Traditional
Chinese Medicine (or TCM) refers to the theories and practices of diagnosis and
healing developed historically in China before the modern scientific method was
established and was and still is concerned as much with occultism or religion
as with natural phenomena.
The
underlying basis of TCM is that all of creation is born from the
interdependence of two opposite principles, yin and yang. These two opposites
are in constant motion, creating a fluctuating balance in the healthy
body. Disease results when either yin or
yang is in a state of prolonged excess or deficiency. One of the body constituents
is Qi , which is the energy that gives us the ability to move, think, feel, and
work. Qi circulates along a system of
conduits, the principle ones being channels or meridians. There are twelve principle bilateral channels
of Qi, each intimately connected with one of the viscera of the body, and each manifesting
its own characteristic Qi. When the flow
of Qi becomes unbalanced through physical, emotional, or environmental insults,
illness may result. Common treatments include acupressure, acupuncture,
acupuncture, bloodletting, reflexology, and herbal medicine, though treatments
can also be of inorganic, animal or even mythological origin.
What
is the difference between medical science or “western medicine” what is
popularly called in certain circles and “Traditional Chinese Medicine”? Conventional medicine is based on
scientific knowledge of the body and uses treatments that have been proven
effective through scientific research. Doctors are trained to have a thorough
knowledge of the body's systems, diseases, and their treatments. All
conventional treatment have to go through rigorous testing by law in order to
prove that they work.
On
the other hand TCM is based in religion,
mythology and folk believes and has no scientific or medical evidence to show
that its therapies can cure anything. Some TCM therapies are unsafe and can
cause harmful side effects. Or they may interact with patient’s conventional
medical treatment. This could increase the risk of harmful side effects or may
stop the conventional treatment working so well. Giving up the conventional treatment could reduce patient’s chance of curing or controlling the illness .Some
alternative therapies sound promising but the claims are not supported by
scientific evidence and can give some people false hope.
For
the most part TCM now can be described as Pseudoscience which describes any
belief system or methodology which tries to gain legitimacy by wearing the
trappings of science, but fails to abide by the rigorous methodology and
standards of evidence that are the marks of true science. Promoters of
pseudoscience often adopt the vocabulary of science, describing conjectures as
hypotheses, theories, or laws, providing "evidence" from observation
and "expert" testimonies, or even developing what appear to be
mathematical models of their ideas. However, in pseudoscience there is no
honest attempt to follow the scientific method, provide falsifiable
predictions, or develop double blind experiments. Although pseudoscience is
designed to appear scientific, it lacks all of the substance of science. TCM
gain much popularity in recent years, it is good source of income for many
people and it is unfortunately supported by the government of PRC ( People’s
Republic of China). That is the reason for aggressive marketing and constant
tries to depict TCM as legitimate medical approach.
What
proponents of TCM will not tell you and never admit is that TCM practice is
usually harmful and if it is not harmful it is completely inefficient. In one
study, 260 TCM products sold in California were analyzed for adulterants: 32% contained drugs and/or heavy metals.
A
problem is also the contamination of herbals with microorganisms, fungal toxins such as aflatoxin. While some contamination comes from pure ignorance
and lack of chemical , botanical and biochemical knowledge some heavy metals are
used on purpose.
For example mercury sulfide known as cinnabar
has been used in Chinese medicine, where it is called zhūshā (朱砂), and was highly valued. Cinnabar has
been used in Traditional Chinese medicine as a sedative for more than 2000
years In addition to being used for insomnia, cinnabar is thought to be
effective for cold sores, sore throat, and some skin infections. As it is
commonly known Mercury is extremely toxic.
The
other highly toxic element found in TCM medicaments is Realgar or arsenic
sulphide is used to kill parasitic worms and treat sore throats, swellings,
abscesses, itching, rashes, and malaria. Arsenic in extremely toxic and widely
known through Agatha Cristie’s books.
Galena or lead sulphide is used in TCM
to treat ringworm, skin disorders and ulcers, and is thought to
"detoxify" the body. It is crushed and taken orally or used on the
skin. Lead tetroxide (Qian Dan) is used to treat anxiety, itching, and malaria.
It is important to note that most lead compounds are extremely toxic.
Other
metals found regularly in TCM medicaments are Copper, Cadmium, Zinc and Thallium.
Not only
metals but other toxic minerals are used in TCM
Powdered Sulphur as cure for diarrhea.
Gypsum (Gypsum Fibrosum), hydrated
calcium sulphate, is used to treat muscle spasms.
