History of Chinese Herbal Medicine
The earliest Chinese pharmacopoeia, The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica, was compiled around 206 B.C. and contained 365 herbs. It was written by Shennong, who was credited with teaching China the practice of agriculture and with tasting hundreds of herbs to carefully test and record their therapeutic properties. Over the milleniums, Chinese physicians have written many new discoveries and classifications of herbs into the medical literature. From 206 B.C. to the present, many herbs were added to what is now known as the Chinese Materia Medica, or the book of Chinese herbal medicines. The current edition contains over 10,000 natural substances.
How do the herbs work?
Each herb in the Chinese medicinal pharmacoepia has been thoroughly studied for its flavor, therapeutic property, and active organ system. Each herb is then categorized by its primary therapeutic action, and combined into formulas with other herbs. These formulas are customized to each patient’s specific health concerns and conditions. Each of the herbs in the formula has a plentitude of active chemical compounds, which work synergistically among the individual herbs so that the overall formula can achieve various results in the body.
How do you take herbs?
Chinese herbs can be taken in several different ways including. The predominant method is known as an herbal tea, which can be prepared in two ways. The classic way is to make a decoction, in which you drink the strained liquid made from boiling raw herbs a specific way. A modern way, which is becoming increasingly used for its convenience and effectiveness, involves the use of granular herbal extracts. These are concentrated powders of the herbs which can be dissolved. There are also herbal pills and tinctures which can be taken quickly and with minimal exposure to the strong taste of the formulas.
How do the herbs taste?
Chinese herbal teas have a reputation for their strong taste. They tend to be very bitter because they contain many roots and barks, which are parts of the plant containing the most potent medicinal compounds. The taste can go away after a few days, especially as the patient’s body begins to recognize the therapeutic effects of the formula. This actually helps reprogram the mind to enjoy the taste.
How safe are these herbs?
Most of the compounds in Chinese herbal formulas have a low toxicity when compared to Western drugs. This includes pharmaceuticals as well as common over-the-counters. They use gentler mechanisms of action within the body and its organs. Chinese formulas should be prescribed by a knowledgeable herbalist who understands Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) patterns. When the correct TCM pattern is diagnosed the herbal formulas should have very few, if any, side effects.
What do herbs help with?
Chinese herbs have been used to alleviate the full spectrum of human disease. They are used to treat acute diseases, like the common cold and intestinal flus. They are also used for chronic diseases like allergies, autoimmune disorders, degenerative diseases, and gynecological disorders. Children can take herbs in reduced dosages for pediatric pathologies such as colic and earache. Chinese herbs begin to show results quite quickly. If the condition is acute, the patient can see results in a mere minutes. If the condition is chronic, the patient may have to take herbs for a long time but should notice some results within two weeks.