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Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Medicinal Herbs |
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What is Chinese herbal medicine? Drugs all have many side effects , is this true of Chinese herbal formulas? How are herbs different from pharmaceuticals? How is Chinese herbal medicine different than contemporary drug therapy? How can Chinese herbal formulas help me? How can I know if a particular herbal formula will work best for me? How long will it take for the herbs to be effective? What is a Patent herbal formula? What is a custom herbal formula? How expensive are Chinese herbal formulas? What conditions can be treated?
What is Chinese herbal medicine? Herbal medicine, in general is the art and science of using herbs for promotion of health and in treating patterns of illness and disease. Herbal medicine has been part of the medical delivery systems of the world for thousands of years. Chinese herbal medicine is one of the worlds great herbal systems and has an unbroken tradition stretching back to the third century BC. Our own contemporary medical system pharmacopeia has its origins in natural compounds found in all parts of plants, minerals and animals. We continue to do pharmaceutical research on plants, seeking compounds that will help in many human diseases. Chinese herbal medicine has an extensive pharmacopeia that is used in both patent and custom formulations to help the patient heal. Renowned Chinese physicians throughout its history have contributed to its growth and wisdom in treating not only symptoms but underlying imbalances. In the past five decades in China and now in the United States and Europe, extensive research has and continues to be conducted in Chinese herbal effectiveness and the results are impressive. top
China is the largest agricultural producer of herbs used in Oriental medical formulas. The Chinese herbal pharmacopeia has consistently grown in size since its beginnings. The growth of the herbal trade with India, Arabia and Vietnam brought additional medicinals to China. The silk road between Europe and Asia established in Marco Polo’s time also brought more herbals that were included in Chinese herbal medicine. Today herbs that originated all over the world are cultivated and grown in China and are part of their vast Materia Medica of herbal medicines. Seventy five percent of the worlds population still rely, primarily on traditional healing practices, most of which is based in herbal medicine. While the use of herbs in America has been overshadowed by dependence on modem medications in the last 100 years the medicinal use of herbals in the United States has seen a resurgence and has grown significantly in the last two decades. top
Chinese herbal preparations can take many forms. In our contemporary times, patients prefer either tablets , capsules or powders for convenience. Traditionally, the raw herbs , consisting of roots, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and other parts of the plant were measured according to a specific formula and then simmered and steeped in water. The patient then drank the resulting strained decoction. This would take ½ - 1 hour to prepare. Some practitioners and patients in the United States still prescribe and take these decoctions. Most people however, opt for convenience, and tablets are available and prescribed as patent ( standard formula) medicine. However, many times in our practice we prepare a custom formula made specifically for the patient. In these cases we use the herbs in a powdered form for ease of mixing the appropriate formula. These powders can be taken in capsules or mixed into water or other drink. Tablets and capsules are most commonly used for treating chronic or short term disorders, but can also be kept in your medicine cabinet for use in acute disorders such as the common cold, indigestion, or mild constipation. Chinese herbs are also available in lotions, creams, and salves. These are generally applied to sore or inflamed areas to relieve pain and inflammation. top Herbs are now grown and manufactured under Pharmaceutical GMP standards. We purchase our herbals from reputable companies that provide quality herbs and process them in state of the art manufacturing facilities. High quality assurance standards in all aspects of the process: selection, screening, comprehensive analytical testing, formulation , extraction and vacuum evaporation and granulation are used. This guarantees authenticity, potency, purity and safety to produce pharmaceutical grade products. top
Drugs all have many side effects , is this true of Chinese herbal formulas? One of the most appealing qualities of Chinese herbal medicine is the low risk of adverse reactions or side effects. Chinese herbal formulas are tailored for the individual and their specific patterns of disharmony and disorder. Because formulas contain herbs specific to the condition(s) that you describe and the patterns the practitioner determines, the chances of side effects are minimal. A review of the scientific literature shows that serious side effects from the use of herbal medicines are rare. Even though there are little or no side effects with Chinese herbal medicine when prescribed properly, there are however, circumstances when some herbs should not be taken, and long term use or large dosages of some herbs can be inappropriate. For this reason it is important to take herbs only under the direction of a Chinese herbal practitioner. Click here more information on herbal formula preparation top
How are herbs different from pharmaceuticals? Most pharmaceutical drugs are single chemical entities that are highly refined and purified and are often synthesized. In the 1980’s about 85'% of modern drugs were originally derived from plants. Currently, only 15% of drugs are derived from plants. In contrast, herbal medicines are prepared from living or dried plants and contain hundreds to thousands of interrelated compounds. Our conntemporary clinical and medical sciences are beginning to demonstrate that the safety and effectiveness of herbs is often related to the synergy of their many constituents. top How is Chinese herbal medicine different than contemporary drug therapy? Contemporary drug therapy ignores the individual as a whole and at times the drug therapy, especially if taking multiple medications, can produce side effects that create more symptoms in the patient than what they are being treated for. This difference between Chinese herbal formula preparation based on the individual and contemporary pharmaceutical drug therapy has a profound significance. top How can Chinese herbal medical formulas help me?
