Indian System of medicine

Chinese system of medicine

As per PCI Syllabus

(S. Y. B. Pharm Sem –IV)  Unit - IV)

 Introduction

Traditional system of medicine also known as indigenous/ folk medicine/ alternative medicine comprises of medical aspects of knowledge, skills, and practises based on different cultures and different people which are used to treat the diseases.

It includes various systems being practised throughout the world such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, Chinese systems etc.


Chinese system of medicine

The use of herbs as medicine is mentioned in China and Japan. The development in the field of medicine had took a drastic change by A.D. 25–220.

The first herbal classic written in China was published in the Qin Dynasty (221–206 B.C.) called the Agriculture Emperors Materia Medica .


The first plants discovered & used were usually for digestive system disorders    (i. e. Da Huang), & slowly as more herbs were discovered the herbs became more useful for an increasing number of ailments & eventually the herbal tonics were created.

Theories behind TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)


The theory of Yin-Yang is amongst the central theories of Chinese philosophy. Yin-Yang represent opposites in the universal scheme of things, for example

hot/cold,
male/female,
light/dark,
ascending/ descending, still moving, slow fast etc.

Yin and Yang cannot exist independent of one another. With respect to TCM, Yin and Yang come into play regarding the maintenance of dynamic equilibrium of the processes in the human body. Disease occurs when there is an imbalance between the forces of Yin and Yang in the human body. Excess or deficiency in either element leads to disharmony in the bodily processes and consequently disease.

The theory of Five elements

Wood,
Fire,
Earth,
Metal and
water
and accords their attributes to Viscera, organs and tissues of the human body. Mutual promotion and restraint with respect to form function, and phenomena in the human body result in healthy physiological conditions whereas mutual encroachment and violation causes pathological conditions.

The theory of meridians relates to channels that are routes taken by the body's life-force known in Chinese as chi. The belief in chi is not borne out by anatomical evidence, nevertheless the concept of chi is central to Chinese therapy. Chi routes are essential for the practice of acupuncture, a therapy central to TCM.
The meridians, divided into Yin and Yang groups, are named after biological functions and are supposed to run through the entire body.

Diagnostic Techniques in TCM

The diagnostic techniques used in TCM include checking the pulse, deductions from the color of the tongue, observation of the face, palpation of the abdomen to check for tenderness, asking questions, judging from the patient's voice, etc.
Thus, inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry and palpation can be considered as the four key diagnostic techniques used in TCM. The differentiation of syndromes and subsequent treatment is carried out based on these diagnoses.

Principle of Treatment
The clinical aspects of TCM are guided by therapeutic principles such as the principle of Biao and Ben, are concerned with the primary (ben) and the secondary (biao), for example a disease of the internal organs is ben but its external manifestations are biao. Thus, treatment is based on a disease's etiology and its severity.
The immune power of the body is termed zheng Qi and pathogenic factors are called xie qi.
A key principle on which treatment practices are based is the boosting of zheng qi & suppressing xic qi.
The seasons, climate, geographical conditions, and a patient's condition are other factors that influence the mode of treatment.
The customs, age, sex, constitution, and hygiene of an individual; the climate whether hot or cold, etc are important considerations.


Modes of Treatment

Most popular and well-known treatment method to have come out of TCM is acupuncture. Acupancture relies heavily on the theory of meridians, Acupuncture involves stimulating points, known as acupoints, on these meridians by means of needles so that the flow of chi and blood is properly channelized.
The acupoints are selected based on the ailment and the therapeutic action sought. 
Acupuncture needles are very thin and fine, their lengths can vary from half an inch to three inches. 
The needles are inserted at the desired point and left there for around 15 - 30 minutes. The needles can be lifted, thrust, rotated and manipulated by the practitioner to regulate the flow of chi. 
There is increasing scientific evidence being uncarthed that proves the efficacy of acupuncture in certain ailments such as rheumatism and arthritis.

Tui na is a form of acupressure that involves brushing, kneading, rolling, pressing and rubbing specific areas to get the energy flowing in the right directions. It is found to be useful in musculoskeletal conditions as well as conditions of the digestive and respiratory systems. Tui na does not have any side effects usually associated with drug-based treatments. Over the years, it has evolved to accommodate separate techniques for infants, injured adults, women, the aged and the infirm.
Herbal medicine is used extensively in TCM and even today there are around 600 herbs used extensively to prepare concoctions, decoctions, powders, tablets, etc.
The herbs are classified based on their taste and temperature characteristics. Thus, the herbs can be hot, warm, cold, and neutral while their tastes can range from sweet, sour, bitter, spicy & salty.

Formulations in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Medicinal herbs dispensed to patients in one of the Five diff. forms:

Chinese Herbal Decoctions: These are tea-like mixtures often have a strong taste and smell and involve lengthy preparation times, making them less popular to use among Western practitioners of TCM.

Herbal Powders: When mixed with water to brew a ten, these herbal formulations typically have a less intense taste and smell than decoctions, making them a more popular option in the west.

Syrups: Perfect for soothing coughs and sore throats, herbs that come in the form of a syrup also make a great option for getting children to take TCM.

Chinese Patent Formulas: These popular and frequently-used formulations come in the form pill or tablet.

Liniments, Salves, Compresses and Plasters: Practitioners prescribe herbs that need to be applied externally to the skin in any of these types of formulations.

Use of the Materia Medica

A reference book called Materia Medica is used by practitioners for TCM herbs. This reference guide is a compendium of substances used in TCM.
It will include information like traditional usages, dosages, contra-indications and potential interactions with other drugs. 
It may also include information like the Chinese, English and Latin names; which channels, or meridians, the herbs will enter, and where they fall on the temperature scale.

The Center for Healing and Spirituality describes the process of determining which substances to prescribe like so: TCM assesses medicinal substances for their effects on particular vital substances. their resonance with particular zang fu organ systems, the channels of the jing luo system into which the substance is said to enter, and the pathogenic factors and patterns of disharmony that the substance is known to address.

An imbalance of the five essential substances (Wood, fire, earth. metal and water) is what creates health problems and impedes the body's natural ability to heal itself.



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