Chinese classic herbal formulas () are combinations of herbs used in
Chinese herbology
Chinese herbology () is the theory of traditional Chinese herbal therapy, which accounts for the majority of treatments in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). A ''Nature'' editorial described TCM as "fraught with pseudoscience", and said that t ...
for supposed greater efficiency in comparison to individual herbs. They are the basic herbal formulas that students of
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. It has been described as "fraught with pseudoscience", with the majority of its treatments having no logical mechanism of acti ...
learn. Later these students will adapt these classic formulas to match the needs of each patient.
History
Many of these formulas were created by the pioneers of Chinese medicine and are quite old. For example, "
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan" (
六味地黄丸 liùwèi dìhuáng wán) was developed by
Qian Yi Qian may refer to:
*Guizhou, abbreviated as ''Qián'' (黔), province of China
*Mace (unit), or Qian, one of the Chinese units of measurement, equal to 5g
*Qian (hexagram), the first hexagram of the ''I Ching''
*Qian (surname), a Chinese surname ( ...
( Qián Yǐ) (c. 1032–1113 CE). It was published in the "
Xiao'er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue" (also known as "Key to Therapeutics of Children's Diseases" xiǎoér yào zhèng zhí jué) in 1119 by Qian Yi's student.
Modern use
Many of these formulas are still made in the form of
Chinese patent medicine
Chinese patent medicine () are herbal medicines in Traditional Chinese medicine, modernized into a ready-to-use form such as tablets, oral solutions or dry suspensions, as opposed to herbs that require cooking (hot water extraction).
Description ...
. These formulas are also used in
kampo
, often known simply as , is the study of traditional Chinese medicine in Japan following its introduction, beginning in the 7th century. It was adapted and modified to suit Japanese culture and traditions. Traditional Japanese medicine use ...
(
traditional Japanese medicine
, often known simply as , is the study of traditional Chinese medicine in Japan following its introduction, beginning in the 7th century. It was adapted and modified to suit Japanese culture and traditions. Traditional Japanese medicine use ...
). In
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the n ...
, herbalists do not create medicine for each patient. Instead the herbalist will choose an
herbal formula that has been
standardized
Standardization or standardisation is the process of implementing and developing technical standards based on the consensus of different parties that include firms, users, interest groups, standards organizations and governments. Standardization ...
by the Japanese government. These formulas are based on the Chinese classic herbal formulas. However, they often vary slightly. Sometimes Chinese plants are substituted for plants found in Japan, or the proportions of the formula are changed slightly.
Manufacturer list
The top 5 manufacturers in Taiwan
*Sun-ten ()
*Chuang Song Zong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (
莊松榮)
*Shen Chang ()
*Kaiser ()
*Ko-da ()
List
There are hundreds of Chinese classic herbal formulas. Many are slight variations of other formula however. It is difficult to define which of these formulas are the most common. The two leading brands to
export
An export in international trade is a good produced in one country that is sold into another country or a service provided in one country for a national or resident of another country. The seller of such goods or the service provider is a ...
Chinese classic herbal formulas in the form of
Chinese patent medicine
Chinese patent medicine () are herbal medicines in Traditional Chinese medicine, modernized into a ready-to-use form such as tablets, oral solutions or dry suspensions, as opposed to herbs that require cooking (hot water extraction).
Description ...
from
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, most populous country, with a Population of China, population exceeding 1.4 billion, slig ...
are Mín Shān () and Plum Flower (). Some of these formulas are made by these 2 brands.
See also
*
Kampo
, often known simply as , is the study of traditional Chinese medicine in Japan following its introduction, beginning in the 7th century. It was adapted and modified to suit Japanese culture and traditions. Traditional Japanese medicine use ...
, Japanese adaptation of Chinese medicine
*
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. It has been described as "fraught with pseudoscience", with the majority of its treatments having no logical mechanism of acti ...
*
Chinese patent medicine
Chinese patent medicine () are herbal medicines in Traditional Chinese medicine, modernized into a ready-to-use form such as tablets, oral solutions or dry suspensions, as opposed to herbs that require cooking (hot water extraction).
Description ...
Notes
{{reflist, 2
External links
Chinese Herbal MedicineChinese Medicine Ordinance, Chapter 549, Schedule 2 (Hong Kong)
School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University. (in English and Chinese)
School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University. (in English and Chinese)
School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University. (in English and Chinese)
School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University. (in English and Chinese)
School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University. (in English and Chinese)
*