Chinese Medicine:
Chinese Herbal medicine has been an important component of the health system in China and in the daily diet of Chinese families for thousands of years. They form an important part of many treatment protocols designed in our clinic, and can help to extend the effects of an acupuncture treatment. For almost any health condition your body can create, there is a herbal formula or two or three that is designed specifically to target that problem. What is Chinese Herbal Medicine? As ancient as acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is another important and major aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Most Chinese Herbal Medicine are of plant origin, which often incorporate ingredients from all parts of plants, such as the leaf, stem, flower, seeds, root etc. A small portion of CHM are from animals, minerals and marine products. Chinese herbs has been used for thousands of years, and has an unbroken tradition since 3rd century BC . It is one of the great, and possibly most complex herbal systems of the world, with more than 3000 herbs, 300 minerals and animal extracts still being used in more than 400 different formulas. Over the centuries, it has undergone continual development and not only still stands strong in today’s world, it also emerges as an untapped ancient wisdom. How does it work? This probably is one of the most challenging aspects for patients to grasp. Here I will go through some basic ideas and theories behind, so to give you a slightly better understanding. Herbs are learned through endless trial and error, and perfected through thousand years of practice During the ancient times, Chinese Herbal Medicine was an experiential medicine. This means that it has been learned and perfected by practice rather than theory. Over the past 3000 years, Chinese have been meticulously experimenting with thousands of herbs and documenting the effects that they have on the body. Chinese Medical doctors have been testing how herbs work in combination and looking at how different herbs have different reactions to different people depending on their physical and psychological make up. It is through this endless trial and error, the medicinal value of herbs were learned, and the complex theories of the medicine were developed slowly over time. |
The Different forms of Herbal Preparations.
Decoctions. Chinese Herbal medicine traditionally involves boiling a pot of herbs on the stove to prepare a decoction. This allows for a concentrated extract of herbs to be prepared that have a potent a quick effect. The preparation of decoction can be time consuming but it provides excellent therapeutic benefit. Granulated Extracts. Granulated extracts are a quick alternative to decoction that provide comparable results. Decocted herbs are freeze dried with an excipient (usually either corn starch or potato starch) to allow for quick preparation - simply boil the kettle and add hot water to dissolve the granules. Herbal pills. Herbal pills capsules and tablets are convenient ways to take herbal medicine. Linement /Lotions. Injury and trauma patients may be given a specially made lineament or Lotion to assist in your sports injury, instructions on how to use it will be given a time of consultation Animal Products: Some bad press has come to Chinese Medicine over the years, particularly with the use of endangered species, and products that are obtained by unethical treatment of animals - such as bear bile and deer antlers. A very small proportion of Chinese herbal preparations contain animal constituents, however no endangered species or unethical products are ever prescribed in my clinic. People with strict vegan requirements are easily accommodated for. Allergies: With an increase in the awareness of, and diagnosis of food allergies and intolerances means that patients can become wary of taking herbal medicines. As a Naturopath as well as a Chinese Medicine Doctor I keep up to date with information relating to a range of health conditions that will affect the herbal medicine that you can be prescribed, including celiac disease, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorption and diabetes. Reaction to a herb or formula : It is not common, but it does happen from time to time that you could have a reaction to a herbal constituent - as with any food or medicine it is possible to have an allergic response to a herb. If you have any concerns, stop taking herbs and contact me. |
