This month, we illustrate the method of Chinese herbalism with a clinical case of the flu, and compare this approach with common western ways of treatment.
Suppose “Joe” presents with a recent history of fever and chill, and stuffy nose, progressing to a sore throat, cough, and lethargy, all without sweat. By examination of the pulse, tongue, and body appearance, and by taking a short history, the traditional practitioner determines the following things:
1) The external cause of his disease is over-exposure to cold weather, where the cold blocks the normal opening of the pores. This allows naturally present microbes to enter and remain beyond these surface defenses.
2) Joe has a pre-existing hot and dry lung condition, due to a history of recurring heat diseases, and a thin and weak chest. This condition invites heat disease into the interior upon any breach of the exterior defenses.
Joe’s traditional herbal treatment will naturally reflect these unique factors, and hence be different from someone else’s treatment for the same symptoms. For Joe’s formula, let’s consider using herbs that are also common food, so that the concepts may be absorbed more easily. First, we use something warm and spicy to open the pores, say fresh ginger; this will also relieve nasal congestion. Next we add sweet and nourishing medicinals to cool and moisten his throat and lungs and provide energy for the battle; fresh lemon juice and honey will serve well. To clear the pathogenic heat in the throat and lungs and quell the cough, a bitter substance is needed. In this case, we can use the seeds and rind of the lemon; the bitter coldness of the seeds scatters all in their path (anti-biotic in a sense), while the bitter pungency of the rind dissolves the phlegm associated with the cough. Joe is instructed to make a strong hot tea from these ingredients and drink one cup every two hours (in the clinic, he may be given a mixture of extracted herbs to put in hot water). In addition, he is to avoid cold drafts, take cue from the fatigue to rest, bundle up for bed, and expect a therapeutic sweat to resolve the condition. In this way, the body’s normal responses to the illness are balanced and enhanced, healing is sped along (sometimes immediately), and further progression halted.
Let’s now contrast this to modern approaches. Antihistamines may be taken to relieve congestion; yet, these are actually designed to prevent the natural formation of mucous necessary to contain the microbes, and therefore lead directly to dryness. Antibiotics aim to kill fast-growing cells. Their purpose is to reduce the activity of battle (heat), and hence the high fever and pain associated with it; however, they also kill the body’s defensive warriors of the respiratory and digestive tract, and lead to weakened immunity and fatigue (coldness).
These measures do not support the normal defensive motions of the body: namely, for Joe, opening the pores and moistening and nourishing the interior. In fact, they patently go against those defenses — in a way invalidating that the body, or person himself, is capable of managing things — and further deplete fluids and energy. Apart from failing to restore function, these measures contribute to the possibility of not fully expelling the pathogens. Indeed, this scenario is quite common today, as people end up either suffering longer than the normal 3-10 days an even untreated bout with a cold or flu might last, or suffer from waxing and waning symptoms as the battle cyclically surfaces and entrenches indefinitely.
A similar mistake can be made with herbalism if only the symptoms are addressed without heed to the history. The modern commercial use of Echinacea and Goldenseal for Joe’s condition is a good example. Echinacea is spicy, and does go upward; however, it is also bitter and cooling and does not open pores blocked by cold. Goldenseal is simply bitter, cold and drying, and clears inflammation; its effects are very similarly to antibiotics. Both herbs tend to deplete body fluids and energy. Taking this combination without therapeutic doses of spicy warmth and sweet nourishment will likely abate the sore throat, yet prolong recovery and possibly further complicate things.
Next month, we will further flesh out the world of traditional Chinese herbalism, and reconcile its ways with modern approaches.