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Chinese
Herbal Medicine
Herbal
Medicine is the main treatment method within Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM). TCM is the world's oldest, continually practiced
professional medicine. Its written history stretches back over 2,500
years and its practice is probably much older than that.
Although
acupuncture was the first Chinese method of treatment to gain wide
acceptance in the West, Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing
itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies
in the West.
What
is the difference between Western folk herbalism and Chinese herbal
medicine?
Are there any other differences?
Are all “herbs” vegetable in origin?
Do all the herbs come from China?
Does Chinese herbal medicine work for Western patients?
How are Chinese herbal medicines taken?
What are the benefits of drinking Chinese herb
medicine in liquid form?
Why do liquid herbal medicines taste so bad?
What are the benefits of pills and powders?
Do Chinese herbal medicines have side effects?
What is Chinese herbal medicine good for?
Can pregnant women take Chinese herbs?
Can children take Chinese herbal medicine?
How long does it take to see results with Chinese
herbal medicine?
How do I know if a practitioner is professionally
trained in Chinese herbal medicine?
Q:
What is the difference between Western folk herbalism and Chinese
herbal medicine?
A:
western folk herbalism primarily treats diseases or symptoms, such
as headaches, runny nose, menstrual pain, etc. Chinese herbal medicine,
when practiced as a part of TCM, is based on an individualized pattern
diagnoses as well a disease diagnosis. Your pattern is made up of
your signs and symptoms, your emotional temperament and the overall
composition of your body.
The
TCM patient receives a custom written herbal prescription designed
to their individual pattern as well as the symptom or disease. top
Q:
Are there any other differences?
A:
western folk herablism usually focuses on one symptom or disease
at a time and use a single herb or groups of herbs for treatment.
TCM
formulas are crafted to treat your entire pattern as well as the
symptoms or disease that prompted you to seek treatment. TCM formulas
may include six to eighteen herbs to treat the symptoms or disease
as well as your entire pattern. top
Q:
Are all the "herbs" vegetable in origin?
A:
Chinese herbal medicine may include vegetable, animal, and mineral
ingredients, however, the majority of ingredients are from vegetable
sources. Leaves, flowers, twigs, stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes,
and bark are among the parts of the vegetable used. Top
Q:
Do all the herbs come from China?
A:
The Chinese adopted and incorporated herbs from all over the world.
Fifteen to twenty percent of the 500 ingredients considered standard
originated from outside China. What makes these "Chinese"
herbs is that they are prescribed according to Chinese medical theory
and a TCM pattern diagnosis. Top
Q:
Does Chinese herbal medicine work for Western patients?
A:
Yes, Chinese herbal medicine works as well for Westerners as it
does for Chinese herbal medicine has been used successfully in North
and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and all
throughout Asia. Top
Q:
How are Chinese herbal medicines taken?
A:
The most common method of taking Chinese herbal medicine is drinking
a liquid, prepared by boiling the selected herbs. There are also
herbal pills. Tinctures, and powdered extracts for those who do
not have the time or taste for drinking the more traditional liquid
form. Top
Q:
What are the benefits of drinking Chinese herb medicine in liquid
form?
A:
This method allow the practitioner maximum flexibility in writing
a prescription. They can put in just the right amounts. The formula
can be changed frequently, if necessary, and the liquid forms tend
to be more potent than other means of administration. Top
Q:
Why do liquid herbal medicines taste so bad?
A:
Chinese herbal teas tend to taste very bitter because they are made
mostly from roots and bark where the strongest medicinal ingredients
are found. The bitter taste may go away after a day or two. Top
Q:
What are the benefits of pills and powders?
A:
Pills and powders are good for:
1.
prolonged administration, like for chronic disease
2. where formulas do not need to be very potent
3. where formulas do not need to be changed very often
Pills
and powders are also commonly used to continue therapeutic results
after a successful initial treatment with liquid herbal medicine.
Top
Q:
Do Chinese herbal medicines have side effects?
A:
Most of the components of Chinese herbal medicine have a very low
toxicity compared to even common, over-the-counter western drugs.
When they are prescribed according to a correct TCM pattern diagnosis,
they should have few, if any, side effects, only beneficial healing
results.
If
you experience any discomfort while talking Chinese herbal medicine,
tell your practitioner who will modify the formula until there are
no side effects. Top
Q:
What is Chinese herbal medicine good for?
A:
Chinese herbal medicine treats the full range of human disease.
It is used to treat:
1.
acute diseases, like intestinal flu and the common cold
2. chronic disease, such as allergies, gynecological disorders,
autoimmune diseases, and chronic viral diseases
3. degenerative diseases due to aging
Chinese
herbal medicine is especially good for promoting the body's ability
to heal and recover from illness. Top
Q:
Can pregnant women take Chinese herbs?
A:
A professional TCM practitioner can write prescriptions that are
appropriate for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Top
Q:
Can children take Chinese herbal medicine?
A:
Yes again. Pediatrics is a specialty within TCM and children can
be given reduced dosages. There are also specially prepared pediatric
medicines in pill and powder form. Chinese herbal medicines can
treat colic, the fussiness of teething, earache, diarrhea, cough,
and fever in babies and children. Top
Q:
How long does it take to see results with Chinese herbal medicine?
A:
In acute conditions, results may occur in a matter of minutes. In
chronic conditions, some results should be seen within two weeks.
Although chronic conditions may require taking Chinese herbal medicine
for a long time, signs that the medicine is working should be apparent
to the patient and practitioner alike almost from the very start.
Top
Q:
How do I know if a practitioner is professionally trained in Chinese
herbal medicine?
A:
Although Chinese herbal medicines are safe when prescribed by a
trained, knowledgeable practitioner, they are strong medicine. Patients
should ask about where the practitioner trained, how long the training
was, how long he or she has been in practice, and what experience
the practitioner has had in treating the patient's specific ailment.
Chinese
herbal medicine may be part of the testing done where acupuncture
is a licensed and regulated healthcare profession. Ask your practitioner
if your state requires a license to practice; about half the states
do. In states that do not currently require licensing, patients
should ask their practitioner if they are certified by the National
Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturist (NCCA). NCCA has
created a certification process for Chinese herbal medicine. Practitioners
who have passed that certification are entitled to add the abbreviation
Dipl. C.H. (Diplomat of Chinese Herbs) after their name. top
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