It is a basic focus of Chinese Medicine to treat the root of the problem. This means that, as an acupuncturist and one using Chinese Herbs, I am looking to find the underlying cause of a condition.
Treating the Root of the Problem
And the Chinese medical understanding of cause can sound quite different than how we typically think of dysfunction in the body. The function of Chinese herbs is to assist in correcting the imbalanced part of us which may be presented with a certain symptom. Herbs are chosen considering the specific individual rather than solely the symptom. If the root of the problem is addressed, you’ll see that when the medicine managing your heartburn, for example, is removed the heartburn will no longer be there. With your doctor’s cooperation, it is not uncommon to initially add and then eventually replace your medication with an herbal formula and ultimately not need the herbs either.
Using the Whole Plant
Pharmaceuticals are often created by isolating an active ingredient in a plant and concentrating it to have a strong and quick-acting effect on the body. A common example of this is willow bark, which has been used for thousands of years to reduce fever, pain, and inflammation. We’ve more recently learned that the bark of white willow contains salicin. In the 1800s salicin was used to develop aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid. White willow typically brings pain relief more slowly than aspirin, though its effects may last longer. Rather than isolating, altering, and concentrating the active ingredient, herbs are used within the whole plant form. When taken in the form in which it grows naturally, that active ingredient has less potential for creating side effects.
Combining Herbs into Formulas
Often herbs in the West are taken by themselves to manage certain symptoms or illnesses; for example, using echinacea for immune support. In Chinese Medicine, herbs are almost always used in formulas, combinations of up to twenty different herbs. Because these herbs have been used for thousands of years, it has been carefully observed how they affect the body when in combination. The risk of side effects of each herb is also reduced when combined with other specific herbs and the effectiveness is enhanced. As an example, there has been recent awareness of licorice root causing an increase in blood pressure, so your provider may warn you against taking it if you have hypertension. When this conclusion was made, this herb was studied by itself. In Chinese herbal medicine licorice root is always used in combination with other herbs in a formula, which should not cause the blood pressure to rise.
A Couple of Chinese Herbs to Know
One commonly known and used Chinese herb is cinnamon. We think of it as a flavorful spice in cooking or baking, but it is mentioned as far back as 2700 B.C. in one of the earliest books about Chinese herbal medicine. Cinnamon, both the twig, and bark, is an important herb to improve circulation. Hence it’s commonly used as a main herb in formulas treating menstrual disorders, masses, abdominal cramping, chest pain, and arthritis. Aside from invigorating blood, cinnamon is warming to the body and is used to prevent and treat the common cold and upper respiratory congestion.
Another lesser-known herb often used in Chinese Medicine is corydalis. This herb has been used as a chief herb in formulas for pain relief also since ancient times, including treating headaches, menstrual pain, and back pain. Aside from its known function of quickening blood circulation like cinnamon, we’ve recently learned that corydalis may have a similar mechanism as prescription pain medications blocking pain signals in the brain. This herb can be used to treat chronic pain with less risk for addiction. You can imagine the start of a Chinese herbal formula with cinnamon and corydalis used to manage pain by warming and invigorating blood circulation and relieving inflammation.
Before opening up your spice cabinet or shopping for ingredients, please contact a licensed practitioner to learn more about how Chinese herbal medicine might be helpful to you. If, for example, you’re taking blood thinning medication, you may have to avoid certain herbs. With more education, my hope is that our modern-day culture begins to value the various options of medicine and work together to even more effectively treat our health concerns.