Chinese Herb Medicine FAQ
We have received many
questions from our web site visitors regarding Chinese Herb Medicine. Dr. Li reviewed
these questions. Those very common and important questions are selected and answered
by Dr. Li. The following is those FAQ and Dr. Li's answers:
Q: What is the
Chinese herb?
Dr. Li: In China, people have been using natural herbs to treat
a wide variety of diseases and conditions. These herbs are called herbal medicine,
which are composed of roots, bark, flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves, and branches.
It is well known that Traditional Chinese Medicine has over 3000 years history
and Chinese herb medicine is one of most important part of Traditional Chinese
Medicine which also includes acupuncture. In China, there are over 3000 different
herbs that can be used for medical purposes. However, about 300 to 500 of these
herbs are commonly used. It is important to use herbs grown in China rather than
outside of their native environment. One must use the right herb from the right
source to get the full benefit.
Q: What can Chinese herbs do for me?
Dr.
Li: Chinese Herbal therapy or herb medicine has three main functions:
1. Treat
the acute diseases and conditions such as killing bacteria or a virus;
2.
Heal chronic illness such as gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory disorder,
allergies, immune system deficiency, etc. by strengthening the body, helping it
to recover;
3. Maintain daily life health by keeping the balance of human body.
In general, herbs can treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Comparing
with chemical medicine, Chinese herbal medicine is much more gentler and safer
because it is made of natural herbs. Most of Chinese herbs do not cause side effects.
Even some side effects that do occur among a few herbs, those side effects can
be easily counteracted with other herbs. For these reasons, people turn to herbal
therapy for a number of indications. More and more people rely on Chinese herb
medicine as alternative after chemical medicine failed.
Chronic illness treatment
- As we know, many people with chronic illness may take a number of different
conventional drugs daily. Chinese herb medicine is a very good alternative for
those who are looking for a natural alternative for the conventional western medicine.
There are many very efficient Chinese herbal patent medicines and prescribed herb
formulas for the medications taken for pain syndromes, gastrointestinal disorders,
neurological disorders, stress related syndromes, respiratory disorders, heart
problems, sexual dysfunction, allergies and immune system deficiencies, as well
as replacements for antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Side effect reduction
- As mentioned early, Chinese herbs are safer and less side-effects. Actually
they can be taken to reduce the side effects of other medication such as antibiotics,
chemotherapy, etc. It is well known that antibiotics weaken the immune system.
Herbal therapy can strengthen the system. Also, during chemotherapy, the white
blood cell count drops, which causes fatigue, lack of energy and appetite. Herbal
therapy has proven quite successful in relieving the side effects of chemotherapy.
For prevention - People may take Chinese herb medicine for disease prevention.
For instance, for a person suffering from frequent headaches, taking herbs to
prevent the headache from ever starting is a much better option than taking a
pain reliever after the fact. Herbs are also used to prevent the flu, menstrual
cramps and premenstrual syndrome, among other things. For health maintenance-
Herbal therapy can also be used for general health maintenance. Tonic herbs are
used to increase energy and to slow the aging process. They are also used for
enhancing sexual energy and for cosmetic purposes. Herbs arc also used to treat
minor symptoms that are not severe enough for heavy chemical drugs, symptoms that
cannot be diagnosed by Western medicine, and symptoms and illness that are not
easy to treat, such as mononucleosis and immune system deficiencies.
Q: Have
herbs been processed before use by patients?
Dr. Li: Yes. Chinese Herbs have
been processed before use.
Why? First of all, the processing can reduce any
possible side effects of herbs by detoxifying the herbs. The second reason for
processing herbs is for filtering out impurities such as dirt and sand. Another
reason is the processing can soften the strong taste or smell of herbs. Finally,
it is very important to address that processing herbs can enhance their functions.
Q:
Can you tell me the difference between Chinese patent and prescribed herbs?
Dr.
Li: Chinese Patent herbs are premixed herb combinations according to the traditional
formulas developed by experts in traditional Chinese medicine through over 3000
years. They are similar to over-the-counter-drugs and usually in the form of pill,
capsule and liquid. The advantages of Chinese patent herbs are convenient, ease
to take, less expensive. However, patient's symptoms must fit the patent herb's
narrow indications.
Prescribed herbs are mixed by a herbalist according to
an individual patient's symptoms and diagnoses. In general speaking, prescribed
herbs are more effective than patent herbs because the prescribed herbs are tailored
to your symptoms and conditions exclusively by your herbalist if he or she is
very good at traditional Chinese medicine.
Q: Can I buy Chinese patent herbs
from herb store directly?
Dr. Li: Although Chinese patent herbs are relative
safe and have less side-effect, I do not recommend you buy Chinese patent herbs
from herb store or other channels without obtaining advice from a certified herbalist.
Q:
Are the concentrated herbs as the same good as the raw herbs in prescribed herbs?
Dr.
Li: Yes! The concentrated herbs are made from the raw herbs. First of all, best
herbal sources from China are selected. Then these raw herbs are purified. After
that they are processed through steaming, cooking, finally condensed into fine
granular particles. Therefore, they are easy to be dissolved and absorbed and
enhance the healing process.
Q: Why Chinese herbs are always mixed in formula
to use?
Dr. Li: Chinese herbalists usually do not prescribe single herb for
their patients. Chinese herbs usually are used in combinations of 8 to 15 herbs.
There are three major reasons to support the combination practice. Mutual Reinforcement
involves combining two or more very similar herbs together to create a stronger
effect. Mutual Assistance is the way to use one herb to help another work better.
Mutual Restraint is meant to use one herb to reduce or eliminate side effects
of another herb in the combination.
All of these demonstrate that a herbalist
should be experienced and knowledgeable about herbs before attempting to combine
them. Otherwise, Mutual Inhibition occurs when one herb reduces another's Effectiveness;
Incompatibility occurs when the combination of certain herbs produces side effects
or becomes poisonous.
I received many emails and phone calls regarding where
to buy single Chinese herb. I think that Many of people in the United States misunderstood
Chinese herb medicine when they tried to use single Chinese herb to treat some
diseases and conditions. One of the most important advatages of Chinese medicine
is the power of mixing.
Q: Could you offer me some precautions while I take
herbs?
Dr. Li: Like anything else you put in your body, you should be taken
a certain amount of caution when you take Chinese herbs. For instance, some herbs
are too strong for pregnant women and may cause miscarriage. Certain foods can
have adverse effects on the herbal therapy. In general speaking, when taking Chinese
herbs, one should avoid food that is raw (fruit is okay, but vegetables should
be cooked), greasy, strong tasting or smelling, difficult to digest (such as beef),
or irritating to the digestive system (like spicy foods). It is always a good
idea to get advice from a herbalist before you take Chinese herbs.
Q: How are
herbs taken?
Dr. Li: As you know, prescribed herbal medicine is traditionally
taken in tea form. Human body absorbs tea easily and quickly so it is the most
commonly used method. Sometimes, if the smell or taste of the herbal medicine
is unpleasant, capsule or tablet form of this herbal medicine is recommended.
Tea should always be warm, and capsules or tablets should be swallowed with warm
water. Generally, it is best to take herbs just before you serve meals. You should
consult a herbalist for specific instructions on taking herbs. For example, tonic
herbs, to promote health, are best taken before meals. Purgative herbs, to cleanse
the system, are best taken on an empty stomach. Herbs that either irritate the
stomach or are taken to protect the stomach should be taken after eating. Herbs
for insomnia and other sleeping disorders should be taken at bedtime.