Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine:

An Overview

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Definition of: herbal medicine• herbal medicine   n.   • 1. The study or use of medicinal

herbs to prevent and treat diseases and ailments or to promote health and healing.

• 2. A drug or preparation made from a plant or plants and used for any of such purposes.

• Our definition: n• 1. The use of plants used to treat a

variety of ailments, particularly used in Ancient China.

• 2. It focuses on restoring the energy of the body to maintain health rather than treating a particular disease or medical condition.

• 3. What the people did to treat their sicknesses through the use of herbs.

                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                  

Dictionary.com, online.

Definition of: China• China n. 1. A country in Eastern Asia. 2. a

communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world. 3. a government on the island of Taiwan established in 1949 by Chiang Kai-shek after the conquest of mainland China by the communists, led by Mao Zedong Dictionary.com, online

Definition of: Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine is a major aspect of traditional Chinese Medicine, which focuses on restoring a balance of energy, body, and sprit to maintain health rather than treating a particular disease or medical condition.

• It is based on old, traditional beliefs that involve religion, magic, and herbs.

• Chinese medicine looks to correct “imbalances” in the body, such as a surplus of emotion.

• The tradition as a whole places great emphasis on lifestyle management (diet, exercises, etc).

• Successful treatment comes from matching the herbal Qi with the needs of the body.

• There might be some evidence that some of the Chinese medicine works, but since you are dealing with herbs, you do not know the purity or concentration of the medicine, which overall, makes it not too reliable. Http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/.

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine, Online.

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine: Theories

• The two forces (or essences) are equal but cause changes.• Twelve invisible channels, called jin (chin), are assumed to carry yin and yang.• These channels are deep in the muscle but not in communication with the blood

vessels, and they communicate with three "burning spaces" that are analogous to reservoirs of yang and yin.

• When yin or yang forces or qi energy levels are off-balance in the body and spirit, health problems arise.

• Chinese herbs and herbal remedies are used to help realign an individual’s yin or yang balance in order to improve overall health and well-being.

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Early Chinese Culture• The Mongol invasion of China

contributed its version of shamanism to the already existing beliefs in the supernatural world.

• Chinese herbs have served as the foundation for "Traditional Chinese Medicine", or TCM, for over 5,000 years. Ever since the Shang Dynasty (1500-1000 BC), shamanism has been a major deciding factor among Chinese peoples, in that it is a significant cultural heritage.

Chinese Shamans• Shamans were highly

respected members of tribal society.

• Shamans used fire, smoke, dancing, and chanting in order to cast a ‘spell’ over their audience and/or patients.

• Many people turned to shamans in order to receive spiritual advice and comfort.

• Shamans were generally known to be wise and insightful elders of the tribal community.

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Major Figures in Chinese Herbal Medicine

• Zhang Zhongjing (150-219)• wrote a treatise on how to treat

epidemic infectious diseases causing fever (Shanghan Lun, in full, Shanghan Zabing Lun or "Treatise on Febrile Diseases”) and another one, Jingui yaolue, "Synoptic Essentials from the Golden Cabinet", a compendium of his clinical experiences.

• He functioned as an editor/summarizer of Chinese medicine, up until the Han Dynasty, when he died.

• Effect: an educational textbook that educated future generations of Chinese doctors.

• http://www.answers.com/topic/zhang-zhongjing

Image: http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/e/e7/Zhangzhongjing.jpg

Sun Simiao (AD 581-682): Daoist priest & doc (Tang Dynasty).he developed the idea of ‘medical ethics’ wrote books on woman’s, children’s and infant’s healthcare-believed prevention before cure-collected methods of classifying, processing and storing drugs-perfected the basis of modern health:

-moderate eating-exercise

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Miscellaneous• Chinese medicine used herbs, surgery, and

acupuncture.• Mafeisan (wine) was commonly used for anesthesia.• Pulse reading was an important technique for

diagnosis. “The Medicine of Ancient China”, Online

Herbs Used• Obviously, Chinese herbal medicine

consists of herbs, and mostly, herbs are products of plants.

• 85% of herbs come from plants. The rest of them come from minerals and animals.

• Ginseng (prevents stress)• Tang kuei (improves circulation +

relieves pain)• Ma huang (helps breathing)• Licorice (helps digestion + increases

effectiveness of other herbs)• Ginger (helps digestion + circulation)• Cinnamon (improves circulation)• Coptis (fights infection)• Peony (helps circulation)• Bupleurum (helps joint pain + skin

problems)• Astragalus (improve the immune

system)• Salvia (helps the heart + improves

circulation)

Equipment Used• In ancient times, Chinese

shamans grinded herbal remedies by hand using a mortar and pestle.

• Mortars and pestles could be made of wood, stone, or ceramics.

• In modern times (now), factories use mechanical grinders.

“Beware the Trojan Horse: Traditional Chinese Medicine”,Online.“Molcajete (mortar and pestle)”, Online.

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Not All Chinese Medicine Works

• A Traditional Chinese Medicine Called “Jui” Caused A Bad Condition Known As Thrombocytopenia.

• Thrombocytopenia Is The Condition Of Low Platelets In The Blood. This means that if you get a cut, this will prevent the blood from clotting and it will continue to flow longer than normal.

• Overall, there might be some evidence that some of the Chinese medicine works, but since you are dealing with herbs, you do not know the purity or concentration of the medicine, which overall, makes it not too reliable.

“Thrombocytopenia induced by Jui, a traditionalChinese herbal medicine”, Online

Communisms Effect on Herbal Medicine

• The communist Chinese government, under Mao Zedong, repressed shamanism and TCM. Shamans were either executed or sentenced to forced labor in prison camps.

• After the death of Mao, China's new leaders realized that shamanistic beliefs and practices could return from hiding.

http://radfilms.com/china_album_sampan_girl_baby.jpg, online.

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Chinese Herbal Medicine Today

With the emergence of the ‘Green Movement’ and the concept of organic and ‘healthful-ness’, Chinese Herbal Medicine has made a tentitive come-back as a ‘green’, more natural and ultimately awesome way of caring for oneself through natural supplements.

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