Problem Definition
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes herbs (Zhōngyào/ 中藥), acupuncture (zhēnjiǔ/ 針灸), massage (tuīná/ 推拿), and dietary therapy (shíliáo/ 食療). These therapies have been accepted by the general population in China for thousands of years. However, in the United States, many Chinese herbs that are banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because there have been reports that Chinese herbal products are contaminated with drugs, toxins, heavy metals or not containing the listed ingredients. In addition, some herbs used in Chinese medicine can be interacted with drugs, have serious side effects, or are unsafe for people with certain medical conditions.
In the United States, Chinese medicine practitioners are
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Chinese herbal medicines are a major component in TCM practice and are used in China both as monotherapy and in combination with Western medicine. In the United States, Chinese herbs are categorized as dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), therefore, the efficacy, safety, and quality of these products do not need to be proven. Also, it does not require to report any post marketing adverse events. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA], 2016)
In the early 1990s, the FDA started to develop stricter regulations for herbal products, and in 1994, a bill passed by Congress called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). DSHEA defined dietary supplements as a product containing one or more of the following: a vitamin, mineral, amino acid, herb, other botanical, concentrate, metabolite, constituent, or extract (Cheng & Deng, 2010). DSHEA placed dietary supplements in a distinct category from drugs. Labels of dietary supplements are required to state: “this product in not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” (U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA], 2016). However, product labels are allowed to make health claims, such as “promotes prostate health” or “supports the circulatory system.” (U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA], 2016). In addition, makers of dietary supplements are not required to prove efficacy, safety, or quality of a product prior to marketing. For various
Now the United States has a shorter history of medical herbal use. Native American’s, and early European’s used herbs as medicines.
The first reason for supporting alternative medicine is because it’s effective. In fact, Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for more than 5,000 years with proof of its effectiveness (Sutton, 2010, 95). In addition, TCM has punch of methods for treating patient's widely such as herbs and other (Sutton, 2010, 94-95). That means alternative medicine has proved its worth and won people’s respect.
The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine by Ted J. Kaptchuk is a non-fiction book describing the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine and how it compares to Western medicine. This book does not focus on a specific time period or regions where Chinese medicine is practiced. Rather, it centers on the logic behind Chinese medicine. After studying Chinese medicine in Macao, Ted Kaptchuk returned to America and realized that he could not abandon what he learned just because it was different from Western medicine. Chinese medicine is over two thousand years old and textbooks have dated back to the Han dynasty (202 B.C.E.-220 C.E). These texts will continue to adapt, just as traditions adapt over time. Chinese medicine is still
The traditional Chinese treatment of acupuncture is an affective alternative medicine that has been around for thousands of years. Acupuncture is one of the most researched and documented alternative medicines around (Acupuncture). Although a vast majority of people believe Western medicine is the only cure to sickness, many people benefit from acupuncture everyday. Most people disregard the ancient art all together without giving it a chance because are scared of the needles it involves. Also, since no accurate scientific explanation of how and why it works has been found, people shy away from it. The healing powers of the body are taken to a whole different level with this alternative medicine.
Because many of the treatments of alternative medicine do not adhere to the principles of conventional medicine, whether or not to allow practice of these techniques in the United States is a major concern of the medical community today. The Food and Drug Administration is the decision making body of issues such as this and more often than not, does not approve many of these practices. Due to the fact that holistic medicine sometimes contradicts the fundamentals of biomedicine, health care regulation boards such as the FDA find it difficult to accept many of these treatments. Because the Western world is so unfamiliar with these techniques it is only natural for medical community to often disprove these methods. However, as more and more doctors discover the limitations of
In modern medicine, alternative therapies are poorly understood and studied. The preference for alternative therapies, and herbal medicine were indicated, and the fear of relinquishing information regarding these practices were almost paralyzing. It seemed as though they were ashamed to admit to cultural healing practices, and did not divulge information to practitioners regarding their usage. The cultural disconnect was present as alternative/complimentary medicines are valued as a culture, and “modern” practitioners cast judgment on their usage. This perceived stigma additionally limited the information shared by the cultural participants with modern medical treatments, potentially causing additional harm, as some herbals are potentially toxic.
