Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Contributions by ColleenO

38. Hirayama C, Okumura M, Tanikawa K, et al. A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial of Shosaiko-to in chronic active hepatitis. Gastroenterol Jpn. 1989;24:715-719.
39. McCulloch M, Broffman M, Gao J, et al. Chinese herbal medicine and interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Am J Public Health. 2002;92:1619-1628.
40. Liu JP, McIntosh H, Lin H. Chinese medicinal herbs for asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B virus infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;CD002231.
41. Liu JP, Manheimer E, Tsutani K, et al. Medicinal herbs for hepatitis C virus infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;CD003183.
42. Liu JP, McIntosh H, Lin H. Chinese medicinal herbs for chronic hepatitis B. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;CD001940.
43. Verucchi G, Calza L, Attard L, et al. Acute hepatitis induced by traditional Chinese herbs used in the treatment of psoriasis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2002;17:1342-1345.
55. Jakkula M, Boucher TA, Beyendorff U, et al. A randomized trial of Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of symptomatic hepatitis C. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1341-1346.
56. Liu J, Zhu M, Shi R, Yang M. Radix Sophorae flavescentis for chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review of randomized trials. Am J Chin Med. 2003;31:337-354.
60. Mollison L, Totten L, Flexman J, et al. Randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese herbal therapy (CH100) in chronic hepatitis C. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;21:1184-1188.
64. Yuen MF, Tam S, Fung J, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine causing hepatotoxicity in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: a 1-year prospective study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006;24:1179-86

Viral Because viral hepatitis has long been a serious problem in China and other parts of Asia, so Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine offers many prescriptions for treating it. Herbs and herbal combinations are commonly recommended. The scientific evidence for their use is not strong in most cases, though you may benefit from personalized treatment from a well-trained Chinese herbalist and/or acupuncturist.

Note: There have been cases in which use of Chinese herbs for treatment of hepatitis appears to have caused serious liver injury.^43,64 For this reason, you should use Chinese herbs only under the supervision of competent professional.

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Chinese herbs, alone or in combination, may help treat hepatitis infections and alleviate some of the symptoms of chronic hepatitis.

In the United States, there is no general certification for the practice of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM). However, many people who are certified in acupuncture (L.Ac.) have significant training in herbal medicine as well. (In general, 500 hours of specific training is considered necessary.) Some states offer the license of OMD (Doctor of Oriental Medicine); licensed OMDs are generally well versed in TCHM.

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine is most effective when treatment is tailored to the individual.

The traditional Chinese herbal combination Shosaiko-to (Minor Bupleurum) has been approved as a treatment for chronic hepatitis by the Japanese Health Ministry.³⁷ In one large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled study³⁸ lasting 24 weeks, the efficacy of Shosaiko-to was tested in 222 people with chronic active hepatitis. Results showed that use of Shosaiko-to significantly improved liver function measurements compared to placebo.

Other combination Chinese herbal therapies have also shown a bit of promise for the treatment of chronic hepatitis, including those named Bing Gan Tang, Yi Zhu decoction, Fuzheng Jiedu Tang, and Jianpi Wenshen recipe.^40-42

A well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated a mixture of traditional Chinese herbs for people with hepatitis C and symptoms of fatigue.⁵⁵ The tested mixture contained: Radix astragali (6%), Radix acanthopanax (8%), Radix bupleuir (8%), Radix et tuber curcumae (10%), Rhizoma polygonum (10%), Radix glycyrrhiza (4%), Radix isatis (14%), Radix paeoniae rubra (14%), Radix salviae (14%), and Herba taraxaci (12%). However, it failed to prove more effective than placebo regarding symptoms or objective signs. Another complex Chinese herbal combination has not yet been proven effective.⁶⁰

One Chinese herb widely advocated for chronic hepatitis B, Sophorae flavescentis, has not yet been shown effective, according to a comprehensive review of studies.⁵⁶

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Because viral hepatitis has long been a serious problem in China and other parts of Asia, Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine offers many prescriptions for treating it. Herbs and herbal combinations are commonly recommended. The scientific evidence for their use is not strong in most cases, though you may benefit from personalized treatment from a well-trained Chinese herbalist and/or acupuncturist.

Note: There have been cases in which use of Chinese herbs for treatment of hepatitis appears to have caused serious liver injury.^43,64 For this reason, you should use Chinese herbs only under the supervision of competent professional.

Chinese herbs, alone or in combination, may help treat hepatitis infections and alleviate some of the symptoms of chronic hepatitis.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicineHerbal Medicine (TCHM), used alone or in combination with acupuncture, is often recommended as a treatment for allergic rhinitis.

