The integration of traditional and modern medicine

I would like to illustrate one way in which traditional medicine is being integrated with modern, western medicine because this is an important health issue that many countries are considering at present.

Who, When & Where?

Dr Margaret Chan was appointed Director-General of the World Health Organisation, WHO, in November, 2006.

In November 2008, she called on member countries to 'integrate traditional medicine (TM) into their national health systems and for countries to share experience and information related to national policy, regulation, research, education and practice.'

At present, there are 193 member countries or 'states' of WHO.

Why?

WHO claims that 'Traditional Medicine has changed dramatically over the past thirty years and now traditional medicine plays an important role in meeting the demands of primary health care in many developing countries, particularly in African and Asian countries.'

How much?

Here are some statistics from the WHO website, based on 2004 figures:

Total global health spending = US$ 4.1 trillion +

Total global health spending per person per year = US$ 639

Country with highest total spending per person per year on health = United States (US$ 6103)
Country with lowest total spending per person per year on health = Burundi (US$ 2.90)

Country with highest government spending per person per year on health = Norway (US$ 4508)

Country with lowest government spending per person per year on health = Burundi (US$ 0.70)

Country with highest annual out-of-pocket spending on health = Switzerland (US$ 1787)
Country with lowest annual out-of-pocket spending on health = Solomon Islands (US$ 1.00)

Annual spending by the municipal government of New York City (population 8.2 million) on health = US$ 429 million
Annual spending by the government of Bénin (population 8.2 million) on health = US$86 million

WHO estimate of minimum spending per person per year needed to provide basic, life-saving services = US$35 to US$50

What do you think?

My interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background

I come from a medical family.

My mother is a retired neonatologist and my sister has a herbal medicine practice in New Zealand.

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However, my own interest in medicine did not begin until 2003. I had an accident in South Korea and suffered from 3 cracked ribs. The hospital doctor gave me some strong pain-killers and advised me to rest for 6 weeks.

Luckily, a friend introduced me to an acupuncturist.

I missed one day of work and was pain-free after 3 weeks treatment.

I decided then that I needed to learn more about natural medicine in order to become a more natural person.

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First steps

I started by studying the Japanese art of Reiki for 3 years.

My Reiki teacher was a tendai buddhist priest in Kyoto, Japan named Hyakuten Inamoto. http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~reiki/english/index.html

Reiki was founded there in 1914 by Usui Makao.

I once visited a small temple on the top of Mt. Kuryama where he discovered Reiki after meditating for 21 days.

Digging deeper

Reiki is a 'hands-off' form of healing therapy.

I decided that I needed to learn more about the science of natural medicine 'inside' the body.

In 2007, I began studying Traditional Chinese Medicine through http://www.ontcm.com/

Now

I teach English at the Chengdu University of TCM and continue my studies with the help of medical professionals here.

The future

My goal is continue teaching and studying in Chengdu until I become a proficient TCM practitioner in some form of tuina, acupuncture or herbal medicine.

With that knowledge I aim to dedicate my energy towards caring for the needy people of this world.

I believe that TCM is the most practical and cost effective way.

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Further reading

http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=520

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Thesaurus

• neonatologist (n) - a medical specialist in premature baby care
• tendai buddhist (n) - a form of Japanese 'pure land buddhism'
• meditate (v) - to sit quietly and think about life/religion
• hands-off (adj. phrase) - not touching something, limited participant
• proficient (adj.) - competent, experienced
• needy (adj.) - someone who cannot care for themself

Honey cured Pi pa ye (Loquat leaf)

1. Extraction ..... Eriobotrya japonica

The leaves of the Loquat plant are gathered in late spring and early summer throughout GAP farms in Southern China. They are left to dry in the sun, then the soft external hairs, (down), of the leaves are brushed off and the leaves are cut into small pieces.

The loquat leaf is considered bitter and cool in property and is associated with the Lung and Stomach meridians.

