Chinese Herbal Therapy
Acupuncture, moxibustion and the other adjunct practices represent only one aspect of Chinese medical treatment. Historically, Chinese herbal therapy actually predates acupuncture and was developed as a stand alone medical paradigm. Today it is still practiced very widely throughout Asia, even being incorporated into modern hospital settings. The American experience with Chinese herbs is relatively less wide spread. This is due entirely to the fact that acupuncture was the first form of Chinese medicine introduced here and training in herbs is not standard. Nonetheless, the use of herbal therapy is a critical component of traditional Chinese medicine.
Unlike pharmaceuticals, or even the use of most Western herbs, Chinese herbal formulas are typically not aimed at symptomatology per se. Chinese herbal therapy is based on a “poly-pharmacy” approach. That is to say, rather than using single herbs to address isolated health concerns, herbs are put together in special combinations to make formulas. These formulas are designed to re-balance the body in accordance with the principles of Chinese medicine consistent with a professional diagnosis. Symptoms are resolved, not due to suppression, but because their root causes are addressed.
Chinese herbal therapy can be used either alone or in conjunction with acupuncture. Often times, herbal therapy can address health issues that acupuncture alone cannot resolve.
Unlike pharmaceuticals, or even the use of most Western herbs, Chinese herbal formulas are typically not aimed at symptomatology per se. Chinese herbal therapy is based on a “poly-pharmacy” approach. That is to say, rather than using single herbs to address isolated health concerns, herbs are put together in special combinations to make formulas. These formulas are designed to re-balance the body in accordance with the principles of Chinese medicine consistent with a professional diagnosis. Symptoms are resolved, not due to suppression, but because their root causes are addressed.
Chinese herbal therapy can be used either alone or in conjunction with acupuncture. Often times, herbal therapy can address health issues that acupuncture alone cannot resolve.
Off The Shelf vs Custom Preparations
Chinese herbal therapy as we know it has been practiced for at least a millennia. During this time, many basic formulas have been established for the myriad patterns identified in Chinese medical diagnostics. Many of these so-called “patent” formulas have been used for centuries. In modern times, there has been a drive to make the in home use of herbs more practical. Most of the classic patent formulas have been manufactured by a variety of Chinese herbal companies and put into easy to take forms, such as tinctures, capsules and pills.
While there are advantages to using pre-fabricated formulas, they also have rather significant limitations. By definition, they each address simple treatment patterns. In Kay's practice, she uses off the shelf patent formulas only in limited circumstances, such as when targeting specific often transient issues. For example, there are very effective formulas that help with targeted issues, such as trauma, cold and flu treatment, acid reflux, sinus congestion, or UTIs, to name a few. Kay calls these the "medicine cabinet" formulas.
In treating chronic health issues, where a diagnosis is typically complex, Kay tends to disfavor ready made patents. To address more complex situations with patent formulas, it might require the use of several different formulas. Not only impractical and expensive, this approach would still never render a perfect fit.
Traditionally, prior to the manufacturing of pills, the patent formulas were not used in identical form from case to case. The idea of a basic formula might be used and then modified by the practitioner to fit the individual - changing relative proportions, or substituting and adding herbs to meet additional needs. Formulas are also tweaked as a patient progresses through treatment.
The bottom line is that the best clinical results are really seen with customizing, and customizing really only works well with an experienced practitioner.
While there are advantages to using pre-fabricated formulas, they also have rather significant limitations. By definition, they each address simple treatment patterns. In Kay's practice, she uses off the shelf patent formulas only in limited circumstances, such as when targeting specific often transient issues. For example, there are very effective formulas that help with targeted issues, such as trauma, cold and flu treatment, acid reflux, sinus congestion, or UTIs, to name a few. Kay calls these the "medicine cabinet" formulas.
In treating chronic health issues, where a diagnosis is typically complex, Kay tends to disfavor ready made patents. To address more complex situations with patent formulas, it might require the use of several different formulas. Not only impractical and expensive, this approach would still never render a perfect fit.
Traditionally, prior to the manufacturing of pills, the patent formulas were not used in identical form from case to case. The idea of a basic formula might be used and then modified by the practitioner to fit the individual - changing relative proportions, or substituting and adding herbs to meet additional needs. Formulas are also tweaked as a patient progresses through treatment.
The bottom line is that the best clinical results are really seen with customizing, and customizing really only works well with an experienced practitioner.
What Form of Herbs Are Used?
The traditional methodology of using custom formulas is to give the patient bags of dried whole herbs to boil down at home into a water decoction. Large quantities of herbs are required and the patient has to prepare the decoction at least every other day. Cooking herbs is time consuming, easy to do incorrectly and gives off a permeating odor many find unpleasant. It is difficult to assure herbal quality and purity and is cumbersome for practitioners to keep a fully stocked pharmacy of whole herbs fresh. Understandably, compliance for this methodology in American culture is extremely low.
In her practice, Kay uses an herbal preparation known as granulars. These are commercially prepared high potency freeze dried decoctions of individual herbs. The granulars for each herb are precisely measured and combined to create a customized formula. The resulting mix is readily dissolved in a small amount of water for easy and quick administration.
In her practice, Kay uses an herbal preparation known as granulars. These are commercially prepared high potency freeze dried decoctions of individual herbs. The granulars for each herb are precisely measured and combined to create a customized formula. The resulting mix is readily dissolved in a small amount of water for easy and quick administration.
Are Chinese Herbs Safe?
Some people are concerned about the general safety of Chinese herbs. Medical doctors may primarily be the ones to raise objections to the use of Chinese herbs for patients, citing the lack of FDA approval, potential adverse effects and questionable product integrity (contaminants and unlabeled ingredients). In reality, these concerns are reflective mostly of a lack of familiarity by the medical community and highlight the need to consult with an experienced and qualified practitioner.
