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 medicine, alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. A large share of its claims are pseudoscientific, with the majority of treatments having no robust evidence ...
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; liu-wei ti-huang wan) was developed by
Qian Yi ( 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; Hsiao-erh yao cheng chih chüeh) in 1119 by Qian Yi's student.
Modern use
Many of these formulas are still made in the form of
Chinese patent medicine. These formulas are also used in
kampo (
traditional Japanese medicine). In
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
, herbalists do not create medicine for each patient. Instead the herbalist will choose an
herbal
A herbal is a book containing the names and descriptions of plants, usually with information on their medicinal, Herbal tonic, tonic, culinary, toxic, hallucinatory, aromatic, or Magic (paranormal), magical powers, and the legends associated wi ...
formula that has been
standardized
Standardization (American English) or standardisation (British English) is the process of implementing and developing technical standards based on the consensus of different parties that include firms, users, interest groups, standards organiza ...
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 from
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
are Mín Shān () and Plum Flower (). Some of these formulas are made by these 2 brands.
See also
*
Kampo, Japanese adaptation of Chinese medicine
*
Kampo list
*
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative medicine, alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. A large share of its claims are pseudoscientific, with the majority of treatments having no robust evidence ...
*
Chinese patent medicine
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)
Chinese herbal medicine database
Hong Kong Polytechnic University. (in English and Chinese)
Gov.hk
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