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In 1989 the World Health Organisation Of The United Nations published a book listing 150 of the most commonly used herbs in Chinese medicine. Here are some quotes from the book:
"China has a long history of herbal medicine and has developed a unique system for using it. The herbs safety and efficiency have been established by means of modern tests in a scientific frame work."
"Medicinal plants have been in use for untold centuries and have proved reliable and effective in treating and preventing disease. Most species of medicinal plants are not toxic and therefore give rise to few, if any, side effects; even when some adverse effects do occur, they are much less serious than those caused by chemically synthesised medicines."
One of the first books about Chinese Herbal Medicine was written 2200 years ago by Shen Nong called The Classic of Materia Medica. Since that time, a vast amount of experience has been gained which has gone towards perfecting their clinical use today. There are an estimated 7000 species of Chinese Herbal Medicine in use,including nearly 1,000 materials derived from animal sources and over 100 minerals, all of them categorised under the general heading "herbs." They are processed in various ways, such as cleaning, soaking, slicing, and drying.
The reason that more Westerners are turning to Chinese herbs rather than local herbs is because of the vast experience in using the Chinese materials. In every province of China, there are large schools of traditional Chinese medicine, research institutes, and teaching hospitals, where thousands of practitioners each year gain training in the use of herbs. The written heritage of Chinese medicine is quite rich. Ancient books are retained, with increasing numbers of commentaries. New books are written by practitioners who have had several decades of personal experience or by compilers who scan the vast diverse modern literature and arrange the results of clinical trials into neat categories.
A practitioner need only have about 200 herbs to be able to treat most common ailments. After consultation and traditional Chinese diagnosis, a formulation of between 8 and 15 herbs will be pescribed. The ingredients and amounts of each item depend on the nature of the condition to be treated.
Some of the herbs in the formula treat the underlying cause of the complaint others treat the symptoms and the rest help strengthen the bodies own immune system so it can help heal the condition. Each week the patient is re diagnosed and as the patients condition improves the herbal formula is changed accordingly.
Scientists during the past four decades have demonstrated that the herb materials contain active components which can explain their claimed actions. Many modern drugs have been developed from the herbs, for example;
The herb Ma Huang, Chinese ephedra, which has the action of stimulating perspiration and opening the breathing passages, has been used in asthma, hay fever and sinus congestion drugs. In addition, Ma huang also has the stimulating action of invigorating the central nervous system energy. Which has led to its use in metabolic enhancing drugs. It has been shown that most of these effects are due to two alkaloid components, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.
Another Chinese Herb called Gan Cao,Licorice root has the action of neutralising toxins, reducing inflammation, and enhancing digestion. In Europe, a drug has been made from licorice extract that heals gastric ulcers. Licorice is used by Chinese doctors in the treatment of hepatitis, sore throat, muscle spasms, and, when baked with honey, for treatment hyperthyroidism and heart valve diseases.
The herb Qinghaosu, Artemisinin is used in Chinese medicine in antimalarial formulas and has been shown to possesses a novel bioactive peroxide group that distinguishes it from the old generation of antimalarial drugs. It is effective in treating chloroquine-resistant and severe cases of malaria without side effects. Chinese researchers started to evaluate various extracts of the plant during the late 1960s and bioactivity-directed isolation finally yielded this new antimalarial drug in 1972.
The above examples showing that active ingreadince have been extracted from Chinese herbs to be used in western drug therapies clearly demonstrate that Chinese herbal medicine is not a placebo effect .
In resent years the west has come to realise the great contribution that Chinese Herbal Medicine can make in many areas of health care. An example of this is the use of Chinese Herbal Medicine in the treatment of AIDS/HIV.
The following combination of Chinese herbs called Composition A Formulation has been used since spring1994 in the U.S., Canada, and Europe as a supplement for HIV/AIDS. The main action of these herbs is to promote cell-mediated immune functions, regulate hormone levels, and reduce inflammation.
