Jin Bu Huan- Not the Proper Chinese Herbal Medicine
Posted on April 23, 2008 by Yael
At the end of March, it was reported a woman in her late 20
Tags: chinese herbs, chinese medicine, herbs
Categories: General notes, Practitioners notes, Students notes
[...] Patrick B wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThis sad incident does NOT mean that Chinese herbal medicine is bad for people, and does NOT have any implications of Chinese Medicine or Chinese herbs in general. It DOES mean that we should all be careful with what we use, … [...]
The interesting article detailing the derivation of Jin Bu Huan is like a western medical nightmare.
Since it is a single compound derived from two sources, it lacks the balance and complementary compounds found within the herbal formulas. I can’t tell you how many times my Masters and professors all insisted that China had tried isolated compounds of herbs for a while and invoked reactions similar to those experienced by patients today commonly using Western medicine. While in Beijing, I briefly reviewed the documents of that time period.
Actually, after reading your friend’s article, it also becomes clear how easily anything Chinese or Other is banned via the FDA. For example, 10 adverse reactions recorded within its use and it is banned from importation. What if those standards were applied by the FDA to Western medicine?
Several lessons lie within this misfortunate story:
1. Herbs are medicine and food– neither should be taken lightly
2. Chinese medicine really can’t be standardized in the same way or manner as Western medicine. This is not to say that it cannot be tested. Rather, the means through which to test the formulas must begin from the standpoint of Eastern Eyes and then sifted through the ICD when and if it applies.
3. It should also stand as testimony to those who manufacture, prescribe and imbibe medicines. Somewhere along the way, we lost the knowledge that was broadly and generally available to all.
After all, many of the Western drugs are single active compounds. They have been painfully extrapolated or synthesized as single active compounds minus their complementary partners. They are not complex formulas or balanced in any way. They are merely arrows aimed at a target.
4. As not only a practitioner but also a researcher in TM throughout the world, TM needs more funding and proper research. It also needs to be conducted through the native eyes and translated across the lines of science and culture somehow.
5. Trying to Westernize or completely modernize Chinese medicine is a mistake. That is not to say that it is stagnant. The principles most certainly are. Technological adaptations have been intertwined from time to time. Yet, Chinese medicine is surprisingly modern when it effectively treats complex, chronic and difficult conditions, prevents and treats pandemics such as SARS without residual bodily damage.
Namaste, Debra Xiangjun
Debra,
I think one of the problems between Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine is the constant tries of WM to make sense of CM- research, tests, studies and so on.
While some of it can actually be tested, a lot of it can’t. We can’t give proof to meridians, we can’t measure the Shen or Qi…. WM has a terrible time with those aspcets and they can’t understand how to even start looking at it.
At least that’s what I think.
Forcing CM to fit itself into templets of research is VERY problematic in my eyes, and makes CM lose that extra special thing it has which no one can 100% explain.
I think WM should let CM be, and CM shouldn’t try to be more like WM. It’s perfect the way it is.
The resposibility to one’s health should go back to the patient, both field’s practitioners should encourage that. And people should realise they can combine 2 medicines. Just because we use one doesn’t mean we can’t use the other- and even at the same time. I raise my child this way- he’s a year and 4 months old almost, and gets acupuncture on a regular basis and also goes to the doctor and takes Advil when he needs it.
It doesn’t have to be one or the other.
Thank you for your thoughts,
Yael
Yael- I’m really glad you posted this article. I agree with you- thank you for setting the record straight.
-amy
Thanks, Yael!
Sorry, I have been absent. I was in Taiwan presenting work and touring indigenous villages.
I have been working on alot of these issues for more than ten years and will be presenting in Kuunming later this year about The Hidden Lessons of SARS and Chinese Medicine and Neocolonialism in 21st century China. (I challenge alot of people to open their minds.)
I sincerely believe the future of Global health as spelled out by the WHO 1978 Alma Ata necessitates and includes traditional medicine doctors, etc. on more equal footing. They already supply more than 80% of healthcare- truly!
For these and so many other reasons, it is my goal to develop a global NGO dedicated to Traditional Medicine to bridge healers and medicines and allocate the funding and interdisciplinary professionals we need to do the research in the manner it is needed.
Thanks again for all you do!
[...] due to use of the drug by the name of Jin Bu Huan, then you should read this article and check out Chinese Medicine Notes on the story. Yael sites a lot of resources and sites for more information about the drug (which is [...]
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