Abstract
Herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion, and massage are the three major constituent parts of traditional Chinese medicine. Although acupuncture is well known in many Western countries, Chinese herbal medicine, the most important part of traditional Chinese medicine, is less well known in the West. This article gives a brief introduction to the written history, theory, and teaching of Chinese herbal medicine in China. It also describes modern scientific research into and the quality control of Chinese herbal medicines in China. Some examples of how new drugs derived from Chinese herbs have been developed on the basis of traditional therapeutic experience are presented. Finally, the situation of Chinese herbal medicine in the West is discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zhang EQ. Prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine. Shanghai: Shanghai TCM College Press, 1990:10–6.
Bensky D, Barolet R. Chinese herbal medicine: formulas and strategies. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1990:14–5.
Zhu Y-P. Development of Chinese materia medica in perspective. In: Su ZW, Qiao CZ, editors. Pharmacognosy. Shanghai: Shanghai Medical University Press, 1989:4–9.
Huang SB, Chen CM. Herbology. Nanjing: NIT Press, 1988: 43–5.
Maciocia G. The foundations of Chinese medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1989:1–528.
Maciocia G. The practice of Chinese medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1994:1–484.
Tang W, Eisenbrand G. Chinese drugs of plant origin — chemistry, pharmacology and use in traditional and modern medicine. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1992:1–105.
Huang KC. The pharmacology of Chinese herbs. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1993:229–32, 359.
Weiss RF. Herbal medicine. Gothenburg: Arcanum, 1988:218–9, 343–4.
Woerdenbag HJ, de Smet PAGM, Scheffer JJC. Plantaardige geneesmiddelen in medisch-farmaceutisch perspectief [Herbal remedies in medical-pharmaceutical perspective]. Pharm Weekbl 1993;128(6):164–77.
Trigg PI. Qinghaosu (Artemisinin) as an antimalarial drug. In: Wagner H, Hikino H, Farnsworth NR, editors. Economic and medicinal plant research. Vol. 3. London: Academic Press, 1989:19–55.
Woerdenbag HJ, Pras N, van Uden W, Wallaart TE, Beekman AC, Lugt CB. Progress in the research of artemisinin-related antimalarials:an update. Pharm World Sci 1994;16(4):169–80.
Liang X-T, Yu DQ, Wu WL, Deng HC. The structure of Yingzhaosu A. Acta Chim Sin 1979;37:215–30.
Che C-T. Plants as a source of potential antiviral agents. In: Wagner H, Farnsworth NR, editors. Economic and medicinal plant research. Vol. 5. London: Academic Press, 1991:166–251.
Woerdenbag HJ Gossypol. In: de Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hänsel R, Chandler RF, editors. Adverse effects of herbal drugs. Vol. 2. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1993:195–208.
Wang Y, Qian RQ, Gu ZW, Jin SW, Zhang LQ, Xia ZX, et al. Scientific evaluation of Tian Hua Feng — history, chemistry and application. Pure Appl Chem 1986;58:789–98.
Wu RS, Zhang SM, Ma JW. Rat model of passive lung anaphylaxis induced by trichosanthin. Acta Pharmacol Sin 1985;6:68–71.
Lednicer D, Sander KM. Plants and other organisms as a source of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs. In: Wagner H, Farnsworth NR, editors. Economic and medicinal plant research. Vol. 5. London: Academic Press, 1991: 1–20.
Han R. Recent progress on the studies of anticancer traditional Chinese herbs. In: Xu GJ, Ming ZD, editors. Proceedings of 1st International Symposium on Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing, 1990:14–2.
Han R. Highlight on the studies of anticancer drugs from plants in China. Stem Cells 1994;12:53–63.
Wan JH, You YC, Mi JX, Ying HG. Effect of indirubin on hemopoietic cell production. Acta Pharmacol Sin 1981;2: 241–4.
Wu KM, Zhang MY, Fang Z, Huang L. Potential antileukaemic agents, synthesis of derivatives of indirubin, indigo, and isoindigotin. Acta Pharm Sin 1985;20:821–6.
Zhou JH, Wang JM. Chinese herbal pharmacology. Shanghai: Shanghai Science & Technology Publisher, 1985: 30.
