In creating these songs I have distilled what is in the Bensky textbooks into song format. In doing the formulas the list of herbs is contained in either the verse or chorus, while the other half of the song tells you what the formula does and it's functions and indications. In doing the single herbs I included tastes and temperatures, the channels the herb goes to, a western or Latin name and, of course, the functions and indications.
The songs are primarily what you would hear on any oldies radio station that emphasizes the 60's. There's also a handful of 50's stuff - Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and several Elvis tunes. There's even a Sinatra song ('My Way' became the single herb 'Bai Wei'). About 30% of the songs are Beatles. There's also Dylan, the Beach Boys, the Who, the Stones, the Monkees - it's all main stream pop culture stuff that most people are familiar with, which was my intent. Songs like 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' were not an option; I have less interest in listening to that song than probably even you do. I had a whole lot of fun creating all of this, and to be sure, when you are having fun memorization is a breeze.
I actually went through 3 semesters of single herbs before I caught on and began learning with music so I know how bad one's retention of this material can be. I even passed those classes with honors by cramming intensively for each test, but ultimately remembered very little. I was quite alarmed and bit depressed at that point, but on the advice of a friend who was about to graduate decided to try something different as I began learning the formulas. Going to school in Santa Cruz and being an avid surfer gave rise to the first song being "Surfin' USA", which I did to 'Yin Qiao San'. The change in my retention was profound and I never looked back. I did the formula songs in '97 and still know them as well today as I did back then. After completing the formulas I still had about a year and a half until my licensing exams and so began putting the single herb information to song as well. Again I had the same experience. Once I had put the herbs of a particular category to music, and had listened to them for a while I was able to say 'I really know these herbs now!'.
I found that listening while driving - to work, to check the surf, to the Sierra to backpack - worked especially well. If you do much driving that's a lot of time that can be utilized to learn your herbs. That's all for now. Feel free to email me with any questions.
