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Other common name(s): traditional Chinese medicine, TCM, Chinese herbs, Oriental medicine
Scientific/medical name(s):
none
Description
Chinese herbal medicine is a major aspect of traditional
Chinese medicine, which focuses on restoring a balance of energy, body,
and spirit to maintain health rather than treating a particular disease
or medical condition. Herbs are used with the goal of restoring balance
by nourishing the body.
Overview
Because of the large number of Chinese herbs used and the
different uses recommended by practitioners, it is difficult to comment
on Chinese herbal medicine as a whole. There may be some individual
herbs or extracts that play a role in the prevention and treatment of
cancer and other diseases when combined with conventional treatment.
However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of
these individual substances.
How is it promoted for use?
Chinese herbal medicine is not based on conventional Western
concepts of medical diagnosis and treatment. It treats patientsÂ’ main
complaints or the patterns of their symptoms rather than the underlying
causes. Practitioners attempt to prevent and treat imbalances, such as
those caused by cancer and other diseases, with complex combinations of
herbs, minerals, and plant extracts.
Chinese herbal medicine uses a variety of herbs, in different
combinations, to restore balance to the body (see Astragalus, Ginkgo,
Ginseng, Green Tea, and Siberian Ginseng). Herbal preparations are said
to prevent and treat hormone disturbances, infections, breathing
disorders, and a vast number of other ailments and diseases. Some
practitioners claim herbs have the power to prevent and treat a variety
of cancers. (see Astragalus, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Green Tea, Siberian
Ginseng).
Most Chinese herbalists do not claim to cure cancer. They use
herbal medicine along with conventional treatment prescribed by
oncologists, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. They claim
that herbal remedies can help ease the side effects of conventional
cancer therapies, control pain, improve quality of life, strengthen the
immune system, and in some cases, stop tumor growth and spread.
What does it involve?
In China, there are over 3,200 herbs, 300 mineral and animal
extracts, and over 400 formulas used. Herbal formulations may consist
of 4 to 12 different ingredients, to be taken in the form of teas,
powders, pills, tinctures, or syrups.
Chinese herbal remedies are made up of one or two herbs that
are said to have the greatest effect on major aspects of the problem
being treated. The other herbs in the formula treat minor aspects of
the problem, direct the formula to specific parts of the body, and help
the other herbs work more efficiently.
With the increase in popularity of herbal use, many Chinese
herbs are sold individually and in formulas. In the United States,
Chinese herbs and herbal formulas may be purchased in health food
stores, some pharmacies, and from herbal medicine practitioners.
Before choosing a mixture of herbs for a patient, the
traditional Chinese practitioner will typically ask about symptoms and
examine the patient, often focusing on the skin, hair, tongue, eyes,
pulses, and voice, in order to detect imbalances in the body.
What is the history behind it?
Native cultures all over the world have traditionally used
herbs to maintain health and treat illnesses. Chinese herbal medicine
developed with Chinese culture from tribal roots. By 200 BC,
traditional Chinese medicine was firmly established, and by the first
century AD, a listing of medicinal herbs and herbal formulations had
been developed.
The classic Chinese book on medicinal herbs was written
during the Ming Dynasty (1152-1578) by Li Shi-Zhen. It listed nearly
2,000 herbs and extracts. By 1990, the latest edition of The
Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China listed more than 500
single herbs or extracts and nearly 300 complex formulations.
As Western conventional medicine spread to the East, some
traditional Chinese medical practices began to be regarded as folklore.
However, since 1949, the Chinese government has supported the use of
both traditional and Western medicine. Chinese herbal medicine first
came to wide-spread attention in the United States in the 1970s, when
President Richard Nixon visited China. Today, at least 30 states
license practitioners of Oriental medicine and more than 25 colleges of
Oriental medicine exist in the United States.
What is the evidence?
Some herbs and herbal formulations have been evaluated in
animal, laboratory, and human studies in both the East and the West
with wide-ranging results. Research results vary widely depending on
the specific herb, but several have shown activity against cancer cells
in laboratory dishes and in some lab animals.
