TCM Herbs Lesson #2
It All Begins Here
Gut Dysbiosis
Today we are presenting a clinical study on gut dysbiosis and one of the traditionally used herbal prescriptions called Bao He Wan
Most of us lead a high fat high protein diet leading to IBS, cholesterol, indigestion, acid reflux, leaky gut & nutrient malabsorption. In this specific animal tested study the specific pathological conditions observed include:
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis:
Significant reduction in the diversity and abundance of beneficial gut microbes.
Overgrowth of harmful bacterial strains, leading to an imbalanced microbial ecosystem.
Digestive Enzyme Impairment:
Decreased activities of key digestive enzymes, such as protease, lipase, and amylase, resulting in poor digestion and nutrient absorption.
Diarrhea and Intestinal Distress:
The high-fat and high-protein diet caused symptoms of diarrhea, suggesting gastrointestinal inflammation or irritation.
Accompanied by disrupted intestinal motility and absorption.
Inflammatory Response:
Evidence of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract due to dietary stress.
Potential alterations in gut barrier function, though this may not have been explicitly quantified in the study.
Scientific Literature
The traditional Chinese herbal formula Bao He Wan typically includes a combination of the following herbs that work synergistically to regulate the gastrointestinal system, promote digestion, and restore gut microbiota balance:
Shan Zha (Crataegus pinnatifida) - Also known as hawthorn fruit, often used to promote digestion and alleviate food stagnation.
Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) - A fermented medicinal mass that aids digestion and relieves food retention.
Lai Fu Zi (Raphanus sativus) - Radish seed, commonly used to promote digestion and regulate the flow of Qi.
Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata) - Aged tangerine peel, used to regulate Qi and improve digestion.
Fu Ling (Poria cocos) - A fungus that supports digestion and drains dampness.
Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata) - Known for its ability to resolve phlegm and regulate stomach Qi.
Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa) - Forsythia fruit, often included for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties.
The study investigated the effects of Baohe pills on the gut microbiome and digestive enzyme activities in mice subjected to a high-fat and high-protein diet. Key findings include:
Restoration of Gut Microbiota: Baohe pills increased the number of culturable microbes in the gut, suggesting a restorative effect on the intestinal flora disrupted by a high-fat and high-protein diet.
Improvement in Digestive Enzyme Activities: The treatment enhanced the activities of various digestive enzymes, including protease and amylase, indicating improved digestive function.
Alleviation of Diarrhea Symptoms: Mice treated with Baohe pills showed relief from diarrhea induced by the high-fat and high-protein diet, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of Baohe pills in managing diet-induced gastrointestinal disturbances.
This blog is intended for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed professional before integrating new treatments.
TCM Herbs Lesson #1
It All Begins Here
History
As you all know, Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizes herbal/phytomedicine. Phytomedicine is probably 50% of the medicine itself taught at most Chinese Medicine programs, and practiced by many practitioners in clinical and private settings, in the East and West.
Traditional knowledge of Chinese herbs, as well as their combinations as prescriptions, is built upon thousands of years of folk testing, and now pharmacological research, including identifying their natural compounds with improved clinical efficacy for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.
Scientific Literature
Active Compounds & Applications
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a rich basis for modern drug discovery and development. To date, 97 FDA-approved drugs have been derived from TCM herbs. Read More Here
For example, ephedrine, which is derived from the TCM herb Ma Huang (Herba ephedrae), is used as an anti-asthmatic & increase blood pressure drug. Artemisinin, derived from the Chinese herb Qing Hao (Herba Artemisiae annuae), is now a first-line drug for malaria.
Other examples such as Huang Qi (Astragalus), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) which belong to many classical formulas, have been found to enhance immunity by increasing antibody function cell in the spleen, and the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio in the peripheral blood. Read More Here
The multiple applications of Chinese Herbs in various conditions, along with their specific cell & gene targeting, is becoming widely researched, thus commonly used within “western” supplements & drugs.
A popular herb database, in China, for researching Traditional Chinese Herbs, compounds and their selective binding to specific tissues in our body (lung, liver etc), can be found Here.
We will be discussing many applications of TCM herbs in the future, so stay tuned!
This blog is intended for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed professional before integrating new treatments.