Health Awareness and Disease Prevention
Chinese Herbal Medicine
A Complex and Sophisticated Form of Internal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of five branches of Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM). The other four include Acupuncture,
Tui Na Medical Massage (a.k.a. acupressure), Nutrition,
Qi Gong (energy work or exercises such as Tai Chi Chuan).
Chinese Herbology dates back several thousand years with
thousands of references books written by practitioners chronicling
the clinical applications of thousands of herbs and substances.
In the USA most acupuncture schools also offer extensive
training in Chinese Herbology. The National Certification
Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
governs the testing requirements and certifications for
practitioners of Chinese Herbology.
Chinese Herbology is a highly sophisticated form of herbal
medicine. One way of understanding the complexity is to
realize how herbs are formulated. Herbal formulas are designed
to address a patients presenting symptoms. Each herb in
a formula has a specific property, action, thermal nature,
and body region of influence with known contraindication
and cautions. For example, ma huang (pharmaceutical name:
herba ephedrae) an herb that has been banned by the FDA
for its misuse as a diet supplement has an acrid, slightly
bitter and warm property with an influence over the lungs
and the bladder. It is more properly used as a short-term
treatment for the symptoms of the common cold, asthma or
to help reduce edema by promoting sweating. In Chinese Herbal
Medicine it is contraindicated and is known to be harmful
under long-term use. Another complexity of Chinese Herbology
is the combination of herbs in a formula and their combined
therapeutic effect. It is rare to prescribe a single herb
as a remedy. This would be considered a less sophisticate
practice of herbal medicine. Most herbal formulations can
contain between 4 to 12 herbs. Each herb is responsible
for specific actions. There may be one or two chief herbs
responsible for the chief symptomatic complaint with several
deputy herbs supporting and moderating the actions of the
chief herbs. Also, assistant herbs may be added to address
additional symptoms and moderate the actions of other ingredients.
The use of ma huang alone can be harmful but when combined
with other herbs to moderate any harsh effects, a highly
sophisticated and effective herbal remedy can be administered.
Please note that the scope of the FDA ruling on ma huang
only applies to dietary supplements and not to their use
in traditional Chinese herbal remedies.
Chinese Herbal Medicine has a long history of being safe
and effective when used properly. If you are considering
an herbal remedy, make sure you seek out a trained herbalist
with proper training and credentials to ensure you receive
a sophisticated form of herbal medicine that is safe and
effective.
Christopher Carlow, D. Ac.
February 14, 2007