There is some evidence from randomized clinical trials that
some Chinese herbs may contribute to longer survival rates, reduction
of side effects, and lower risk of recurrence for some cancers,
especially when combined with conventional treatment. Many of these
studies, however, are published in Chinese, and some of them do not
list the specific herbs that were tested. Some of these journal
articles do not describe how the studies were conducted completely
enough to determine whether they use methods comparable to those used
in Western clinical research. However, there are some notable
exceptions, such as the PC-SPES, a mixture including several Chinese
herbs that has been studied in considerable detail in US clinical
trials (see PC-SPES).. More controlled research is needed to determine
the role of Chinese herbal medicine in cancer treatment and prevention.
Are there any possible problems
or complications?
This product is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike drugs (which must be tested before being allowed to be sold), the companies that make supplements are not required to prove to the Food and Drug Administration that their supplements are safe or effective, as long as they don't claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease.
Some such products may not contain the amount of the herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include other substances (contaminants). Actual amounts per dose may vary between brands or even between different batches of the same brand.
Most such supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
Because of the variety of herbs used in Chinese herbal
medicine, there is a potential for negative interactions with
prescribed drugs. Some herbal preparations contain other ingredients
which are not always identified. The FDA has issued a statement warning
diabetics to avoid several specific brands of Chinese herbal products
because they illegally contain the prescription diabetes drugs
glyburide and phenformin. FDA warnings have been issued for PC-SPES and
production of that product stopped because the Chinese herbal products
also contained prescription drugs (indomethicin, diethylstilbestrol and
warfarin).
Similar concerns have been raised about Chinese herbal
products for other diseases, which have been found to contain toxic
contaminants and prescription drugs such as diazepam (Valium). Tests of
Chinese herbal remedies by the California Department of Health found
that nearly one third contained prescription drugs or were contaminated
with toxic metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead. Concerns about
Chinese herbal products have been raised in other countries as well.
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reported that some
Chinese herbal products contained contaminants which caused severe
liver and thyroid problems that were fatal in some cases.
Even herbs with no contaminants can cause allergic reactions in a few people. Those who are allergic to plants, including plant-based foods, may be more likely to react to herbs.
Of the more than 5,000 medicinal plant species in China, a
small number are potentially toxic (poisonous) to the human body. Toxic
herbs may mistakenly be harvested and shipped for herbal medicines and
cause harmful reactions in those who take the medicines. In addition,
the herbal formulas used are often complex and difficult for
manufacturers and practitioners to formulate correctly. For example, an
herbal product intended to promote weight loss confused two Chinese
herbs with similar names and mistakenly used the wrong one, resulting
in severe kidney damage that was fatal in some cases.
Although the long history of traditional Chinese herbal
medicine is sometimes interpreted as evidence of safety, it is
important to note that many of these herbs are no longer produced and
used as they were in the past. The historical safety of using low doses
of an herb for a short period of time under close supervision of a
traditional practitioner does not assure safety when these herbs are
used in high doses and concentrated forms over a longer period without
medical guidance, not does it address concerns of intentional or
inadvertent contamination of these herbs with toxic substances or
prescription drugs during the manufacturing process.
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine licensed by a
state board can provide advice on sources of herbs less likely to
contain dangerous contaminants. Because some herbs used in traditional
Chinese medicine may cause dangerous interactions with conventional
medications, patients should talk with their doctor and pharmacist before using any of
the herbs.
Additional Resources
More Information From Your
American Cancer Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered
from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
ADAM. University of Maryland. Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Availabele at:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsModalities/TraditionalChineseMedicinecm.html.
April 12, 2007.
Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons. A Report to
the National Institutes of Health on Alternative Medical Systems and
Practices in the United States. Washington, DC: US Government Printing
Office; 1994. NIH publication 94-066.
Au AM, Ko R, Boo FO, Hsu R, Perez G, Yang Z. Screening
methods for drugs and heavy metals in Chinese patent medicines. Bull
Environ Contam Toxicol. 2000;65:112-119.
Boik J. Cancer and Natural Medicine: A Textbook of Basic
Science and Clinical Research. Princeton, MN: Oregon Medical Press;
1995.
Cole MR, Fetrow CW. Adulteration of Dietary Supplements. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2003;60:1576-1580.
Ergil KV, Kramer EJ, Ng AT. Chinese herbal medicines. Western Journal of Medicine. 2002; 176:275-279.
Ko RJ. Adulterants in Asian patent medicines. N Engl J Med.
1998;339:847-847.
Marcus DM, Grollman AP. Botanical medicines -- the need for
new regulations. N Engl J Med. 2002;347:2073-2076.
Note: This information may not
cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Revised: 06/26/2007
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