TCHM makes almost exclusive use of herbal combinations. These formulas are not designed to treat symptoms of a specific illness; rather, they are tailored specifically to the individual according to the complex principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

There is no general certification for the practice of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. However, many people who are certified in acupuncture (L.Ac.) have significant training in herbal medicine as well. (In general, 500 hours of specific training is considered necessary.) Some states offer the license of OMD (Doctor of Oriental Medicine); licensed OMDs are generally well versed in TCHM.

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM), used alone or in combination with acupuncture, is often recommended as a treatment for allergic rhinitis.

TCHM makes almost exclusive use of herbal combinations. These formulas are not designed to treat symptoms of a specific illness; rather, they are tailored specifically to the individual according to the complex principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. For this reason, TCHM is potentially a deeply holistic healing approach. On the other hand, it is both more difficult to use and to study than its Western counterpart.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a complex, multi-faceted healing tradition with a long history. TCM seeks to restore balance to the body, so Chinese herbs may work by supporting balance. In modern Western terms, some of the Chinese herbs used to treat allergic rhinitis probably work like conventional anti-histamines, blocking the release of the substances (histamines) that cause the unpleasant symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has shown some promise for treating allergies, including allergic rhinitis.^23,24,29

The herb Astragalus membranaceus has shown some promise for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.⁷²

A study found benefit with real (specific) traditional Chinese herbs combined with real acupuncture as opposed to fake ("sham") acupuncture and nonspecific Chinese herbs.⁴¹

23. Japan's Health Ministry confirms efficacy of another of Tsumura's Kampo drugs. Kampo Today [serial online]. 2000:4. Available at: http://www.tsumura.co.jp/english/kthp/4-1-01.htm. Accessed November 4, 2002.
24. Hu G, Walls RS, Bass D, et al. The Chinese herbal formulation biminne in management of perennial allergic rhinitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week clinical trial. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2002;88:478-487.
29. Xue CC, Thien FC, Zhang JJ, et al. Treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis by Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized placebo controlled trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003;9(5):80-87.
41. Brinkhaus B, Hummelsberger J, Kohnen R, et al. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial. Allergy. 2004;59:953-690.
72. Matkovic Z, Zivkovic V, Korica M. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):175.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has shown some promise for treating allergies, including allergic rhinitis.^23,24,29

The herb Astragalus membranaceus has shown some promise for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.⁷²

A study found benefit with real (specific) traditional Chinese herbs combined with real acupuncture as opposed to fake ("sham") acupuncture and nonspecific Chinese herbs.⁴¹

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM), used alone or in combination with acupuncture, is often recommended as a treatment for allergic rhinitis.

TCHM makes almost exclusive use of herbal combinations. These formulas are not designed to treat symptoms of a specific illness; rather, they are tailored specifically to the individual according to the complex principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Traditional Chinese herbsHerbal Medicine (TCHM), used alone or in combination with acupuncture, are is often recommended to treat as a treatment for allergic rhinitis.

TCHM makes almost exclusive use of herbal combinations. These formulas are not designed to treat symptoms of a specific illness; rather, they are tailored specifically to the individual according to the complex principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

23. Japan's Health Ministry confirms efficacy of another of Tsumura's Kampo drugs. Kampo Today [serial online]. 2000:4. Available at: http://www.tsumura.co.jp/english/kthp/4-1-01.htm. Accessed November 4, 2002.
24. Hu G, Walls RS, Bass D, et al. The Chinese herbal formulation biminne in management of perennial allergic rhinitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week clinical trial. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2002;88:478-487.
29. Xue CC, Thien FC, Zhang JJ, et al. Treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis by Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized placebo controlled trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003;9(5):80-87.
41. Brinkhaus B, Hummelsberger J, Kohnen R, et al. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial. Allergy. 2004;59:953-690.
72. Matkovic Z, Zivkovic V, Korica M. Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):175.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has shown some promise for treating allergies, including allergic rhinitis.^23,24,29

The herb Astragalus membranaceus has shown some promise for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.⁷²

A study found benefit with real (specific) traditional Chinese herbs combined with real acupuncture as opposed to fake ("sham") acupuncture and nonspecific Chinese herbs.⁴¹

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM), used alone or in combination with acupuncture, is often recommended as a treatment for allergic rhinitis.

TCHM makes almost exclusive use of herbal combinations. These formulas are not designed to treat symptoms of a specific illness; rather, they are tailored specifically to the individual according to the complex principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.