Often, Asian Americans will first utilize CAM prior to seeking professional medical care out of convenience. The most common CAM used across various Asian ethnic groups including the Chinese and Japanese medicine is the use of herbs. The Chinese believe that “herbal medication regulate the natural balance of the body and restore health” (QUOTE NEWSLETTER/new source). The specific herbs used vary among the ethnic groups and may come in many different forms of use. The use of herbal medicine is not always reported to healthcare professionals which can be hazardous to one’s health if a medication is prescribed with serious drug-herbal interactions (Mehta, Phillips, Davis & McCarthy, 2007, p. 5). The accurate reporting of herbal medicine use can prevent these sometimes life-threatening interactions. Many Asian communities use a CAM known as cupping in which cups typically made of horn, bamboo or glass cups are suctioned to a person’s skin. It is believed to improve energy and blood flow. Cupping is used to treat various conditions including respiratory illnesses, indigestions problems and skin conditions (QUOTE online). Traditional Vietnamese medicine (TVM) focuses on nourishing the blood and energy as key to maintaining good health (QUOTE). TVM also utilize herbal medicine as well as acupuncture. Acupuncture is becoming widely
Good health means the yin and yang is in balance and in harmony with each other. According to Jarvis (2012), foods are classified in this theory; yin foods are cold, and yang foods are hot; cold foods are eaten with a hot illness and hot foods are eaten with a cold illness. Chinese people have practiced acupuncture for thousands of years for the reduction of pain and for various disorders using fine needles at specific meridian points on the body (Edelman & Mandle, 2010). The Chinese believe that when there is an imbalance in a person’s system is when a person has illness. For health maintenance, they use preventive measures such eating healthy. Chinese people enjoy drinking a variety of tea after meals for the cleansing effect. Health protection means wearing an amulet or jade, eat correctly and with compatible food (Jarvis, 2012). Chinese people use cupping, acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbs such as ginseng roots, and usually will consult with herbalists, for health restoration.
For example, herbalist claim that moxibustion is a great solution for poor circulation. Another example is milk thistle seed extract. Milk thistle seed extract benefits include liver support and gallbladder support. The Université of Montréal in Quebec assessed that milk thistle extract has great protective potential in liver transplantation injury. These are two noted examples that have become popular around the world and cited by many patients as legitimate treatment for their
The complex structure and foreign nature of Tibetan medicine makes it difficult to relate its practices to Western medicine, making it difficult to determine the clinical efficacy of Eastern medical practice. Several clinical analysis studies have recently been performed in order to determine the efficacy of the “holistic” practices of Eastern cultures. Whether the studies show Eastern or Western practices to be more effective, I believe that the most effective treatment should be a combination of both practices.
Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, is one of the oldest systems of medicine to exist among humans, and it is extremely prominent to this day. According to legend, the system has been in use since the third millennium BCE. The views of such an old system differ greatly from those found in modern western medicine. Perhaps most prominent is the fact that TCM focuses more on the patient than the illness. The system considers the human to be a microcosm of the universe, implying that the body is affected by the traditional Taoist forces of yin and yang, the five elements, and Qi in the same way the cosmos are. Each of these forces act upon the “zang fu,” or organ system, directly influencing a patient’s health. Healers use qigong to assist in the restoration of stability in the body. Achieving balance, both internally and externally, is the most important aspect of healing in TCM.
TCM, or Traditional Chinese Medicine, can be traced as far back as 1000 BC, where stone acupuncture needles were believed to be used. Texts from that period also talked of Yin and Yang and other concepts. The first written work on TCM is titled the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, Huangdi Newijing (Gascoigne 11). This book was written in 300 BC, but entries date back to the early 2700’s BC. The book is still used in universities of Chinese Medicine around the world and is often called the bible of TCM. Today, TCM is still thriving in China and all of Asia. In recent years, information on TCM has become available to people in the United States. The United States has several schools of TCM, and it is now much easier to buy the necessary
One important aspect of Chinese culture is Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM. Chinese medicine has been around for quite awhile, and is still around today. In the United States, we see it as acupuncture and massage. TCM is still widely popular in its home country where it is still practiced as it was a few centuries ago. Chinese medicine is evolving to our modern day times, but it is keeping close ties to its roots. Chinese medicine is also becoming more affluent in different parts of the globe. It is a major part of Chinese history and culture, and the people who participate in it do so with great respect. With Chinese medicine, there is great history, procedures, risks, and how it lives in the modern world.
Because of these stigmas many people live on the streets and are not properly taken care of. Sometimes they are left to fend for themselves and their families disown them because they think there is something too wrong with them. Sometimes people are sent to asylums and forgotten about—as happened to Zhu Ancheng (Foreign Policy, 2015). His family sent him away when he started hearing voices and did not listen to him. Pang Jianwen’s family restrains him when he starts to hear the voices. These families do not fully understand what is happening to their family member, and the things they do are not meant maliciously, but there are more helpful and impactful ways to help people with mental illness.
Modern medicine and healthcare system have categorized herbal medicine as a natural remedy used when people can’t afford to purchase conventional drugs. They are perceived inferior because they cost less but the health benefits are endless. However, there have been various situations and instances that prove that herbal medicine is good for health.