Herbal medicine is an integral component of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves the use of natural substances, such as plants, minerals, and animal products, to restore balance and support healing. Herbal prescriptions are tailored to individual needs and can be used internally or externally to address a wide range of conditions.
Chinese herbal medicine has a profound history that forms the backbone of an outcome-driven healthcare system. Spanning from the early Han Dynasty to the late Han Dynasty, this ancient practice witnessed significant advancements, refinement, and expansion. During this period, clinical experience led to the refinement of medical theories, pulse diagnosis, acupuncture techniques, and herbal prescriptions. Classical texts emerged, providing a systematic framework for Chinese medicine and guiding practitioners for generations to come.
Modern Chinese herbal medicine draws upon this rich tradition. With over 500 medical materials and thousands of formulas dating back thousands of years, practitioners combine single herbs to create multi-herb formulas for mass production or custom prescriptions. This pharmacological system requires in-depth knowledge of single herbs and the ability to create formulas that direct the chief agents to specific areas of the body. While mainstream pharmacology tends to isolate and synthesize specific chemical constituents for patenting, traditional Chinese herbs continue to provide inspiration for pharmaceutical development.
It’s worth noting that traditional medicine, including herbal medicines, acupuncture, and other local therapies, is widely used worldwide. According to the World Health Organization Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, approximately 88% of countries incorporate traditional medicine into their healthcare systems. While the US healthcare system primarily relies on synthetic medications, the medical properties of herbs have still contributed to the development of various drugs through the isolation and synthesis of specific chemical constituents.
*The information on these pages is for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure.
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