About Chinese Herbs
The Shorter...
Chinese Medicinal Herbology is a highly structured and complex system of herbal prescribing. Herb formulas are prescribed in combinations with as few as two or three herbs up to 12 or even 15 herbs. Most formulas are given as either capsules or small tablets. All herbs used in the clinic are Tested by companies for purity and are GMP certified.
The Longer...
The complex and well delineated system of Chinese Medicinal Herbology begins at the first major herbal text, the Shen Nong Ben Cao which began as an oral tradition with the first written version appearing in the Han Dynasty about 220 A.D. The herbs in this text were originally divided into three sections, curing illness, rehabilitation after illness and increasing well being when one is well.
In the way that the acupuncture vessels were likened to the ancient canals of China, the metaphor for herb formulas is the Imperial court.
There is an Emperor herb which is listed first. The Emperor herb begins the central thesis of the formula. Next is the Minister herb(s) which support the Emperor, followed by the Adjuvant herb(s) which have a variety of functions including treating ancillary symptoms. The Messenger herb takes the herbs to the area of the body to be treated. The Harmonizing herb coordinates the herbs in the formula creating a cohesive force. When I was learning in clinic one of my most influential mentors would admonish me, “All Herbs… But no Formula!!”
Thereby pointing out the lack of cohesion and clarity in my prescription.
The five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water are also aspects of a formula. Each of these elemental qualities is associated with a flavor such as Earth which has a sweet taste. Therefore it goes to the Tai-Yin channel, affects the Spleen and is Tonifying in it’s nature. Medicinal herbs are also said to have the
Four Natures, hot, cold, warm, cool and a fifth which is neutral and mediates the others.
Over the centuries this herbal logic has been refined and developed, coming from an area that had no other form of medicine thereby making it rational and effective.