Herbal Medicine

Chinese horology has one of the most important roles in traditional Chinese medicine. It is difficult to talk about Chinese herbs without talking about other principles of Chinese medicine. Chinese herbs are made up of botanicals, minerals and animal parts. The appropriate herb is chosen by its properties, function, taste, direction and the meridian it enters. There are different categories of herbs such as Qi (energy) tonic herbs that tonify, strengthen the immune system, and body systems. Qi dispersing herbs, herbs that regulate the blood, heat clearing, drain dampness, phlegm transforming, stop cough, moistening, drying, consolidating, spirit calming, opens the orifices, warm and cool, extinguish wind and more.

Some herbs move qi upward, downward, or outward. There are certain tastes or flavors that the body organs tend to have an affinity for according to the five-element theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Heart/ small intestine the fire element likes bitter, liver/ gallbladder wood, likes sour, stomach /spleen, earth, likes sweet, lung/large intestine, metal likes pungent, and kidney/ urinary bladder, water likes salty. These flavors correspond to the taste of the botanical, animal parts or mineral used and as to which meridian the herb will be directed. Depending on the disease that is presented and the signs that are shown in their totality, one may make the choice of herb based first on organ or meridian system involved. Then the appropriate action of the herb is chosen to bring the body back into balance. An example of this is in the case of constipation. First the physian would have to determine what is the cause of the constipation it could be due to such patterns as accumulation of cold or heat, deficiency of blood, dryness of the intestine, over all insufficiency of body fluids, qi deficiency, qi stagnation in the intestines, wind – heat, or deficiency of qi and heat combination. Through asking and observing the physian would be able to determine the cause of the constipation and the appropriate herb for the patient with the appropriate temperature, action, affinity and flavor in order to treat the right type of constipation. The herb may be one that is pungent in order to direct the energy to the large intestine. Second, it must be determined if the constipation is due to dryness or heat, qi deficiency or other reasons and then prescribed the herb with the appropriate action. In the case of deficiency of qi the herbs used may be herbs that are strengthening and moving for the intestine while if constipation were due to dryness and heat then herbs that moisten and cools would be more appropriate. If those herbs were interchanged for the same patients the condition of the constipation could be even made worst. Each patient and each case is unique and this is part of the beauty of Chinese herbology, herbs are chosen for each specific case based on the signs and symptoms the patient presents.

Most of the time more than a single herb is used to treat a patient in the form of a formula. A formula may contain from 5 to 15 different herbs used in combination. This is due to the complexity of the case and how it may be presented. In an herbal formula there are herbs that help the action of the principle herb and some times even to modify or help the herb to perform the appropriate action. There may be herbs added to protect the body from some of the functions of the herbs so that the reaction is not as deep or strong on the patient. Some herbs are added to guide the principle herb or herbs.

There may be herbs that empirically when used together perform a certain action or enhance each other. If an herb in the formula tends to be too hot then cooling herbs may be added to tone down the effect of the hot herb. If I want to treat more than one symptom at the same time then I may add herbs that will affect that particular organ or system of the body like for example calming the mind while reducing liver heat. An herb may even be added to protect the qi while draining or clearing toxins or heat.

The use of Chinese herbs is a science in itself and there are many approaches to it. Each case is unique and patients can get care tailored to their needs. Studies are on going as to the effectiveness and best use of herbs to better care for patients. Chinese herbs have been used for hundreds of years with great benefits. In the hands of a qualified practitioner one can get great results.