中草藥英文版

1、Chinese Herbal MedicineOther common name(s): traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese herbsDescriptionChinese herbal medicine is a major aspect of traditional Chinese medicine, which focuses on restoring a balance of energy, body, and spirit to maintain health rather than treating a particular disease

2、or medical condition. Herbs are used with the goal of restoring balance by nourishing the body.OverviewBecause of the large number of Chinese herbs used and the different uses recommended by practitioners, it is difficult to comment on Chinese herbal medicine as a whole. There may be some individual

3、 herbs or extracts that play a role in the prevention and treatment of cancer and other diseases when combined with conventional treatment. However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of these individual substances.How is it promoted for use?Chinese herbal medicine is not based o

4、n Western conventional concepts of medical diagnosis and treatment. It treats patients 唉 main complaints or the patterns of their symptoms rather than the underlying causes. Practitioners attempt to prevent and treat imbalances, such as those caused by cancer and other diseases, with complex combina

5、tions of herbs, minerals, and plant extracts.Chinese herbal medicine uses a variety of herbs, in different combinations, to restore balance to the body (see Astragalus, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Green Tea, and Siberian Ginseng). Herbal preparations are said to prevent and treat hormone disturbances, infectio

6、ns, breathing disorders, and a vast number of other ailments and diseases. Some practitioners claim herbs have the power to prevent and treat a variety of cancers, (see Astragalus, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Green Tea, Siberian Ginseng).Most Chinese herbalists do not claim to cure cancer. They use herbal medi

7、cine along with conventional treatment prescribed by oncologists, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. They claim that herbal remedies can help ease the side effects of conventional cancer therapies, control pain, improve quality of life, strengthen the immune system, and in some cases, stop

8、tumor growth and spread.What does it involve?In China, there are over 3,200 herbs, 300 mineral and animal extracts, and over 400 formulas used. Herbal formulations may consist of 4 to 12 different ingredients, to be taken in the form of teas, powders, pills, tinctures, or syrups.Chinese herbal remed

9、ies are made up of one or two herbs that are said to have the greatest effect on major aspects of the problem being treated. The other herbs in the formula treat minor aspects of the problem, direct the formula to specific parts of the body, and help the other herbs work more efficiently.With the in

10、crease in popularity of herbal use, many Chinese herbs are sold individually and in formulas. In the United States, Chinese herbs and herbal formulas may be purchased in health food stores, some pharmacies, and from herbal medicine practitioners.Before choosing a mixture of herbs for a patient, the

11、traditional Chinese practitioner will typically ask about symptoms and examine the patient, often focusing on the skin, hair; tongue, eyes, pulses, and voice, in order to detect imbalances in the body.What is the history behind it?Native cultures all over the world have traditionally used herbs to m

12、aintain health and treat illnesses. Chinese herbal medicine developed with Chinese culture from tribal roots. By 200 BC, traditional Chinese medicine was firmly established, and by the first century AD, a listing of medicinal herbs and herbal formulations had been developed.The classic Chinese book

13、on medicinal herbs was written during the Ming Dynasty (1152-1578) by Li Shi-Zhen. It listed nearly 2,000 herbs and extracts. By 1990, the latest edition of The Pharmacopoeia of the Peoples Republic of China listed more than 500 single herbs or extracts and nearly 300 complex formulations.As Western

14、 conventional medicine spread to the East, some traditional Chinese medical practices began to be regarded as folklore. However; since 1949, the Chinese government has supported the use of both traditional and Western medicine. Chinese herbal medicine first came to wide-spread attention in the Unite

15、d States in the 1970s, when President Richard Nixon visited China. Today, at least 30 states license practitioners of Oriental medicine and more than 25 colleges of Oriental medicine exist in the United States.What is the evidence?Some herbs and herbal formulations have been evaluated in animal, lab

16、oratory, and human studies in both the East and the West with wide-ranging results. Research results vary widely depending on the specific herb, but several have shown activity against cancer cells in laboratory dishes and in some lab animals.There is some evidence from randomized clinical trials th

17、at some Chinese herbs may contribute to longer survival rates, reduction of side effects, and lower risk of recurrence for some cancers, especially when combined with conventional treatment. Many of these studies, however, are published in Chinese, and some of them do not list the specific herbs tha

