Illustrated Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine - A Home Essential Encyclopedia of TCM Knowledge

Author: (Japan) Tsurubuchi Akira, (Japan) Inoki Kazumichi
Translator: Zheng Yayun
Country: Japan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: 【This book especially uses illustrations, making it easy to understand and practical, truly a Chinese medicine health guide for the family. Illness is caused by abnormalities in qi, blood, and water. Qi is the energy that sustains life and performs important tasks. When qi flows smoothly, it is a state of health; when the circulation of qi is poor, various uncomfortable symptoms may arise. Blood refers to blood and its flow, and the concept also includes blood function. Qi and blood circulate simultaneously throughout the body, delivering nutrients to every corner. Water, "water" refers to liquids other than blood in the body. It is related to water metabolism and the immune structure of the skin. When water is abnormal, it is called "water poison." 146 herbal formulas, 90 types of herbs, teach you to identify common Chinese herbal formulas and herbs, and find the most suitable formula for your condition. Traditional Chinese medicine is vast and profound, with a history of over 3,000 years, accumulating the wisdom of countless medical practitioners. Its unique theoretical system, miraculous clinical effects, and enduring brilliance throughout history have made it renowned worldwide, recognized as one of the world's finest traditional medicines. The Illustrated Kampo Therapy is a work by Japanese scholars that explains 53 common disease symptoms from a Western medical perspective while applying traditional Chinese medicine's differential diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the symptoms, different herbal formulas are used. This book especially uses illustrations, making it easy to understand and practical, truly a Chinese medicine health guide for the family.
Do Kampo herbal medicines have side effects? Some usage methods may cause side effects. Since Kampo herbal medicines use natural herbs, people might assume they have no side effects. However, herbs are still medicine, so if used incorrectly, they can also cause side effects. Kampo treatment uses "differential diagnosis" (page 32) as the standard for diagnosis, comprehensively assessing the patient's symptoms, constitution, physique, and physical strength, and then formulating a prescription that matches the condition. Common side effects occur when the condition is misjudged. A formula prescribed based on a wrong condition will conflict with the patient's constitution and physical state, leading to uncomfortable symptoms and side effects. Additionally, even if the condition is correctly identified, side effects may still occur due to an incorrect prescription. If side effects appear, the medication should be stopped immediately, and a doctor should be consulted.
Prone to diarrhea or dizziness
Most side effects include symptoms such as diarrhea, dizziness, loss of appetite, bloating, and abdominal pain. Especially, herbal medicines containing licorice, aconite, rehmannia, and rhubarb are prone to causing side effects and require special attention. For example, rhubarb is very effective for constipation, but if the dosage is incorrect, it can worsen the symptoms, causing persistent diarrhea. Therefore, even herbal medicines can cause side effects, and it is best not to self-diagnose and take them.
Are Kampo herbal medicines slow-acting? They can also take effect instantly
It is often said that the efficacy of herbal medicines is slow, so they lack immediate effects and are only effective for chronic patients, while acute patients are ineffective. In fact, this is a misconception. For acute diseases, the effect can appear within 15 minutes. Herbal medicines are customized prescriptions tailored to each patient's condition. As long as the right medicine is found, it can take effect.
Standard duration of use is roughly two weeks
Generally, the standard duration for herbal medicine use is at least two weeks. This allows for a judgment on whether to continue taking it after two weeks. Sometimes it may take a little longer to see if it is effective. Some patients suffering from chronic diseases for years may see symptom relief within one to two weeks. Some conditions that Western medicine cannot treat or help with, Kampo can completely cure. The fact that herbal medicines are sometimes more effective than Western medicine for certain diseases is gradually being understood by all. Many hospitals have also started using herbal medicines. Of course, Western medicine also has its powerful efficacy in treating certain conditions. In the future, it will develop into an era where Western and herbal medicines are used together or separately, each excelling in their respective fields! P12-13