Chinese Medicine

Over the past 2,000 years of observation and experience, the Chinese discovered that the combination of certain plants and substances can be far more effective for treating disease versus that of common Western Medicine, which typically uses only one plant or substance at a time.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCHM) is rapidly advancing onto the world stage now as a medicine that has endured through time and history to assuage the ills of humankind and assist in the prevention of further diseases and health imbalances. Chinese herbal medicine is notable for its sophistication in addressing clinical concerns while remedying patient’s particular needs.

The clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes differential diagnosis and treatments based on the analysis of signs and symptoms and differentiation of syndromes. The art of selecting the appropriate base herbal formula is dependent on this analysis and the modifications made according to the presenting signs and symptoms of each person.

Chinese herbs promote a gradual healing process that affects not only the symptoms but also other body functions. It is reasonable to expect that, in addition to primary symptoms recovery, other organ functions will also be significantly improved. Most current Chinese herbal medicine studies look at the efficacy and safety of herbs from an individual scientific standpoint; yet, because of its cultural background, TCHM prescriptions are often coupled with other traditional components that add up to the therapy making it more efficient.

Chinese herbal medicine has a generous range of very effective natural resources for all your health needs. For this, the supervision of a professional is essential. Not only to avoid negative interactions between plants and drugs but also to know how to find the best combination capable of generating the most beneficial synergy for your perfect health.

The treatment method is the bridge between any disease and its effective herbal remedy. As such, a successful treatment requires accurate diagnosis of the disease by a certified professional, strategic planning of treatment methods, and careful consideration of which herbal formula to prescribe.

What conditions can be treated with Chinese Herbal medicine? In the traditional Chinese herbal medicine system Herbal formulations can be used to treat any condition, including:

Liver disease (hepatitis and cirrhosis)
Sexual dysfunction in men
Infertility in women
Sleeplessness
Colds and flu
Period pain, irregular menstruation, and menopause
Irritable colon
Allergies
Constipation
Osteoarthritis
Muscle spasms or pain
Diabetes
Asthma
Eczema
Headache and migraines
Cancer

Examples of the scientific evidence supporting TCM:

Hepatitis: The Bupleurum root or Bei Chai Hu in Chinese, is used for respiratory infections, including the flu (influenza), swine flu, the common cold, bronchitis, and pneumonia; and symptoms of these infections, including fever and cough. In recent research, The Japanese Health Ministry has recognized a herbal mix including Bupleurum root, which they called Sho-saiko-to in Japanese, as a treatment for chronic hepatitis. Sho-saiko-to is currently being evaluated in a phase II trial at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for use in treating hepatitis C.

Allergic rhinitis: People with allergic rhinitis (AR) often seek help from Chinese medic...More

Examples of the scientific evidence supporting TCM:

Hepatitis: The Bupleurum root or Bei Chai Hu in Chinese, is used for respiratory infections, including the flu (influenza), swine flu, the common cold, bronchitis, and pneumonia; and symptoms of these infections, including fever and cough. In recent research, The Japanese Health Ministry has recognized a herbal mix including Bupleurum root, which they called Sho-saiko-to in Japanese, as a treatment for chronic hepatitis. Sho-saiko-to is currently being evaluated in a phase II trial at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for use in treating hepatitis C.

Allergic rhinitis: People with allergic rhinitis (AR) often seek help from Chinese medicine due to dissatisfaction with conventional treatments.249 students affected by chronic allergic rhinitis from a Hong Konguniversity joined a study to try Chinese herbal prescriptions for AR. They indicated significant greater improvements in symptom severity and life quality after 4 weeks treatments

Osteoarthritis: The effectiveness of a combination of three Chinese herbs (Clematis mandshurica, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Prunella vulgaris) was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled research of 96 persons with knee osteoarthritis. All treatment groups showed a significant improvement in arthritic symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment.

Diabetes: Treatment of diabetes mellitus with Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of success. In a controlled trial, 800 patients with unsatisfactory glycemic control were randomly assigned to receive a compound of Chinese herbs, which led to significant reduction in risk of hypoglycemia and similar improvements in blood sugar levels after 48 weeks compared to the conventional drug treatment group.

Chinese medical herbs for chemotherapy side effects: Chinese herbal medicines are widely used to counteract the side-effects of chemotherapy in patients being treated for cancer. Four relevant studies, which included a total of 342 patients, with adequately reported data, conclude that there is some evidence of benefit from decoctions of Huangqi compounds. Compared with patients treated by chemotherapy alone, patients treated with chemotherapy and Huangqi decoctions were less likely to experience nausea and vomiting or low white cell counts. There was some evidence to suggest that the decoctions also stimulated cells of the immune system, but did not affect the levels of antibodies in the blood. No evidence of harm arising from the use of Huangqi decoctions has been found.

Immune System Support: Kampo is a mixture of various plants useful to stimulate the immune system and useful in the treatment of cancer; Shimotsu-to is a combination that has an effective effect against chronic inflammation; Nao Li Su is a five plants preparation that increases the number of red blood cells in chronic anemia in the elderly, and Nao Yi An is an effective compound mix used in the prevention and treatment of brain hemorrhages.

It's not unusual for an expert in TCHM to "prescribe" special meals for you, as well as give you advice on how to make improvements in your living environment (for example, putting the bed facing south instead of north). Massage, meditation and Qi Gong are also examples of systems that might be also prescribed. Lastly, Acupuncture is frequently used in conjunction with herbs as a complementary treatment, specific lifestyle recommendations are also typical.

Book an appointment at Austin Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in Austin, or call for a free consultation to discover how traditional chinese medicine can help to heal your ailments.

Less