Traditional Chinese Medicine ? Introduction to a Rising Star
Size Matters – The Global Pharmaceutical Market
Pressure from the payers in developed markets with publicly funded healthcare plans to curb drug spending growth, patent expiries, the entry of lower-cost alternatives and declining growth rates in developed markets are major challenges the global pharmaceutical market faces. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry’s research and development programs have to adjust to the broad availability of low-cost generic options in many chronic therapy areas. Higher growth will occur in therapy areas with significant unmet clinical need, high-cost burden of disease, and innovative science that can bring new treatment options to patients.
IMS Health, an international consulting firm servicing the pharmaceutical industry, reports that the market reached a size of US7 billion in 2009. Whilst emerging markets are expected to grow at a 14 – 17 percent rate, developed markets will only grow by 3 – 6 percent. The U.S. will remain the single largest market, with 3 – 6 percent growth expected annually in the next five years and reaching US0 – US0 billion in 2014.
China is not only assessed to become the world’s third-largest market in 2011, it also fuels the gross output of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which has been growing at a pace faster than the average rate of the entire pharmaceutical industry. In 2008, the size of the TCM market was about US billion and the yields totaled 1.2 million tons. By November 2009, the cumulative sales value of the TCM industry increased by 23 percent and amounted to RMB 222.166 billion, approximately US billion.
Xinhua News Agency reported that in 2006 China exported traditional Chinese medicine to 164 countries and regions around the world, with export earnings reaching an all-time high of US0 million. The export earnings represented a 14.5 percent increase from the previous year.
The implementation of the new medical reform as well as the launch of theProject of the Developing Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry stressed the backup and promotion of the TCM industry from the Chinese government. TCM is gaining on popularity for the environmentally friendly and holistic and alternative way of therapy it represents.
TCM Going Global
In 2006, more than 3,000 clinics of traditional Chinese medicine have been opened in Britain. Some 2.5 million British people spend a total of 90 million pounds annually to receive treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, including Chinese herbal medicine, massage and acupuncture. In France, there are 2,600 clinics of traditional Chinese medicine with 7,000 to 9,000 acupuncturists.
The United States has more than 20,000 traditional Chinese acupuncturists and 400 companies specializing in the sale of Chinese herbal medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Demystified – History and Philosophy
To find the origins of TCM we have to go back in time. Way back, into ancient history. Into the China of over 2,000 years ago and entering the mythical world of Fu Xi, Shen Nong and Huang Di, three legendary rulers.
Fu Xi created the Book of Changes and developed the trigrams of Yi Jing (I Ching). Trigrams are eight diagrams used in Taoist cosmology to represent the fundamental principles of reality, seen as a range of eight interrelated concepts (Heaven, Lake, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain, and Earth). Each consists of three lines, each line either “broken” or “unbroken,” representing yin or yang, respectively.
Shen Nong, the “Divine Farmer” and legendary emperor, is seen as the founder of herbal medicine who taught people how to farm. In order to determine the nature of different herbal medicines, Shen Nong sampled various kinds of plants, ingesting them himself to test and analyze their individual effects.
The first written documentation on traditional Chinese medicine and thus being the oldest medical textbook in the world is the Hung-Di Nei-Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Cannon of Internal Medicine), dating back to between 800 BCE and 200 BCE. It extensively summarizes and systematizes the previous experience of treatment and theories of medicine, such as the meridian theory, and includes topics on physiology, pathology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and acupuncture.
TCM has a long and rich history, and is the third oldest form of medicine with only Egyptian and Babylonian medicine predating it. To be still in use today, after thousands of years, is a tribute to its value as a form of health care.
TCM, relating to the philosophy of Taoism and Buddhism, reflects the Chinese belief that the life and activity of individual human beings have an intimate relationship with the environment at all scales. TCM considers the human at the center of the universe and as an antenna between celestial and earthly elements.
Water, earth, metal, wood and fire are the five elements of the material world. The world is a single unit and its movement gives rise to yin and yang, the two main antithetic aspects. The actual meaning of the term yin and yang is ‘opposites’, such as the positive and the negative.
