Chinese Herbal Theory

Chinese herbal theory, the theoretical base of Chinese Material Medica, has been established through long-term empirical clinical practice. It defines the character and functions of each herb, which include property, flavor, functional tendency, meridian channel tropism, and toxicity. Chinese herbal theory is based on the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Phases (Wu Xing ), which are the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Thus, each herb is closely related to Zang-Fu organs and meridian channel systems. This unique structure of theory forms the core of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

There are terms used in TCM theory that differ in meaning from the English definitions of those terms. These include terms such as Qi, the names of the Zang-Fu Organ systems, the names of the Eight Principal patterns of disharmony in the body, the names of the Six Pernicious Influences involved in disease, other TCM terms, and certain descriptive words. These terms are capitalized in the text.

The Zang-Fu Organ systems are the Heart, Lung, Kidney, Spleen, Liver, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Bladder, Stomach, Gall Bladder, Triple Heater, and Pericardium. These Organs have a functional significance in TCM that differs somewhat from their meanings in Western medical terminology. For example, in TCM, the Kidney has functions that include not only the filtration of consumed liquids and the absorption of nutrients from those liquids, but also the regulation of mental and emotional states.

In TCM, the term "channel" is used to describe a route of Qi flow through the body. Specific channels can be associated with specific Zang-Fu Organs. The name of the Organ is also capitalized when used to describe a channel. For example, an herb may be described as acting on the Lung channel.

The Eight Principal patterns are pairs of opposites that form the basis of medical diagnosis in TCM theory. They are Yin, Yang, Deficiency, Excess, Interior, Exterior, Hot, and Cold. These terms are often combined. For example, Yin Deficiency (or Deficient Yin) may indicate general weakness and lethargy, or if localized to a particular Organ system, it may indicate a more specific syndrome. Exterior Heat may indicate a rash. There are no exact equivalents for these combinations in Western terminology - exterior heat suggests an August afternoon in Yuma, Arizona.

The Six Pernicious Influences are Wind, Cold, Summer Heat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire. In TCM theory, the term Wind describes changes in conditions that occur rapidly. The changes could be due to weather, an environmental irritant such as an allergen, or an infectious virus or bacteria. The Pernicious Influences can also be combined with the Principal patterns and the Organ systems as a diagnostic aid. For example, Excess Spleen Dampness often indicates diarrhea.

Additional terms and descriptive words used in TCM theory are Essence, Mind, Blood, Phlegm, Vital, Pathogenic, Stagnant, Stasis, and Rebellious. Thus, there can be Deficient Vital Essence, Blood Stasis, Stagnant Qi, and even worse, Rebellious Qi. Rebellious Qi indicates a localized counterflow of Qi against the balanced, harmonious flow of Qi.

A number of specific herbal formulas have been in use in China for hundreds and in some cases thousands of years. Many of these have been so widely used that they have achieved a titled status. These titled formulas are enclosed in quotation marks, and are also capitalized.

When a term has a meaning that is essentially identical in TCM and English, the word is not capitalized. For example, in TCM, the term Phlegm indicates an accumulation of fluid that may be localized in the Lung, Kidney, and/or Spleen, and is considered a cause of disease. In English, the occurrence of phlegm is generally confined to the lung and respiratory passages, and is considered a by-product of disease. If the term phlegm refers to the English meaning, it is not capitalized.

Bibliography:

-Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, 1993.

-Diet Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Yong Liang Yang and Zheng Hao Zhang, eds. Beijing: China Medicine, Science and Technology Press, 1999.

-Oriental Medicine: An Illustrated Guide to the Asian Arts of Healing. J. Van Alphen, et al. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1996.