Herbology & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Dr. Mudrak is a diplomate in Chinese Herbology as certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Herbal medicine is the main modality or treatment method within Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM. TCM is the world's oldest, continually practiced, professional medicine. Its written history stretches back not less than 2,500 years and its practice is undoubtedly much older than that. Although acupuncture was the first Chinese modality to gain wide acceptance in the West, Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies in the West.

Questions & Answers About Chinese Herbal Medicine: a Patient's Primer:

• Q1: What's the difference between Western folk herbalism and Chinese herbal medicine?
• Q2: Are there any other differences?
• Q3: Are all the “herbs” vegetable in origin?
• Q4: Do all the herbs come from China?
• Q5: Do Chinese herbs work for Western patients?
• Q6: How are Chinese herbs taken?
• Q7: What are the benefits of Chinese herbal pills?
• Q8: Does Chinese herbal medicine have side effects?
• Q9: What is Chinese herbal medicine good for?
• Q10: Can pregnant women take Chinese herbs?
• Q11: Can children take Chinese herbal medicine?
• Q12: How do I know if a practitioner is professionally trained in Chinese herbal medicine?

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Q1: What's the difference between Western folk herbalism and Chinese herbal medicine?

A1: Western folk herbalism primarily treats diseases or symptoms, such as headaches, runny nose, menstrual pain, etc. Chinese herbal medicine, when practiced as part of TCM, is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis.

This means the TCM patient receives a custom written herbal prescription designed to treat both the symptom or disease and also their individual pattern. Such a TCM pattern is made up of a person's signs and symptoms as well as their emotional temperament and bodily constitution.

 

Q2: Are there any other differences?

A2: Western folk herbalism primarily uses single herbs or groups of herbs which treat the symptom or disease. TCM formulas include from 6-18 herbs. They are carefully crafted to include herbs addressing a person's main symptoms as well as their entire pattern.

 

Q3: Are all the "herbs" vegetable in origin?

A3: Although called Chinese herbal medicine, TCM practitioners use ingredients from all three kingdoms, vegetable, animal and mineral. However, the majority of these are from vegetable sources. Leaves, flowers, twigs, stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes, and barks are some of the vegetable parts used.

 

Q4: Do all the herbs come from China?

A4: Between 15-20% of the standard Chinese repertoire of 500 ingredients originated from outside China. The Chinese have adopted and incorporated into their material medical herbs from all over the world. What makes these "Chinese" herbs is that they are prescribed according to Chinese medical theory and a TCM pattern diagnosis.

 

Q5: Do Chinese herbs work for Western patients?

A5: Yes, empirical evidence has proven that Chinese herbal medicine works for Westerners just as well as for Chinese. Chinese herbal medicine has been used successfully in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and all throughout Asia.

 

Q6: How are Chinese herbs taken?

A6: The most common method of taking Chinese herbal medicine is as a decoction. This means that the herbs are cooked are cooked at a low boil for an hour or more and then strained and drunk 2-3 times per day. However, there are also herbal pills, tincture, and powdered extracts for those who do not have the time or taste for drinking traditional decoctions.

 

Q7: What are the benefits of Chinese herbal pills?

A7: Pills are good for prolonged administration in the case of chronic disease where formulas do not have to be very potent or changed on a frequent basis. Pills are also commonly used to consolidate therapeutic results after a successful course of therapy with decoctions.

 

Q8: Does Chinese herbal medicine have side effects?

A8: No, not if the formula has been correctly chosen and written. Most of the medicinals in the Chinese material medical have a very low toxicity compared to even common, over the counter Western drugs modify their formula until there are no side effects.

 

Q9: What is Chinese herbal medicine good for?

A9: Chinese herbal medicine treats the full range of human disease. It treats acute diseases, like intestinal flu and the common cold, as well as chronic diseases, such as allergies, gynecological disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic viral diseases, and degenerative diseases due to aging. In particular, Chinese herbal medicine is especially good for promoting the body's ability to heal and recuperate.

 

Q10: Can pregnant women take Chinese herbs?

A10: Yes, if prescribed by a professional TCM practitioner. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for over 2,000 years to treat more than two scores of diseases and symptoms occurring during pregnancy without harm to the fetus. Likewise, lactating mothers can take Chinese herbal medicine safely as long as they are prescribed by a trained practitioner.

 

Q11: Can children take Chinese herbal medicine?

A11: In acute conditions, results can be expected in a matter of minutes. In chronic conditions, some results should be seen within two weeks. Although chronic conditions may require taking Chinese herbal medicine for a long time, nonetheless, signs that the medicine is working should be apparent to patient and practitioner alike almost from the very start.

 

Q12: How do I know if a practitioner is professionally trained in Chinese herbal medicine?

A12: in some states, such as Minnesota, all acupuncturists must pass a licensing test which includes Chinese herbal medicine. In addition, the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has created a certification process for Chinese herbal medicine. Practitioners who have passed that certification process are entitled to add the abbreviation Dipl. C.H. for Diplomate of Chinese Herbs after their name.

Dr. Laura Mudrak, D.C., L.Ac. (Dipl. Acup. & C.H.) has the NCCAOM diplomate status and is licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota. Although Chinese herbs are safe when professionally prescribed by a trained, knowledgeable practitioner, they are strong medicine nevertheless. Therefore, it is important that a practitioner be adequately schooled and experienced in their use. A prospective patient should feel free to ask about the training and credentials of a potential practitioner.