FDA Approval
The FDA approval process is purported to be a measure of safety and efficacy. Whether it achieves this purpose is highly debatable. In any event, the FDA approval process is, by law, restricted to pharmaceutical drugs. Like vitamins and other natural supplements, Chinese herbs are not subject to the regulatory rubric of FDA approval. Also like vitamins, lack of FDA approval is not an indication that they are either unsafe or ineffective.
Adverse Reactions
Chinese herbs have safely and effectively been in wide spread use for centuries. In fact, they have a much safer track record than the FDA approved drugs. Adverse reactions to FDA approved drugs, used as directed, is now the fourth most common cause of death in the United States. This does not take into account over doses and improper administration. Nor does this statistic consider the number of non-fatal hospitalizations and illnesses caused solely by FDA approved drugs.
In recent times, one Chinese herb, ma huang (ephedra), was incorrectly used by Western holistic practitioners for weight loss. The bio-active component of ephedrine was also isolated and used in higher concentrated forms, but still billed as a “natural” supplement. This unfortunately resulted in serious adverse cardiac events. Ephedrine in all its forms (including the whole herb ma huang) was banned in 2004. Therefore ma huang is not legally available for distribution in the United States and will never be included in your formulas.
As for the remaining herbs in the Chinese pharmacopeia, any side effect tends to be low risk and self limiting. If a bad reaction happens, it is most likely to be an unwelcome change in digestive function, like constipation, loose stools, diarrhea or bloating. These effects will stop if you simply cease taking the herbs. A skilled practitioner can typically make adjustments to your formula to counteract any discomfort.
Product Integrity
Herbal purity is an important concern. Like the other unregulated supplements, this can be addressed by using products from reputable companies that rigorously test for contaminants and quality. Kay uses only the highest quality granulars available on the market today, from a company called KPC, which guarantees product purity. (Visit www.kpc.com for more information about its modern scientific processing methods and quality and purity testing practices.)
FDA Approval
The FDA approval process is purported to be a measure of safety and efficacy. Whether it achieves this purpose is highly debatable. In any event, the FDA approval process is, by law, restricted to pharmaceutical drugs. Like vitamins and other natural supplements, Chinese herbs are not subject to the regulatory rubric of FDA approval. Also like vitamins, lack of FDA approval is not an indication that they are either unsafe or ineffective.
Adverse Reactions
Chinese herbs have safely and effectively been in wide spread use for centuries. In fact, they have a much safer track record than the FDA approved drugs. Adverse reactions to FDA approved drugs, used as directed, is now the fourth most common cause of death in the United States. This does not take into account over doses and improper administration. Nor does this statistic consider the number of non-fatal hospitalizations and illnesses caused solely by FDA approved drugs.
In recent times, one Chinese herb, ma huang (ephedra), was incorrectly used by Western holistic practitioners for weight loss. The bio-active component of ephedrine was also isolated and used in higher concentrated forms, but still billed as a “natural” supplement. This unfortunately resulted in serious adverse cardiac events. Ephedrine in all its forms (including the whole herb ma huang) was banned in 2004. Therefore ma huang is not legally available for distribution in the United States and will never be included in your formulas.
As for the remaining herbs in the Chinese pharmacopeia, any side effect tends to be low risk and self limiting. If a bad reaction happens, it is most likely to be an unwelcome change in digestive function, like constipation, loose stools, diarrhea or bloating. These effects will stop if you simply cease taking the herbs. A skilled practitioner can typically make adjustments to your formula to counteract any discomfort.
Product Integrity
Herbal purity is an important concern. Like the other unregulated supplements, this can be addressed by using products from reputable companies that rigorously test for contaminants and quality. Kay uses only the highest quality granulars available on the market today, from a company called KPC, which guarantees product purity. (Visit www.kpc.com for more information about its modern scientific processing methods and quality and purity testing practices.)
Ethical Considerations
Chinese herbal medicine has often been maligned in the media for its "traditional" use of endangered animal products. The vast majority of traditional ingredients used in Chinese herbal therapy are either plant or mineral sources. Animal products of any kind (for example, deer antler or certain insects) have a minuscule role to play and are never strictly necessary in any formula. As to endangered species, these products are not even legally available for distribution in the United States and are therefore not utilized by any licensed practitioner.
Caution: Please Don't Shop the Internet
Reliance on the internet for sources of both information and product purchase can exacerbate safety issues. Herbal products, particularly those imported from China, can have problems around contamination, quality and content.
Patient self diagnosis and formula selecting is also rife with issues because much of the online information focuses on a list of symptoms Chinese herbs might treat. Unfortunately, the Western prejudice for symptomatology has influenced the marketing of Chinese herbs in America. Because herbs are professionally prescribed based on Chinese medical patterns, not on symptoms, very wrong formulas could be inadvertently chosen by an unwary consumer. There is no standardization of what symptoms might be referred to with any given formula. The same symptom is likely to show up on very different formulas. Incorrect formula choices are not only unlikely to work, but might even make a condition worse.
Patient self diagnosis and formula selecting is also rife with issues because much of the online information focuses on a list of symptoms Chinese herbs might treat. Unfortunately, the Western prejudice for symptomatology has influenced the marketing of Chinese herbs in America. Because herbs are professionally prescribed based on Chinese medical patterns, not on symptoms, very wrong formulas could be inadvertently chosen by an unwary consumer. There is no standardization of what symptoms might be referred to with any given formula. The same symptom is likely to show up on very different formulas. Incorrect formula choices are not only unlikely to work, but might even make a condition worse.