| |||
|
What
is Chinese herbs medicine?
Why
is traditional Chinese medicine a personalized treatment?
What
are herbal formulations?
What
is the composition of the Jinluo
system in acupuncture and Chinese medicine?
What
is the jingluo system
for acupuncture and Chinese medicine?
What
are classes of Chinese herbs?
What are examples of
commonly used herbs and their functions?
What is negative interaction between herb and drug?
What
is synergic interaction between herb and drug?
Why
do you need a profession?
What
are special in H.B.Acupuncture and Herbs?
What
i
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), diseases are often treated with herbs as well as acupuncture. Application of Chinese herbs in treating diseases is based on the nature and activities of herbs and herbs are depending on the energies, flavors, movements, and meridian belongings of the herbs. For example, there are four energies of the herbs: cold, hot, warm, and cool. When an herb is effective in the treatment of a hot syndrome, it is considered to have a hot energy. The four energies can be further divided into yin and yang. Cold and cool energies belong to yin and hot and warm energies belong to yang.
Why
is
traditional Chinese medicine a personalized treatment?
Chinese herbs and Traditional Chinese Medicines have been
used for thousands of years. It has been developed to regulate a balance of yin
and yang, to promote energy and vitality, and to prevent disease from attacking.
Its efficacy has been demonstrated again and again over thousands of years.
Chinese medicine practitioners believe that all diseases stem from imbalance of yin
and yang in local
organs and the whole body. A
properly balanced body is able to defense itself from disease attack. TCM
emphasizes the importance of moderating the entire body to reach the balance of
yin and yang. The major objective of meditation is to restore and maintain the
body balance with natural herbs and dietary treatment. Those classic
formulations of Chinese medicine are composed of multiple components to achieve
synergic effect and balance. Meanwhile, each formulation can be modified to fit
each person’s needs. Such personalized treatment provides the exact level of
treatment and reduce the risk of adverse reaction or side effects. However, the
personalized treatment heavily depends on doctor’s skill of diagnosis and
judgment of ailment status.
Herbal formulations: In most cases, one disease has more than one symptom that requires application of more than one herb. Therefore, the ancient practitioners began to use several herbs together to cope with all conditions as well as to obtain synergistic effects. Thus, formulations of different herbs were developed. A standard herbal formula consists of a king herb, subject herb, assistant herb and servant herb. Every formula must have at least one king herb, but not every formula needs a subject herb, assistant or servant herbs. Sometimes, a king herb may also act as a subject herb. Generally speaking, the king herb in a formula has the largest dose followed by the subject, assistant and servant herbs.
What
is the jingluo system
for acupuncture and Chinese medicine?
The jingluo system
is a network over the whole body to provide passage of qi. The jing
passages run lengthwise within the interior of the body while the luo
passages are the branches from jing
and run crosswise either on or just below the body's surface. They form a
network from the upper to the lower and from the exterior to the interior. The jingluo system is the foundation of
acupuncture and Chinese medicine..
What
is the composition of the Jinluo
system in acupuncture and Chinese medicine?
The Jinluo
system consists of the twelve regular channels, the eight extra channels and
the twelve divergent channels. The twelve regular channels are the three yang
channels of the hand, the three yang channels of the foot, the three
yin
channels of the hand and the three yin channels of the foot. The twelve
regular channels are the major passage of qi in the
jinluo system. They start
and terminate at given parts, run along regular routes and meet in a specified
sequence. They are associated with the organs. The eight extra channels are Du,
Ren, Chong, Dai, Yinqiao, Yangqiao, Yinwei, Yangwei.
They interlaced with the twelve regular channels, supporting the functionality
of the twelve regular channels in acupuncture. The eight extra channels are not directly
linked to any of the internal organs in Chinese medicine. The twelve divergent channels are
extensions of the twelve regular channels. They usually start from the limbs,
run into the body and meet at the back of the neck. These channels are divided
into yin and yang channels, with counterparts in both the left and right sides
of the body. The yang divergent channels start from the six regular
yang
channels and the yin divergent channels from the six
yin regular channels. They are basics of
acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
What are classes of Chinese herbs?
Chinese herbs are classified according to their actions. There are total 20 major classes, each of which represents a number of important actions: herbs to induce perspiration, herbs to reduce excessive heat inside the body, herbs to counteract rheumatism, herbs to reduce cold sensations inside the body, herbs to reduce dampness in the body, herbs lubricating dry symptoms, herbs to induce vomiting, herbs to induce bowel movements, herbs to promote digestion, herbs to suppress cough and reduce sputum, herb to regulate energy, herbs regulate blood, herbs to regain consciousness, herbs to reduce anxiety, herbs to stop involuntary movements, herbs to correct deficiencies (weakness), herbs to constrict and obstruct movements, herbs to expel or destroy parasites, herbs for ulcers and tumors, and herbs for external application (including for skin problems).
What are examples of
commonly used herbs and their functions?
