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About Lyme Disease
Why Chinese Medicine |
Over
the past six decades, the results of the use of antibiotics in western
medicine, have
made us appreciate the importance of the philosophy of Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM). Many Chinese medicinal herbs are composed of “active
ingredients” that are antibiotic in nature. For example, Coptis
chinensis is an herb commonly found in formulas for diseases that are
often described in modern medicine as bacteria infections, which western
medicine treats with antibiotics. The strategic principle of western
medicine for infectious diseases is to identify and eradicate the pathogen
with anti-microbial drugs. Misusage of this stratagem has resulted in a
worldwide crisis, as people realize that over the past 60 years we have
conducted a worldwide breeding program of antibiotic-resistant strains of
bacteria. Yet despite the presence of antibiotic ingredients in TCM
formulas that have been in continuous use for thousands of years, no such
iatrogenic catastrophe has ensued in China.
The differences
of philosophy and thinking methodology play an important role in the
public health consequences of clinical strategy. For infectious diseases,
Chinese medicine's approach is termed "fu zheng qu xie",
literally translated as "dispel evil (the infectious agent) by
supporting righteous qi (normal function of the body)." TCM holds
that herbal antibiotic ingredients could help in eradicating infectious
pathogens. But the final eradication is not simply done by antibiotic
herbal remedies; instead, it adopts a balanced approach through
eliminating the pathogens and at the same time strengthening the body’s
inborn resistance (immunity). Following this principle, Chinese medicine
has developed therapies to regulate the immune system. TCM is a
constitutional medicine and believes that the body itself is the major
healing force. Drugs and procedures can help to heal, but they cannot
replace the healing function of the body. If the aim is to restore the
health and well being of the patient, simply killing the infectious agents
is insufficient. While eliminating the pathogen, the medical treatment
must also restore the inner balance of the patients. With the help of
anti-microbial herbs the balanced body can finish the task of eradication
of the pathogen ultimately.
TCM thus utilizes a much more comprehensive approach in dealing with
infectious diseases.
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