18、t were tested. Some of these journal articles do not describe how the studies were conducted completely enough to determine whether they use methods comparable to those used in Western clinical research. However, there are some notable exceptions, such as the PC-SPES, a mixture including several Chi

19、nese herbs that has been studied in considerable detail in US clinical trials (see PC-SPES). More controlled research is needed to determine the role of Chinese herbal medicine in cancer treatment and prevention.Are there any possible problems or complications?Because of the variety of herbs used in

20、 Chinese herbal medicine, there is a potential for negative interactions with prescribed drugs. Some herbal preparations contain other ingredients which are not always identified. The FDA has issued a statement warning diabetics to avoid several specific brands of Chinese herbal products because the

21、y illegally contain the prescription diabetes drugs glyburide and phenformin. FDA warnings have been issued for PC-SPES and production of that product stopped because the Chinese herbal products also contained prescription drugs (indomethicin, diethylstilbestrol and warfarin).Similar concerns have b

22、een raised about Chinese herbal products for other diseases, which have been found to contain toxic contaminants and prescription drugs such as diazepam (Valium). Tests of Chinese herbal remedies by the California Department of Health found that nearly one third contained prescription drugs or were

23、contaminated with toxic metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead. Concerns about Chinese herbal products have been raised in other countries as well. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reported that some Chinese herbal products contained contaminants which caused severe liver and t

24、hyroid problems that were fatal in some cases.Of the more than 5,000 medicinal plant species in China, a small number are potentially toxic （poisonous） to the human body. Toxic herbs may mistakenly be harvested and shipped for herbal medicines and cause harmful reactions in those who take the medici

25、nes. In addition, the herbal formulas used are often complex and difficult for manufacturers and practitioners to formulate correctly. For example, an herbal product intended to promote weight loss confused two Chinese herbs with similar names and mistakenly used the wrong one, resulting in severe k

26、idney damage that was fatal in some cases.Although the long history of traditional Chinese herbal medicine is sometimes interpreted as evidence of safety, it is important to note that many of these herbs are no longer produced and used as they were in the past. The historical safety of using low dos

27、es of an herb for a short period of time under close supervision of a traditional practitioner does not assure safety when these herbs are used in high doses and concentrated forms over a longer period without medical guidance, not does it address concerns of intentional or inadvertent contamination

28、 of these herbs with toxic substances or prescription drugs during the manufacturing process.Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine licensed by a state board can provide advice on sources of herbs less likely to contain dangerous contaminants. Because some herbs used in traditional Chinese me

29、dicine may cause dangerous interactions with conventional medications, patients should talk with their doctor before using any of the herbs.Additional ResourcesMore Information from Your American Cancer SocietyThe following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful t

30、o you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free number （1-800-ACS-2345）.Guidelines for Using Complementary and Alternative MethodsHow to Know What Is Safe: Choosing and Using Dietary SupplementsAmerican Cancer Society Operational Statement on Complementary and Alternative Methods of Cancer

31、Management中草藥（中醫(yī)預(yù)防治療疾病所使用的獨特藥物）國中草藥（英文名：ChineseTraditonal drug）：中藥主要由植物藥（根、莖、葉、果）、動物藥 （內(nèi)臟、皮、骨、器官等）和礦物藥組成。因植物藥占中藥的大多數(shù)，所以中藥也稱中草藥。中國各地使用的中藥己達(dá)5000種左右，把各種藥材相配伍而形成的方劑，更是數(shù)不勝數(shù)。 經(jīng)過幾千年的研究，形成了一門獨立的科學(xué)一一本草學(xué)?，F(xiàn)在中國各醫(yī)學(xué)院校都開設(shè)了天然 藥物這門課，所講述的內(nèi)容就是通稱的中草藥。目錄 詞語概述歷史淵源醫(yī)學(xué)應(yīng)用藥材加工展開 詞語概述中國是中草藥的發(fā)源地，目前中國大約有12000種藥用植物，這是其他國家所不具備的，在

