In China, medicinal plants constitute a “national treasure” and are widely used, both preventively and curatively. Remember that pharmacopoeia is only one of the 5 practices of Traditional chinese medicine (TCM) to maintain or restore health – the other 4 being acupuncture, Chinese dietetics, Tui Na massage and energy exercises (Qi Gong and Tai-chi). In her country of origin, the Chinese pharmacopoeia is the first preferred approach; it is considered to be more powerful than acupuncture. (For the basic principles of the whole practice, see the fact sheet Traditional Chinese Medicine.)

Experienced for over 3 years, the Chinese pharmacopoeia contains a few thousand substances, of which around 300 are in common use. Even if a large part of the knowledge that is specific to this pharmacopoeia derives from a traditional practice Popular – with variations from region to region – Chinese physicians have accumulated a large body of data over time. Today, pharmacology and research continue to deepen this science, while contemporary practitioners develop new treatments, increasingly adapted to the ailments of our time. The Chinese pharmacopoeia is therefore a living approach.

Some of the plants commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine are familiar to us, licorice or verbena, for example. Many, however, are little or not known here and do not even have a French name (just as many Western medicinal plants are unknown in China). Therefore, this pharmacopoeia still constitutes unexplored territory for Western scientists and we do not know the active ingredients of most of them. To consult the nomenclature of plants and their French, English and Latin names, consult the Lexicon of medicinal plants.

Note that Western pharmacology generally relies on an active ingredient to solve a problem. THE’traditional herbalism, meanwhile, relies on the effect conjugate of the various components of the plant. In addition, in Chinese herbalism, the norm is to use several plants at the same time, which constitutes a “preparation”. We thus take advantage of the synergy of several ingredients with similar properties and this minimizes the side effects that could be caused by taking a single plant in large quantities.

Although some plants or preparations can be purchased commercially and consumed as self-medication, in the majority of cases, they are prescribed by acupuncturists or practitioners in chinese medicine. As with Western herbalism, the parts used are leaves, flowers, bark, roots and seeds.

According to Traditional chinese medicine, the therapeutic potential of a plant depends on all of its characteristics:

• his color;
• its nature: hot, cold, neutral;
• its flavor: sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, salty;
• its configuration: shape, texture, moisture content;
• its properties: to disperse, consolidate, purge and tone.

As for properties, let’s take the example of a type of arthritis that is made worse byhumidity or rain: from the Chinese perspective, this is attributable to Humidity and Cold in the meridians. Or the plant Hai Tong Pi, which grows by the sea, has, according to Chinese logic (and the experience of years of practice), the property of dispersing moisture and cold. We should also mention that the property of toning is fundamental in this approach and serves as the basis for any therapeutic endeavor. Here, “toning” means increasing the competence, adaptability and resistance of the organism to adverse factors.

Another fundamental element, herbs are chosen specifically according to the no one treat. The “right” medicine is suitable for such and such a person, just as the right key unlocks such and such a lock. To prescribe a plant or preparation, the practitioner must understand not only the underlying causes of the symptoms, but the specific dynamics of his patient – what is called the ” terrain ».

Since in the West we often use the Chinese pharmacopoeia In addition to the usual treatments, the practitioner or herbalist in TCM must be rigorously trained and know the interactions between plants and drugs, when there are any.

There are 2 aspects that must be taken into account for thesafety of a herbal medication: the appropriateness of the medication and the exceptional plants as such. With a few exceptions (including certain products for mild and common ailments), Chinese herbs and preparations are not indicated forself-medication or for amateur prescriptions. They should be prescribed and dispensed by a doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncturist, or qualified herbalist.

However, there seems to be no effective medicine that is completely safe. The Chinese herbal medicine, like most active substances, can cause Side effects. Fortunately, the very long Eastern tradition makes that these effects are known with precision. In a large majority of cases, they are of order digestive (bloating, loss of appetite, nausea). In general, Chinese practice first favors non-toxic plants that serve to support the self-healing system while it reserves plants with toxic properties for severe cases. According to Chinese medicine doctor Philippe Sionneau, one of the most respected Western researchers and teachers in TCM, “the risk with Chinese pharmacopoeia lies more in the prescription of substances unsuitable for the patient rather than in the plants themselves”. He adds that Chinese herbal medicine is very effective and very very safe provided you know it well and practice it professionally¹.

As for the quality of imported herbs, Chinese regulations for the cultivation of plants for export have been considerably tightened in recent years. In addition, many import companies are now enforcing their standards. And the competent practitioners know, in principle, where to source, that is to say from suppliers who respect the standards and who can guarantee that their products are neither contaminated nor adulterated.

As regards the prepared drug products (tablets, ampoules, etc.), on the other hand, a greater Prudence is needed. When tested by the United States Food and Drug Administration, some of these products contained substances that were not listed in the ingredient list. This has already caused serious health accidents. It is better to get products recommended by recognized practitioners or consult our Chinese Pharmacopoeia section.

