What
is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine is one of the great herbal systems of the world, with
an unbroken tradition going back to the 3rd century BC. Yet throughout its
history it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions,
and has been sustained by research into every aspect of its use. Because of
its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness it has for centuries had
a very great influence on the theory and practice of medicine in the East,
and more recently has grown rapidly in popularity in the West. It still forms
a major part of healthcare provision in China, and is provided in state hospitals
alongside western medicine.
Chinese medicine includes all oriental traditions emerging from Southeast Asia
that have their origins in China. Practitioners may work within a tradition
that comes from Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan or Korea. It is a complete medical system
that is capable of treating a very wide range of conditions. It includes herbal
therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and exercises in breathing and movement
(tai chi and qi gong). Some or several of these may be employed in the course
of treatment
Chinese herbal medicine, along with the other components of Chinese medicine,
is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. It aims to understand and treat the
many ways in which the fundamental balance and harmony between the two may
be undermined and the ways in which a person's Qi or vitality may be depleted
or blocked. Clinical strategies are based upon diagnosis of patterns of signs
and symptoms that reflect an imbalance. Chinese medicine recognises that health
is more than just the absence of disease and it has a unique capacity to maintain
and enhance our capacity for well being and happiness.
Herbal Medicine and Modern Pharmacology
There is a growing body of research which indicates that traditional uses of
plant remedies and the known pharmacological activity of plant constituents
often coincide. However, herbal medicine is distinct from medicine based on
pharmaceutical drugs. Firstly, because of the complexity of plant materials
it is far more balanced than medicine based on isolated active ingredients
and is far less likely to cause side-effects. Secondly, because herbs are typically
prescribed in combination, the different components of a formulae balance each
other, and they undergo a mutual synergy which increases efficacy and enhances
safety. Thirdly, herbal medicine seeks primarily to correct internal imbalances
rather than to treat symptoms alone, and therapeutic intervention is designed
to encourage this self-healing process.
What can Chinese Medicine treat?
Chinese medicine is successfully used for a very wide range of conditions.
Among the more commonly treated disorders are:
- Gastro-intestinal
disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation,
ulcerative colitis
- Skin disease,
including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria
- Gynaecological
conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhoea,
endometriosis, infertility, pregnancy and postpartum issues.
- Hepatitis and
HIV: some promising results have been obtained for treatment
of Hepatitis C, and supportive treatment may be beneficial
in the case of HIV, chronic fatigue syndromes
- Respiratory
conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs,
allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis
- Rheumatological
conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) and
pain.
- Urinary conditions
including chronic cystitis
- Psychological
problems (e.g. depression, anxiety)
- Children's diseases
Many of these conditions, especially in their chronic forms, create great difficulty
for conventional medicine, whilst Chinese herbal medicine has a great deal
to offer. The results that can be expected and the length of treatment
required will depend on the severity of the condition, its duration, and
the general health of the patient.
Who can have treatment?
Chinese medicine can be used by people of any age or constitution. Your practitioner
will take any previous or current illness or medication into account before
providing treatment. With suitable adjustments for dosage and with some provisos
which will be determined by your practitioner, children and pregnant women
can very well be treated by Chinese medicine.
What are the herbs like and how much will they cost?
Herbs are now available in a number of formats, both traditional and modern.
The traditional method is to boil a mixture of dried herbs to make a tea
or to use pills. The herbs are also now commonly prescribed as freeze dried
powders or tinctures. The herbs will at first taste unusual and often bitter
to anyone who has not tried them before, but the vast majority of people
get used to the taste very quickly.
There are no standard prices for treatment or herbs. This will depend on
the individual practitioner and the part of the country you are in. You should
enquire about charges when making your appointment.
Are herbs safe?
Chinese herbs are very safe when prescribed correctly by a properly trained
practitioner. Over the centuries doctors have compiled detailed information
about the pharmacopoiea and placed great emphasis on the protection of the
patient. Allergic type reactions are rare, and will cause no lasting damage
if treatment is stopped as soon as symptoms appear.
Endangered species
Being concerned about the threat to wild animals and plants that have come
as a result of the growth in demand for traditional medicines, We strongly
condemn the illegal trade in endangered species and have a strict policy
prohibiting the use of any type of endangered species by any of our Members.
We use information supplied by Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) who work to stop the trade in illegal substances wherever
it is found.
