n
|
Cedar Valley Clinic of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
|
|
Herbal pharmacology is a major component of traditional Oriental medicine. For more than 5000 years, the Chinese have been developing, improving, and perfecting health-supporting herbal compilations. More than 80,000 herbal formulas are recorded, whose precise quantities and proportions are crucial to their efficacy.
Herbal Formulas One of the characteristics of Chinese herbology is that most herbs are used in combinations of three or more, and sometimes in combinations of more than ten, within a single formulation. The main herb or herbs have the primary effect on the condition, while the "assistant" herbs synergistically increase the effect of the formula, and/or modify and regulate the function of the other herbs to address the entire disease complex and the specific pattern of the individual's condition.
Chinese Medicine Diagnosis: Tailored to the Individual A common type of question often asked of an herbalist is, "What should I take for disease X (arthritis, kidney stones etc.)?" Many people looking for herbal alternatives have learned to define their problems in terms of medical disease labels. In Chinese herbology, a medical diagnosis or a complaint of a single symptom does not impart enough information to the practitioner to determine a correct herbal formula. Essential to the diagnostic techniques of a properly trained practitioner of Chinese herbology are pulse and tongue diagnosis, as well as an in- depth interview. After evaluating all of this information, the herbalist will select a formula specifically tailored to the individual's total body condition as well as to their primary complaint. The precision and sophistication of Chinese herbal pharmacology is the key to its effectiveness, as well as its safety.
Contemporary Americans often harbor fears of using herbs, despite the fact that herbs have been safely used in European culture for thousands of years. This fear may be attributable, in part, to the fact that it has been several generations since we have cast aside herbs in favor of synthetic, commercial, pharmaceutical drugs, and thus, we have forgotten the value we once placed on these time-honored plant-based remedies. Yet, with ever increasing public awareness of the potential for serious and dangerous side effects from synthetic drugs, Americans have been turning back to using natural plants, foods, spices and herbs for health and healing, which are generally safer with less risk of side effects than the more potent pharmaceutical drugs. Many people are surprised to learn that their own kitchens are full of Chinese medicinal herbs which are used in everyday cooking. Spices such as sage, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, curcumin, peppermint, garlic, cayenne pepper, oregano, and nutmeg, to name just a few, are used in Chinese herbal medicine. If the reader will recall, many of these spices were introduced to the West by Marco Polo, the explorer who opened up the spice routes to Asia In light of the foregoing, the question might arise that if such common herbs and spices are to be feared, shouldn't every cook be required to get instruction in the safe practice of herbal medicine before cooking? Indeed, it is entirely plausible that there once was a time, now long forgotten, when ancient chefs did know, at least rudimentarily, the medicinal use of each and every spice. Still, most Americans would agree that there is no pressing need to license every cook to protect the public from the rather doubtful hazards and herbal dangers of ginger and cinnamon! In truth, most herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine are no more to be feared than the common spices used every day in the average American home. Despite the mass hysteria incited by the media over a few well-publicized abuses of certain medicinal herbs, most are as harmless as the spices used in one's favorite Italian recipes. Nevertheless, there are a few herbs which must be used carefully, in measured amounts, and for the correct purposes. Some herbs that are innocuous when administered in correct doses may become potentially harmful when purposefully or accidentally abused (as has unfortunately happened with the herb ephedra sinica). For example, the ubiquitous spice, nutmeg, used in Chinese medicine for specific types of diarrhea, is perfectly safe in reasonable amounts (as eggnog drinkers can attest), but in very large doses can become toxic. This is precisely why a well-trained, board-certified herbalist should be always be consulted prior to taking herbs for medicinal purposes.
Comprehensive Herbal Training In the hands of a qualified herbal practitioner, Chinese herbs are effective and safe. Careful attention to dosage and combinations of herbs, as well as known drug-herb interactions, are covered in comprehensive Chinese herbal medicine education programs. NCCAOM board certified practitioners of Chinese herbology are required to undergo a comprehensive four year study of Chinese herbology, as well as successful completion of a rigorous NCCAOM national board exam to be awarded the Diplomate in Chinese Herbology designation.
Board Certified Herbalist Kent Addleman, M.S.O.M., L.Ac., is a board certified Chinese herbalist. He is a graduate from a four year accredited college of traditional Chinese medicine, which included instruction in all aspects of the extensive Oriental medicine system. All core classes were instructed by Chinese doctors fully trained in Oriental medicine. The M.S.O.M. degree stands for Master of Oriental Medicine, an advanced degree which includes four years of training in Chinese herbology. Kent Addleman also has been awarded the NCCAOM board certification of Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, which can only be attained by graduates from four year accredited Oriental medicine programs who have also passed the difficult NCCAOM Chinese Herbology examination. It should be noted that NCCAOM certification in Chinese Herbology demonstrates the most comprehensive herbal training (of any kind) available in the United States. Most medical professionals, such as M.D.'s, osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, nurse practitioners and massage therapists, receive no formal medical training in herbology, and thus have little, if any, expertise in the field. What training they may have is usually obtained in short, abreviated, weekend courses. Physicians, when they bother at all with herbal information, usually refer to the decidedly pro-pharmaceutical PDR manuals (Physician's Desk Reference) for information on herbs. Even ND's (naturopathic doctors available in some states) receive less hours in herbal training than the NCCAOM Diplomates of Oriental Medicine
Herbal Consultations In most cases herbs will only be dispensed upon proper evaluation of the individual's medical conditions and requirements. Chinese medicine herbalists take quite seriously the responsibility of dispensing herbs, and thus are careful to insure the correct herbs are being used by each patient. In Oriental medicine, herbs are considered to have potent energetic affects on the patient's health, and it is therefore important to perfectly match the individual to the formula which best reflects the diagnostic pattern of the patient, as determined by the herbalist. This is usually accomplished by receiving an herbal consultation. If a consultation is desired, please call Kent Addleman for an appointment at (319) 277-6036.
Herbal Pharmacy The Cedar Valley Clinic of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has a complete Chinese herbal pharmacy on its premises. Chinese green tea of excellent gourmet quality is also available. Our high quality herbal products are GMP certified, and are tested before shipping to insure the herbs are free from contamination.
Web
site written and designed by Kent
Addleman |