Ganoderma 15.5%
Astragalus 11.5%
Isatis 6.0%
Millettia 4.0%
Phellodendron 3.8%
Hu-chang 3.8%
Oldenlandia 3.8%
Lonicera 3.8%
Deer antler 3.8%
Rehmannia 3.2%
Andrographis 3.0%
Sophora sub 3.0%
Salvia 3.0%
Tortoise shell 2.7%
Ligustrum 2.7%
Curcuma 2.5%
Atractylodes 2.5%
Ginseng 2.5%
Peony 2.5%
Epimedium 2.5%
Cistanche 2.5%
Lycium fruit 2.0%
Ophiopogon 2.0%
Tang-kuei 1.7%
Schizandra 1.7%
Licorice 1.6%
Cardamon 1.2%
Citrus 1.2%
* Ganoderma, astragalus, deer antler, rehmannia, ligustrum,
atractylodes, ginseng, epimedium, lycium fruit,
ophiopogon, cistanche, tang-kuei, tortoise shell, and
licorice are tonic herbs used to strengthen the resistance
to disease, improve energy, nourish blood, and prevent
deterioration. They make up just over half of the
formulation.
* Isatis, phellodendron, hu-chang, ionicera, andrographis,
oldenlandia, and sophora are infection-inhibiting herbs
that have a broad spectrum of action, affecting viruses,
bacteria, and yeasts. These make up almost one-third of
the formulation.
* Millettia, salvia, curcuma, and peony are classified as
blood circulating herbs that relax constriction of vessels
and enhance nourishment of the tissues. They make up about
one-eighth of the formulation.
More than 2,000 individuals have been monitored in HIV treatment programs using Chinese herbs during the last eight years. Reports of improved energy, reduced symptoms (including lymphatic swelling, nightsweats, and diarrhoea), and quicker recovery from secondary and opportunistic infections are common results--one or more of these favourable responses can be expected in about 60-75% of all individuals who follow the recommended Chinese herbal treatment.
No adverse reactions have been reported from using Chinese herbs with other kinds of therapy. In fact, Chinese herbs are frequently used to reduce the side-effects of Western drugs. Most people notice benefits of the herbs within a six weeks. The deterioration in health that is usually seen in persons with HIV does not appear to occur if treatment begins early and is pursued consistently.
Another well documented example of the benefits of Chinese herbal medicine was a resent, controlled clinical trial conducted in Japan which showed that sho-saiko-to, an extract of seven Chinese herbs, helps prevent liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis. This is the first treatment in any medical system that offers such benefits.
In another study, a controlled, double-blind British clinical trial-a formula of 10 herbs produced impressive responses in treating severe atopic eczema, a widespread skin disease that was resistant to conventional Western therapies.
A trial of Chinese herbal medicine for malignant tumours of digestive system was conducted at the Longhua Hospital, Shanghai, China .The Chinese herbal treatment group received the same treatment as the control group except for the Chinese herbal administration.
The basic herbal formula was composed of Dseudostellaria heterophylla (Mig.) pax et Hoffm, Atractylodes macroce phala Koidz, Poria cocos (schw) wolf, Dinellia tenata (Thunb) Breit, Milletlia reticulata, Ostrea gigas Thumb, Prunella Vulgris L and Prunus mume (Sieb) Sieb.
The 0.5yr, 1yr, 2yr, and 3yr survival rates of advanced gastric cancer in the Chinese herbal treatment group (60 cases) were 88.33%, 71.67%, 51.67%, 30% respectively while those in the control group (60 cases) were 53.33%,31.67%, 10%, 8.3% respectively,(P<0.05).
The examples I have shown for the success of Chinese herbal medicine is in the treatment of AIDS, Cancer, Maleria etc, however it is most well known for its ability to treat more general health problems like;
Anaemia Cystitis ME
Angina Diarrhoea Menopausal Symptoms
Anxiety Dizziness Migraine
Arthritis Frozen Shoulder Neck Pains
Asthma Gastric Pains Palpitations
Backache Glandular fever PMT
Bronchitis Hay Fever Rheumatism
Colds Hepatitis Rhinitis
Colitis Hernia Sciatica
Conjunctivitis Influenza Sinusitis
Constipation Insomnia Sports Injuries
Coughs Irritable Bowel Syndrome Tennis Elbow
Cramps Jaundice Tinnitis
In mainland China Herbal Medicine is not an alternative medical system it is THE medical system .It is used in conjunction with Acupuncture and together they are referred to as Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In the United Kingdom of Great Britain it is legal under Common Law for Herbal Practitioners to operate due to the unique "Herbalists Charter" introduced by King Henry VIII.
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