2. Production

The crude Pi pa ye is soaked in a mixture of honey interfused water (25kg of honey per 100kg of Pi pa ye and an appropriate amount of water).
It is then stir fried over a soft flame until it turns dark yellow in colour and no longer sticky.







3. Distribution

GSP's sell processed Pi pa ye into pharmacies, hospitals and online.
It is often sold as Chuan Bei Pi Pa Gao (Gold Voice Syrup) which contains a number of other ingredients; Bulbus Fritillariae, Radix Platycodi, Pericarpium citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Typhonii Flagelliformis, Radix Glhniae, Fructus Schisandrae, Flos Farfarae, Aqua Armeniacae, Mentholum.
Online prices range from $8.95 to $16.00 per 150 ml bottle.







4. Consumption

Crude Pi pa ye tonifies qi, strengthens the exterior, promotes urination, removes toxins and regenerates muscles.
Honey cured Pi pa ye tonifies qi and the middle Jiao, treats deficiency of spleen and lung qi, poor appetite and diarrhea, shortness of breath and fatigue, hysteroptosis, hemafecia, uteria bleeding and constipation caused by qi deficiency.

In TCM terms, Pi pa ye transforms phlegm, clears lung heat, and harmonizes the stomach.

Medical thesaurus

• external (adj.) - outside
• interfuse (v) - to mix or blend 2 or more elements
• appropriate (adj.) - suitable
• fatigue (n) - tiredness
• hysteroptosis (n) - prolapse of the uterus
• hemafecia (n) - blood in the stool
• uteria (adj.) - uterus area
• harmonize (v) - to bring something back into balance

The proposed 'essential medicine system' in China

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2009-04/07/content_7655534.htm

'The Chinese government Tuesday announced it will institute an essential medicine system within three years to drive down prescription costs and quell public complaints of limited accessibility of medicines.

It did not say how many drugs would be included in the list, but sources with the Ministry of Health said the list could be compiled on the basis of 300 to 400 drugs recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Prices of the essential drugs will be under government control. The central government will set reference prices, based on which, provincial governments set the purchase prices of the drugs in their jurisdiction.
Public medical and health facilities at the grassroots levels should sell the drugs at the purchase prices, according to the plan.

To ensure the quality of the drugs and prevent corruption in drug purchasing and distribution, the plan also said all essential medicines used in public medical and health institutions can only be purchased from enterprises selected through public tender.
Drug safety regulators should regularly conduct quality inspections of drugs on the list and open the results to the public, the plan states.'

Ginger cured Zhu ru (bamboo shavings)

1. Extraction . . . 'Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam'

Bamboo is harvested from GAP farms in many parts of Southern China at any time of the year.

The green skin is removed from the bamboo stem, the middle layer is shaved into thin slices, then dried in a shadowy place.

Bamboo shavings are considered to have sweet and slightly cold properties, and are associated with the Lung, Stomach and Gallbladder meridians.

2. Production

The crude Bamboo shavings are mixed with Ginger juice and left to moisten.

They are then fried over a soft flame until the required amount of juice has been completely absorbed by the processed herb.





3. Distribution

GSP's sell Zhu ru into hospitals, pharmacies and online.

It is often used with a variety of herbs as part of a larger formula, such as tangerine peel, coptis root, poria and scutellaria, such as Wen Dan Tan (Warm the Gallbladder decoction).

Average online price - can be bought at Active Herb ... http://www.activeherb.com/wendan/ for $8.99 per 200 pills.

4. Consumption

It is consumed raw to help treat phlegmy conditions and treat vomiting after being fried with ginger juice.

Processed Zhu ru relieves irritability and stops vomiting. It is often used to clear up coughs, phlegmy obstructions and chest congestion, and to treat nausea and vomiting caused by stomach disorders. Other conditions that can be treated with Zhu ru include insomnia and vaginal bleeding.

Its main functions are to clear heat and resolve phlegm.

