What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the great herbal systems of the world, with an unbroken tradition going back to the 3rd century BC.
Yet throughout its history it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions, and has been sustained by research into every aspect of its use. This process continues today with the development of modern medical diagnostic techniques and knowledge.
Because of its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness it has for centuries had a very great influence on the theory and practice of medicine in the East, and more recently has grown rapidly in popularity in the West. It still forms a major part of healthcare provision in China, and is provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine. Chinese medicine includes all oriental traditions emerging from Southeast Asia that have their origins in China.
Practitioners may work within a tradition that comes from Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan or Korea. It is a complete medical system that is capable of treating a very wide range of conditions. It includes herbal therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and exercises in breathing and movement (tai chi and qi gong). Some or several of these may be employed in the course of treatment.
Chinese Herbal Medicine, along with the other components of Chinese medicine, is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. It aims to understand and treat the many ways in which the fundamental balance and harmony between the two may be undermined and the ways in which a person's Qi or vitality may be depleted or blocked. Clinical strategies are based upon diagnosis of patterns of signs and symptoms that reflect an imbalance.
However, the tradition as a whole places great emphasis on lifestyle management in order to prevent disease before it occurs. Chinese medicine recognizes that health is more than just the absence of disease and it has a unique capacity to maintain and enhance our capacity for well being and happiness.
Formulae of Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), herbal therapies are generally formula based and single herbs are rarely used. TCM holds that every medicinal substance has its strengths and its shortcomings, and each ingredient in the formula should be carefully balanced in quality and quantity, in order to accentuate its efficacy while reducing side effects.
The herbs are not simply added in a cumulative fashion but combined according to particular principles. Firstly, through a unique diagnostic process, physicians discern the subtle patterns according to the symptoms of the individual, which then guides them to determine therapeutic strategies and to design or select proper formulae. Take influenza as an example:
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Present symptoms: chill, fever, headache, generalized aching, panting and no sweating; thin and whitish coating on the tongue; tense and floating pluse. |
2. |
TCM disharmony pattern:exterior syndrome due to exogenous wind-cold. |
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Therapeutic strategies: exterior syndrome is relieved by diaphoretic therapy (promotes perspiration) and the wind-cold invasion can be removed by pungent and warm herbs. |
4. |
Matched classical formula: Ephedra Decoction (Ma Huang Tang) that consists of ephedra, cinnamon twigs, bitter apricot kernel and liquorice root. |
As TCM practitoners always focus on disharmony patterns, combination of herbs should address these presentations exactly. Since a TCM formula contains multiple interactive ingredients, it is customarily to rank the compositions in four groups when analyzing the role they play in the formula.
Monarch: |
The ingredient that exerts the major and leading effects in a formula. Generally, monarch drugs should constitute the largest proportion of a formula; a competent formula usually only contains one to two principal herbs so that the therapeutic effects can be focused. |
Minister: |
Also known as the associate ingredient usually refers to two different functions. One is to support the monarch drug to exert major actions on the body, and the second is to improve and treat the accompanying symptoms or coexisting disharmony pattern. In comparison with the monarch drug, the minister drug usually has a weaker action. |
Assistant: |
The ingredients can play one of the following three roles in a formula. One is to reinforce the effects of the monarch or minister drug or to treat the less important coexisting patterns. The second role is to eliminate the toxicity of the monarch and minister ingredients, or modulate their harsh properties, and the third is to provide paradoxical assistance. |
Guide: |
These have two different functions. One is to force the actions of the formula on the target meridian or area of the body; and the second is to harmonize and integrate the effects on other drugs. |
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With reference to the Ephedra Decoction mentioned above, we can see how the ingredients interact with each other. In the formula, ephedra serves as the monarch herb for dispelling the pathogens on the exterior and relieving most of the symptoms. Cinnamon twigs aids ephedra in inducing sweating and expelling the pathogens on the exterior, and thus has a minister role. Bitter apricot kernel helps the ephedra in enhancing the lung so as to ease panting, a less important condition and thus is considered an assistant herb. Liquorice root modulates the harsh properties of ephedra and cinnamon twigs and also acts in the assistant role. Since the first three herbs are all work similarly, it is not necessary to use a guiding herb in the formula. In addition, due to the complexity of individual conditions, the dose, the preparation method and even additional herbal components will frequently be modified. This part of skills needs extensive training and actual clinical experience.
After centuries of practice, scholars perfected various formulae for some typical disharmony patterns, and today, these classic formulae have become the basis for modern day usage. Many of them are so popular that they have been manufactured as patent remedies and are available in health stores.
Do you use Chinese herbs?
Yes. Herbal medicine is a major component of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been used for over 3,000 years in China and worldwide. Chinese herbs have shown their effectiveness under the scrutiny of both empirical study and modern clinical trials, and are often recommended to supplement acupuncture treatments.
For some conditions, herbs can be provided in tablet form. For more complex conditions, herbs are customized into granules, which are dissolved into water and drunk, or loose formulas, which are brewed into teas. The benefit to a customized formula is that it is tailored specifically to you and your unique condition.
Whichever form your herbs are in, only the highest quality herbs that have undergone strict testing and quality control will be used.
How do herbs differ from Western medicine?
Chinese herbal formulas tend to be much gentler than western medicines. They work not only to help relieve symptoms but also to help return the body to balance and equilibrium. Unlike Western medications, herbal formulas can be customized for the individual and are often modified as treatment continues to meet the changing needs of the body.
Can I take Chinese herbs while on medication?
It is usually safe to take Chinese herbs with Western medications. However, it depends on the medications you are taking - some herbs have interactions with certain medications. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. It is important to bring a complete list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you are taking to your initial acupuncture appointment.
Also, if you are concerned about taking herbs with medication, feel free to contact Jeff at (918)994-AtRē [2873] and discuss your issues with him. We are complementary, not alternative - we strive to help you gain optimal health, not interefere with or replace other treatments.
How quickly can I expect to feel better?
Acupuncture is a natural medicine that is assisting your body to make changes. This can be a gradual process. Some patients may experience dramatic results with just one or two treatments, but most see results build over several treatments. Some relief should be apparent in three to four treatments for acute conditions, or eight to ten treatments for more chronic conditions. In general, most people experience better energy and a feeling of well being after the first treatment.
How often should I be treated?
Treatment depends on the duration, severity and nature of the condition being treated - a customized treatment plan will be created for you at your first appointment. An acute condition may only need two to three treatments, while chronic conditions may take many treatments to help resolve. Some degenerative conditions may require ongoing treatments over time for maintenance. Hepatitis C and fertility treatments follow certain protocols, which will be discussed with you at your first appointment.
Typically, patients are treated once a week. If the condition is acute and painful, more frequent treatments may be recommended. Eventually, patients need less frequent treatments and then come only periodically for maintenance.