Herbal Medicine & Modern Pharmacology
There is a growing body of research which indicates that traditional uses of plant remedies and the known pharmacological activity of plant constituents often coincide. However, herbal medicine is distinct from medicine based on pharmaceutical drugs.
It is far more balanced than medicine based on isolated active ingredients and is far less likely to cause side-effects because of the complexity of plant materials. Because herbs are typically prescribed in combination, the different components of a formula balance each other and undergo a mutual synergy which increases efficacy and enhances safety. Herbal medicine seeks primarily to correct internal imbalances rather than to treat symptoms alone and therapeutic intervention is designed to encourage this self-healing process.
Ancient Chinese herbal formulas are as effective now as they were when first introduced more than 2,000 years ago. Formulas treat a wide variety of symptoms while stimulating the body's natural healing process. Hospital studies prescribing individualized complex herbal formulas have demonstrated excellent results with patients who fail to respond to conventional pharmaceutical treatments.
History of Herbology
Ancient Chinese herbal formulas are as effective now as they were when first introduced more than 2,000 years ago. Formulas treat a wide variety of symptoms while stimulating the body's natural healing process. Hospital studies prescribing individualized complex herbal formulas have demonstrated excellent results with patients who fail to respond to conventional pharmaceutical treatments.
The history of Chinese Medicine dates back to the writings of the Yellow Emperors Inner Classic ( Huang Di Nei Jing). This work of art is a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor (2697-2597 B.C.) and his physician Qi Bo, in which they discuss the whole spectrum of Chinese Medicine- including topics such as Acupuncture, Yin-Yang, Five Elements pathology, diagnosis, and etiology of disease. The work was compiled around 305-204 B.C. The Inner Classic is the foundation for theory and philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Herbal Medicine is a compilation of experimentation and research dating back to a tribal chief named Shen Nong who resided in China along the great Yellow River Plateau (2700B.C.). He is famous for ingesting many substances to record first hand their effect. In all he recorded around 365 healing substances and wrote the first book on Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (The Classic of Materia Medica- Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing).
The work was compiled around 206 B.C. The historical tradition continued with the work of a famous physician who lived around the third Centuary A.D. named Zhang Zhong Jing. He was one of the most celebrated Chinese physicians who compiled two classics- (Shang Han Lun-Discussion of Cold Induced disease) and (Jin Gui Yao Lun-Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber) These works are still referenced today for the diagnosis, treatment, and differentiation of yin-yang and 6 stages Chinese Medicine is a branch of the Taoist healing arts which include Acupuncture, Tai Qi Chuan, meditation, Chi Gong, astrology, I Ching, and Geomancy. Around 452 A.D. a Taoist named Tao Hong Jing contributed to Chinese Herbal Medicine by editing the original Classics of Materia Medica according to kingdom - plants, animal, etc. He also increased the total entries to 730 substances.In 1618 A.D. during the Tang Dynasty the government contributed by compiling the first official Materia Medica named Xin Xiu Ben Cao. This great work includes 844 illustrated pages.
During the Sung Dynasty ( 960-1279 A.D.), a physician named Tang Shen Wei increased the Materia Medica to 1746 substances. By 1590 A.D. the most comprehensive medical book named Grand Materia Medica-(Ben Cao Gang Mu) was compiled by Li Shi Zhen. With over 52 volumes, it includes 1,892 substances with over 100 illustrations and 10,000 prescriptions. Today the Materia Medica is being further refined by clinical and scientific data. Most of the research is being done in China. Each herb is listed with the properties, acupuncture meridian entered, functions, clinical use, major combinations, dosage,and pharmacological research-such as antimicrobial effect, antiviral effect, antifungal effect, effect on blood pressure, effect on smooth muscle, endocrine effect, central nervous system effect, use in gynecology, etc.