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Herbal Medicine
In the West, when we think of Oriental Medicine, the first thing that comes
to mind is acupuncture. In China, when they think of what is called “Chinese
Medicine” the first thing they would think of is Herbal Medicine. Herbal
Medicine in China has developed along with acupuncture sharing many of
the same treatment philosophies, such as yin/yang, the concept of Qi and
the concept of the Five Phases. Therefore, there are many differences
between the way that herbs are used in Oriental Medicine and the way that
they are used in the West.
The greatest difference is the degree of formulation. In Oriental Herbal
Medicine, herbs are almost always administered in formulas, containing
several individual herbs. Single herbs are only rarely used on their own.
The opposite is true of Western Herbal traditions, where one herb is
usually administered to treat a specific disease and formulas containing
several herbs are less common. Formulation allows Oriental Herbalists to
treat several related conditions with just one formula and to strengthen
the therapeutic effects of the formula while limiting any side effects. One
reason formulation is so effective in Oriental Medicine is that herbs are not
only categorized in terms of the specific disease they treat, as they are in
the West, but also in terms of more general effects they have on the
entire body. Oriental Herbalists are able because of this more holistic
categorization of herbs to treat the underlying condition and not just the
symptoms of the disease to bring about a more complete and lasting
recovery.
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