One of the most powerful tools in Chinese Medicine for both chronic and acute issues is the use of herbs. I practice a unique system of herbal medicine developed in Taiwan, known as Fang Jia Fang. This extraordinary art and science is a method of combining multiple herbal extracts to amplify the effects. The resultant formulas, chosen properly, are extremely effective and much more powerful than the individual ingredients.
The herbs that we use are extremely pure and free of toxins. They are made from herbs that have been cooked together and then extracted into granule form.These highly individualized formulas are compounded, by hand, in our office. Each ingredient is weighed and blended in exact proportions into a 100 gram bottle.
Multiple areas of imbalance can be treated with one bottle of herbs, and easily taken as a tea.
Diagnosis
The decision of what herbs to use in a formula and the exact proportions necessary to create a balanced and effective formula is indeed an art. I have been extremely fortunate to find a master teacher of this work to guide me through this difficult learning process.
Jimmy Chang is a renowned practitioner from Taiwan who settled in the U.S. near Los Angeles. He is a master diagnostician and herbal formulator, with an encyclopedic knowledge of the massive chinese herbal pharmacopoeia.
Chinese pulse taking
Dr. Chang developed a sophisticated system of diagnosis that goes far beyond western medical pulse taking. The pulse is taken at multiple positions and depths yielding relevant information (for someone who can read it) about the entire body. Conditions and systems that can be observed in the pulse include the:
- Respiratory system (including detailed information about the lungs, sinuses, colds/flu and allergy disorders)
- Digestive system
- Brain and nervous system
- Musculoskeletal imbalances (detailed information on the condition of the neck, back and shoulders – for example, bone spurs and disk disorders can be distinguished from muscle conditions and blockages)
- Urinary conditions (including kidney and urinary infections, prostate conditions and kidney stones)
- Gynecological and hormonal issues
- Imbalances of the heart and cardiovascular system
- Liver and gall bladder conditions (including fatty liver, liver degeneration and stones)
- Emotional conditions like anxiety and depression
It is beyond the scope of this article to detail the sophistication and depth of information that can be read in the pulse by a skilled practitioner. Fine distinctions within conditions are necessary for the correct choice of herbs.
For instance, two patient presenting with cold and flu symptoms will most likely receive very different formulas. If you explore more deeply into their symptoms, one may have a dry cough lasting over a month with difficulty expectorating, dry and clogged sinuses, thirst and low fever. The other may have large amounts of yellow or green mucus, extreme body aches, high fever and deep fatigue.
Their pulses will tell very different stories. And their formulas will be quite different.
