How and When to take Herbal Medicine
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| Shennong, the Farmer God, tasting herbs to discover their qualities |
Many people believe that natural herbal remedies, such as those used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, are completely safe to use, with no side affects or adverse reactions. Although this is basically true, to say that they carry no risk of harm at all would be false. A typical herbal remedy will contain many ingredients sourced from numerous plants, which are grown wild or cultivated for their medicinal properties. Such products are difficult to assess for their final quality after harvesting and the manufacturing process. Care should be taken, therefore, to purchase the best quality product possible to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Attention must also be paid to how and when the medicine is digested. Just as with western drugs, taking herbal remedies inappropriately in conjunction with other medications and/or food can lead to them not giving their desired effect, or even causing more harm than good. This is a problem in particular when buying a natural product ”off the shelf”, because you have ”heard through the grapevine” that it is beneficial for your problem, instead of seeing a holistic doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Also, it must be remembered that in TCM, herbs are used to correct weakness, and organ and energy imbalances. Once strength and balance are restored, herbal treatment is no longer required and should be stopped. The appropriate foods are then taken to maintain and nurture the body long term.
Many of the herbal formulae that we find in TCM today have been used for hundreds of years. A standard formula consists of several herbs, all playing a particular role. According to the Neijing, the classic text of Chinese medicine, the primary herb is called the King herb. This is responsible for dealing with the syndrome or condition being treated. For example, in a cold syndrome, the King herb must warm up the body. Often there may be two King herbs in a formula, for example, to treat a wind-heat syndrome. The Subject herb(s) assist and reinforce the action of the King herb. The Assistant herbs deal with minor symptoms of the syndrome in question, as well as controlling any toxic effects or drastic actions of the other herbs. Finally, the Servant herb helps balance the other herbs in the formula and brings them to the region of the body that needs to be treated.
Herbal formulae are traditionally prepared as a decoction which is then drunk like a tea. In this way, they are easily absorbed and take effect quickly. However, nowadays many formulae may also be found in powder or tablet form, which makes them more economical and easier to carry and preserve. They tend to be slower in absorption and are more suited to chronic and deficient conditions. Whichever way a TCM herbal remedy is taken, the following rules should be observed.
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If the remedy is in powder or tablet form, take with boiled water. In general, to treat a hot condition, take the herbs with cool water; to treat a cold condition take the herbs with warm or hot water. There are some exceptions to the water rule, such as when taking Yunnan Paiyao, where it is often recommended that it be ingested with wine to enable quicker absorption into the bloodstream. If in doubt, always ask your doctor, or refer to any accompanying, explanatory leaflet. -
Never take herbal medications with tea. In TCM, tea is regarded as obstructive and can interfere with the absorption of herbs, which will result in reducing their effect. Tea is generally cold in property, which would counteract the warming properties of some herbs. Some teas contain caffeine and theophylline which stimulate the central nervous system and may result in negating the effects of the herbs all together in the treatment of conditions such as insomnia.
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When treating acute symptoms, herbal remedies can be taken at any time, however for chronic conditions it is better to take a herbal remedy according to a fixed schedule, at the same time every day. Not only does a routine make it easier to remember, but also the remedy will then have its maximum effect. In general, tonics to strengthen the body should be taken before meals. Remedies for disorders in or above the chest should be taken after meals. Remedies for disorders below the heart should be taken before meals. Quick acting herbs should be taken in the evening, after all meals. If tablets are taken before meals, allow a minimum of 30-45 minutes before eating.
As Chinese herbal remedies come from natural sources there can be advantages in some cases for eating certain foods during the course of therapy. For example, consuming pears or other fruit may be beneficial while taking herbs for lung disorders. The effects of tonic herbs may be increased when consuming chicken, and grains are recommended with herbal treatment for diarrhea. On the other hand, there are certain foods that should be avoided all together:
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Milk is considered to be a nutritious drink in conditions of deficiency and weakness. However, it can cause excess phlegm for those already suffering from colds and flu. Milk should be avoided completely during treatment for warming yang conditions, (for example if taking kidney qi pills, or strengthening soups), as it will reduce their effect considerably.
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Sticky, or glutinous, rice is warm in property and beneficial to spleen and stomach. However, when made into rice cakes it becomes difficult to digest. It is best to avoid sticky rice completely when taking herbal formulae, such as Bao He Wan, which treat and nourish the spleen.
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Chilly peppers are good to use in cold and damp climates, but eaten in excess they can lead to dizziness, toothache, sore throat and flareups of hemorrhoids. They should not be eaten if treatment is being given to cool the body.
- Bamboo shoots are popular in many dishes. They are cold in nature and beneficial for getting rid of toxins. However, they can cause side effects for some people. If you have a damp condition, they will increase dampness in the joints, causing aches and pain.
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Turnips have many medicinal properties and are especially beneficial for use in lung disorders. However, they are counter indicated while taking herbs for strengthening qi, such as ginseng.
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