Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine is a treasure for human healthcare
due to its rich experience that has accumulated for thousands of years.1
Over-the-counter Chinese medicines are preferred over conventional Western
medicines in China because the Chinese believe in natural products and
alternative medicines.2
Introduction
Chinese medicine is a system of medicine oriented
toward the patient that uses the holistic approach to treat the subject,
instead of the disease.1
Traditional Chinese medicine is getting more and more
attention from scientists and suffering people due to its mild nature, its
effect on multiple targets, and its emphasis on retaining the balance in an
individual. However, very little is known about the interaction between
traditional Chinese medicine and an organism. Because of the dearth of
information about the active compounds present and the synergistic actions of
the various components, it is difficult to evaluate the holistic efficacy of
traditional Chinese medicine.4
Historically, Chinese medicines are made as decoctions
using a unique methodology with specific combinations of various herbs as a
formula.5
Benefits
Here is a list of benefits to be obtained from Chinese
medicine:
- It is
effective in treating acute mountain sickness.1
- Acupuncture
has been found to be effective in treating pain in patients with
whiplash-associated disorders. However, it is not effective in decreasing
disability.1
- As an adjunct
therapy, Chinese medicine may improve the symptoms and the quality of life
for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.1
- In China,
astralagus-containing Chinese herbal preparations are combined with
chemotherapy for patients of lung cancer.1
- Chinese
medicine has shown to better the core symptoms of postinfectious cough,
have an quicker antitussive effect, and improve the quality of life of the
patient.1
- Chinese
medicine is used for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
in hospitals.2
- Chinese
medicine is also used for treating musculoskeletal diseases, gynecological
diseases, urinary system diseases, and respiratory diseases in hospitals.2
- Alismatis
Rhizoma Decoction, a classical traditional
Chinese medicine, is used for the treatment of vertigo.3
- Tongxinluo
has a protective effect on the blood-brain
barrier and may be effective in acute stroke.4
- Danggui Buxue
Tang, a simple herbal decoction made of the roots of Astralagus membranaceus and the roots of Angelica sinensis, is prescribed in China for menopausal
symptoms, such as hot flushes, mood swings, sweating, and anxiety.5
- Danmu
injection, made from Nauclea
officinalis, is used for the treatment of fever, cold, and swelling of
throat in China.6
Scientific research
Due to the lack of scientific evidence, the scientific
validity of Chinese medicine is in question. The World Health Organization and
the Cochrane Database have documented that Chinese medicine is effective in the
treatment of many diseases, especially chronic disorders.1
Mode of action
Chinese medicine has a wide spectrum of treatment
methods that include herbal, acupuncture, qigong, proprietary Chinese medicine,
and moxibustion. Based on the pattern of disharmony that is identified, the
therapy to be used is selected and customized.1
The 6 most popular categories of Chinese medicine,
along with their examples are:
- Cold
medicine (999 Ganmaoling granule, Xiaochaihu
granule, Vitamin C Yinqiao tablet, Antiviral oral-liquid, Lianhua Qingwen
capsule)
- Respiratory
system medicine (Milian Chuanbei Pipa paste, 999
Qiangli Pipa lu, Shedan Chuanbei liquid, Chuanbei Pipa paste, Jubong tanke
liquid)
- Digestive
system agent (Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid, Jianwei
Xiaoshi tablets, 999 Weitai granules, Stomach-recovering capsule, Health
pill)
- Gynecological
medicine (Fuyankang tablets, Gynecologic
Qianjin tablets, Wuji Baifen Wan, Huahong tablets, Kanggongyan tablets)
- Health
tonic medicine (Donkey-hide gelatin, Liuwei Dihuang
pill, Renal Aid, Buzhong Yiqi pill, Anshen Bunao syrup)
- Heat-clearing
and detoxifying medicine (Banlangen
granules, Niuhuang Jiedu tablets, Zhongsheng pill, Sanhuang tablets,
Pudilan Xiaoyan tablets)2
Side effects
Toxic contaminants in over-the-counter Chinese
medicine are frequently cited as a safety issue. Research has also been
conducted to determine the dosages and schedules required to avoid adverse side
effects.
Safety problems have been frequently reported despite the fact that
most Chinese medicines are manufactured from natural products. High
concentrations of heavy metals were found in an aloe compound capsule and acute
kidney injury was caused by Han fangji (Stephania tetrandra).2
With the widespread use of traditional Chinese
medicine injections, many serious adverse effects have been reported due to the
lack of a reliable and feasible quality control to monitor the changes
occurring in the medicine’s properties during the process of preparation,
transportation, storage, and finally use in the clinic.6
References:
1. Cho WC, Lee MS, Lao L, Litscher G. Systematic
review and meta-analysis in Chinese medicine. Evid Based Complement
Alternat Med. 2014;2014:859309. doi:10.1155/2014/859309. Epub 2014 Aug 27.
PubMed PMID: 25243013; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4163305
2. Ge S, He TT, Hu H. Popularity
and customer preferences for over-the-counter Chinese medicines perceived by
community pharmacists in Shanghai and Guangzhou: a questionnaire survey study.
Chin Med. 2014 Sep 13;9:22. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-9-22. eCollection 2014.
PubMed PMID: 25243017; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4169131
3. Song C, Huang X, Lu K, Peng M, Yu S, Fang N. The
rationality of the hypolipidemic effect of alismatis rhizoma decoction, a
classical chinese medicine formula in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice.
Iran J Pharm Res. 2014 Spring;13(2):641-9. PubMed PMID: 25237360; PubMed
Central PMCID: PMC4157040.
4. Cheng X, Luo H, Zhou L, Wang L, Sun J, Huang Y, Luo
E, Cai Y. Neuroprotective
effect of the traditional Chinese herbal formula Tongxinluo: a PET imaging
study in rats. Neural Regen Res. 2014 Jul 1;9(13):1267-74. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.137573.
PubMed PMID: 25221578; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4160852.
5. Zierau O, Zheng KY, Papke A, Dong TT, Tsim KW,
Vollmer G. Functions
of Danggui Buxue Tang, a Chinese Herbal Decoction Containing Astragali Radix
and Angelicae Sinensis Radix, in Uterus and Liver are Both Estrogen
Receptor-Dependent and -Independent. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
2014;2014:438531. doi: 10.1155/2014/438531. Epub 2014 Aug 19. PubMed PMID:
25214874; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4156991.
6. Zhu FX, Wang JJ, Li XF, Sun E, Jia XB. Qualitative
and quantitative analysis of the major constituents in traditional Chinese
medicine Danmu injection using LC-ESI-MS(n) and LC-DAD. Pharmacogn Mag.
2014 Jul;10(39):254-64. doi: 10.4103/0973-1296.137365. PubMed PMID: 25210312;
PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4159918
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