Chinese Herbal Medicine (Part 1)

The use of Herbal medicine is the most dominant traditional Chinese medicine intervention all over the world. However, it is important for patients to review the research and work with a certified Chinese medicine clinician before using traditional Chinese medicine or any other herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is very potent. In purchasing any herbals, including traditional Chinese medicine, it is crucial to go to a reliable manufacturer, preferably one in or subject to U.S. regulatory oversight.

The California Department of Health Services, Food and Drug Branch, studied 260 such preparations collected from California retail herbal stores. The department found that at least 32% contained undeclared pharmaceuticals or heavy metals, while 23 of the 260 had more than one contaminant. Although the majority of the products were tested as accurately labeled and safe to use, the large percentage of contaminated herbals requires the utmost caution.

About 85% of Chinese herbs are derived from plants, about 12% are from animals, and about 3% come from minerals. Traditional Chinese medicine herbal materials are generally processed in much the same way as Western herbal medicines. The active part of the plant is separated from the rest of the plant and is cleaned, freed of toxins, dried, and prepared for use. These herbs are then employed in one of the following four forms:

1. Crude herbs are boiled to make herbal decoctions or strong teas. This is the preferred method of administering herbs among native Chinese practitioners.

2. Dried decoctions. For convenience, herbal teas can also be made from dried powder. These powders are imported to America from Taiwan, and are also manufactured in the United States by Taiwanese companies.

3. Patent medicines. Herbs are often combined in complex formulas, known as patent medicines. Patent medicine pills are usually relatively inexpensive and convenient. Some also contain Western drugs. However, there is no American quality control over imported products.

4. American pills and extracts. Several American companies now make Chinese herbal formulas. They tend to be more expensive, but are more uniform in quality, accurately labeled, and do not contain Western drugs. However, little clinical research has been done on these preparations.

Traditional Chinese medicine herbs are not prescribed on the basis of their chemistry, as we would understand it in the West. Instead, they are used to introduce certain influences into the body in order to balance and harmonize the patient's vital energy. This energy is considered to be the primary healing force in Chinese Medicine.

Chinese herbs are also prescribed on the basis of the Five Elements. Each of the elemental qualities is associated with a characteristic flavor. For instance, wood is associated with a sour taste. In addition, medicinal herbs are also said to have the four natures of hot, cold, warm, and cool. Moreover, a fifth characteristic is identified as bland, which mediates between the others.

Traditional Chinese medicine herbs are believed to be particularly effective when used in combinations, or formulas. A formula often consists of a main herb, also termed as King herb; the associate, or Minister; the aid, or Assistant; and the guiding herb, or Messenger. A King herb focuses on the main symptoms and dominates the formula. A Minister herb is applied to strengthen the effect of the King herb. An Assistant herb has a variety of different actions, including the treatment of less important symptoms, and helps to reduce the toxicity or irritating properties of the King herb. A Messenger herb coordinates the effects of the other herbs and delivers the herbs to a particular site in the body.

The Chinese herbal medicine operates on an very different principle from the reductionist approach of Western biomedicine, including Western herbalism. Modem Western medicine generally seeks to find a single active agent to address a specific complaint, whereas traditional Chinese herbal preparations utilize a combination of medicinal substances with complementary qualities. With combinations of herbs, the overall impact of the formula is less drastic, and the goal is to harmonize the function of the organs.