Medication: If you are taking medication, it is important to alert me to your medication regime before adding herbal medicines to your treatment protocol. It is possible to safely add herbal medicines to your treatment, and in fact a lot of the time we recommend herbal medicine to assist with managing side effects of medication, or to address other health concerns. We are aware of negative interactions between herbal medicines and pharmaceuticals - please make sure you inform me about all medications that you are taking. Are Chinese Herbs Dangerous? When prescribed by an experienced practitioner, Chinese Herbal medicines are as safe as the food you eat every day. What a lot of people don't know is that many herbs can be eaten as food - especially the fruits, seeds and roots - herbs form part of the daily diet of most Chinese people. The method of preparation and the frequency they are taken is what increases the potency and magnifies the effects - herbal medicines can be dangerous when self-prescribed, or if the wrong herb is taken, or if the dosage is incorrect. This clinic only uses TGA licensed granulated herbs and tablet/capsule formulas for the reason that they undergo stringent quality testing and must adhere to Australian manufacturing guidelines. In Australia, the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) regulates the sale of herbal medicine products, and decides if a particular product is of an adequate standard and following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines. Each herbal treatment is specifically formulated for you: Chinese Herbs rarely use singly. In contrast, a formula that consists of as few as 2-3 herbs to more than 10 herbs are formulated carefully specially for you and for your particular health condition. As a trained and qualified Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner I am able to make an accurate ‘TCM diagnoses based on your medical history, signs and symptoms, tongue picture and pulse, and other physical examination. Then i will construct a herbal formula as treatment. Progression and responses to herbs are monitored closely, and your herbal formula will change and modify accordingly. Due to the holistic nature of TCM, you may find not only your main compliant gradually getting better, your other symptoms and overall health will also show signs of improvement. TCM believes in the body’s own ability to heal itself. Chinese herbs are used to strengthen and nurture your body’s constitution to respond better to the demands of daily life. They are also used to strengthen your body to fight a particular ailment or a chronic condition. The philosophy of CHM is the reliance on your own body’s abilities rather than the use of strong medication as a gradual path to better health. |
It is all about Harmony and Balance
Chinese’s understanding of herbs is very different from Western Medicine. While Western Medicine learns about drugs through their effects on the chemicals in the body, or its binding to receptors on cells; Chinese classified herbs according to the effect it has on the body’s temperature, its tastes and the channel/meridians it travels in the body.
Does the herb make you feel warmer or colder? Chinese also discovered that herbs with different tastes (not the actual flavor) have different actions. For instance, herb that is sour can cause the body to gather in and hold things – think of what happens if you bite into a lemon, your mouth sucks itself in and shrivels.
In terms of their medicinal use, for example, if you are suffering from a cold condition, herbs that have warming effect will be prescribed for you. If you constantly feel warmth inside the body, and manifested symptoms that are classified as ‘heat’ (eg mouth ulcers, sore throat, dry and smelly stool etc), then cooling herbs are used. If condition is caused by deficiency in the body, herbs that have tonifying effects are used to replenish and strengthen the body. If Qi and blood flow are becoming sluggish, then herbs that can enhance Qi and Blood circulation are added to the formula.
You may now begin to understand how Chinese Herbal Medicine works in the body. In a nutshell, the basic principle of Chinese Herbal treatment is about all balance.
Chinese’s understanding of herbs is very different from Western Medicine. While Western Medicine learns about drugs through their effects on the chemicals in the body, or its binding to receptors on cells; Chinese classified herbs according to the effect it has on the body’s temperature, its tastes and the channel/meridians it travels in the body.
Does the herb make you feel warmer or colder? Chinese also discovered that herbs with different tastes (not the actual flavor) have different actions. For instance, herb that is sour can cause the body to gather in and hold things – think of what happens if you bite into a lemon, your mouth sucks itself in and shrivels.
In terms of their medicinal use, for example, if you are suffering from a cold condition, herbs that have warming effect will be prescribed for you. If you constantly feel warmth inside the body, and manifested symptoms that are classified as ‘heat’ (eg mouth ulcers, sore throat, dry and smelly stool etc), then cooling herbs are used. If condition is caused by deficiency in the body, herbs that have tonifying effects are used to replenish and strengthen the body. If Qi and blood flow are becoming sluggish, then herbs that can enhance Qi and Blood circulation are added to the formula.
You may now begin to understand how Chinese Herbal Medicine works in the body. In a nutshell, the basic principle of Chinese Herbal treatment is about all balance.