Chinese Herbal Formulas vs. Herbal Supplement
Often when I suggest taking an herbal formula to patients, I’m met with a mixture of fascination and skepticism. Everyone seems to have a relative that took some herbal supplement for months and it did nothing. I often find myself trying to discuss how herbs need to be checked for potency, or that all types of herbs are not the same. The core problem, however, is that Chinese herbal formulas are fundamentally different from herbal supplements that you get from Costco or Super Supplements. In fact, the only similarity they have is that they both come from natural sources, hopefully. To clear up the differences and to offer some general advice when taking herbs, I have created this resource. I hope it is helpful.
Differences between Chinese Herbal Formulas and Herbal Supplements
Chinese herbal formulas use multiple, carefully chosen herbs in traditional, complex preparations while American herbal supplements often focus on single herbs for specific symptoms.
Holistic Approach: Chinese herbal medicine treats the whole person and their patterns of symptoms, focusing on restoring overall bodily balance rather than just targeting a single ailment.
Complex Formulas: Formulas are traditional, complex combinations of multiple herbs, chosen for their synergistic effects to reduce side effects and enhance efficacy.
Ancient Theory & Practice: Formulas are developed based on thousands of years of clinical testing and a deep theoretical understanding of how herbs interact with the body.
Personalized Treatment: A practitioner provides a personalized prescription based on a detailed diagnosis of the individual's overall health.
American Herbal Supplements
Symptomatic Approach: American herbalism generally focuses on treating specific symptoms or diseases.
Single Herb Focus: Many supplements contain one type of herb, though they can also be a combination of a few herbs in one product.
Modern Standardization: Products are often standardized for their active ingredients and are regulated as dietary supplements.
Potential for Self-Medication: Consumers may self-diagnose and self-prescribe based on internet information, which can be risky without professional guidance.
How Chinese Herbal Formulas are Structured
Herbal formulation in Chinese Herbal Medicine is guided by the system of Jun Chen Zuo Shi (Chief, Deputy, Assistant, Envoy), which originated in the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic). This system guides how most Chinese herbal formulas are made. The fundamental goal of this system is two-fold; to make the therapeutic effect stronger and to reduce any negative side-effects.
The four components of the Jun Chen Zuo Shi system and their main functions are:
Jun yao (chief herb): Treats the key disease or symptom. It is the essential ingredient, used at a large dose to maximize effect.
Chen yao (deputy herb): Has two main functions: it reinforces the effect of the chief herb to treat the key disease or symptom; and it treats associated or coexisting diseases or symptoms. For instance; in formulas that treat digestive problems the deputy herbs often work to improve the general functioning of the digestive system while the chief herb is treating the specific problem.
Zuo yao (assistant herb): Has three main functions: it reinforces the effect of the chief or deputy herbs; it counteracts the toxicity or minimizes the drastic effects of the chief or deputy herbs. In essence, the assistant herbs are added to either reinforce the chief or deputy herbs (broadening the therapeutic effect) or they offset the side-effects of those same herbs (making the overall formula safer).
Shi yao (envoy herb): Has two main functions: it acts as a channel-guiding herb to direct the formula to affect certain areas of the body; and it harmonizes all of the herbs within the formula (essentially improving the function of the entire formula).
The Jun Chen Zuo Shi system gives a solid therapeutic foundation to all Chinese herbal formulas preserving therapeutic efficiency while removing negative side-effects. There is some single herb use in Chinese Medicine or perhaps just a Chief and Deputy Herb taken together. However, formulas are usually fashioned to treat the body in a more holistic fashion, not only treating a specific symptom but nourishing and balancing the body’s systems. This promotes healing but also prevents future recurrence of the same disorder.
A Note on Safety and Effectiveness
Herbal medicines of any sort fall under the category of dietary supplements in the United States. Manufacturers are required to label the ingredients and meet safety standards, but even that is on an honor system. The Food and Drug Administration is allowed to pull supplements off the market that they believe are harmful, but they will usually only do so after they have received many complaints. There is very little policing of the dietary supplements market and manufacturers often make outlandish claims and use inferior quality ingredients while charging huge prices for their products. This is why I discourage my patients from buying the hyped up miracle cures that are all over the media. It is always best to seek professional guidance when taking any kind of medicine; whether it be supplements, herbs or pharmaceutical medicine.
