Reference: Heinrich, M.

; et al:
Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Traditional Chinese Medicine

(TCM)

Chinese medicine is philosophically

based, and as an holistic therapy the
concept of balance and harmony is
supremely important.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 Concepts in TCM
Qi, the essential life force:
Qi (or Chi) permeates everything. It is
transferable. E. g. digestion extracts qi
from food and drink and transfers it to
the body. Breathing extracts qi from the
air and transfers it to the lungs.
These two forms of qi meet in the blood
and form “human qi”

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Qi, the essential life force

It is the quality, quantity and balance of qi
that determine human’s state of health.
Food and air affect health, so diet and
breathing exercises are very important.
These aspects are considered first
before herbs are introduced

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 Yin and Yang
The theory of yin and yang still permeates all
aspects of Chinese thought
Yin: negative/passive/dark/female/water
Yang: positive/active/bright/male/fire

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Yin and Yang

They are always in balance,
where yin becomes weak,
yang is strong and vice
versa. Both contain the
seed of each other: their
opposites within
themselves.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 The Five Elements
The earth is divided into wood, fire, earth
metal and water. They dominate
everything on earth, and each is
associated with a vital organ of the
body:

Heart: fire Liver: wood Spleen: earth Lungs: metal Kidneys: water

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

The Vital Organs

The organs are also considered to be yin and
yang and are paired.
Coupled organs are connected by y meridians, or
energy channels,
chan through which qi flows.
Meridians are not associated with the nervous
system and can not be seen physically. They
are stimulated with herbs and by acupuncture
and will have a direct effect on a particular
organ as well as a toning effect on the system.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 Causes of Disease
• Bacteria, viruses and chemicals are not
considered to be cause.
• If an organ is weak, it may be attacked
and therefore the weakness is the cause
and must be rectified.
• It may be a result of an external forces and
internal emotional factors

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

The external factors

“Six Excesses”
Wind Cold Summer heat
Dampness Dryness Fire

• Most people, if healthy, not affected by

the six excesses but, if the body is
deficient in qi or weather conditions are
abnormal, then this may cause
problems.
Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:
Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 The Seven Emotions
• These are the major internal causes of diseases, these
are:
Joy Anger Anxiety Concentration
Grief Fear Fright

• Excessive emotional activity causes:

1- yin/yang imbalance

2- blockage of qi in the meridians and impairment of vital

organ function

3- damage of the organs and allows disease to enter

from outside, or a minor weakness from inside to
develop.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

There are a few other causes which are

not emotional or external excesses.
These are the exception not the rule, and
include epidemics, insect and animal
bites, worm infestation and hereditary
diseases.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 Diagnosis
• Examination of the tongue

• Pulse diagnosis

• Palpitation of internal organs

• Massage

• Interviewing: questions are asked about sleep

patterns, stool and urine quality, fever, etc...

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Treatment
• The purpose is to rectify harmony, restore qi
and the yin/yang balance.

• Example: “cold” disease, such as cold in

lung, coughs, vomiting are considered to be
a deficiency of yang and treatment would be
with a warming herb such as ginger.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
Traditional Chinese Medicine
therapies include:
1. Acupuncture:
• Helps lower pain
• , improve hormonal balance and
• combat stress
2.Cupping therapy: Used for pain management
• , improving immunity
• helping with digestion
3.Herbal medicine: Used to control inflammation,
fight free radical damage and boost liver function
B y/Eissa Al-Ganady

4. Nutrition: For preventing deficiencies,

boosting energy and improving
detoxification
5. Exercise: Including Qi gong or tai chi for
flexibility, strength and concentration
6. Massage: Soft tissue manipulation for
improving blood flow, one of which is
called tui na
7. Moxibustion: Burning an herb near the
skin
 Some Important Herbs in TCM and
Their Uses
Latin name English name Nature Medicinal use

Cinnamomum Chinese Pungent, sweet, Diarrhoea, tonic,

cassia cinnamon very hot, yang dysmenorrhoea

Ephedra sinica Ephedra Pungent, slightly Bronchial asthma,

bitter, warm, yang hayfever
Panax ginseng Ginseng Sweet, neutral Tonic, aphrodisiac,
appetite stimulant
Rheum Rhubarb Bitter, cold, yin Constipation, burns,
palmatum diarrhoea, jaundice
Zingiber Ginger Pungent, sweet, Nausea, vomiting,
officinale very hot, yang colds, diarrhoea
Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:
Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 B y/Eissa Al-Ganady

• Ayurveda is a system of sacred Hindu medicine,

originating in India. It is the most ancient system of
medicine still in use today.

