Brief Overview of the Chinese Herbal System - by Jessica Lane
In the next several issues of the Herbal Horse we will briefly examine the dominant herbal systems worldwide before focusing concentration on the European/North American model. I will refer to this system as Western to distinguish it from the others. It is beyond the scope of this article to delve too deeply into the many different traditions, but all share strong common ideologies that are readily apparent upon examination.

Like all specialized subject matter, herbalism has its own language of terminology and is difficult to understand without this reference. I have attached a file to this article containing an A-Z listing of terminology and definitions which you may want to print out and keep handy for reference when reading future articles. Eastern approaches still focus on whole plant products, sharply contrasting the Western emphasis on producing “analog” products. Analogs are made from one or two “active” components of the plant which are then concentrated in the final product. A great many Western herbal products are “standardized potency” which is similar to the way pharmaceutical drugs are created thus guaranteeing a set amount of consistent potency levels of individual constituents. This flies in the face of the most basic tenet of herbal medicine; that the whole plant produces a desired effect due to the entire array of components in each plants unique chemical makeup – energetic interaction. This, according to herbalists, provides not only the safest product but also the most beneficial one as well. Herbalists believe that it is the entire makeup of a plant that has the desired effect and that once they are stripped away to isolate certain chemicals than the desired action is altered, sometimes to the detriment of consumers. A prime case example is Echinacea, commonly used for colds, flu, and immune dysfunction. Testing of “echinosides” revealed a side effect with prolonged usage - thinning of the uterine wall in women. This does not occur when the whole plant is used implying not only that there is an offset, but also that the more gentle dosage level, i.e. less concentrated, is much safer and produces the desired results. Organic herbalism is full of energetic activity – the language of life in nature is alchemical rather than chemical. This energetic approach is employed by Chinese and Ayurvedic (India) herbal systems, but rarely found in the West. Chemical analysis of herbs does not necessarily provide a solid basis for understanding them. Traditional herbalists are reluctant in the extreme to embrace the analog preparations of herbal remedies, however, in Canada and the United States the herbal industry is government regulated; any product claiming therapeutic action is classified as a drug, including vitamins and minerals. Analog products are much easier to place in the market than traditional formula with multiple ingredients.

Approximately 10-15 years ago, herbs, vitamins and minerals were lumped in the same class as foods. A strong pharmaceutical lobby was unable to remove herbal preparations completely but succeeded in convincing government that the herb industry needed regulation in the interest of public safety. Thus, the Health Protection Branch was born in Canada with the mandate of regulation and manufacturing oversight of the herbal industry. Almost literally overnight over 80% of traditional formulas available in health food stores were pulled from the market. This is a complex issue and one that is still ongoing. In the suggested reading list provided for those who wish to pursue further herbal research independently, I have recommended a particularly good book on the subject, titled “Green Pharmacy”.

The sheer number of different herbal products on the market can leave an inexperienced consumer bewildered with the choices. Health stores are generally not staffed with a practicing herbalist who is qualified to make recommendations. This leaves the consumer at the mercy of clerks who sometimes do not have even a rudimentary knowledge of the complexity of herbal products. More often than not, the storeowner or staff are not qualified herbalists and thus act more as marketing representatives for the many brands they carry. Having a solid grounding in the basics of herbology will equip you with the knowledge to make intelligent choices for either yourself or your animal companions. I would like to express that herbs are not necessarily used the same way with different animals. There are herbs that are wonderful for horses, but not dogs or cats. If in doubt, check with your vet or a qualified herbalist who has some expertise with animals. Each animal has a unique physiology requiring individual attention in the selection of herbal products. Horses are fantastic to work with – being herbivores puts the horse and horse caretaker in a wonderful position to take full advantage of natural healing.