Medical thesaurus

• decoction (n)- a liquid medicine made from an extract of water-soluble substances
• irritability (n)- abnormally sensitive to certain stimulis
• phlegmy (adj.)- having phlegm
• congestion (n)- an abnormal accumulation of fluid in an organ or body area
• nausea (n)- feeling of sickness
• insomnia (n)- the inability to sleep
• resolve (v)- to correct an abnormal condition

Ginger cured Houpo (Magnolia tree bark)

1. Extraction . . . . 'Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis'

The bark is stripped from GAP-farmed Magnolia trees in Sichuan and Hubei provinces between April and July.

It is then scalded in hot water and gathered together in a wet, shadowy place in order to make it sweat until the skin turns dark-brown. It is then steam-softened, rolled, dried and sliced.

Houpo is bitter, pungent-warm and aromatic in property. It acts on the Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach and Spleen meridians.

2. Production

The crude Houpo is mixed with Ginger juice and left to moisten.

It is then fried over a soft flame until the required amount of juice has been completely absorbed by the processed herb.

3. Distribution

GSP's sell Houpo into hospitals, pharmacies and online.

Average online price - Ban Xia Hou Po Wan (Pinellia & Magnolia Pills) can be bought at Active Herb ... http://www.activeherb.com/houpo/ for $7.99 per 200 pills.

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4. Consumption

Orally, Houpo/Magnolia Bark is used for digestive disorders (strengthening the function of the stomach to relieve vomit and side effects), as an anti-inflammatory, a stimulant, and to promote sweating. It is also used orally as a tonic, which is an agent used to invigorate, refresh, or restore body function.

In TCM terms, Huopo transforms dampness, promotes movement of Qi, resolves stagnation, warms and transforms cold phlegm and directs rebellious lung Qi downwards.

Medical thesaurus

• scald (v)- to burn with boiling water
• shadowy (adj.)- a place with no sun or light
• aromatic (adj.)- something that has a fragrant or sweet smell
• orally (adv.)- consumed by the mouth
• anti-inflammatory (adj./n)- medicine that reduces swelling
• stimulant (n)- something that quickens the vital process of an organ
• tonic (n)- a medicine that can help body tone
• agent (n)- something that creates change
• rebellious (adj.)- something that resists treatment or control
• transform (v)- to change

A-Z of herb names translated into Pinyin, Latin & English

http://www.herb.damo-qigong.net/extracts/list01.htm

Ex.

Latin . . . . . . . . Pinyin . . . . . . .English
Agkistrodon . . . . Qi She . . . . . . . . .Long-noded Pit Viper
Alose . . . . . . . . . . Lu Hui . . . . . . . . Alose
Alumen . . . . . . . . Bai Fan . . . . . . . Alum
Arillus Longan . . Long Yan Rou . .Langan Aril

Salt cured Huang Bo (Cork tree bark)

1. Extraction . . . . 'Cortex Phellodendri'

Huang Bo is grown at GAP farms in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces.

Bark is stripped from the tree and a layer of cork is then separated from its tough outer skin. The cork is then dried, flattened, soaked in water and then sliced into strips.

It is bitter and cold in property and acts on the Kidney and Bladder meridians.

2. Production

The Huang Bo strips are then transported to a GMP factory in Sichuan.

The crude herb is mixed with and left to soak in salt at a ratio of 2kg of salt per 100kg of Huang Bo. The crude mixture is yellowish and crisp with a bitter flavour.

After stir-frying over a soft heat, the cooked herb turns a darker colour with carbonized spots and retains its bitter flavour.

3. Distribution

GSP's sell Huang Bo into hospitals, pharmacies and online.

It is difficult to find Huang Bo in its pure form, rather - it tends to be mixed with other herbs such as Angelica and Licorice then marketed as a skin purifier.

Average online price - around $20 per 100 pills.

4. Consumption

Salt cured Huang Bo
- drains damp heat from the lower jiao - thick-yellow leukorrhea, foul-smelling diarrhea, dysentery; damp-heat pouring downward or hot leg qi - red, swollen, painful knees, legs, and/or feet; damp-heat jaundice.
- drains Kidney fire with signs of yin deficiency such as steaming bone disorder, night sweats, afternoon fever and sweating, nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhea.
- drains fire and relieves toxicity - sores and lesions of the skin such as eczema.

