Deeper Layers of Chronic and Recalcitrant Disease: The Treatment of Neurological Disorders with Chinese Herbs

During the last century, Chinese medical thinking has become strongly influenced by the parameters of Western medicine. One aspect of this influence is a disproportionate focus on the organ networks of the post-natal realm that govern the material processes of the body, especially the Spleen and Stomach. However, when dealing with more serious and complex disorders it is often the more “mysterious” aspects of Chinese medicine—e.g., the vacuous Triple Warmer system and the associated concept of Ministerial Fire—that are most relevant in the process of diagnosis and treatment. This presentation provides a comprehensive exploration of the concept of Ministerial Fire and its acute relevance for the approach to recalcitrant diseases including COVID-19.

The use of sex as a healing modality is ancient and developed alongside the foundational theories of CM. In this presentation Dr. Felice Dunas will explore the birth and evolution of these practices, how they survived through China’s evolving history and what they have to offer a clinician in practice today. This will be both an historical exploration and a clinically relevant presentation with immediately applicable tools. .

In this workshop style class, the learners will be introduced to the human endocannabinoid system and gain a foundational understanding of how cannabis works in the body and the importance of using holistic modalities to upregulate the endocannabinoid system. A review of recent evidence related to medical cannabis and various disease/ illness issues will be provided. The learners will consider their role as a holistic practitioner and how they might educate or coach patients/ clients within the parameters of their professional state practice acts. Learners will analyze how ethics and social justice create a platform for cannabis advocacy. This class is appropriate for cannabis care beginners or those with more advanced knowledge who would like an inspiring refresher course.

The classics of Chinese medicine present a sophisticated system’s approach to physical pathology wherein diseases start in the respiratory and digestive tracts and move deeper into the body from there. The deepest layers of pathology include the nervous and vascular systems. In recent years, chronic disorders involving the brain and other parts of the nervous system have become more and more common. This presentation shares Dr. Fruehauf’s unique herbal approach to neurological disorders—from cognitive issues in children, to degenerative autoimmune conditions such as MS and Parkinson’s, to the recent wave of long-haul COVID and lingering post-vaccination symptoms.

As a species, human beings healthfully express sexuality, bringing passion and creativity in a myriad of ways. It has been a source of creativity and joy as well as the cause of pain and trauma since the beginning of our existence and it has evolved, as our brains and bodies have, over millions of years. No matter how or with whom we express this aspect of self, there are essential truths about our sexual nature, rooted in and explained by our medicine, that are important to understand. Living in alignment with this wisdom improves health. Living out of alignment enforces disease. In this class, Dr. Felice Dunas will discuss the energetic dynamics of our masculine and feminine natures and how they can be used to contribute to life and healing. She will present case studies from her practice demonstrating how sexual symptoms are caused by and at the effect of the condition of Qi and the internal organs. She will discuss sexual orientation as viewed by the lens of Chinese medicine and will share action steps that you, as a sexual being and as a clinician, can take to utilize this great resource for yourself and your patients.

This class will provide the learners with the opportunity to explore why holistic approaches and integrative modalities should be used when providing cannabis care. We will delve into the following questions: How is working with patients who self-titrate cannabis differ from traditional allopathic, prescriptive approaches? Why is coaching an essential skill that all cannabis-care practitioners must build? How do we support patients with realizing their best quality of life?