What is Chinese herbal medicine?

Introduction to Chinese herbal medicine:

China's geography gave rise to medicine indigenous to varied climatic conditions. This contributed to Chinese herbal medicine's greatness in treating so many seemingly different pathological and genetic issues. For example, a very dry climate cannot be turned into an oasis without lots of soil preparation and preventive measures from the damage of heat. Such approaches are used when dealing with patients that suffer from extreme dryness. The soil needs to be moistened, but not too rapidly as the dried soil cannot retain the incoming water. If too much water is added at once, the soil will not absorb it and flooding conditions and landslides will occur. This is an example of care in treating dryness, a common side effects of chemotherapy or having mild symptoms of dry cough.

On the contrary, people in the Yellow River region often suffered from damp conditions. Dams and re-directing water flow helps save farmlands during the flooding of the River. In the same vein, if a patient has developed irregular accumulations in one area, a dam and or redirection of flow are part of the resolution to the accumulation. Despite what the problem might be, the fundamental nature of ones geographic region cannot be ignored. Or shall we say one's constitution cannot be ignored.

Today, many of the burials in China revealed ancient text on the use of herbal medicine. Just to name a few of the classic text still studied today include Shang Han Lun, Wen Bing, and Jin Guo Luo Ye. The content of each book relates to its authorship's region, the time and culture of China. All have their own validity in their theories and clinical applications. Because of their range of coverage, they serve as great reference for a practitioner today to find an applicable herbal formula for his or her patients.

How is Chinese herbal medicine used?

Chinese herbal medicine is substances of plant, animal or mineral base. They are often paired up in twos, threes, or fours to address patterns based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Rarely are they used in single preparation. The herbs energetic components influence the internal body's Qi. When combined correctly, in the right dosage and taken accordingly as prescribed, they become a powerful remedy that nature provides. In most cases, the herbs used can be found in most oriental markets as food supplements. Chinese Herbal Medicine comes in several forms:

Ingested orally

Raw, in loose form
Granules
Pattern pills
Tincture

External applications

Plaster
Paste
Patch
Powder
Soaks
Rubs

Injections (not practiced in the United States)

Depending on the ailments, a practitioner will administer different forms.

Who is qualified to give me herbs?

In the United States, many acupuncturists are trained in both acupuncture and herbs. However, there are some traditional groups of herbal practitioners who are not licensed acupuncturists. This does not mean they are less competent. On the contrary, because their practices are solely relying on herbs, they have the experience in how to combine the energies of the medicine. A few things to look for in herbal practitioners:

Good instruction provided
1. Dosage per day and per administration
2. Preparation of the herbs
3. Follow up
Full intake of your situation
They know of your drug prescription, off the counter medication or supplements with dosage and frequency. (If undesirable side effects occur, the practitioner can either change the dosage, substitute herbs or reformulate your herbs.)
Willingness to answer your questions
Ask about your past experience with herbs
Someone you know referred you to this practitioner

Cautions and side effects:

The substances administered are medicine. Just like any medicine, be cautious and practice common sense; one should not take what is prescribed for another. Self-medication can help at times but can also be counterproductive. There is so much information out there, sometimes it is best to have guidance in the usage of herbs. Again, care should be taken when taking Chinese medicine.

Life style changes, modern pharmaceutical and over-the-counter supplements introduce additional complexities. Chinese medicine sometimes can enhance pharmaceutical drugs and vice versa. In situations like this, patient might feel better quicker and get off medication right away or in a bad scenario, create unwanted side effects, such as diarrhea or bleeding. This is a great concern for geriatric patients who are often on multiple medications. To prevent a problem, please inform your practitioner of any items you are taking. If you cannot remember them all, bring the bottles with you during the office visit. Often, the dosage can be lowered or substitutes given to enhance health.

Commercial, non-for-profit and government sites on herbal medicine:

www.acupuncture.com/herbology/herbind.htm A commercial site informing practitioners and patients about the use of Chinese medicine and current studies.
www.herbalgram.org and www.amfoundation.org Respectively, they are the American Botanical Council [ABC] and Alternative Medicine Foundation [AMF]. These non-for-profit agencies aim to educate the public about common and not so commonly used herbal substances. ABC's mission is to post current science based studies and traditional method of herbal use. AMF aims to bring together the ancient practice with modern science to enhance treatments.
www.herbs.org is the Herb Research Foundation. They discuss safety of herbs, including Chinese herbal medicine and other homeopathic and holistic approaches.
www.fda.gov is the Federal Food and Drug Administration. They provide guidelines and laws in everyday food we eat and approve drugs for prescription. Unfortunately, there is a list of Chinese herbs that are put on the caution and banned list. Because of new factors, named above government agencies have limited knowledge. They are banning many herbs that are extremely useful and appropriate for certain circumstances. As herbal practitioners, we all hope that care and diligent practice can save these herbs from exile and thus continue their use in healing people.