In general TCM terms, processed Huang Bo tonifies Kidney yin and removes asthenic fever.


Medical thesaurus

• retain (v) - to keep
• purifier (n) - something that makes things pure
• leucorrhea (n) - a white/yellow discharge from the vagina
• dysentery (n) - an infection of the intestines causing severe diarrhea
• jaundice (n) - a yellow skin disease caused by excess bile in the blood
• deficiency (n) - when there is not enough of something
• steaming bone disorder (n) - a disease where heat bones are hot, yet skin remains dry
• nocturnal (adj.) - at night
• emission (n) - the flow of semen from the penis
• spermatorrhea (n) - an unintended emission
• relieve (v) - to take away
• lesion (n) - an area of damaged skin tissue
• eczema (n) - an itchy skin disease
• tonify (v) - to make stronger
• asthenic (adj.) - too weak
• sthenic (adj.) - too strong

the 5 elements in English

Wood

Yin organ - Liver

Yang organ - Gall Bladder

Positive emotion - kindness

Negative emotion - anger

Direction - East

Season - Spring

Sound - shouting

Taste - sour

Nourishes - nerves, tendons

Opens into - eyes

Expands into - nails

Temperature - warm and damp

Produces - tears

Colour - green

Vital control over - nervous system

Blood function - stores and filters

Qi function - warming effect

Food digestion - makes proteins, distributes nutrition, recycles poisons

Main function - control and decision making

Mental aspect - clarity









Fire

Yin organ - Heart

Yang organ - Small Intestine

Positive emotion - joy

Negative emotion - hate

Direction - South

Season - Summer

Sound - laughing

Taste - bitter

Nourishes - blood vessels and vascular system

Opens into - tongue

Expands into - face

Temperature - hot

Produces - sweat

Colour - red

Vital control over - blood, hormones and endocrine system

Blood function - circulation

Qi function - heating effect

Food digestion - absorbtion and selection of food in small
intestine

Main function - warmth, vitality and excitement

Mental aspect - intuition

Earth

Yin organ - Spleen/ Pancreas

Yang organ - Stomach

Positive emotion - open and fairness

Negative emotion - worry

Direction - Centre

Season - Late Summer

Sound - singing

Taste - sweet

Nourishes - muscles and flesh

Opens into - lips and mouth

Expands into - lips

Temperature - mild

Produces - saliva

Colour - yellow/brown

Vital control over - digestive, lymphatic and muscular systems

Blood function - stores and cleanses

Qi function - balances

Food digestion - monitors intake and sends energy to each organ according to taste

Main function - ability to integrate and balance

Mental aspect - spontaneity

Metal

Earth Yin organ - Lungs

Yang organ - Large Intestine

Positive emotion - courage

Negative emotion - depression

Direction - West

Season - Fall/Autumn

Sound - weeping

Taste - spicy, pungent

Nourishes - skin

Opens into - nose

Expands into - body hair

Temperature - cool and dry

Produces - mucous

Colour - white

Vital control over - respiratory system

Blood function - oxygenates and eliminates CO2

Qi function - cooling and drying effect

Food digestion - eliminates through Large Intestine

Main function - strength and stability

Mental aspect - emotional sensitivity

Water

Yin organ - Kidneys

Yang organ - Bladder

Positive emotion - gentleness

Negative emotion - fear

Direction - North

Season - Winter

Sound - groaning

Taste - salty

Nourishes - bones, teeth

Opens into - ears

Expands into - head hair

Temperature - cold

Produces - urine

Colour - black/ dark blue

Vital control over - reproductive and urinary system

Blood function - produces blood in the bone marrow

Qi function - chilling effect

Food digestion - monitoring

Main function - ambition and willpower

Mental aspect - will power and creativity

Wine cured Chuan Xiong (Lovage root)

1. Extraction . . . 'Rhizoma Chuanxiong'

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Lovage plant is harvested in Sichuan province by GAP producers in May.

