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“The Heart is benefited by the bitter taste, the Lung by the pungent taste, the Spleen by the sweet taste, the Liver by the sour taste, and the Kidneys by the salty taste (Ni, 1995).”
The list of herbs used in Chinese herbal medicine today are close to 365 herbs. A total close to the total number of days we have in a year. However, realistically, there are thousands of wild medicinal herbs. Additionally, every country around the world has their own compendium of medicinal herbs. You might find the same or even similar ones from continent to continent. While others may be similar but not exactly the same. panax ginseng, or Asian ginseng, and American ginseng, for example, are similar yet slightly different. Aside from these two, there are other rooted herbs with ginseng attached to their names.
Oftentimes, herbs discovered from other parts of the world are added to the TCM collection and categorized based on their properties. Unfortunately, many have gone extinct or are close to extinction. Sourcing of some herbs are now also controversial. Thus, only the most common and available ones are used by TCM herbalists to create formulas or modify existing ones. Once an herb or formula is paired with the right TCM pattern, or what we call a diagnosis, the person drinking the tea most often feels better. However, every person will respond differently. Some may discover immediate results while others may take a little more time to see results.
Herbal Selection
This short article is an example of how common herbal teas and plants are viewed in the eyes of a TCM herbalist. To explain the thought process on how herbs are viewed in TCM, I wanted to share a paper I wrote for an herbal safety class a while ago.
Title: Uses of Licorice Root (Gan Cao) in Eastern Medicine
Gan Cao's (Radix Glycyrrhizae) English name is licorice root. The portion most commonly used is the plant's root, as shown in its Latin name, Radix. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gan Cao literally means “sweet herb” or “sweet grass”. Historically recorded in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman's Classic of the Materia Medica) in the second century, Gan Cao has sweet and neutral properties. It also enters the Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Heart channels. Entering these channels it has the following therapeutic actions: tonify spleen, benefit Qi; moistens the Lung, stop cough; relieve pain; clear heat, eliminate toxins; treat poisoning and harmonize other herbs. Being a harmonizer is probably what it's best known for.
Gan Cao's recommended dosage is 3 to 10 grams with a maximum of 15 to 30 grams. It can be used in herbal decoctions, powder, pill or syrup forms. Used both internally and topically, it can perform the stated therapeutic actions. The condition it treats is based on what form it's in. In the unprocessed herbal form, it strongly purges fire, eliminates toxins, moistens the Lung and stops cough. For this reason, it is commonly used to treat throat soreness and pain, infections of various types, that form into pus and abscess, cough with hot phlegm and food or drug poisoning. When processed with honey, Gan Cao has a sweeter flavor that is warmer in nature. For this reason, it tonifies the Spleen, benefits Qi, moistens the Lungs and stops cough. Zhi Gan Cao, the honey-fried version of licorice, is stronger than the unprocessed herb for Qi tonification.
Despite its effectiveness to treat certain conditions, there are some cautions and contraindications to consider. Because it is sweet in nature, Gan Cao can create dampness. For this reason, it is contraindicated in cases of nausea, vomiting, chest and abdominal fullness or distention due to the accumulation of dampness. Excessive and chronic use can lead to overdose. It can cause edema, elevated blood pressure, weak extremities, numbness, sodium retention, potassium loss, dizziness and headaches. Therefore, large dosages, or long-term use, is not recommended for those with certain pre-existing health conditions such as edema, kidney disorders, hypokalemia hypertension and congestive heart failure. Should the overdose arise, it can be treated by combining Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) and Fu Ling (Poria) with Gan Cao to prevent sodium and water retention. This is particularly helpful in cases when it is used in large doses or during long-term use. Reducing sodium and potassium intake is also recommended. Once the patient sees signs of edema, elevated blood pressure or other adverse reactions, Gan Cao should be discontinued.
Another factor to consider when using it in an herbal formula is compatibility. Gan Cao is incompatible with Gan Sui (Radix Euphorbiae Kansui), Da Ji (Radix Euphorbiae seu Knoxiae), Yuan Hua (Flos Daphnes Genkwa) and Hai Zao (Herba Sargassii). There is also a potential for herb-drug interactions with licorice roots when taken in conjunction with Corticosteroids and Digoxin. It can also speed up the metabolism of certain drugs. For this reason, it can treat overdose of chloral hydrate, urethane, cocaine, picrotoxin, caffeine, pilocarpine, nicotine and barbiturates. Gan Cao has also been used in clinical studies and research for a number of conditions.
