Mazin is a master herbalist and recognised as one of the leading clinicians and teachers in the field of dermatology and Chinese medicine. Over the past three decades he has taught his successful and innovative approach to clinical practice to thousands of students worldwide.
Mazin describes his joy to teach anyone with a passion for Chinese Medicine:
"I love to be able to share the insights I have developed over the years with my students, so they can take away what they learn and apply it in their own practice straight away. The biggest buzz I get is when a student tells me that they have managed to achieve a result in their clinic by successfully applying what I have learned and passed on to them from my observations. It really is one of my greatest privileges and pleasures."
His teaching is firmly based on his own clinical practice and experiences of over 40 years in the field, and translates straight into his student's work.
He has treated unusual and difficult diseases with great success for the last 36 years, and has a particular interest in skin, auto-immune & allergic and inflammatory disease.
Mazin started his studies in Chinese medicine and the Chinese language in 1979. He graduated as an acupuncturist in the UK in 1983 and then continued his studies in China where he was awarded the first Sino-British scholarship to study medicine alongside Chinese students. He graduated from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai in 1987 as Doctor of Chinese Medicine.
Since his return from China in 1987, he has taught his inimitable style and unusual approach to Chinese medicine to a new generation of herbal practitioners worldwide, and he is respected as one of the most inspirational teachers and clinicians of his time.
In 2017 the Chinese government honoured him by the inclusion as the representative for Chinese Medicine in the West within their "一带一路“ Road and Belt Initiative.
At his multi-disciplinarian clinic he offers a 5 year mentoring and work scheme for doctors and upcoming practitioners of Chinese Medicine, who use his treatment methods under his close supervision.
He is an authority on toxicity of herbs and authentication of herbs, and often cooperates with experts in the field at Kew Gardens.
He regularly runs postgraduate Master classes and the acclaimed Dermatology Diploma Course which attract students from all-over the world, and speaks at conferences in the U.K, Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA.
“We are fortunate to have a master like Mazin in the field of Chinese Medicine, I find his work and his teaching nothing short of amazing!”
He runs the Avicenna Dispensary, the unique TCM pharmacy where he makes all his own products from raw herbs imported directly from trusted suppliers in China. The dispensary now attracts professional praise and visitors from all over the world, even from Taiwan and China itself! He has designed his own very effective range of skin creams and ointments for his patients at Avicenna to complement his practice - now available to all his students.
He continuously contributes to professional publications, is co-author of the international textbook on Chinese medicine (Manual of Acupuncture) and is currently writing a book on dermatology in Chinese medicine.
Read interviews with Mazin about his pioneering work and activities:
A Chinese Medicine Story: An Interview with Mazin Al-khafaji
About a Pharmacy: Developments in the Practice and Dispensing of Chinese Medicine
1979
Mazin Starts to study Chinese language and Chinese Medicine in the UK.
1983
Mazin moves to China, where he studies Modern and Classical Chinese and Chinese Herbal Medicine. He lives there for 4 years until 1987.
1985
The first person to be awarded a full British Council Scholarship to study Chinese Herbal Medicine at Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
1986
Has a private audience with HRH Queen Elizabeth II at the British Consulate in Shanghai during her visit to China.
1987
Mazin graduates from Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine as Doctor of Chinese Medicine. He subsequently returned to the United Kingdom and started his own Chinese Herbal practice and Dispensary in Brighton.
1988
Mazin began teaching at the London School of Chinese Herbal Medicine.
1989
Mazin decided to specialise in Chinese Medicine Dermatology and later becomes a Fellow of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine. Mazin also started production of Chinese herbal ointments and creams.
Starts teaching his own take on Chinese Herbal Medicine internationally — from Europe to USA and Canada and further afield.
1990
Between 1990 and 1998 Mazin co authored the international Text book “Manual of Acupuncture”.
1991
Returns to China to study Chinese Medicine Dermatology and sets up the “Skin Clinic".
1992
Introduces regular Liver function testing at his own clinic as standard for all his patients on Herbal Medicine.
1998
Mazin moves to his new premises and founds the Avicenna Centre for Chinese Medicine. The “Manual of Acupuncture” is published and proves to be an instant success.
2003
Introduction of decoction machines at Avicenna — all herbal tea prescriptions are dispensed as herbal teas in ready to drink pouches from now on!
2005
Mazin launches the Dermatology Diploma Course based on his clinical work and experiences and extensive studies and teaches it for the first time in London.
2006
Moves on from his kitchen and garage and sets up his own laboratory for proper production of his herbal creams and ointments.
Is instrumental in setting up the UK Approved Supplier Scheme for Chinese herbs, and becomes an approved supplier of herbs.
2011
Sets up strong links with China Medical University of Taiwan, and yearly hosts Taiwanese Pharmacology interns at Avicenna Dispensary.
2012
“Manual of Acupuncture” App is published.
2013
Mazin set up the "Associate Clinician Scheme”, a structured mentoring program for qualified practitioners and students who work at Avicenna under his supervision.
2014
Mazin sets up a specialist IBD Clinic using his methods.
Launches www.mazin-al-khafaji.com, his dedicated teaching website
2015
Launches China Herbal Wholesale branch of Avicenna International.
Mazin participates in the series “The Maritime Silk Road” filmed by CCTV as the representative to show the journey of Chinese Medicine.
2016
Launches Dermatology-M topical range of specialist skin creams evolved from tried and tested products he developped for his own Skin Clinic since 1991
2017
Mazin & Avicenna Centre for Chinese Medicine are featured in the Chinese “一带一路”, Road and Belt campaign of the Chinese government as representatives of pioneers for Chinese Medicine in the West.
Mazin & Avicenna Centre for Chinese Medicine becomes a member of the "World Federation of Chinese Medicine Decoction Societies"
Mazin & Avicenna Centre for Chinese Medicine becomes a member of the "World Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Societies"
Mazin receives a price from the Chinese government in recognition for his services to Chinese Medicine worldwide.
2018
Launches www.dermatology-m.com
Launches www.dermatology-m.co.uk
Courses andupcoming events…
TCM Diploma Course Practical Dermatology Yo San University, Los Angeles, 2024
5 x 3 day weekends 2024/25 $1,300.00
Book Your PlaceMazin is also appearing at…
See AllChinese Medicine MA - Dermatology
February 2024 Technical University of Munich Tum Campus Olympiapark
DOAM Lecture Yo San University
October 13 - 15, 2023 Yo San University, LA
East West Symposium
July 2024 New York
Medical illustrations sourced from Wellcome Images, a website operated by the Wellcome Trust.
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