It is warm and pungent in property and acts on the liver, gall bladder and pericardium meridians.

2. Production

The Lovage plant tuber is cleaned, dried in the sun, stripped of its fibrous root, then cut into slices at a GMP factory.

100kg of the crude herb is sprayed and soaked in 10kg of yellow wine, then stir-fried on a soft flame until dark yellow and crispy with crinkled/polygonal annulations.

3. Distribution

GSP's sell the products into hospitals, pharmacies and online.
Average online price - $8.00 per 200 pills.

4. Consumer

Crude herb activates blood and promotes qi flow.

Wine cured Chuan Xiong also activates blood and qi flow as well as dispelling wind and removing pain caused by evil heat.

In TCM terms, this medicine treats aversion to cold and fever, dizziness, nasal obstruction, thin and whitish lingual fur, and superficial and slippery pulse due to exogenous pathogenic wind.

Medical Thesaurus

• fibrous (adj.)- containing fibres
• crude (adj.)- raw/uncooked
• crinkled polygonal annulations (adj. + n)- wavy lines on the cooked Lovage root
• pungent (adj.)- a strong, sharp smell
• activate (v)- to start
• dispel (v)- to get rid of
• aversion (n)- dislike
• nasal obstruction (adj. + n)- blocked nose
• lingual (adj.)- tongue area
• superficial (adj.)- false or minor indication, usually near skin surface
• slippery (adj.)- not precise or fixed
• exogenous (adj.)- causes that come from outside the body
• endogenous (adj.)- causes that come from inside the body
• pathogenic (adj.)- capable of causing disease

Wine cured Da huang (Rhubarb root)

1. Extraction . . . 'Radix et Rhizoma Rhe'

Whole, mature, rhubarb plants are extracted from GAP farms in the Sichuan province between late Autumn and early Spring (before new season germination).

Rhubarb root has bitter and cold properties and acts on the heart, large intestine, liver and stomach meridians.

Note: GAP = Good Agricultural Practice- a standard administered by the Chinese state to ensure high quality plant growing with low toxicity.

2. Production

A GMP factory in Sichuan province will remove the fibrous root and skin from the tuber of the rhubarb plant, slice it, then dry it.
For every 100kg of dried roots, 10kg of yellow wine is sprayed onto the surface of the raw Da huang and left to soak. It is then stir-fried over a soft flame until the roots turn dark brown without carbonized spots.

Note1: crude herb should be yellow, veinous with spots of oil cavities, pleasant smelling, bitter and acerbic to taste.

Note 2: GMP = Good Manufacturing Practice - a standard administered by the Chinese state.

3. Distribution

GSP's sell the product to hospitals, pharmacies and direct to customers via internet etc.

Average online price - $7.70 per 200 pills.

Note: GSP = Good Supply Practice of TCM products- a standard administered by the Chinese state.

4. Consumer

Crude herb treats constipation.

Cured Da huang treats blood stasis, belly pain and can be used to soften acute appendicitis.

In TCM terms it drains heat and accumulations from the Yangming level, clears damp heat, cools the blood, Invigorates blood, eliminates stagnant blood and clears toxic heat and purges knotted heat and stool from the colon.

Medical Thesaurus

• germination (n)- the start of new growth
• toxicity (adj.)- the level of toxin content
• fibrous (adj.)- containing fibres
• tuber (n)- the underground body of some plants
• carbonized (adj.)- burnt
• veinous (adj.)- showing veins
• acerbic (adj.)- acid-like
• constipation (n)- the state of delayed passing of dry/hardened stool
• stasis (n)- the slowing or stoppage of fluids
• appendicitis (n)- dis-ease (inflammation) of the vermiform appendix
• accumulation (n)- the gathering together of a mass
• Yangming level (n)- the stomach/large intestinal area
• invigorate (v)- to give vigor/stronger life to something
• eliminate (v)- to remove
• stagnant (adj.)- not flowing
• purge (v)- to free or relieve something
• knotted (adj.)- bunched together