They can be used in three essential ways: 1) to prevent disease 2) to treat disease 3) to maximize and promote your health potential. Herbs can also be used for the symptomatic relief of minor ailments. The aim of herbal therapy is to regain balance within the body’s systems and with their relationship with your environment. top How can I know if a particular herbal formula will work best for me?
How long will it take for the herbs to be effective? The success of herbal treatment always depends upon a variety of factors including how long the condition has existed, the severity of the condition and how thoroughly the treatment plans are followed. It can be as short as a few minutes if you are using an herbal formula to relieve indigestion after a meal when you experience gas and bloating, a few days to a week if you are using a formula to reduce daily fatigue, or months in the case of patients with a chronic disease like viral hepatitic C. top What is a patent herbal formula? Patent formulas have been developed throughout the long history of medicine in China. These formulas were derived through centuries of diagnosing common patterns seen in medical practice. A large number of patients seen by a practitioner today may be able to have a patent herbal formula prescribed that will be effective for their disorder. At times, a practitioner will use a patent herbal formula as the core formula and add or subtract herbs based on the patients diagnosis. Because Chinese medicine seeks to help strengthen a persons constitutional and healing powers, it is not uncommon to prescribe a patent formula to supplement our diet on a regular basis. top
What is a custom herbal formula? Individual herbs are rarely prescribed alone in Chinese medicine. A carefully balanced formula of several different herbs is specifically tailored for each person’s complete health status and condition. Each herb is chosen for its own specific functions. A typical formula will contain herbs for the main therapeutic principle and herbs which aid and extend the functions of the major herbs. This is helping synergistically. In addition, herbs that assist in alleviating specific symptoms and reduce any possible side effects are part of the formula. Lastly, herbs that help guide the other herbs to their target destination are included. Most herbal formulas contain 4 to 10 herbs. In this way, formulas can address complicating disease mechanisms. The combination of herbs in a formula provides a more complete therapeutic agency. The combination of herbs provides a better opportunity to treat the whole person , to not only address the disease and symptoms but support the individual in strengthening their own healing potential. It is important to recognize that in our practice we review a patient’s progress at each office visit. With the flexibility of custom formulas we can change the formula to address the current needs of the patient at each visit for maximum benefit. Customizing the formula is essential to obtain maximum therapeutic effect. Herbal formulas made from powders are easiest to modify. Addition or subtraction of a single herb can have a significant impact on the effect of the formula for an individual patient. Patients are treated as individuals. For example, if two women have the same main menstrual pattern irregularities but one has poor digestion, they will both receive individual custom formulas, specific to their needs. Very few prescriptions should be taken long term without modification, because you, as a patient, are constantly changing top.
How expensive are Chinese herbal formulas? Chinese Herbs are less expensive than most pharmaceutical prescription drugs and are generally about the same cost as over the counter medications. A typical Chinese herbal formula will cost between $6.00 - $15.00 per week. top
What conditions can be treated? The range of conditions that can be treated with Chinese herbs is extensive. The following are examples of broad categories: Skin problems, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, Digestive disorders, including IBS, GERDS, Constipation, diarrhea, Gynecological problems from puberty through menopause including premenstrual, menstruation, and infertility
Pain including, headache, musculoskeletal, mental-emotional Mental- Emotional problems including Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, ADHD, SAD Sleep disorders Rehabilitation in Stroke
Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
Asthma, coughs, bronchitis, Urinary problems top
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