Fact Sheet 704 CHINESE HERBALISM
WHAT IS
HERBALISM?
Healers in many different health traditions use herbs. This fact
sheet discusses herbs as a part of traditional Chinese
medicine.
Traditional Chinese medicine is at least 2,500 years old. It
views the human body as a system of energy flows. When these
flows are balanced, the body is healthy. Practitioners take their
patients' pulses and examine their tongues to diagnose energy
imbalances. In Chinese medicine, pulses can be taken at three
positions on each wrist, and at three depths at each
position.
Illness is not defined by symptoms or the name of a disease
like "HIV infection." Instead, a practitioner of Chinese medicine
will talk about energy imbalances. The language can sound very
strange, like "yin deficiency" or "liver heat rising." The
Chinese words yin and yang refer to opposing energies that should
be in balance, and Qi (pronounced "chee") can be roughly
translated as energy or life force.
In traditional Chinese medicine, there are many ways to
improve the balance of the body's energy flows. The most common
techniques used in the western world are exercise techniques such
as Qigong or Tai Chi, acupuncture, and herbalism. Fact Sheet 703 has more
information on Chinese acupuncture.
Many practitioners of Chinese medicine specialize in either
acupuncture or herbalism. Very few use both methods.
WHY DO PEOPLE
WITH HIV USE CHINESE HERBALISM?
Chinese herbs do not cure HIV infection. Many people, however,
believe that the herbs have helped them improve their overall
energy, or deal with the side effects of antiretroviral medications (ARVs).
Some people have used herbs to reduce the upset stomach or
diarrhea caused by their medications.
In general, an herbalist makes up a personalized mixture for
each patient, based on that person's particular energy flows and
imbalances. However, some practitioners of Chinese medicine have
noticed a consistent "toxic heat" pattern of energy imbalances in
people with advanced HIV disease. Due to Chinese medicine's
emphasis on long life and immune enhancement, they feel that some
herbal preparations will probably help anybody with HIV.
HOW ARE CHINESE
HERBS USED?
Based on your energy imbalances, your herbalist will prescribe a
combination of herbs for you to use. The Chinese meaning of herbs
can include various parts of plants as well as minerals and
animal parts. The herbs can come in several forms:
- "Loose" or "raw" herbs: you get a bag of various dried
pieces of roots, bark, leaves, seeds, powders, and other items.
These are usually boiled and you drink the "tea." This is
considered the most potent form for herbs, but it can be
difficult to prepare them.
- Powdered herbs: Dried herbs are ground into a powder.
The powder might be mixed into water to drink, or taken in a
capsule.
- Tinctures: Dried herbs are prepared in a mixture of
water and alcohol. You drink a dose of the tincture.
- Patent medicines: Some of the most common combinations
of herbs are available in prepared form as pills, capsules,
creams, or other forms. There is usually very little or no
labeling on these medicines except in Chinese.
Chinese herbs are prescribed to correct energy imbalances. You
might feel better, or symptoms might disappear, but the best way
to know if it's time to stop or change the herbs you are taking
is to consult with your herbalist.
WHAT ARE THE
SIDE EFFECTS?
Most herbs used in Chinese medicine are safe at a wide range of dosages. However, some may not be safe or manufactured carefully. For example, in 2003 the FDA banned products including the herb Ma Huang (ephedra). Some herbs may be toxic at very high doses, or might
not be safe to use during pregnancy. The safest way to use
Chinese herbs is according to the instructions of a trained
herbalist. Be sure to tell your herbalist and your health care provider if
you think the herbs are causing diarrhea, headaches, or any other
problems.
HOW DO HERBS
INTERACT WITH OTHER THERAPIES?
Almost no controlled research has been done on specific
interactions between Chinese herbs and other therapies, including
ARVs. There is no information on any dangerous
interactions.
It is always a good idea to let every practitioner on your
health care team know about all of the therapies you are using.
In some cases, a western medicine and Chinese herbs might have a
similar effect and combining them would be too much. For example,
it might not be a good idea to use Chinese herbs that help calm
you down and sleeping pills at the same time.
HOW DO WE KNOW
IT WORKS?
There are several scientific journals that present research on
the health benefits of Chinese herbs. However, almost all of them
are published in China.
Studies on treating HIV with Chinese herbs have had mixed
results. However, these studies usually studied Chinese herbs as
ARVs. More recently, herbs are being combined
with ARVs. Some herbalists believe that the best
use of herbs will be to help deal with the side effects of strong
ARVs, and to generally strengthen the immune system.
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