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
Acupuncture & Acupressure
Open the Orifices: Point Combinations for Allergy Presentations
Open the Orifices: Point Combinations for Allergy Presentations

Acupuncture can be highly effective in cases of nasal congestion so common in allergy presentations; so much so that I often treat such issues using acupuncture protocols alone. In cases of seasonal allergies with highly predictable causes such as obvious elevations of environmental allergens, I use a skeleton acupuncture prescription that can easily be fleshed out to target potential underlying patterns and effectively customized to the patient.

Craig Williams, LAc, AHG
Lasers & Tens
The Laser Learning Curve for Light-Based Fertility Treatments
The Laser Learning Curve for Light-Based Fertility Treatments

Low-level laser therapy is having a moment in acupuncture circles for good reason. With a growing body of research supporting its role in reducing inflammation, enhancing circulation and stimulating mitochondrial activity, more practitioners are exploring its application in fertility care. But in the nearly 20 years I’ve used laser therapy in clinical practice, I’ve seen a wide range of outcomes. It’s not because laser therapy doesn’t work. It’s because many of us don’t realize how much the details matter.

Marcy White, LAc, Dipl. Ac., MAc, CFMP
Evidence / Research / Science
TEAM Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Cancer Patients
TEAM Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Cancer Patients

“Integrating Traditional East Asian Medicine Dietary and Herbal Therapies for Supporting Cancer Treatment and Survivorship in the West,”published in Perspectives on Integrative Medicine (2025), provides a detailed exploration of how traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) can support cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. This article summarizes findings from the two case reports included in the study.

John Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc