ABOUT HERBOLOGY

What Is Herbal Medicine / What Is An Herb / How Is Chinese Herbal Medicine Different / What Is A Decoction / Are There Any Side Effects / Are Herbs Safe To Use With Medication / Are Chinese Herbs Expensive / What Conditions Can Be Treated With Herbs / How Long Do I Have To Take The Herbs

Because I have discussed the basics of herbology elsewhere, I have chosen to focus on the use of herbal decoctions in this section. Many people today are familiar with the use of herbal medicine, as there are countless preparations readily available in any health food store, pharmacy or supermarket. However, there is a great deal of confusion as to what constitutes herbal medicine, what products or forms to use, and whether or not they are safe. These issues can be discussed in relation to bulk dispensed, decocted Chinese herbal medicine, which is the professional standard in Chinese medicine.

WHAT IS HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal medicine is the administration of natural products to treat disease or promote health. Herbal medicine does not include vitamins, minerals, or other nutritional supplements. In fact, most herbal materials contain negligible amounts of nutrients. They exert their influence primarily through non-nutrient compounds.

WHAT IS AN HERB
In the West, the term herb typically applies only to plant material. Chinese medicine uses the term “herb,” often translated as “medicinal,” to apply to materials derived from the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms. The Chinese pharmacoepia contains over 10,000 ingredients, most of plant origin. The parts used include leaf, bark, stem, root, rhizome, sap, resin, fruit, flower, pollen, nut and seed. It is common to derive more than one medicinal from the same plant. Chinese medicinals also include vegetable material such as mushrooms and seaweeds. Mineral sources include rocks, stones, shells and bones (which are often fossilized). Animal products include insects, and gelatins made from substances such as deer antler.

HOW IS CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE DIFFERENT
Chinese herbal medicine is professionally prescribed according to pattern discrimination. Although the idea of using an herb to treat a particular symptom is part of Chinese medicine, it is not the main therapeutic strategy employed. Over 2000 years ago, The Divine Farmer’s Herbal Compendium (one of the oldest written medical texts in existence) described this as the most basic form of treatment. Above it is the treatment of disease according to pattern. That is, with consideration to every unique aspect of the person, including the effect the illness has on their life. This results in individualized treatment, even for the same illness. Above even this is the use of herbal medicine to prevent disease and promote health. This is the primary role of all Chinese doctors.

Chinese herbal medicine is unique in the following ways:

• Chinese herbal medicine relies upon pattern discrimination for accurate prescription.
• Chinese herbs are typically prescribed in formulas, resulting in complex treatment approaches.
• Chinese medicine uses all parts of a plant, resulting in stronger potencies for Chinese formulas.
• Chinese herbal medicine uses high doses of medicinals, resulting in strong and effective treatments.
• Chinese herbs are often decocted together and consumed as a liquid.

WHAT IS A DECOCTION
A decoction, or “tang” in Chinese, is an herbal formula that has been boiled in water and is consumed as a liquid. It has four main advantages over pre-made pills, tablets and capsules.

• Individually created and alterable formulas.
• Increased digestibility.
• Synergistic effect resulting from cooking the ingredients together.
• High doses.

The average Chinese herbal formula might contain 15 ingredients, typically at a dosage of 3 grams each. This is boiled and strained into a liquid that contains the extracted ingredients of 150 grams of herbs. This is consumed in 1 to 2 days, resulting in a daily dosage of 75 to 150 grams of herbs. The average daily dose of pre-made formulas is 2 to 3, 500 mg tablets, 3 times per day, resulting in a dosage of 3 to 5 grams of herbs. In this case, a decoction yields a dosage 25 to 50 times greater than pills. Even if the herbs are concentrated as a 5:1 extract, this results in a daily dosage of 15 to 25 grams, still 3 to 10 times less than a decocted formula.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS
There is no such thing as a side effect. This is a convenient term created to label the undesirable effects of a medicinal, whether it is an herb, a drug, a vitamin or a food. All medicinals have effects, and we call the ones we do not like side effects. In Chinese medicine this is discussed as indication and contra-indication. Herbs need to be properly and fully indicated in order to be prescribed. Negative effects are not allowed in Chinese medicine, and imply improper prescription. The science of Chinese herbal medicine concerns itself with proper prescription, and the use of decoctions allows individual modification for this purpose.

Having said that, Chinese herbs do have the ability to created imbalances if used improperly. This is why Chinese herbal medicine is professionally prescribed by trained herbalists. Some pre-made formulations are available over-the-counter, and most of the commonly used Chinese herbs are safe under most conditions. Patients generally seek out treatment for chronic conditions that are not responsive to more general, home care. Thus, the issue of properly prescribed, complex formulations becomes more important.

ARE HERBS SAFE TO USE WITH MEDICIATION
Modern clinical research in China, Japan and the United States has provided significant information regarding the biochemistry of herbal medicine. Combined with the traditional knowledge of medicinal action, and contraindications and prohibitions, Chinese herbal medicine can be safely prescribed along with western medications.

ARE CHINESE HERBS EXPENSIVE
A daily dose of pills generally costs between $1 and $3. Decoctions typically cost $3 to $5 per day. However, if the cost were compared by quantity of herbs, bulk dispensed herbs are significantly less expensive than pills. In severe situations, emergencies, and acute conditions where higher dosages are needed, the cost may be up to $10 per day.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED WITH HERBS
Chinese herbal medicine is used to treat disease in Chinese medicine as pharmaceuticals are used in western medicine. Thus, a large range of illness can be treated with Chinese herbs. These include acute conditions such as colds, sinus infections, skin diseases, and injuries, to chronic diseases of all types. Conditions that often respond well to herbal therapy are menstrual and gynecological disorders, digestive disorders, metabolic dysfunction, and immune system disorders.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE HERBS
Acute conditions respond quickly and might only require a few days of treatment. Chronic conditions may require months, or even years of treatment. Also, herbs may be used on an ongoing basis to promote health and prevent disease.

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