Chinese Herbal Medicine

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine is a major component of traditional Oriental medicine, a comprehensive health care system used for over 3,000 years in China and throughout the world today.

Oriental medicine views the body as a dynamic, interrelated whole (mind, body, spirit) possessing a life force or vital energy called qi or chi (pronounced "chee"). Health depends on the free flow of qi. When disease occurs, therapy is applied to restore the balance and flow of the qi in the body and help the body heal itself.

Chinese herbal medicine is actually composed of over 5,000 plant, mineral and animal substances. Usually herbs are combined into formulas that address the main health problem and support the mind-body system.

Are Chinese Herbs Safe?

Chinese herbs are effective and safe when prescribed by a well-trained herbal practitioner. Careful attention to dosage, combinations of herbs and any known drug-herb interactions, are covered in comprehensive Chinese herbal medicine education programs. In addition, the Chinese herbal profession is working with the FDA to ensure the quality and safety of Chinese herbs imported into this country.

Herbs are usually more gentle than pharmaceutical drugs because of their balancing or regulating effect on the body. However, side effects from herbs are possible. The most common problem is gastrointestinal upset, gas and bloating due to slight difficulty digesting the herbs. This or any other problem should be reported to the practitioner so he/she may change the formula.

To allow health care providers to provide effective and safe treatment, patients should inform Western medical physicians of the herbs they are taking as well as inform the herbal practitioner of any prescription medicines being used.

How are Herbs Administered?

The traditional method of preparing herbs is to cook the raw herbs in water to form a decoction or tea. Depending on the condition and circumstances, the herbal practitioner may recommend taking the herbs in pill form, as an extract or in a powdered or granulated form.

What to Expect At an Herbal Consultation

The Chinese herbal practitioner will take a comprehensive history of the patient's general health and specific complaint, look at the tongue and take the pulse in order to form an Oriental medicine diagnosis.

After completing an evaluation, the practitioner may recommend an herbal formula consisting of several herbs. It is also possible that a Western medicine consultation and treatment may be recommended as well.

Conditions Treated by Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbal medicine is a comprehensive form of medicine that can effectively address a wide variety of conditions. It has a long clinical history of treating acute and chronic conditions. It excels in treating conditions that Western medicine has difficulty in treating - such as, gynecological problems and infertility, and chronic conditions, as well as conditions that do not have a Western medical diagnosis. Chinese herbal medicine may be used to treat infants, elderly patients and pregnant women.

Below are some of the conditions that may be addressed through Chinese herbal medicine:

Respiratory Conditions

such as colds and flu as well as chronic respiratory conditions such as allergies, asthma, emphysema, sinusitis and bronchitis.

Emotional Conditions

such as anxiety, depression and mood swings.

Gastrointestinal Conditions

such as acute or chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastritis and ulcers.

Urogenital Conditions

such as urinary tract infections, prostatitis and sexual dysfunction.

Gynecological Conditions

such as irregular or painful menstruation, infertility, PMS and menopausal symptoms.

Musculoskeletal and Neurological Conditions

such as neuralgia, migraine headaches, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain.

Circulatory Conditions

such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia.

Supportive therapy for other chronic, painful and debilitating disorders such as hepatitis and fibromyalgia.

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Lorraine H. Harris, Licensed Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist Specialist in fertility, women's health and rejuvenation located in the Western North Carolina (WNC) and Asheville area.