Based on this information, Gan Cao has the potential to be used in numerous ways. Alone, it appears to support Qi's function. In a formula, it functions to blend other single herbs together. The main factor to consider is that overusing it will lead to other chronic conditions. Knowing how to use it effectively will help to efficiently maximize its therapeutic properties.
Brief History
TCM herbal medicine practiced today is believed to have originated from Shennong (Shinnō, Thần Nông). Shennong literally means "Divine Farmer" or "Divine Husbandman". He was the first who compiled the Chinese herbal medicine's materia medica. His actual name was Jiang Shinian and lived around 2852 to 2070 BC in what is present day Shaanxi province on the banks of the Jiang River during a time when the earth flourished with vegetation and people lived with nature. He is always depicted wearing leaves, tasting herbs, living in caves and appearing as an aboriginal.
Recognized as one of the three well known mythical rulers or deities of his time, he invented and introduced or taught agriculture and farming to his people. They revered him as a superhuman. This can be interpreted nowadays to mean that he was a rare talent and a genius. He introduced herbal medicine and categorized them according to their flavors, temperature and their herbal action. This told him how they would respond within the body and which internal organ channels herbs enter. In a way, he created his own scientific method. This practice is still carried on and taught even until today.
The main question everyone may wonder is how did he know precisely which organ each herb entered on top of how did he know each organ had a channel? It seems to be a mystery how a man dressed in leaves and lived in caves managed to create a compendium of herbs organized by flavor, temperature, organ herbs enter and subsequently action they carry is still adopted today. To explain how this could potentially be possible, one story said that he was a translucent mythical being who had the power to see how herbs traveled within his body. He could clearly see where the herbs went as he tasted them. His body would light up making his whole torso clear and visible, and he could see what he ate go to within his torso. His findings would eventually be taught and written down.
Another version said that he actually had a mythical animal that was transparent, which he fed. Its torso was transparent and see through. As herbs were fed to this animal, its body would glow and the channels became visible and clear. Could there have been such an animal that existed but became extinct?
These stories are intriguing and could be an exaggeration of how people described things over 4000 to 5000 years ago. Or is this story meant for everyone who reads it to interpret it based on their own point of view or self interpretation? What we do know was that if he tasted something toxic, he would drink an antidote, he discovered, to neutralize the toxicity. Despite having an antidote, he could not reach it on time and passed away after tasting a toxic weed with yellow flowers. Whichever way he discovered how wild herbs respond within the body, modern Chinese herbal medicine practiced now is said to originate from him.
Summary
The quote before the introduction above summarizes the five major flavors discovered and where they travel to within the body. With the right proportions, these flavors are believed to benefit organs. In excess, adverse effects result. Just as one example, the elderly or someone with severe anemia or weak should avoid certain flavors such as bitter and salty. So, through a TCM assessment, an herbalist will have to consider if a certain flavor is actually good for an individual.
When using tried and tested, preferably processed, medicinal herbs in an appropriate dose, herbs can be carefully selected individually or a few can be selected, combined and tweaked to create a formula. What typically guides the selection of herbs is determined by TCM's diagnostic principles to guide the selection process. In this regard, Chinese herbal medicine can be viewed as both a science and an art. Since there are some herbs that are safe for daily use while there are some that are not, anyone interested in trying out TCM herbs and herbal formulas should contact a trained TCM herbalist or a licensed acupuncturist who studied and had training in herbal medicine.
References:
Bensky, D., Clavey, S., Stöger, E., Gamble, A., & Bensky, L. L. (2004). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica. Eastland Press.
Chen, J. K., Chen, T. T., & Crampton, L. (2004). Chinese medical herbology and pharmacology. City of Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press.
Hamilton, M. (2022, December 1). Shennong. Mythopedia. https://mythopedia.com/topics/shennong
Ni, M. (1995). The yellow emperor’s Classic of medicine: A new translation of the neijing suwen with commentary. Shambhala.
Today's date: 08/15/2024