PAGE 13
HIV NUTRITION UPDATE
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
Herbs In Chinese Medicine
(Continued from page 12)
 
Some reports of adverse effects have occurred because practitioners were not Oriental herbally trained practitioners. A medical clinic in Belgium was found misidentifying the proper Chinese herbs and mixing the herbs with other supplementation along with prescribing western medications such as a capsule containing the amphetamines fenfluramine and diethylproprion and the tranquillizer meprobamate. Patients were also given intradermal injections of artichoke extract and euphyllin. Furthermore, those patients were placed on a low calorie diet which might have enhanced the effects of the western medicines.
"Proper identification and quality control of herbs by suppliers is a key ingredient in the safe practice of Chinese herbal medicine."
It is prudent to keep a few cautions in mind when using Chinese herbs.
  • Chinese herbs should only be prescribed by fully trained practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine, in accordance with a traditional individualized diagnosis. 
  • When herbs with some potential for toxicity are mixed with modern drugs there may be previously unknown consequences. 
  • Proper identification and quality control of herbs by suppliers is a key ingredient in the safe practice of Chinese herbal medicine.

    •  

 

TOXIC EFFECTS FROM ADULTERANTS OR ERRONEOUS SUBSTITUTES

There are problems with herbs of known toxicity. A handful of the hundreds of herbs commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine have always been known to be potentially toxic, but they have continued to be used with care because of their therapeutic value. As noted earlier, future articles will discuss other categories of herbs such as those with anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and anti-mycotic properties.

Additional information on Chinese Herbalism

 
Appropriately trained TCM practitioners realize that: 
  • All patients with a history of liver or kidney disease in the last five years should not be treated without regular blood tests to monitor liver and kidney function. 
  • Patients should be carefully monitored and practitioners must be vigilant for any early indications of liver damage.
  • Patients with skin diseases require special care and practitioners must adjust dosages accordingly. A total prescription weight of 35 grams per day (or 0.5 grams per kilogram of body weight) has been recommended.
  • All patients with skin diseases should receive regular blood tests.
 
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7/23/2002