Integrating Plants into Chinese Medicine from Outside China: A Methodology
Thomas Avery Garran
05-21-2011 Taichung, Taiwan
Why is this important?
• Chinese medicine is an evolving system, if there is a way to improve it, we should try to do so.– Although there are over 5000 plants used
throughout China, only about 500 (10%) are used beyond local traditions. This is primarily because the best has been culled out and into the primary medicine.
Difference between Chinese medicine practiced in the West and in Asia
In the West many patients are already using some of Western herbs
Western herbs are often higher quality
The use of Western herbs is more sustainable
History
• Chinese medicine has long history of integrating plants from outside of Chinese into Chinese medicine– Example: myrrh, frankincense, American ginseng, corn silk,
turmeric, coix, evodia, cinnamon, etc.
Tools
• Historical usage– Understanding thoroughly how a plant has been used
historically• Botanical relationships
– Very important as traditionally there have been plants used from same genus or even family as the same herb within Chinese medicine, ex.
• Chemistry• Experience• Knowledge and experience in Chinese medicine
Historical Usage
• Understanding the systems plants have been used in– This can be complicated in the West
• Understanding the historical usage of plants– Because of the above, this is both complicating and helpful
Historical Usage
• Looking at different descriptions of plant usage• Finding similarities throughout this history• Finding connections between descriptions in
Western literature and Chinese theory and materia medica– Hypericum perforatum– Avena fatua– Arnica montana
Hypericum perfoliatum
• Antiinflammatory– Acute and chronic tissue
inflammation
• Wound healer– Used both internally and
externally
• Lightens the spirits– For anxiety, depression
Avena fatua
• Strengthens the male sex organs– Nourishes the exhausted body– Builds blood and energy
• Soothes the mind– Helps anxiety and insomnia when exhausted
Arnica montana
• Acute pain from trauma– Used both internally and externally
• Chest pain and heart problems
Botanical Relationships
• History of using botanically related plants– Many plants in Chinese medicine have been used as the
same medicine; several species of Actaea (cimicifuga) used as sheng ma ( 升麻 ), Angelica as du huo ( 独活 ), Glycyrrhiza ( 甘草 ), etc.
• Family – Relationships within families; Apiaceae (Heracleum
being used as Angelica ( 独活 ), Asteraceae, etc.
• Genus polygala, calamus, cassia, actaea, clematis
How we can use these relationships
• A Western herb with related plant(s) in Chinese medicine; caulophyllum, angelica, polygala, calamus, lobelia, etc.
• Sometimes this there is very different information; lobelia
• Sometimes there is very similar information; calamus, angelica
Family Relationships
• Asteraceae – From 菊花 to Leucanthemum vulgare
• Ranunculaceae – From 黄连 to Hydrastis canadensis
• Lamiacea – From 藿香 to Monarda punctata
Leucanthemum vulgare
• Mildly stimulate circulation• Diaphoretic (combine with
ginger)• Painful menstruation with
congestion and scant flow, especially chronic
• Emotional issues with “foul stomach” and “nervous tendencies”
• Temper heat and refresh the liver
Hydrastis canadensis• Tonic to the digestion (stomach)• Atonic secretions• Stimulates digestion• Soothes irritation of feeble &
congested mucus membranes • Ulceration of the bowels (combine
with 大黄 )• Diarrhea/dysentery• Jaundice• Palpitations combine with
Leonorus and Scutellaria• Sore throat• External inflammations and
infections
Monarda punctata
• Mild, diffusive, stimulating and relaxing antispasmodic nervine and carminative– Warming to the stomach, relieves
vomiting and diarrhea, especially from acute illness
• Diaphoretic for colds, catarrhal fever and eruptive fevers
Genus Relationships
• Polygala – Chinese name 远志 (multiple species used)
• Angelica– Multiple species used
• Ligusticum– Chinese names 川芎 and 藁本 (multiple species used)
• Leonorus– Chinese name 益母草 (multiple species used)
• Scutellaria– Chinese names 黄芩 and 半支莲 and others *
• Scrophularia– Chinese name 玄參 (two or more species used)
• Taraxacum– Chinese name 蒲公英 (multiple species used)
Polygala senaga
• Stimulate expectoration for chronic coughs with excessive phlegm
• Used in chronic asthma• Considered warm and
stimulating
Angelica archangelica
• Diaphoretic for cold conditions• Dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea do
to cold• Cough with abundant mucus• Cold pains in the digestive tract• Comforts the heart, blood and
spirit
Ligusticum porterii; L. grayii
• Head ache do to cold• Sore throat with common cold• Dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea• Body aches and pains do to
invasion of external influences or injury
Leonorus cardiaca• Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, or
pain in the back during menstruation
• Lochia not arriving or scant, especially with “after-pains”
• Suppressed labor• Pain in the chest with
palpitations and nervousness• Chronic nervousness, anxiety,
insomnia associated with anemia
Scutellaria lateriflora
• Nervous exhaustion• Insomnia, anxiousness,
hypochondria• Antispasmodic; nervous
headache, dysmenorrhea, neuralgia
• Used for drug and alcohol withdrawals
Scrophularia nodosa, S. californica
• Red, hot swollen lymph nodes• Red, hot swollen skin diseases• Painful and irregular
menstruation with irritation and excitation
• Externally for burns, inflammation, sore nipples, eczema, hemorrhoids
• “Obstinate ulcers, the result of a depraved state of the fluids and solids, are frequently benefited by its use.”
Taraxacum officinale
• Jaudice• Congestion of the liver and spleen• Digestive weakness• Inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract,
especially from epidemic illnesses
Special Properties
• Flavor– Understanding how the flavors function
• Nature– The concept of a “temperature” in different
systems may vary– Understanding of the “over-all” function of the herb
• Channels entered– Affinity to organs or areas of the body
Experience
• The most important aspect• Experiment on yourself• Keep good notes
Thank You!