The four bodily humors of qi, blood, moisture and essence and internal organ systems play an important role in balancing the yin and yang in human body. Proper formation, maintenance and circulation of these energies are essential for health. When the two energies fall out of harmony, disease develops. The physician takes into account this concept while treating patients. Drugs or herbs are used to correct this imbalance of yin–yang in the human body.
TCM’s Benefits
As traditional Chinese medicine is based on differentiation of symptoms, not everyone will be treated the same way for the same problems. Thus, each person’s treatment is personalized. As opposed to traditional western approaches to diagnosing and treating illness, TCM places more emphasis on the pattern of the symptoms involved. In treating the body, TCM practitioners focus on harmonizing the entire body because the body, mind, and spirit are united.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been reported to offer many benefits for individuals who use it. It is reputed to have the ability to improve a person’s general health, is usually less costly than traditional medicine, and is not dependent on pharmaceutical products that very often cause side effects and sometimes require the use of additional pharmaceuticals simply to combat such side effects.
“Made in China” – A Label of Concern?
About 95% of general hospitals in China have traditional medicine departments and formal TCM training is an integral part of the national health program. This helps to ensure quality standards in health care delivery and China became successful in integrating TCM in the national health care system. Science-based approaches were utilized and introduced in the education of TCM with emphasis on research. As per a paper by the State Administration of traditional Chinese medicine of the People’s Republic of China and released by the Shandong University in 1997, hospitals practicing TCM treat more than 200 million outpatients and almost 3 million in patients annually.
On a global basis, there have been concerted efforts to monitor quality and regulate the growing business of herbal drugs and traditional medicine. For example, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has been inaugurated as the United States Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research in this arena of medicine. Its mission is to explore complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of science and research. The center is committed to explore and fund all such therapies for which there is sufficient preliminary data, compelling public health need and ethical justifications. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been active in creating strategies, guidelines and standards of botanical medicines.
Locally, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Guarding State Secrets, Provisional Rules on the Management of State Science and Technology Plans and Regulations on Protection of Traditional Chinese Medicines designed strict protection measures on TCM and let it enjoy much longer protection time than other medicines.
On an operational and provincial basis measures to effectively prevent counterfeiting and enhancing the quality of Chinese herbal medicine, track and trace was introduced. For example, the Hebei Province Food and Drug Administration issued new regulations and as of November 2009, Chinese Herbal Medicine production enterprises are required to use non-toxic non-harm and transparent packaging material. Labels must indicated the name, place of origin, specifications, manufacturer name, drug production license number, the product batch number, and production date.
The Future of TCM
On the future of TCM, Professor Yu, head of the Department of Oncology at the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and vice-chairman of the Beijing Anti-Cancer Association, commented that we are coming to the close of the 1st decade in the 21st century and TCM is projected to develop even further. Advancements in proteomics, genomics, molecular biology and stem cell research have enabled even more research directions for Modern TCM. In addition, well-conducted research into the mechanism of action of TCM will give it scientific credence.
Combining TCM and modern western medicine’s use of differential diagnosis will lead to a more holistic understanding of the patient’s disease as well as objectivity, and enable the doctor to understand the underlying pathology and reasons for loss of homeostasis.
Modern western medicine now leans in this direction as well. Current targeted therapy is more specific. For example ER/ PR (oestrogen receptor / progesterone receptor) positive breast cancers are amenable to treatment with endocrine therapy. TCM will continue to develop with current 21st century medical advancements and the practice of medicine in China will continue to modernize. The combination of TCM with western medicine will contribute greatly to global medicine.
Create Your Very Own Backyard Pharmacy: The 10 Most Useful Medicinal Plants For Your Garden
Would you like to create your very own backyard pharmacy? There’s no better way to use whatever extra space you have at home than to create a garden space where you can grow medicinal plants.
In fact, even if you live in an apartment setting, you can create a windowsill garden where you can grow medicinal plants.
This is especially useful if you have little kids running around in the house who can acquire a burn, a shallow wound, a sore or strike up a fever. Basically, the medicinal plants to grow in your very own little garden space should be ones with the most number of medicinal values.