Han GY, Shen QH. Research and development of the active constituents of medicinal herbs. Hangzhou: Hangzhou University Press, 1991:34–5,43–4,53–4.
Wang YS, editor. The pharmacology and applications of Chinese materia medica. Beijing: People's Health Publisher, 1983:119–28,177–86.
Shen M-L. The contribution of traditional Chinese medicine to modern pharmacology. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1983;4: 496–50.
Fan SF. Chinese medicinal herbs used to treat heart diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1983;4:208–10.
Zhang RW, Tang XC, Han YY, Sang GW, Zhang YD, Ma YX, et al. Drug evaluation of huperzine-A in the treatment of senile memory disorders. Acta Pharmacol Sin 1991;12:250–2.
Zhu Y-P, Qiao CZ. Radix aconiti et radix aconiti lateralis preparata. In: Su ZW, Qiao CZ, editors. Pharmacognosy. Shanghai: Shanghai Medical University Press 1989:109–1.
Hsu H-Y. A study of some commonly used medicinal herbs. In: Chang HM, Yeung HW, Tso W-W, Koo A, editors. Advances in Chinese medicinal materials research. Singapore: World Scientific Publ. Co., 1985:61–72.
The Pharmacopoeia Commission of the Ministry of Public Health. Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 1990 edition, Vol. 1. Beijing: People's Health Publisher and Chemical Industries Publisher, 1990:27–8, 161−2.
Zhu Y-P, Qiao CZ. The processing of Chinese materia medica. In: Su ZW, Qiao CZ, editors. Pharmacognosy. Shanghai: Shanghai Medical University Press 1989:77–88.
Zhu Y-P, Qiao CZ, Su ZW, Li CH. Quality evaluation study on Semen Armeniaca Amarum. J 2nd Mil Med Univ 1991;12:90–2.
Wu SH. Jiangsu. J Trad Chin Med 1964;(10):1.
De Smet PAGM. Toxicological outlook on the quality assurance of herbal remedies. In: de Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hänsel R, Chandler RF, editors. Adverse effects of herbal drugs. Vol. 1. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1992:1–72.
Graham-Brown R. Toxicity of Chinese herbal remedies. Lancet 1992;340:673–4.
Rustin MHA, Atherton DJ. Toxicity of Chinese herbal remedies. Lancet 1992;340:674.
Perharic-Walton L, Murray V. Toxicity of Chinese herbal remedies. Lancet 1992;340:674.
Vanherweghen J-L, Depierreux M, Tielemans C, Abramowicz D, Dratwa M, Jadoul M, et al. Rapidly progressive interstitial renal fibrosis in young women: association with a slimming regimen including Chinese herbs. Lancet 1993;341:387–91.
Vanhaelen M, Vanhaelen-Feastre R, But P, Vanherweghen J-L. Identification of aristolochic acid in Chinese herbs. Lancet 1994, 343:174.
Farnsworth NR, Akerele O, Bingel AS, Soejarto DD, Guo Z. Medicinal plants in therapy. Bull WHO 1985;63:965–81.
Ding GS. Traditional Chinese medicine and modern pharmacology. Int J Pharm 1987;1:11–5.
Anonymous. Pharmaceuticals from plants: great potential, few funds [editorial]. Lancet 1994;343:1513–5.
Harper JI, Yang S-L, Evans AT, Evans FJ, Phillipson JD. Chinese herbs for eczema. Lancet 1990;335:759.
Phillipson JD. Traditional medicine treatment of eczema: experience as basis for scientific acceptance. Eur Phytotelegram 1994;6:33–40.
Sheenan MP, Rustin MHA, Atherton DJ, Buckley C, Harris DJ, Brostoff J, et al. Efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal therapy in adults atopic dermatitis: results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Lancet 1992;340:13–7.
Wagner H, Norr H, Winterhoff H. Plant adaptogens. Phytomedicine 1994;1:63–76.
De Smet PAGM. Legislatory outlook on the safety of herbal remedies. In: de Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hänsel R, Chandler RF, editors. Adverse effects of herbal drugs. Vol. 2. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1993:1–90.
Woerdenbag HJ. The role and research of phytomedicines in European countries. Ned Tijdschr Fytother. In press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhu, YP., Woerdenbag, H.J. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Pharm World Sci 17, 103–112 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01872386
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01872386