UNDERSTANDING CHINESE HERBS

All living organisms require basic ingredients to maintain optimal health. Ideally these ingredients are supplied by a wise and careful selection in our daily diets. The ability to choose correctly is based partly upon our natural instincts and partly upon our cultural education. Most of us living in a modern Western culture need to reconnect with the needs of our body and relearn a common sense approach to nutrition.

Throughout history we have used many different materials in our world as food and as sources of medicine. In Chinese medicine herbs include all categories of materials, not just plants. The list includes about 90% plants, 9% animal components and 1% minerals. Each herbal ingredient has been meticulously researched for thousands of years to determine its unique properties and their physiological interactions.

Modern research and clinical trials corroborate the effectiveness of the classical formulas still in wide use today. Modern science is also working to determine the mechanisms of action of the herbs and their potential for new treatment possibilities in cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disorders. The herbal formulas used today include both modern and ancient (classical) prescriptions.

When disease imbalances arise, the first level of intervention or treatment is to appropriately modify our diets in order to restore a healthy balance. If this fails to adequately remedy the problem, then food grade herbs are added into the general diet. Food grade herbs are known to have specialized healing properties and can be eaten as soups or stews. If this fails to restore balance, then medicinal grade herbs are utilized.

Medicinal herbs are generally too strongly flavored and require special dosing needs which make them inappropriate for inclusion in our daily meals. This step wise approach to restoring healthy balance is simple, easy to accomplish, safe and very inexpensive. It also avoids the hazardous side effects which so frequently accompany Western drugs.

Chinese herbal pharmacology has treatment protocols for all the disease imbalances recognized and currently treated with Western pharmacology. The herbal formulas are available in a variety of forms. Bulk herbs are usually brewed as a tea. Specially extracted powders may be reconstituted in hot water. Capsules and tablet formulas are also commonly used. The use of herbs and Western drugs is being investigated with great interest. Studies reveal that when it is necessary to combine the two agents a much lower dose of the Western drug can be used while still retaining the same degree of efficacy. This synergism corrects the problem while minimizing the risk of side effects often associated with many drugs. Additionally, there are herbal treatments for a large number of disease imbalances for which Western medicine is still seeking a treatment, such as viral diseases.

Perhaps the most important and exciting difference between Chinese herbal medicine and Western drug treatment is the ability of Chinese herbal medicine to diagnose and treat a pathogen, and the symptoms it manifests, while at the same time strengthening any weaknesses identified in the body’s defense mechanisms. Appropriately diagnosing and treating both the host and the pathogen provides a more thorough correction of the patient’s problem, as well as acting to prevent the same problem from reoccurring in the future.

The following is a short list of categories representing some of the most commonly used herbal formulas. Most of the formulas have been used for centuries because of their well documented success in treating the conditions for which they were developed. Modern Chinese medicine continues to pursue research to further elucidate their scientific mechanisms of action, their chemical components and their physiological interactions. The research and clinical trials continue to validate their safety and efficacy. Chinese herbal pharmacology has also inspired research in the fields of cancer, psychiatry and immunology.

HERBAL FORMULAS

1. Cold and influenza prevention.

There are several very well known herbal formulas used to prevent catching colds. These are very effective for those traveling or who anticipate being around those already infected with a cold. The formulas strengthen the immune system’s ability to defend itself and to aid in expelling the pathogens naturally. All the formulas have no adverse side effects such as drowsiness and excessive drying. Ideally, these formulas are started at the very first awareness of symptoms. When the immune system successfully defeats the pathogen, the formula is rapidly tapered off and stopped.

2. Cold and influenza treatment.

These formulas are used after the symptoms have already been present for several days. They help to shorten the overall duration of the problem as well as decrease the severity of the symptoms. The advantage to these herbal formulas, over the commonly used Western drugs, is their ability to provide symptomatic relief without causing side effects.

3. Prostate formulas.

Chinese medicine has developed several formulas to promote and restore normal urinary and sexual function. Some of the common symptoms associated with these imbalances are: frequent urination, day or night; incomplete bladder emptying; low back pain and erectile dysfunction. Clinical trials in China are also showing a consistent success at lowering PSA values and treating certain kinds of tumors. Recent studies performed in this country to corroborate these findings are showing great promise.

4. Allergy and asthma.

These formulas are highly successful in treating the conditions we call allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in the West. Chinese medicine’s first choice for treating these problems is with herbs and acupuncture, relying on Western drugs only in emergencies and very serious cases. The majority of patients with these problems who are treated with herbs find they have fewer attacks, the episodes are less severe and the duration of the attacks are shorter. Unlike Western drugs the Chinese herbal formulas strengthen the immune system at the same time they relieve the symptoms. This means that as the patient becomes healthier, the need to take the herbal formulas decreases as well.

5. Bone and muscle.

Under this broad category are included any symptoms associated with acute trauma (sprains, strains, fractures) as well as chronic conditions (painful joints, thinning bones, chronic pain syndromes). Herbs are used in the management of these problems by Chinese medicine to aid the healing process. The goal is to promote optimal circulation into the damaged areas while providing all the building blocks required for healing and repair. Without adequate circulation of the needed nutrients and the efficient removal of damaged tissue the healing process is often incomplete and residual pain and limitation may persist. The herbs also can address many of the secondary symptoms which often accompany the pain, such as insomnia, depression and constipation.

6. Energy and well being.

The herbal formulas in this category are especially useful here in our stressful, overworked and hectic Western culture. The various imbalances which can appear as a result of this lifestyle can be significantly minimized through the use of these formulas. Improvement can be seen in the following common symptoms: fatigue; anxiety; insomnia; depression; loss of libido; gastrointestinal upsets; muscle spasms or tension and feelings described as loss of purpose or focus. These formulas act by helping us to recover from the damage done by overdoing, which results in our having a more balanced energy and with greater endurance.

7. Hair and skin problems.

Chinese herbal medicine has very positive results in treating many dermatologic conditions, such as skin, hair and nail problems. It recognizes a strong relationship between diet and the development of these various conditions, which often are the result of chronic stress or demands placed on the body. For instance, dry hair, skin and/or nails occurs more frequently in women because of menstruation, pregnancy and breast feeding. Chinese herbs can help correct these problems by supplying the missing nutrients needed to promote healthy hair growth, both quality and quantity.

8. Radiation and chemotherapy.