Ginseng
Ginseng is the most commonly used Chinese herb in tonic
formulations. It improves vitality and energy and enhances immune system. It is
frequently used for spleen qi deficiency, lung qi deficiency, lack of appetite,
fatigue, weak limbs etc. However it is not recommended for patients with
headaches, high blood pressures or hypertensive. Both Asian ginseng and American
ginseng are used in Chinese medicine though American ginseng is more moderate
than Chinese ginseng. Ginseng is an expensive herb since it takes years to grow
and mature. The longer it grows, the more expensive it is.
ShanZhuYu (Cornus officinalis sieb . et Zucc)
Functions-- toning up the liver and kidneys, constricting semen and monitoring perspiration. Indications-- seminal emission, excessive perspiration, lumbago, dizziness, tinnitus and insomnia.
ShuDiHuang (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch)
Functions-- toning up blood, nourishing kidneys, and yin. Indications-- anemia, tinnitus, night sweats, bleeding, diabetes, and seminal emission.
DangGui (Angelica sinensis Diels)
Functions-- Toning up blood, regulating menstruation, and pain relief. Indications- anemia, irregular menstruation, and pain.
Yohimbe
Yohimbe is another tonic herb. It elevates mood, reduce
anxiety and depression, help build muscles. It also has function of enhancing
sexual prowess. Yohimbe has synergic effects when used with ginseng.
However, adverse effect could be caused by high dosage. Yohimbe is the
inner bark of the tropical tree Corynanthe Yohimbe, originated from Africa.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba has functions of improving the heart and
lungs and alleviating coughs, asthma and acute allergic inflammations. Both
leaves and fruits have medical functions. In nature, the tree itself is
resistant to insects, diseases and pollution; it can live as long as a thousand
years.
Ephedra
Ephedra (aka Ma Huang) is another tonic herb, with
functions of enhancing energy, helping lose weight and gaine muscles and
alleviating asthma and upper respiratory infections. Ephedrine alkaloids are
major active ingredients. The ephedra plant is perennial bush, grown in northern
China.
Deer Antler Velvet
Deer antler velvet is another commonly used tonic Chinese
medicine. It has function of enhancing energy and vitality and improving immune
system without side effects. It is a tonic stimulant, affecting hormonal system.
This natural product has to be specially harvested.
Reishi
Reishi is a precious Chinese medicine. It has function of
improving blood circulation, increase vitality and expanding life span.
Reishi is a rare mushroom with hard structure.
Dong Quai
Dong Quai has function of improving woman disorders. It
tonifies the blood and regulates blood deficiency manifested as pale skin,
dryness, anxiety, insomnia, constipation and poor memory. It is frequently
prescribed for menstrual disorders resulted from a blood deficiency, such as
irregular menstruation, not menstruating, or painful menstruation.
It is an aromatic Chinese herbal remedy made from the root of angelica
sinensis.
It is one of the most important herbs to deal with blood
deficiency. It is commonly used for menstrual disorders resulting from a blood
deficiency. This could manifest as irregular menstruation, not menstruating at
all, or painful or difficult menstruation.
What is negative interaction between herb and drug?
Some herbs may have negative effect on drug. Therefore, a
doctor should be advised what drug is being used. For example, Gancao (Chinese
licorice) is used in many herb formulas at low dosages. However Gancao can
decrease the absorption of drugs. When you take drugs, you should avoid use
Gancao containing formula. Ma Huang (Ephedra) should not be used when you are
taking digitalis or any other heart drugs. It could reduce the effectiveness of
anti-anxiety and sedative drugs. Ginseng may cause headache, tremulousness and
manic episodes when used with phenelzine sulfate. Echinacea could cause liver
toxicity. Therefore, it should not be used with other liver toxic drugs.
What is synergic interaction between herb and drug?
Some Chinese herbs have synergic interaction with drug,
adding up complementary effects to drug medicine. The combined therapy could
reduce the dosage of a drug. The herbal formulas restore the whole body and the
balance of ying and yang. They enhance the efficacy of drug. For example, Gancao
increases the effectiveness of prednisone. The dosage of prednisone could be
reduced and so is the side effect. The Chinese herbs Jinyinhua and Pugongying
have synergic effects with penicillin/streptomycin for mastitis. Herbal formulas
help reduce drug dosage for those who are on multiple drugs. Diuretic drugs help
reduce the excess fluids but not restore the spleen and kidney systems. Herbal
formulas can help strengthen them.
Why do you need a profession?
The classic formulas of Chinese herbal medicine that have
been practiced and tested for thousands of years are guidelines. The actual
composition of a medicine formula is decided by a doctor. Some ingredients may
be increased while other may be reduced based upon the diagnosis. And as patient
condition changes, the formula is modified accordingly. Therefore, a profession
is must be to take Chinese medicine and avoid adverse effects, even though
Chinese herbal formulas are even broader, comprehensive, and balanced than
single pharmaceutical drug.
What are special in H.B.Acupuncture and Herbs?
H. B. Acupuncture and Herbs has a collection of thousands of Chinese herbs, from which a specific formulation will be designed for each individual patient. H. B. Acupuncture and Herbs provides free service to process each formulation of Chinese herbs medicine and to pack it in convenient bags for patients as shown in the following pictures.
|
|
|
References?