Healing plants are everywhere; your backyard, a plant pot on the living room sill, the woodlands, beside streams, in forests, fields, hedgerows, abandoned city lots, the edge of parking lots. There could be a pharmacy of medicines for the body, mind, and spirit, right in your own backyard. With some knowledge, your finds will inspire your vision of their countless possibilities as agents of healing. All substances possess energies and qualities, therefore all plants have potential healing applications. We are still in the age of discovery and our task is to understand what these uses may be. Many pharmaceutical companies are in a mad race to collect plants from fast disappearing rain forests and are actively seeking information from indigenous healers worldwide. However, we still do not know what the common vegetables and weeds in our own gardens might ultimately provide us. Herbalism is an exciting field with new plants brought to our attention everyday that perhaps grow in only very isolated places on the earth. Wild lands are disappearing faster than the plants in that environment can be catalogued. How many potential cures for cancer disappear every year because of mining or logging in rainforests worldwide? Or cures for laminitis? This is only one of many issues that threaten the very system of medicine that has healed humankind and animals for millennia.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

The Chinese utilize the energetic approach with herbal therapy, often treating herbs as foods to be eaten rather than the more familiar Western capsule or pill. This allows for appropriate preparation of herbs such as heating for a long period before use. Herbs are classified based on four categories: 1) Four Natures 2) Five Flavors 3) Four Directions 4) Organs and Meridians Affected

Four Natures – Herbs are classified as cold, cool, warm, and hot and in this way, curative properties are related to the nature of various diseases. For example, one would use cold or cool herbs for diseases of a hyperactive body state, hot or yang nature, and conversely hot or warm herbs for hypo body state, cold or yin nature. It is not advisable to use hot or warm-natured herbs for hot diseases, or cool or cool-natured herbs for cold diseases. Many herbs have only a slightly cool or warm energy therefore they are classified as mild or neutral and this means that they may be used for either hot or cold diseases.

Five Flavors – Herbs are classified into five flavors that are sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty. There is also a bland taste usually referred to as mildly sweet. Each flavor is related to a general physiological effect. Sour tends to contract loose tissues and to stop excessive/abnormal secretions. It is yin, cooling and refreshing, and promotes digestion, enzyme secretion, and liver function. Herbs and foods classified as sour include rose hips, lemon, hawthorn berries, and Chinese dogwood berries. Bitter is yin, cooling, clearing, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiparasitical, and detoxifying. It stimulates the release of antibodies and enhances bile production and secretion through the liver, aiding this organ in its detoxifying function. Small amounts of bitter possess a tonic or digestion promoting action. Bitters are usually used daily as teas in many European and Oriental countries to help protect the body against disease and parasites and to cleanse the blood. Alcoholic bitters are taken as a wine (1/2-1 tsp) before meals in order to act as a tonic to improve stomach function by promoting the secretion of hydrochloric acid. Bitters are also valued for cholesterol clearing from arteries and veins and they ease circulation and are of benefit to the heart. Mugwort, goldenseal, centaury, and gentian are examples of bitter herbs. Sweet flavored herbs are yang in nature, warming, soothing, and tonic. They build and nourish. All nourishing herbs and most foods are classified as sweet. Most common foods (beans, dairy, meat, whole grains) are classified as “full sweet”. Foods with an abundance of simple sugars (fruits, juices, honey, and sugar) lack a balance of complex carbohydrates and proteins and are considered “empty” sweet, which is why they do not satisfy but intensify cravings for sweet foods. Nutritive herbs and foods with a sweet flavor include rehmannia, dates, barley malt sugar and ginseng. Spicy (or pungent) is yang, warming, dispersing, and drying. Energy is distributed from the interior to the surface of the body and these are used to counteract coldness in the body, poor circulation, and poor digestion as natural stimulants. They are also useful for hypo-metabolic conditions mucous congestion, arthritic and rheumatic complaints, delayed menstruation, colds, and flu. Topical application is used to relieve pain in bruising and injuries. Spicy herbs include the peppers, ginger, cinnamon, and prickly ash. Salty is yin, moistening and cooling due to its ability to help maintain proper fluid balance. There are many other salts (besides common table salt) such as sodium sulphate which is purging. Salt in itself is cold while ultimate body effect can be irritating, fluid retaining and thus heating. Sources include the many types of seaweed. Bland is mild and classified in the sweet category and is generally regarded as being diuretic. Mushrooms fall into this sub category of the five flavors.

