Herbs
Herbs are often used in TCM to prevent or treat a disease. There are over 10000 documented Chinese herbs. These herbs are often used in combination (2-18 different herbs in each TCM prescription) to provide synergy. The philosophy of using Chinese herbs in TCM dates back to the ‘Holism’ theory. It is based on the concepts that herbs can be either “yin”(cool) or “yang” (heat) and thus possess the ability to counteract the imbalance in the body caused by pathogenic factors. “Yang” pathogens tend to cause disease with heat like symptoms. Thus, a blend of herbs with “yin” properties can be used to restore harmony back in the body. Likewise, “yin” pathogens tend to cause disease with cold like symptoms. Thus, a blend of herbs with “yang” properties can be used to restore harmony back in the body. (1)(2)
Herbs can also be used to prevent disease. In TCM, although the human body is believed to be one integrated entity, organs and tissues can be classified as either “yin” or “yang”. In TCM, internal organs can be classified in 2 groups- WuZang and LiuFu. Wu Zang (the 5 parenchymatous organs) includes heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney. These organs are believed to be naturally “yin” and therefore can benefit from “yang” property herbs to maintain harmony in the body. Liufu (the 6 hollow organs) includes gallbladder, stomach, large and small intestine, bladder and triple heater (not considered as an organ in western culture). These 6 organs are believed to be naturally “yang” and therefore can benefit from “yin” property herbs to maintain harmony in the body. By maintaining harmony in the body, it is believed in TCM that disease can be prevented. (1)(2)
Below are some of the classes of herbs most commonly used by TCM practitioners: (3)(4)
Herbs can also be used to prevent disease. In TCM, although the human body is believed to be one integrated entity, organs and tissues can be classified as either “yin” or “yang”. In TCM, internal organs can be classified in 2 groups- WuZang and LiuFu. Wu Zang (the 5 parenchymatous organs) includes heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney. These organs are believed to be naturally “yin” and therefore can benefit from “yang” property herbs to maintain harmony in the body. Liufu (the 6 hollow organs) includes gallbladder, stomach, large and small intestine, bladder and triple heater (not considered as an organ in western culture). These 6 organs are believed to be naturally “yang” and therefore can benefit from “yin” property herbs to maintain harmony in the body. By maintaining harmony in the body, it is believed in TCM that disease can be prevented. (1)(2)
Below are some of the classes of herbs most commonly used by TCM practitioners: (3)(4)
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Herbs that expel accumulation of summer heat in the body
- Herbs that expel heat and reduce accumulation of dampness
- Herbs that reduce accumulation of toxicity
- Herbs that supplement Qi
- Herbs that supplement yin and yang
- Herbs that supplement the heart and blood
References:
1. Oriental medicine. http://orientalmedicine.com/yin-yang. Accessed July 2, 2013
2. Overview of traditional Chinese medicine. eastwesthealingcenter.net/powerpoint-TCM.ppt. Accessed July 3, 2013
3. Traditional Chinese medicine. Updated 2012. http://www.tcmwiki.com/wiki/chinese-herbal-medicine. Accessed July 2, 2013
4. Chinese herbs by functional group. Updated 2013. http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/herbalmedicine/tcm_herbs_by_function. Accessed July 2, 2013
1. Oriental medicine. http://orientalmedicine.com/yin-yang. Accessed July 2, 2013
2. Overview of traditional Chinese medicine. eastwesthealingcenter.net/powerpoint-TCM.ppt. Accessed July 3, 2013
3. Traditional Chinese medicine. Updated 2012. http://www.tcmwiki.com/wiki/chinese-herbal-medicine. Accessed July 2, 2013
4. Chinese herbs by functional group. Updated 2013. http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/herbalmedicine/tcm_herbs_by_function. Accessed July 2, 2013