Biography

Jeremy has qualifications in botanical sciences, science teaching, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and Western phytotherapy.

These studies all resulted from his fascination with observing and understanding the world of nature and his delight in communicating these understandings to others. Jeremy has shared his long and varied experience as a clinician in his books, lectures, and clinical trainings.

Jeremy is now working with a growing international community of practitioners to develop the rapidly expanding topic of Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine.

Degrees in Science and Education

Beginnings

In 1968, he gained a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Birmingham University, UK, graduating with First Class Honours. This degree specialized in plant physiology and biochemistry, and was followed by one year of postgraduate research.

Jeremy so enjoyed the teaching duties linked to his research post, that he transferred to the Department of Education at Birmingham University, graduating in 1971 with Distinction in both the theory and practice of teaching. He became a qualified science teacher, and later head of a school biology department.

Training in Acupuncture

Studies in England and USA

Jeremy started his acupuncture training in San Francisco with Efrem Korngold. In 1974, he went back to England and studied at the colleges of Dick van Buren, Jack Worsley, and Royston Low. This variety of training proved invaluable, giving him three very different perspectives on Chinese medicine from which he was to form a synthesis for acupuncture teaching and practice.
He graduated from the college of Jack Worsley in 1977, and in 1985 was granted the degree of Doctor of acupuncture from the college of the British Acupuncture Association.

Studies in China

In January 1981, Jeremy went to Canton to study with Professor Wu Xin Jin. He later attended the first advanced acupuncture course in Nanjing, organized by Giovanni Maciocia, where he was fortunate to study with Dr. Su Xin Ming whose wisdom, kindness, and patience was an inspiration.

Training in Herbal Medicine

Western Herbal Medicine

Jeremy started his training in Western herbal medicine with Michael Tierra in San Francisco in about 1973. This practical training was based on a synthesis of the work of the American Physiomedical practitioners, especially John Christopher, and the herbal wisdom of the Native Americans.

On returning to England, he studied at the College of Phytotherapy with Hein Zeylstra, graduating in 1982 and becoming a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists later that year. This training combined the Physiomedical and empirical approaches to herbalism with an understanding of plant pharmacology, linking Jeremy’s herbal studies to his original training in botanical sciences.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

After graduating from the two-year course in Chinese herbal medicine taught by Ted Kaptchuk in Holland, he completed an advanced training in Chinese herbs in Nanjing, China, in 1988, where he specialized in heart disease, gynecology and pediatrics.

Lecturing

Jeremy has been one of the pioneers in the field of Chinese medicine in Europe and North America. He has had a seminal influence on the development of both acupuncture and herbal medicine in the West through his books and lectures.

He is known for his well-structured courses, his ability to answer questions and stimulate discussion, and for his lively and entertaining lecturing style. He has the ability to clarify complex ideas and to ground theoretical concepts in practical clinical experience.

Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine

For 15 years, Jeremy has specialized in integrating Western herbs and Chinese medicine. He has developed a new integrated system of herb combination that brings together concepts from Western herbal tradition, Chinese medicine, and phytopharmacology. This synthesis gives a broader and deeper understanding of the individual herbs, enabling more sophisticated herb combination and more effective prescription.

Jeremy has enormous enthusiasm for this topic, on which he is a leading world authority. He gives trainings in both Europe and North America, sharing both his great theoretical knowledge and his long practical experience.

Clinical Trainings

Jeremy has practiced acupuncture and herbal medicine, in both England and USA, since 1977. He is not only an expert clinician, but a gifted teacher, who can show practitioners how to take a complex case with a profusion of confusing details and cut through to the essentials of the patient’s real needs.

He trains practitioners in how to create balanced herb combinations that are both effective and safe, and further, in how to modify these combinations to meet the changing needs of the patient.

Books

Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine

Published in 2003, Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine, is almost 1000 pages in length and took over 7 years to complete. This book is now the leading text in this field, and is a treasure-trove of herbal information from English, German and Chinese sources. In addition it is exceptional in containing much new and clinically useful information, including practical details on how to use 150 herb combinations.

Zang Fu

In 1986, the publishers Churchill Livingstone produced their first title in Chinese medicine, Zang Fu: The Organ Systems of Chinese Medicine, by Jeremy Ross. The success of this book helped Churchill Livingstone in their development of a wide range of titles in alternative medicine.

Acupuncture Point Combinations

Zang Fu was followed in 1995 by Acupuncture Point Combinations: The Key to Clinical Success. This book presents the synthesis of different styles and concepts in acupuncture developed by Jeremy in his clinical practice and in his teaching.