Four Directions - In relation to the body, all substances are described as rising, sinking, floating, or descending. The directions are closely related to the five flavors and agree with the four seasons: spring is rising, winter is sinking, summer is floating, and fall is descending. Yin and Yang are downwards and upwards respectively. With this in mind, “lighter” herbs such as leaves and flowers, tend to float and ascent, making them useful for more acute and surface diseases such as colds, flu, and inflammations. “Heavier” herbs such as barks, seeds, and roots are descending and they sink. These are considered effective in the treatment of deeper or chronic disease conditions.

Organs and Meridians – This system originated only a few hundred years ago and thus is not as fully developed as the older systems of classification. This does not detract from usefulness; it connects herbs and foods with specific organic effects and their influence on the acupuncture pathways or meridians. This requires an understanding of matching defined herbal properties with organs and meridians affected by them. In order to do this, an understanding of the Chinese evaluation of specific organs and meridians is also required. Chinese physiology is based upon dynamic interaction of the 12 vital organs, and is not restricted to their separate, local, and specialized functions. This is expressed in the Five Phases of Transformation. I have kept this material as simple as possible as it is a complex approach and beyond the scope of this article to cover thoroughly. Check the reading list for recommendations. The following information is condensed due to space constraints.

Yin Organs of Transformation - Lungs rule the skin and are involved with the production of mucus. Most skin diseases, colds, and flu and considered superficial diseases. Sweating (diaphoretic) herbs are said to affect lung energy because they open the surface of the skin, helping to clear blemishes and in the treatment of initial stages of simple acute colds and flu. Lungs are considered to partake of metal energy and are associated with paleness and whiteness. Thus herbs that are white and mucilaginous (gluey) are often used to moisten and tonify lungs. Kidney-Adrenals – water element; dominate urinary and hormonal systems; associated with color black. Herbs used – diaphoretic (increase perspiration to promote toxin release), aphrodisiac, tonic and nourishing – heavy and black in color. Liver – wood element; dominate release of bile; associated with green. Herbs used are mostly leafy, green herbs that release bile or have green-yellow color of bile and calm hypertension. Heart—fire element; represented by color red; dominates blood and circulation. Herbs used are generally red and bitter and clear cholesterol from veins and arteries. Spleen-pancreas—earth element; represented by the golden-yellow color of the sun; it dominates digestive system and assimilation. Herbs that are tonic, nutritive, warming, and beneficial to digestion are used.

Yang Organs of Transformation Colon – yang of metal; counterbalance to lungs. Affected by herbs with a laxative action. Color white. Bladder - yang of water; counterbalances kidneys. Herbs with lighter, superficial diuretic action in opposition to heavier, deeper tonic effect of herbs associated with kidneys. Color black. Gall bladder – yang of wood; counterbalances the liver. Affected by lighter herbs, which promote bile secretion. Color green. Small intestine – yang of fire; counterbalances the heart. Associated with digestion and disorders may produce bloody urine. Herbs that arrest this symptom are used. Color red. Stomach - yang of earth; counterbalances the spleen. Affected by herbs that are more carminative (expel gas) and digestive rather than sweet-flavored tonics. Color golden-yellow.

Finally the Chinese recognize a body system not used by Western medical systems. It is called the triple burner or triple warmer. Each part of the triple burner governs a third of the whole body. Triple burner is yang; associated with fire element. Affected by herbs with a combined action of aiding digestion and regulation of circulating fluids. Pericardium (inside heart) meridian considered the emotional companion of the heart and affected by herbs that have action on the heart.

This completes the brief overview of the Chinese herbal system of medicine. The next issue of the Gift Horse Gallery - The Herbal Horse will detail the Ayurvedic classification of herbs. I hope you have enjoyed this issue of the Herbal Horse. The attached files contain an Herbal Terminology/Medical Glossary for you to print out for reference while reading future articles. A recommended reading list is also attached and I hope that some of you are inspired and interested enough to choose one or two books to broaden your herbal knowledge.

Until next month, health and happiness to you and your precious animal companions.  Jessica Lane

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Herbal Terminology/Medical Glossary