John Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc

Dr. John Chen is a recognized authority on western pharmacology and Chinese herbal medicine. He graduated from the South Baylo University School of Oriental Medicine in 1990 and the University of Southern California (USC) School of Pharmacy in 1994. He has also received extensive postgraduate training in China specializing in herbology and internal medicine.

Dr. Chen is an assistant professor at USC School of Pharmacy, Yo San University, Emperor's College and Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. He also serves on the American Association of Oriental Medicine's (AAOM) herbal medicine committee.

Dr. Chen is the lead author of Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (2003, Art of Medicine Press) and Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications (2008, Art of Medicine Press). You can contact him with questions and comments at john.chen@evherbs.com.

Previous Articles

Sulfa, Sulfite, Sulfate and Sulfur: True Allergy, Cross-Allergy or No Allergy?
November 2019 (Vol. 20, Issue 11)
Herbal Alternatives To Pain Killers
August 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 08)
TCM and Infectious Disease
May 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 05)
Tackling Ulcerative Colitis with Herbs
February 2011 (Vol. 12, Issue 02)
Treatment of Hyperthyroidism
November 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 11)
Qing Bi Tang For Allergy Season
August 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 08)
The Anti-Aging Herbal Formula
May 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 05)
Important Microorganism Safety Issues for Herbs
February 2010 (Vol. 11, Issue 02)
Important Safety Issues on Mycotoxins
November 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 11)
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Infectious Disease
August 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 08)
Contemporary Applications of Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
May 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 05)
Treatment of ADD/ADHD
February 2009 (Vol. 10, Issue 02)
A Brief Biography of Hua Tuo
August 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 08)
Treatment to Regulate Menstruation and Promote Fertility, Part 2
June 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 06)
Treatment to Regulate Menstruation and Promote Fertility, Part 1
May 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 05)
Treatment of Chemotherapy- and Radiation-Induced Toxicities, Part 2
March 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 03)
Treatment of Chemotherapy- and Radiation-Induced Toxicities
February 2008 (Vol. 09, Issue 02)
Herbal Monograph for Xiao Chai Hu Tang: Part Four
October 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 10)
Herbal Monograph for Xiao Chai Hu Tang: Part Three
September 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 09)
Herbal Monograph for Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Part Two
August 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 08)
Herbal Monograph for Xiao Chai Hu Tang
July 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 07)
Recognition and Prevention of Herb-Drug Interactions, Part 2: Pharmacodynamic Interactions
January 2007 (Vol. 08, Issue 01)
Recognition and Prevention of Herb-Drug Interactions, Part 1:Pharmacokinetic Interactions
November 2006 (Vol. 07, Issue 11)
Estrogen and Herbs (Part One of Three)
October 2005 (Vol. 06, Issue 10)
Red Yeast Rice: Rediscovery of an Ancient Herb
March 2004 (Vol. 05, Issue 03)
Lei Gong Teng (Radix Tripterygii Wilfordii): A Blessing or a Time Bomb?
January 2004 (Vol. 05, Issue 01)
Gynostemma: An Undiscovered Treasure
September 2002 (Vol. 03, Issue 09)
Menopause: Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspectives, Part II
May 2002 (Vol. 03, Issue 05)
Menopause: Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspectives, Part I
March 2002 (Vol. 03, Issue 03)
Herb-Drug Interactions: What Every Patient Needs to Know
January 2002 (Vol. 03, Issue 01)
Encounter with Endometriosis
March 2001 (Vol. 02, Issue 03)
A Success Story on Aristolochic Acid
July 2001 (Vol. 02, Issue 07)
Crohn's Disease: Western and Oriental Perspectives, Part II
January 2001 (Vol. 02, Issue 01)
Chinese Herbs Recalled Due to Possible Contamination
February 2001 (Vol. 02, Issue 02)
Crohn's Disease
November 2000 (Vol. 01, Issue 11)
Herbal Alternatives to Drugs in Pain Management, Part I
May 2000 (Vol. 01, Issue 05)
Herbs for Boosting the Immune System
March 2000 (Vol. 01, Issue 03)
Herbal Alternatives to Drugs in Pain Management, Part II
July 2000 (Vol. 01, Issue 07)
Q & A on Warfarin
January 2000 (Vol. 01, Issue 01)
Trending
Diagnosis
That Nagging Qi Stagnation Between the Shoulder Blades (Pt. 2)
That Nagging Qi Stagnation Between the Shoulder Blades

After a thorough examination to rule out the cervical and thoracic spine, what you have left is sharp, localized qi stagnation of the soft tissues causing the “rhomboid pain.” If it’s not the C or T spine causing the problem, then what could be causing this tissue issue? It can be a bunch of different reasons such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, poor posture, muscle imbalances, trauma, deconditioning, overuse, etc.

Christopher Chapleau, DAc, LAc, Dipl. Ac., AIT, IMT, MSHP, CES, HMS
Herbal Medicine
TCM for GERD, Gluten Intolerance
TCM for GERD, Gluten Intolerance

The patterns expressed under the umbrella of a GERD diagnosis typically include various combinations of liver qi stagnation (potentially with depressive heat), spleen qi deficiency, rebellious stomach qi, stomach fire, food stagnation, and stomach yin deficiency. In long-term cases of GERD, it is not uncommon for three to four patterns to overlap at the same time.

Craig Williams, LAc, AHG
Your Practice / Business
The Benefits of Building a Referral Culture in Acupuncture
The Benefits of Building a Referral Culture in Acupuncture

As licensed acupuncturists with the ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat using a variety of modalities, including herbal medicine, we are entrusted with a high level of clinical responsibility. Yet in an age of professional forums, online groups and social media communities, there is a growing trend of practitioners asking for case-specific treatment advice instead of referring the patient in question to a trusted colleague.

Shabnam Pourhassani, LAc, QME, DACM