Factors that You Need to Consider when Growing a Medicinal Plant Garden
Before giving out the top 10 medicinal plants that you can grow in your very own garden, here are a few tips to get you started.
First, check on the area where you plan to grow the medicinal plants in. Will you be having a mini-garden or would you like to turn your lawn into a virtual resource of medicinal plants which you can call your very own backyard pharmacy?
After analyzing the extra space that you have, consider other factors like sunlight, water, type of soil, type of container and the time of the year when the medicinal plants will thrive the most.
By taking these factors into account, you can rest assured that your medicinal plants will be thriving in the mini-garden that you will create just for them.
A Look at the Top 10 Medicinal Plants for Your Garden Space
Now that you already have an idea about the gardening basics, what exactly are the valuable medicinal plants that you can grow right in your very own garden space? Take a look at the following list:
1. Aloe Vera
If there’s one medicinal plant which has 101 uses that is none other than aloe vera.
Let’s say that you or a kid in your home suffered from a minor burn, you can use the bottom stalk of aloe vera as a soothing balm by rubbing the exposed end on the burn.
Aside from minor cuts and wounds, aloe vera is also great for burns, treating eczema and reducing inflammation.
Did you know that this medicinal plant can even be taken internally? You can actually drink aloe vera juice and use it to treat digestive problems, ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation and poor appetite. This medicinal plant grows well under the sun, so it works best for outdoor gardens.
2. Great Burdock
Also called edible burdock or Lappa burdock, this medicinal plant is actually used as a root vegetable. In traditional medicine, the Great Burdock is used as a blood purifying agent, a diuretic and a diaphoretic.
Aside from being medicinal, this plant also has great aesthetic value because of its purple-and-green thorny flowers which looks great against any garden.
If you would like to add medicinal plant to your backyard pharmacy, it can actually grow even without shade; just make sure that the soil is always moist so that the plant will thrive. Other uses for this medicinal plant include boils, rashes, bruises, burns, acne, ringworm Natural treatments for ringworm and bites.
3. Pot Marigold
The good thing about growing this medicinal in your garden is that it can thrive under any soil condition.
As long as you make sure that the Pot Marigold grows in moist soil, it will very easily thrive. It’s also a great-looking addition to your garden aesthetically because of its deep-orange color.
So what are the main uses of Pot Marigold as a medicinal plant? It can help heal bites, stings, sprains, sore eyes, wounds and even varicose veins. When taken internally, this medicinal plant can be used to treat chronic infections and fever.
4. Chamomile
According to the MedlinePlus database, this medicinal plant can help treat more than 100 separate ailments and conditions including the common cold, digestive problems, diarrhea Acupunture for diarrhea, eczema, gastrointestinal conditions, mucositis, toothache, earache Herbs for ear infection, shoulder pain and the common wounds.
What’s good about chamomile is that planting them in your medicinal plant backyard will add a crisp and fruity fragrance to your garden.
5. Echinacea
This lovely-colored flowering medicinal plant is considered to be one of the world’s most important medicinal herbs. It’s actually an herbaceous plant which has several different species.
What makes the Echinacea a handy medicinal plant to be around is the fact that it has a wide array of uses, including the treatment of sores, burns, wounds, allergy relief, insect bites, stings and snakebites. This medicinal plant also has the ability to help relieve allergies by strengthening immune system.
6. Great Yellow Gentian
Also called the Great Yellow Gentian, this medicinal plant comes from the mountains of southern and central Europe. It is actually a bitter herb which is used in traditional medicine, and its main function includes the treatment of digestive problems.
This medicinal plant also aids in the relief of exhaustion from chronic diseases, it stimulates the gal bladder and liver while at the same time strengthening the body.
7. Tea Tree
Look at the ingredients of any over-the-counter medicinal product or beauty product and you will see how tea tree oil is usually listed as one of its main ingredients. This just goes to show how useful the tea tree plant is medicinally.
Tea tree oil comes from the leaves and twigs of the tea tree plant. It has a great many uses, including the treatment of acne, vaginal infections, athlete’s foot, warts, insect bites, cold sores, minor burns, thrush and chronic fatigue syndrome.
