Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) developed the worlds first anesthesia and began describing cancer treatment at 1600BC, by 475 BCE seven distinct forms of cancer were categorized and being effectively treated.  As TCM looks at the interrelationship of the entire body, a formula for the common cold will take digestion into account as well as the liver's role in the immune system. Herbal formulations developed to a high degree and were carefully engineered to account for side effects.  This is why TCM herbal formulas enjoy a high success rate, while having some of the lowest toxicities of medical grade substances. 

 

Medical influences on TCM have come from African, Greco-Arabic, and European medical traditions.  As Chinese power and influence spread they were able to cultivate exotic herbs and categorize them according to their complex understanding of the human body.  Even today modern medications are also classified and added to TCM pharmacopeias. Over the last 100 years extensive research has been done in Chinese and abroad on the safety and efficicay of Chinese herbs. Through this research they have developed an understanding of the biomedical mechanism behind their functions.

 

Herbal formulas can be administered in the following ways:

 

Water Decoction: The herbs are soaked, then boiled.. Some herbal constituents come out only after long boiling, while light essential oils are lost after the first 15 minutes. It is important to know the exact amount of time the herbs should be decocted. Each batch is typically made into two water decoctions which are both taken in the same day.

 

Alcohol: Herbs are soaked in strong rice wine and left to distill over time to create a tincture. A small amount is taken with meals.

 

Powder: Powders are either boiled in water or taken orally in capsule form. It is very important to note that many formulas only work when they have been decocted together. The chemicals bind in specific ways under the right conditions. When taking powder formulas it is important to make sure that they have been distilled and distracted as a formula. The chemical combinations do not bind the same way in the human stomach as they do in boiing water.

 

Pills: Tiny pills are used in Over the Counter (OTC) formulas for easy digestion. Pills are useful for maintinece and convenience and are typically used in chronic cases..

 

Granules: Granule packets are disolved in water. They are commercially mixed with sweetener to improve taste. In China the most commonly used formulas are made into granules, while in Japan they are used for clinical trials and in hospitals due to their ease of use.

 

Herbal Patches: Some herbs can have effects through the skin and are applied in the form of herbal patches.

 

Herbal Facial Cream: These are used for skin conditions.

 

Dietary Herbs: Herbs are added to food to help prevent diseases before they start. This is the most common way in which herbs are used in Asia. This is the best solution for long term health and longevity.