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

TEAM Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Cancer Patients
March 1, 2026 (Vol. 27, Issue 3)
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
News / Profession
Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution: China’s New National Standard
Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution

On April 1, 2026, China implemented a landmark national standard: Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution. Although designated as a recommended rather than mandatory standard, it represents a major step in modernizing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by converting traditional constitution theory into a clear, measurable and clinically practical framework. By clarifying the relationship between constitution, disease, and pattern differentiation, the standard strengthens professional credibility, supports research, and enhances patient-centered treatment.

Ann Y Wang, CMD (China), LAc
News / Profession
Profession at a Crossroads: What Must Change
Profession at a Crossroads: What Must Change

The field of acupuncture in the U.S. continues to grow in visibility, patient demand and clinical effectiveness. Yet behind the curtain, many acupuncturists are quietly struggling to keep their doors open. While the profession is rooted in centuries of healing tradition, modern economic pressures – particularly those driven by insurance limitations, low reimbursement rates and job-market saturation – are making it increasingly difficult for licensed acupuncturists to thrive.

Shabnam Pourhassani, LAc, QME, DACM
Acupuncture & Acupressure
It’s Time to Stop Prescribing Points
It's Time to Stop Prescribing Points

A student stands over a patient, needle poised. They have a “perfect” prescription: a textbook combination of points harvested from a lecture slide on chronic lower back pain. But as the needle meets the skin, the student hesitates - the symptom of a quiet habit that has taken hold of our profession. We routinely say we “prescribe” points. It sounds efficient. It echoes the authority of biomedical culture and fits neatly into the insurance field. But vocabulary is never neutral; repeated long enough, it dictates behavior.

Bruce W. Park, DACM