32、中藥資源上我們占據(jù)壟斷優(yōu)勢。古代先賢對中草藥和中醫(yī)藥學(xué)的深入探索、研究和總結(jié)，使 得中草藥得到了最廣泛的認(rèn)同與應(yīng)用。歷史淵源中草藥是中醫(yī)預(yù)防治療疾病所使用的獨特藥物，也是中醫(yī)區(qū)別于其他醫(yī)學(xué)的重要標(biāo)志。中 國人民對中草藥的探索經(jīng)歷了幾千年的歷史。相傳，神農(nóng)嘗百草，首創(chuàng)醫(yī)藥，神農(nóng)被尊為“藥 皇。中藥主要由植物藥(根、莖、葉、果)、動物藥(內(nèi)臟、皮、骨、器官等)和礦物藥 組成。因植物藥占中藥的大多數(shù)，所以中藥也稱中草藥。目前，各地使用的中藥己達(dá)5000 種左右，把各種藥材相配伍而形成的方劑，更是數(shù)不勝數(shù)。經(jīng)過幾千年的研究，形成了一門 獨立的科學(xué)一一本草學(xué)。醫(yī)學(xué)應(yīng)用中藥應(yīng)用理論比較獨特。中藥有四氣五味

33、。四氣又稱四性，是指藥性的寒、熱、溫、涼。五 味指藥物的辛、酸、甘、苦、咸。中草藥的氣、味不同，其療效也各異。中草藥的應(yīng)用形 式多種多樣，有用藥物加水煎熟后去渣留汁而成的湯劑，有研磨成粉末狀的粉劑，還有丸劑、 膏劑、酒劑、片劑、沖劑、注射劑等。中草藥中有許多名藥，植物藥以人參、靈芝、何首 烏、枸杞最為著名。動物藥以驢膠牛黃、熊膽、蛇毒、鹿茸等最為珍貴。礦物藥以朱砂、赭 石、滑石、芒硝等為最為常用。中藥(Chinese herbology、Traditional Materia Medica),是指在漢族傳統(tǒng)醫(yī)術(shù)指導(dǎo)卜應(yīng)用的藥 物。中藥按加工工藝分為中成藥、中藥材。中藥主要起源于中國，除了植物藥

34、以外，動物藥 如蛇膽，熊膽，五步蛇，鹿茸，鹿角等；介殼類如珍珠，海蛤殼；礦物類如龍骨，磁石等都 是用來治病的中藥。少數(shù)中藥源于外國，如西洋參。西藥，相對于祖國傳統(tǒng)中藥而言，指西醫(yī)用的藥物，一般用化學(xué)合成方法制成或從天然產(chǎn)物 提制而成；包括阿司匹林、青霉素、止痛片等。西藥即為有機(jī)化學(xué)藥品，無機(jī)化學(xué)藥品和生 物制品。TCM(Traditional Chinese medicine) uses the inductive and synthetic method; WM(western medicine) uses the reductive and analytical method. TCM i

35、s individualized; WM is standardized. TCM is experience based; WM is evidence based. TCM is a summary of clinical observations; WM is the result of laboratory experimentations. TCM is a healing art; WM is strictly a science. TCM emphasizes the role of the body in healing; WM mainly relies on medicat

36、ion and procedures. TCM uses herbs and natural agents; WM uses pure chemical compounds. TCM looks at the behavior of the system as a whole; WM looks at the structure and function of the parts. TCM works to maintain health; WM manages disease.In the modern era of science and technique, it is not surp

37、rising that WM has become the main system of medicine while TCM became so called alternative or complementary medicine.The open, large, and complex human body system consists of reducible and non-reducible, linear and non-linear; definite and random, sequential and non-sequential parts. Thus, it is

38、nearly impossible to understand the mechanisms of body by using a purely reductive method. The reductionism of WM distorts the true nature of a complex system, the human body and this is where the behavioral and experience-based method of TCM can provide the means to see the body as a whole system.

39、TCM was developed through thousands of years of trial and error, and is a result-based black box model. TCM analyzes multiple variables of output from the body (the black box) to define the status of the system (diagnosis). Then, using corrective inputs (treatment herbs) as intervention, the system

40、is brought back into balance based on trial and error. The lack of understanding of the detailed internal mechanisms of the human black box is the shortcoming of the TCM. Thus, it is unable to study the detailed mechanisms of treatments that are effective.For the past forty years, researchers and do

41、ctors in China have been developing an integrative medical system that uses the diagnostic tools of WM to identify the mechanisms of TCM. The chemical make-up and active ingredients of thousands of TCM herbal medications have been clearly identified and studied. In practice, we can now use the anatomical and microbiolog