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GENERAL INFORMATION ON HERBAL PRESCRIPTION
Information on
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
Herbal medicine is the main
treatment method of TCM, dating back over 2500 years. Although acupuncture was
the first Chinese method of treatment to gain wide acceptance in the West,
Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing itself as one of the most
popular and effective alternative therapies in the West. In TCM, an appropriate
balance between exercise and diet, or work and play, can maintain good health
and prevent illness. TCM works best when it is integrated into the patient’s
lifestyle, or that is, appropriately and systematically utilizing all of its
preventative modalities. TCM modalities include herbs, acupuncture and massage,
exercise (qigong and tai chi), and nutrition which should be applied according
to the client's condition.
Difference between Western
Folk Herbalism and Chinese Herbal Medicine:
Western folk herbalism
primarily treats diseases or symptoms, such as headaches, runny nose, menstrual
pain, etc. Chinese herbal medicine, when practiced as a part of TCM , is based
on an individualized energetic pattern diagnosis and disease. The patient’s
pattern consists of signs and symptom, emotional temperament, and body
composition. The TCM patient receives a custom written herbal formula
prescription designed to treat the individual’s energetic pattern as well as
the symptom of disease.
Origin of Herbs:
Chinese herbal medicine may
include vegetable, animal and mineral ingredients, however the majority are from
vegetable sources. Leaves, flowers, twigs, stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes, and
bark are among the parts of the vegetable used.
The Chinese adopted and
incorporated herbs from all over the world. Fifteen to twenty percent of the 500
ingredients considered standard originated from outside China. What makes them
“Chinese” herbs is that they are prescribed according to TCM theory and
pattern diagnosis.
Conditions (criteria) for
Herbal Prescription:
Many of the TCM herbs are
commonly and routinely used in Chinese cooking. Therefore, it is not necessary
to separate medicinal food from pharmaceutical medications.
Herbal medicine is thought
to be the bulk of TCM since diet and exercise are traditionally practiced on a
daily basis. Therefore, herbal medicine is usually utilized when there is
sickness. There are herbs and formulas appropriate to treat any biomedical
condition. Potentially, anyone may take herbs.
Herbal medicine is preferred
when the patient is not currently taking pharmaceutical medication for the
following reasons:
1)
To obtain the best response
2)
To prevent adverse reactions
3)
To encourage an ideal internal climate for the patient
Selection
of Herbal Formulas:
Like acupuncture, herbs and
herbal formulas are selected based primarily on the patient’s diagnosis, or
discovered energetic syndrome in TCM. The TCM practitioner must be aware of what
herbs and formulas are cautioned and contraindicated for specific energetic
conditions inherent in the patient, other herbs, or other pharmaceuticals (will
not apply at HMG). Herbal formula modifications may be appropriate depending on
a patient’s symptom, condition (ie. pregnancy, HBP, etc), or after an adverse
effect. There may be several formulas appropriate for the patient, but
ultimately the best choice depends on the practitioner’s understanding of the
cause of the patient’s ailment.
Forms
of Herbal Medication:
Herbal medication form may depend on the patient’s preference, condition, product availability, cost, or storage capability. Different forms include: tea, wine, pills, tablets, syrups, plasters, tinctures, etc.
FORMS
OF ADMINISTRATION |
|||
Form
|
Preparation |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Decoctions/
Teas/
Soups
(Tang) |
1)
placed in water or mixed
w/wine and water
2)
boiled for a specified time
3)
liquid is strained from the
dregs
4)
ingested from the mouth
|
|
|
Boiled Powders/ Drafts
(San) |
1)
ingredients are ground up
2)
sifted into a uniform powder
3)
draft: boil powder for a
short time (10 min.) in a small amount of water
(1-1½ cups)
4)
ingested (after strained
from dregs), applied externally (skin conditions), or blown into nose or
throat (localized disorders) |
|
|
Pills
(Wan) |
1)
ingredients are finely
ground and pulverized
2)
viscous medium is added
(honey, water, wax, or paste concentrates)
3)
round pills are formed |
|
|
Pills
made w/ honey
(bolus)
(Mi
Wan) |
1)
ground herbs mixed w/honey
2)
honey is heated to preserve
adhesive characteristics and to make it easier to work with
