der Arzneitmitteltherapieausbildung, gibt einen Einblick in den Ablauf und die Inhalte.
Pharmacology
Are you interested in Chinese pharmacology? Would you like to use it successfully in your own practice? Our program offers you the optimal qualification. Alongside acupuncture, Chinese pharmacology is the most important pillar in Chinese medicine. You gain comprehensive knowledge regarding herbs and other substances you can use in treating disease. In line with the times, we offer hybrid lessons. A total of five weekends are classroom training for everyone. For the rest of the lessons you decide if you’d like to attend class on site or online.
Benefit from the wealth of knowledge in the materia medica and formula preparations collected and preserved over centuries. Various substances have been tested and documented, from cultivation, collection and storage, to processing and subsequent usage. In our two year program you’ll be introduced to the classical texts of the Shan Han Lun and Wen Bing schools, as well as the formulations of Li Dong Yuan (Earth School) and Wang Qing Ren. You gain the optimal framework for taking root in this field.
A new pharmacology program will start October 2026.
You can acquire the necessary basic knowledge from February 2025 by taking part in the first year of acupuncture training.
You’re very welcome to attend an information evening. Our faculty are happy to answer all your questions about the pharmacology program and other offerings at our school.
Our next information evenings will be…
Monday, 15th of September 2025 at 7:oo pm +++ online
Further Dates and the possibility for the application for the information evening you can find here.
The information evenings take place at our school (Belziger Str. 69/71, 10823 Berlin) or online via Zoom.
Education
2 years with 450 hours (incl. 2 exam days and the teaching practice)
21 weekends, 14 hours each
Class meets: Saturday 10 am – 6 pm / Sunday 10 am – 4 pm / (Friday 10 am – 5 pm)
Teaching Practice
140 hours starting in the second year
4 dates Mondays (9 am – 12:30 and 1:30 – 5 pm)
16 dates Fridays (3 pm – 7:30 pm)
We’re looking forward to your attendance
Education 2026-2028
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Materia Medica 1 MM – 09.-11.10.2026 (3 Tage)
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Recipe theory 1 Rp – 21./22.08.2027
Excursions/ Speeches Speech about Chinese drug safety Friday, 25.06.2027 (4-7:30 pm) Excursion to the Botanical Garden and Pao Zhi Friday, 21.05.2027 (10 am -1 pm + 2:30-5 pm) Excursion to a pharmacy with Chinese herbal department (participation is optional) Saturday, date to be announced (7-8:30 pm) Exams Exam Materia Medica: Friday, 20.08.2027 Exam recipe theory: Monday, 01.10.2028
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Teaching practice (all on site) Teaching practice will start with the recipe theory lessons and will take place every 2-3 weeks friday afternoon and on 4 mondays after a seminar weekend. Fridays 3 pm – 7:30 pm Mondays 9 am– 12.30 + 1:30 – 5 pm |
In our team, all of our faculty graduated from programs with renowned international teachers of acupuncture and Chinese medicine and have at least 10 years of work experience. Click here for our faculty page.
AGTCM Diploma – 350 hours of basic education
You can complete these at our school in approx. 1.5 years before the Chinese pharmacology program.
Participation/Certificate – basic knowledge in Chinese medicine with a minimum of 200 academic hours. These basics can be acquired in our school.
Regular
€270 per month (€6,480)
AGTCM Members
€216 per month (€5,184)
Payment is made monthly via direct debit.
Education 2024-2026
Year 1 – 90-minute written materia medica exam, Friday, 20.08.2027
Year 2 – 180-minute written formula preparation exam (120 minutes written questions / 60 minutes written cases), Friday, 01.10.2028
If you pass the exam with a score of 60% and have an attendance rate of at least 80%, you receive a certificate/diploma from the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin (AGTCM) Fachverband für Chinesische Medizin.
Year 1 – Materia Medica
In the first year over the course of nine weekends you become familiar with 250 therapeutic substances and combinations using formula examples. In class you develop comprehensive knowledge of the materia medica so you can optimally familiarize yourself with each individual drug. Individual substances are taught amalgamated according to clustering effects to give you a basic structure in which to get your bearings.
The study of materia medica with approx. 250 individual substances is an important basic framework in teaching Chinese pharmacology. We introduce you to each drug in detail. They are classified into specific groups and combined using an indicative formulation. This allows you to understand complex formulations step by step in their structure and to assess their desired effect as well as any contraindications.
We also familiarize you with the production, preparation, and administration (decoction, infusion, powder, pill, etc.) of Chinese therapeutic substances. We explain to you dosages, contraindications, and the current legal requirements in Germany.
All of the drugs taught at the school are demonstration material in order to give you a better idea of the substances. We give you the opportunity to taste various drugs and formulations in class in order to experience their flavors and effects for yourself.
In seven quizzes throughout the year you can test your knowledge and monitor your progress.
Year 2 – Formula Preparation
Central to year two is the study of formula preparation. You get to know the 200 most important formulas, their indication, and application. The composition shows you the intended effect and which symptoms you can treat with which formulas. Chinese pharmacology deals with a variety of symptoms. This allows you to approach your patients’ conditions individually and to adjust the formula to the current situation. In year two you go into the teaching practice with your previous knowledge, thereby gaining practical experience and further integrating your knowledge.
After the basics of materia medica in year one, you can expand on this knowledge this year with formula preparation. We introduce you to 200 famous classic formulas and explain important combinations of individual substances by means of examples and clinical cases. Here we focus on how you can modify the formulas in your own practice and adjust to the needs of your patients for a competent course of treatment.
This year you’ll also check your progress and knowledge in 10 quizzes.
Teaching Practice
Along with formula preparation you’ll treat patients in the school’s supervised teaching practice. You can put your theoretical knowledge of medical history, diagnostics, and therapy into practice and hone your skills. Where appropriate, you’ll make individual adjustments to formulae over the course of patients’ diseases. The teaching practice encompasses 140 hours and 22 sessions.