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Chinese Herbs vs. Pharmaceutical Drugs
Chinese herbs can treat many of the same diseases, injuries, or
pains as Western medicine. However, it is important to note
the difference in taking herbal formulas versus a drug.
It is crucial to understand the difference between the
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Chinese herbal approach - ingesting the whole
plant/animal substance. Chinese medicine follows
nature's way, and seeks treatment success on a broader, more
gradual path. |
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Western
pharmacologists - extracting the potent molecule,
they take a plant substance, find the most effective
molecule for a certain disease, extract it, patent it and
sell it in a very high concentration. |
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What is considered a superior drug in Chinese medicine may be
considered an inferior drug in Western medicine and vice versa.
Chinese medicine follows nature's way, and seeks treatment
success on a broader, more gradual path.
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A good example is ephedrine. Derived from the Chinese herb
Ma Huang/Ephedra, it was put into concentrated capsule form
for the treatment of asthma in Western medicine. In its
pharmaceutical form, ephedrine can over stimulate the heart,
leading to high blood pressure, palpitations and increased
nervousness. In
Chinese medicine, however, Ephedra is used in its natural form,
where the ephedrine has a concentration of less than 1% for the
treatment of asthma. Although the beneficial effects are more
gradual, there are far fewer negative side effects. Ephedra in
its natural form is more suitable for gradual absorption into
the metabolism of the body because the plant has other
ingredients which offset many side effects.
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Western culture fosters the quick-fix, pop-a-pill approach which
can suppress symptoms immediately. Herbs are not a quick-fix,
except in acute cases where the changes can be dramatic. Many
patients who seek herbal treatments have chronic problems and it
is important that they understand that herbs are slow and
gradual in their efficacy. Herbs work on the root cause of the
illness as well as treating the symptoms.
At Acupuncture Northwest we
offer a full pharmacy of Chinese Formulas. Ask Patty what
is best for you! |
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