8. Peppermint
There’s probably no better-smelling plant that you can grow in your garden than peppermint [Uses of Peppermint essential oil]. It’s considered to be the world’s oldest medicine which has been used by people from the ancient times to relieve whatever it is that is bothering them medically.
What makes peppermint such a medicinal garden essential is the fact that it is naturally rich in vitamins A and C, manganese and it helps reduce a number of symptoms including irritable bowel syndrome, upset stomachs, fevers, flatulence and spastic colon.
9. Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most beloved and popular herbal medicines in eastern countries. What makes ginseng such a great addition to your medicinal plants garden is the fact that it promotes general health instead of just being useful for a particular type of ailment.
It’s the root of the ginseng which is particularly useful in relaxing the nervous system [Benefits of ginseng]. It also helps reduce cholesterol levels, improve your immune system and stamina, and helps treat lack of appetite and sleep disorders.
10. Sage
Both a cooking herb and a medicinal plant, sage is a great salve for insect bites, skin infections, gum infections and mouth infections. It can also help with indigestion, flatulence, depression and even menopausal problems.
The Latin name, where sage was derived from, means ‘to heal’, which is an apt description for many ailments that can be resolved using this lush herb which doubles up as a medicinal plant.
These are just some of the top medicinal herb plants which can serve as a great addition to your garden space. Aside from giving your dwelling that green and homey feel, these medicinal plants have a variety of uses for whatever it is that is ailing you – so taking care of them and seeing all that greenery thrive later on is definitely worth all your gardening efforts.
Herbal Medicine Schools
Find Herbal Medicine Schools in the United States and Canada. Herbal medicine schools instruct students in the essentials of herbalism and botanical medicine. Students who opt to enroll in herbal medicine schools will learn that this form of medicine is one of the oldest healthcare systems known to mankind.
Typically, students who possess an interest in participating in herbal studies at one of several herbal medicine schools should have attained some education in physiology and/or anatomy prior to enrollment. This is important, as it lends to the student?s ability to better understand the philosophy and theories behind herbal medicine therapies.
While some herbal medicine schools focus primarily on traditional Chinese medicine, other herbal medicine schools may provide a wider array of classes that encompass studies in botany, botanical terminology, phytochemistry (of medicinal plants), cell chemistry, medicinal plant compounds, Ayurvedic medicine, Native American plant medicine, herbal pharmacy, diagnosis, clinic and case history; among other related topics.
Students enrolled in herbal medicine schools will gain an overall understanding of how herbal medicine is facilitated for spices, therapy and/or medicinal purposes. In addition, students will learn from which plants herbs are derived, and how to use those herbs for not only medicinal purposes, but for nutritional additives and aromatherapy. Because herb plants produce and comprise a myriad of chemical substances, students participating in studies at herbal medicine schools will also learn that 25% of prescription drugs in the US contain at least one active plant material ingredient.
Successful candidates, who have completed all course requirements through one of many herbal medicine schools can go onto achieve varying levels of herbal medicine certifications. Many of these certified herbal medicine therapists can enter the healthcare fields of Ayurvedic practitioners, homeopathic practitioners, natural health practitioners, Chinese medicine practitioners and other holistic health practitioners. In addition, astute candidates who have completed advanced training courses at one of many herbal medicine schools may utilize their knowledge and skills to help develop plant medicines for pharmaceutical researchers.
Because herbal medicine schools vary in course length, tuition costs and curriculum, it is always wise for prospective students to carefully review course outlines, prerequisites (if any) and if financial aid options are available. Generally speaking, herbal medicine schools are growing in quantity because the demand for alternative and natural medicine is concurrently on the rise. Students and even current health professionals who are seeking a rewarding alternative in health care will find that gaining a comprehensive education through any one of numerous herbal medicine schools can only benefit one?s personal and professional growth.
To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine or to locate herbal medicine schools near you, feel free to peruse our healing arts schools and holistic health practitioners’ directories. Find your dream job! Let education within fast-growing industries like herbal medicine, massage therapy, acupuncture, oriental medicine, natural healing, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you now!
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