Chinese Herbal Medicine has a mind-bogglingly amount of historical evidence that it has been in existence for at least 3,000 years. Tangible proof resides in the earliest known book that survives today called Prescriptions for 52 Diseases (Wu Shi Er Bing Fang). This book dates back to the eighth century B.C.

There are some scholars that estimate Chinese Herbal Medicine has been in existence for 10,000 years. This is projected from herbal formulas written on shells and bones that have survived to this day. It is believed that the herbal medicine is far older than the practice of acupuncture, which is thought to have developed approximately 5,000 years ago.

Western medicine advocates often belittle herbal medicine. They argue that it is not scientific and state there is little or no research on it. They imply that it is folk medicine from the dark ages and should be discarded because it not modern and new.

The 20th century delusion in the Western world is that anything scientific or newly discovered must be better to everything and anything that came before it. They think the only knowledge of value is knowledge and data derived during the past 50 years.

In the United States there is a disturbing trend to denigrate anything that does not originate within its borders by the medical community. Western MD’s often have the mindset that if they didn’t learn about it in medical school its not valid. (I can’t tell you how many times a MD has told me, there is insufficient research to prove the validity of acupuncture, let alone herbal medicine.)

A quick comparison –

• Prozac, a popular antidepressant, was introduced in 1989, and studied for about 10 years prior to release in clinical trials. So let’s give Prozac about a 30-year lifespan so far. Do you think Prozac will be around in another 30 years? Hasn’t it been in the news as causing some of the same problems it’s supposed to help such as the Columbine shootings? If you’re interested, just do a quick search online and you’ll find plenty of information that people think it’s harmful.
• An herbal formula, Xiao Chai Hu Tang Wan (Minor Bupleurum) dates from before 219 A.D. and is mentioned in the Shang Han Lun (a publication of that time). This herbal medicine has been in continuous use in Chinese Herbal Medicine for almost 2,000 years. If it were as dangerous as some drugs being prescribed today, it would have been discarded. Xiao Chai Hu Tang Wan remains one of the more commonly prescribed herbal medicines today.

In the real world, any medicine that has little effect and doesn’t improve a patient’s symptoms will no longer be offered in a very short time simply because it doesn’t work. Ineffective treatment will not be continued – the populace will not tolerate it, even when it is forced upon them.

Just consider for a moment that if a treatment or herbal medicine has existed for several hundred years wouldn’t you think it has proven its effectiveness? Chinese Herbal Medicine has proven its usefulness in the experience of thousands – if not millions of patients and doctors. This is a far more exacting and rigorous standard than testing lab rats.

Having health problems? It may be time to consider using Chinese Herbal Medicine.

About the author: Christine Hasinger, DOM, Acupuncturist and Herbalist, has a private practice in Palm Harbor, Florida at the Blue Orchid Healing Center. She offers personal and individualized herbal consultations via phone and email through Herb Consults.

“Using Chinese Herbal Medicine For Your Health Problems” Copyright © 2009, All Rights Reserved. You may reprint this article as long as no changes are made and the information about the author is included.

Herb Consults

Improve your health, start feeling better and be able to do what you want to do…. Contact us to schedule your online herbal consultation today! We offer you a comprehensive evaluation of your health problem(s), on-on-one phone consultations, written reports, herbal recommendations and more….
You owe it to yourself!

I would say so! Most Chinese Herbal Medicines have been in use for two thousand years and longer. This is plenty of time to observe the good and bad effects and determine if they have proved their worth and value.

Historically, there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence that herbal formulas work and are effective. Remember in high school science when you learned about the monks and the peas. How different plants were crossbred to produce a superior eating pea. The monk derived his conclusions from his observations. This is similar to the anecdotal evidence on herbs and herbal formulas.

Presently, China and Japan lead the way testing in herbal medicine or formulas with modern westernized methods. There are numerous Asian journals filled with research on herbs and herbal combinations. The amount of herbal research being done is amazing. I have access to some of the abstracts of studies that are translated into English so I can remain abreast of current research.

For example, for several decades, China has been studying various herbal formulas given as an intravenous solution after a stroke (cerebral vascular accident). These patients are very fortunate in that the incidence of sequela is almost nonexistent. Sequela is the inability to speak or swallow, partial or total paralysis of the arms and legs, or the inability to control bowel or bladder that commonly manifests after a stroke. This percentage of recovery from a stroke is unheard of in the United States.

Other newer areas of research in herbal medicines are their use in cancer treatment and viruses. Many of the ancient formulas for colds have been determined to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Some formulas are even targeted toward specific viruses such as SARS, AIDS and HIV or Hepatitis.

There are even a large number of formulas that can help with cancer treatment and recovery. Maybe someday there will be an alternative to radiation and chemotherapy with herbs.

In comparison – modern day pharmaceutical drugs are devised in labs. These drugs are altered from a natural form, as you cannot patent something that occurs naturally in nature. Then they are tested on animals and put on the market within a couple of years. Many of these drugs are pulled from the market in a few years secondary to serious life altering side effects and even death. Every few months, I’ll notice that the Sunday paper contains yet another class action suit notice in regards to one of these drugs.

Many of my patients would rather use something that has thousands of years backing it up as opposed to only a decade or two. Wouldn’t you if you had a choice?

I also keep reading and hearing American doctors and journalists’ state that Chinese Herbal Medicine requires more research, and that’s it’s unproven. I think they say this because they haven’t actually taken the time to find out what is really being done within and outside of the United States. And then, there is another prevailing American opinion, that if the research isn’t done in the US, it isn’t worth anything, so they discount it. Are you aware that Western MD’s have very little training in pharmaceuticals and none on herbal medicinal uses?

Chinese Herbal Medicine has written records that pre-date the birth of Christ for the same health problems that people suffer from today.

Chinese Herbal Medicine is made from natural parts of the plants – leaves, fruits, branches, bark, pith and roots. It may even include stones and animal parts. There is nothing artificial or synthetic about it.

When you decide you want to take herbs, please consult a trained and Board Certified Acupuncturist and Board Certified Chinese Herbalist. Your Oriental Medicine practitioner has had the education and resources to determine the most appropriate herbal medicine for your problem.

So, I hope I’ve answered your concerns. These formulas have the weight of years behind them. They are tried and true and they are well established. Chinese Herbal Medicines are safe and proven for millennia. There are minimal side effects. These formulas are a natural way to maintain and regain health and that’s why many people worldwide take Chinese Herbal Medicines.

About the author: Christine Hasinger, DOM,  Acupuncturist and Herbalist, has a private practice in Palm Harbor, Florida at the Blue Orchid Healing Center.   She offers personal and individualized herbal consultations via phone and email through Herb Consults.

“Are Chinese Herbal Medicines Proven”, Copyright © 2008, All Rights Reserved. You may reprint this article as long as no changes are made and the information about the author is included.

Herb Consults

Improve your health, start feeling better and be able to do what you want to do…. Contact us to schedule your online herbal consultation today! We offer you a comprehensive evaluation of your health problem, on-on-one phone consultations, written reports, herbal recommendations and more….
You owe it to yourself!