Week 8: Traditional Chinese Medicine Flashcards
TCM
traditional chinese medicine
Where is majority of TCM practiced?
China and surrounding countries with cultural influence
- global phenomenon now and is everywhere for asians and non-asians
What does TCM use to treat human ailments?
For more than 2000 years Chinese healers have used herbs, powdered animal part sand acupuncture to treat human ailments
TCM principles
- keep harmony with environment
- chi is vital energy
- Everything in Yin and Yang
Diet therapy of TCM
Achieving balance through herbs and food
- Proper combination of foods, herbs, and preparation can influence health through re-establishing balance
How are herbs used in soups?
herbs are used is soup ingredients as tonics to improve health, for common cold, digestive problems, eczema etc.
Who works at chinese medicine shop?
herbalist
How does disease occur according the TCM?
Disease is caused by the imbalance of yin and yang energies.
- Cold is caused by excess yin and
- stroke is caused by excess yang
Yin and Yang
negative and positive energy of the universe respectively
What kinds of things belong to yin and yang categories??
- diseases
- conditions
- body organs
- food
- stages of life
… pretty much everything
Things associated with Yin
cold, dark, moist, female, negative energy
excess yin
“cold” illnesses (depression)
Things associated with Yang
heat, bright, dry, male, positive energy
Excess Yang
“hot illnesses” (stroke and seizures)
what also contributes to Yin and Yang foods?
the way the food is prepared
- deep fried = yang
- boiled = yin
What is TCM incorporated into in China?
part of the medical curriculum
What is the negative perspective of TCM?
TCM has been described as fraught with pseudoscience and the majority of its treatments as having no logical mechanism of action
Some people thing it should not be allowed taught or practice in Canada. Critics state that treatment are not evidence based and no physiological evidence that chi exists
Acupuncture and TCM regulation in Canada
- not regulated nationwide
- BC and Ontario regulate both TCM practitioners and acupuncturists. AB, QB, NFL and labradour regulate acupuncturists only
What are natural health products?
naturally occuring substances that are used to restore or maintain good health
examples of NHPs
- vitamins and minerals
- herbel remedies
- homeopathic medicines
- tradition medicine including TCM
- probiotics
- other products such as AA and essential fatty acids
NHP license in Canada
the be licensed NHPs must be safe, effective, of high quality and carry detailed label info to let people make safe and informed choices
How to identify licensed NHPs
looking for the 8 digit Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label
Risk of NHPs
Even natural health products are not risk free: manufacturing problems, allergic reactions, interaction with other medications etc.