In a large number of cases, chinese herbs must be taken in Decoction, which requires some preparation time that sometimes makes patients… impatient. In addition, these “herbal teas” or “soups” are often so bad in the taste, and even downright painful to drink (at least for the strongest herbs), that some people give it up. Western noses and palates may have become too difficult for their own health …

The primary goal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its pharmacopoeia is the a change.. It’s about keeping the body healthy – which in our words means strengthening the immune system. Many plants and preparations have this potential and, as such, are part of the daily life of millions of people.

From the standpoint curative, Traditional Chinese Medicine is a complete therapeutic system, and herbs are believed to treat just about any problem. In the West, its use is restricted, since allopathic medicine is well established in all health sectors. It therefore seems that the ailments for which Westerners most often consult a TCM practitioner are those that do not respond well to conventional treatments: chronic pain, allergies, menopause problems, arthritis, symptoms of stress, fatigue and digestive problems.

To know the main Chinese medicines offered by Western practitioners for a host of diseases, you can consult the Chinese Pharmacopoeia section. Over-the-counter preparations are presented in detail: uses, dosage, research, composition, trademarks, etc.

In addition, an American informative compendium written for physicians, the Clinician’s Complete Reference to Complementary & Alternative Medicine², chose to classify into 3 categories the health problems for which the Chinese pharmacopoeia would be indicated. Here they are :

• An ideal therapy for: allergies, postpartum care, premenstrual syndrome, stress problems.
• One of the good therapies for: addictions, amenorrhea, restless legs syndrome, arthritis, asthma, back pain, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary tract infection, bronchitis, candidiasis, pneumonia, pregnancy, prostate cancer, respiratory problems, arthritis rheumatoid, sinusitis, sleeping problems, upset stomach, tinnitus, ulcers, uterine fibroid, vaginal infection, viral and bacterial infections.
• An adjunct therapy useful for: AIDS, cancer, cataracts, intestinal parasites (pinworm), sexually transmitted diseases, sleep apnea, syphilis, visual disturbances.

Finally, we should mention that the Chinese pharmacopoeia is commonly used in Japan, where it is known under the name of Kampo (or Kampoh). Several Chinese preparations are thus recommended and supported by the Health Program of the Japanese Ministry of Health. The most common uses are for the following problems: arthritis, kidney disease, hepatitis, diabetes, PMS, dysmenorrhea, and menopause problems.

Research in which a plant or preparation has been tested on a population suffering from a specific disease, without taking into account the mode of diagnosis specific to Traditional Chinese Medicine (that is to say that each person has a ” terrain In particular), have given mixed, if not disappointing, results. It is only very recently that we have started to study Chinese pharmacopoeia from a broader perspective.

Since the 2000s, the Cochrane group has published nearly XNUMX systematic reviews on Chinese pharmacopoeia used in relation to different health disorders³. The research identified is mainly the result ofuniversities Chinese, Japanese and American (pharmaceutical companies are not interested in plants since they cannot patent them). The conclusions of the authors of these reviews suggest that the Chinese pharmacopoeia could help in the treatment of many diseases. In contrast, many of the trials were performed in small groups of individuals and presented methodological problems. They cannot therefore adequately confirm the effectiveness of the Chinese pharmacopoeia.

Remember that the World Health Organization encourages and supports the use of medicinal plants in general and chinese herbs in particular, in which she sees a “source of drugs effective et cheap »⁴.

We find Chinese preparations (ampoules, tinctures, granules or tablets) in Chinese shops and in some pharmacies. Usually imported, these products are often labeled in Chinese only. The quality of their components is not guaranteed (Prudence). But some of them have long been known to Western consumers, especially for treating colds; they are generally inexpensive. When purchasing a product, the best assurance of quality currently is the certification of Good manufacturing practices (BPF / GMP) from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. This standard is considered the highest in the world for the evaluation of manufacturing processes of products of the Chinese pharmacopoeia. Our Chinese Pharmacopoeia section lists around fifty products that meet this standard.

Chinatowns all have shops specializing in Chinese pharmacopoeia. However, a clerk should not be relied upon to recommend treatment. Let us repeat that Traditional Chinese Medicine is complex and that only properly trained people, such as acupuncturists or Chinese medicine doctors, can diagnose and prescribe herbal treatment. Trained in the 5 practices of TCM, doctors are still rare in the West, but acupuncturists can be found in most cities. Many buy the plants they prescribe themselves.

Unless you serve as an apprentice to a Chinese herbalist, there is no complete training in the West devoted exclusively to this branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, some schools include pharmacopoeia in their general TCM curriculum or offer specialized training. This is particularly the case at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.⁵ and at the University of Montpellier 1 in France⁶. The basic uses of Chinese pharmacopoeia are also often part of acupuncture training.