• Ayurveda is considered to be the most ancient of all

medical disciplines.

• In Ayurvedic medicine, the patient is viewed as

unique, and ‘normality’ as what is appropriate for
that particular person.

• This is in contrast to Western medicine, where

populations are generalized and ‘normal’ means
what is applicable to the majority.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
Philosophically, Ayurveda has similarities with
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM):

1- Parana, the life energy is equivalent to qi.

2- In TCM, there are two (yin and yang), and in

Ayurveda there are three (the tridosha).

3- There are five elements in both, but they are

slightly different.

4- Many remedies are common to both systems

although the philosophical rationale for their
application may be a little different
Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:
Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Concepts in Ayurveda
Prana, the life energy:
• Prana is the vital energy, activating both body and
mind.

• Nutrient prana from the air gives energy to the vital

prana in the brain, via respiration, and is thus the
equivalent of qi in TCM.

• In the body it is seated in the head, and governs

emotions, memory and other functions of the mind.

• Prana kindles the bodily fire, governs the functioning

of the heart, entering the bloodstream from where it
controls the vital organs.
Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:
Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 Bhutas, the five elements

The basic elements of cosmic energy are:

• Ether (Space) Air Fire Water Earth

• The five elements are related to the five senses:

hearing, touch, vision, taste & smell.

e.g.: Ether is related to hearing, since sound is

transmitted through it, and from there to the ear, the
associated sense organ, leading to speech, from the
organs of action which are the tongue and vocal cords.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Tridosha
Vata, Pitta & Kapha
(the Three Humors)
• The five elements are manifest in the human body as
three basic principles or humors known as the Tridosha.

• The three humors (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) govern all

biological, psychological and physiopathological
functions of the body and mind.

• The primary requirement for diagnosis and treatment of

disease is to understand the relationship between the
humors.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
• When the tridosha works in harmony and functions in a
balanced manner, the result is health and a feeling of well-
being in the individual. However, in cases of imbalance
and disharmony, the result is illness or disease.

• The tridosha is responsible for psychological

phenomena, including basic human emotions such as
fear, anger and greed, and more complicated sentiments
such as understanding, compassion and love, and as
such is the foundation of the psychosomatic nature of
man.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

• The tridosha has recently been redefined as an

equilibrium, balance and coordination between the
three vital body systems:

¾ Central nervous system (CNS) o vata

¾ Endocrine system o pitta
¾ Immune axis o kapha

• The tridosha can be considered to govern all

metabolic activities:
¾ Catabolism o vata
¾ Metabolism o pitta
¾ Anabolism o kapha

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
For example:

• When vata is out of balance, the metabolism

will be disturbed, resulting in excess
catabolism, which is the breakdown or
deterioration process in the body; excess
would therefore induce emaciation.

• When anabolism is greater than catabolism

(excess kapha), there is an increased rate of
growth and repair of organs and tissues.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Diagnosis
Taking the case history involves
astrological considerations.

Examination, where the appearance of

the tongue, properties of the urine,
sweat and sputum will also be
examined.

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)
 Treatment
Treatment may involves:

Diets Bloodletting

Fasting Skin applications

Enemas Yogic breathing

Herbal treatments Minerals

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:
Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)

Examples of Herbs of Ayurveda and

Their Uses
Botanical name English name Effect on dosha Medical use

Nigella sativa Black cumin Pacifies vata Digestive, antiseptic

and kapha

Ocimum Holy basil Pacifies kapha Expectorant, febrifuge,

sanctum and vata immunomodulator

Piper nigrum Black pepper Pacifies vata Digestive, respiratory

and pitta disorders

Reference: Heinrich, M.; et al:

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy
and Phytopharmacy(2004)