3)
mix beeswax and sesame oil
to prevent it from sticking to utensils |
|
|
Pills
made w/liquids
(Shui
Wan) |
1)
ground herbs mixed w/water,
wine, vinegar, or strained decoction
|
|
|
Pills
made w/pastes
(Hu
Wan) |
1)
ground herbs mixed w/paste
made from rice or wheat flour
|
|
|
Pills
made from concentrates
(Nong
Suo Wan) |
1)
made from concentrated
strained decoction w/ the addition of a starch or dried and powdered dregs
from the decoction
2)
water and wine may be added
at certain times during procesing |
|
|
Special Pills
(Dan)
|
1)
are highly refined and
expensive substances (ground into fine powder)
2)
viscous medium is added
(honey, water, wax, or paste concentrates)
3)
round pills are formed; also
called “vermilion pills,” coated with cinnabaris for protection and
enhancing the calming function |
|
|
Soft Extracts
(Gao) |
1)
ingredients simmered w/water
or vegetable oil until syrupy or gummy concentrate forms
2)
applied externally as
plasters for skin disorders or trauma
3)
common internal soft
extracts: prolonged decoction, liquid extraction, and semi-solid
extraction |
|
|
Plaster
Medicine
[external]
(Gao
Yao) |
1)
slowly simmering ingredients
in vegetable oil (sesame)
2)
discard residue
3)
add beeswax
4)
store on paper or cloth
5)
if stored, the plaster is
heated prior to placement on the skin |
|
|
Medicinal
Plaster
[external]
(Yao
Gao) |
1)
add powdered ingredients to
heated mixture of oil and beeswax
|
|
|
Syrups
from prolonged decoction
[internal]
(Gao
Zi) |
1)
repeatedly decoct
ingredients to a specific concentration
2)
finally cook w/honey or
sugar into a syrup or gel-like extract |
|
|
Liquid
extractions
[internal]
(Liu
Jin Gao) |
1)
soak ingredients in a
solvent (usually alcohol) to extract the active ingredients
2)
heat result to dispose of a
specified percentage of the solvent (1ml liquid extraction contains 1g
active ingredients) |
|
|
Semi-solid
extracts
[internal]
(Jin
Gao) |
1)
sim to above, except: heat
until all solvent is gone (1g of extract contains 2-5g active ingredient)
2)
either fashioned into
tablets, pills, or capsules |
|
|
Syrups
(Tang
Jiang) |
1)
strain liquid from decoction
2)
add specified quantity of
cane sugar |
|
|
Medicinal Wine
(Jiu/Yao) |
Sim.
to internal soft extracts:
1)
soak ingredients in rice,
sorghum, or other spirits (alcohol as solvent)
2)
warm wine
3)
discard dregs
4)
apply internally or
externally |
|
|
Lozenges
(Ding) |
1)
grind ingredients into
powder
2)
form into ingot-shaped
tablets (sometimes w/honey, paste, etc.)
3)
grind lozenge into thick
liquid before taking
4)
apply internally or
externally |
|
|
Tablets/
Capsules/
Drops
(Pian) |
1)
extract active ingredients
2)
add filler (honey, etc.)
3)
form tablet (usually under
pressure) |
|
|
Granules
(Chong Fu) |
1)
concentrate the decoction
ingredients into a thick semi-liquid
2)
add stabilizer (starch or
ground dregs from decoction) and thoroughly mix
3)
make into granules or powder
by sifting through a series of sieves
4)
crush granules
5)
dry granules |
|
|
Injections
(Zhen) |
1)
extract active ingredients
w/ modern methods
2)
prepare a sterile solution
3)
administer injection (subcutaneously,
intramuscularly, or intravenously) |
|
|
Herbal
Medication Instructions:
It is primarily, important
to let the patient understand the effectiveness of compliance with the herbal
formula instructions. The TCM practitioner should then spend time to explain the
herbal formula’s contents, functions, preparation method, ingestion method,
dosage, frequency, course duration, and any possible adverse effects. In most
cases, more than one herbal cycle will need to be required.
Adverse
Reactions:
The
waiver form patients are asked to sign explain the possible adverse effects, if
any.
The adverse effects are first recognized when the patient signs the
treatment waiver form. If an adverse reaction does occur, the patient should
notify the practitioner as soon as possible. Then, the TCM practitioner may opt
to stop, modify, or choose a more appropriate herbal formula. It may also be
necessary for the patient to consult with his/her PCP prior to taking an herbal
formula in order to ensure adverse effect prevention.
Places of Practice: (treatment by appointment only)
Chinatown: Chinese Cultural Plaza
Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ICAOM)
100 N. Beretania St. Ste.203B, Honolulu, HI 92813
(808) 728-2954; (808) 521-2288; Fax: (808) 521-2271
http://www.orientalmedicine.edu
Kaimuki:
Kaimuki Health and Wellness
1109 12th Ave. Ste.2, Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 728-2954; (808) 924-7772
Outcalls also available
© PLUM BLOSSOM CLINIC, 2008