Pumice called pumicite in its powdered
or dust form, is a volcanic rock that consists of highly vesicular rough
textured volcanic glass, which may or may not contain crystals. It is typically
light colored
Hematite, also spelled as haematite, is
the mineral form of iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3), one of several iron oxides. It is
the oldest known iron oxide mineral that has ever formed on earth, and is
widespread in rocks and soil
Greenschists are metamorphic rocks that
formed under the lowest temperatures and pressures usually produced by regional
metamorphism,
Actinolite is an amphibole silicate
mineral with the chemical formula Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe2+0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2
Important ingredients of TCM pharmacology are Dragon
bones, fossilized bones of dinosaurs and woolly mammoths. They are rich
in calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate and are used to calm the Spirit
(Shen), evict ghosts, sooth nerves, stop dizziness and stop sweating.
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| dragon bones |
The
causes of adverse reactions associated with TCM herbal remedies are diverse.
They include variability in active/toxic ingredients due to growing conditions,
use of inherent toxic herbs causing toxicity, overdose of herbs, drug-herb
interactions especially with pharmaceuticals that have narrow therapeutic
index, coexisting diseases, and idiosyncratic reactions like allergy, hepatitis
and anaphylaxis. Other adverse reactions can be due to manufacturing and
quality problems causing adulteration, misidentification, substitution of one
herb with another, variability in the amount of active ingredients, use of
pharmaceuticals without identifying on the labels, improper processing and
preparation, and contamination.
Toxicological studies of herbs alone used in
TCM report that toxic effects due to the use of herbal medicine are associated
with hepatotoxicity. Other toxic effects on the kidneys, nervous system, blood,
and cardiovascular system, as well as medicinal herbs’ mutagenicity and
carcinogenicity have also been published in medical journals. Therefore,
numerous advance biological experimental techniques have been used as standard
safety tests prior to the efficacy study. For example, often used ingredients are plants of the genera Ephedra and Asarum. Both
can contain toxic chemicals such as aristolochic acid, a compound banned in
many countries because it causes kidney disease and cancer of the upper urinary
tract. Substances
known to be potentially dangerous include aconite, secretions from the
Asiatic toad, powdered centipede, the Chinese beetle (Mylabris
phalerata, Ban mao), and certain fungi. There are health problems associated
with Aristolochia. Toxic effects are also frequent with Aconitum. To avoid its
toxic adverse effects Xanthium sibiricum must be processed. Hepatotoxicity has
been reported with products containing Polygonum multiflorum, glycyrrhizin,
Senecio and Symphytum. The evidence suggests that hepatotoxic herbs also
include Dictamnus dasycarpus, Astragalus membranaceous, and Paeonia lactiflora;
although there is no evidence that they cause liver damage. Contrary to popular
belief, Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract, as an adjuvant for cancer
immunotherapy, appears to have the potential for toxicity. Also, adulteration
of some herbal medicine preparations with conventional drugs which may cause
serious adverse effects, such as corticosteroids, phenylbutazone, phenytoin,
and glibenclamide, has been reported.A 2013 review suggested that although the
antimalarial herb Artemisia annua may not cause hepatotoxicity,
haematotoxicity, or hyperlipidemia, it should be used cautiously during
pregnancy due to a potential risk of embryotoxicity at a high dose.
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| Cancer causing Ephedra plant |
Besides
herbal and mineral toxicity TCM uses some animals and animals organs that can
be dangerous like various toads and insects.
Not
only toxic TCM remedies require some animals parts or whole animals and causes
hunting of endangered species. Here are some example of animal parts used in
TCM
Dried deer penis is popular in traditional Chinese
medicine, and sold in Chinese pharmacies, believing it has important
therapeutic properties and effective for athletic injuries, and remedy for
impotency or male virility.
Deer
antlers are
believed to build up physical and spiritual powers, if antlers are mixed in
tonic or tea drinks and consumed and best remedy for colds and flu.As they cut
the antlers, they squeezed the blood in it and mixed on herbal preparations.
The antlers are sliced thinly and boiled with ginseng herbal plants and other
herbs. They also believed if the slices are closer to the antler’s roots it is
more effective for health than the antler’s tip.
The
feces of the flying squirrels are
believed to invigorate the blood vessels if consumed raw, and if dried and
fried, it can help stop bleeding. It is believed to be a remedy for amenorrhea
or dysmenorrhea or menstrual pains among women, epigastric (stomach) pain, and
chest pains, postpartum and abdominal pain. If ingested mixed the feces with
other herbs, dry and fry if used for stopping uterine bleeding with blood clots
due to stasis . But in some studies, flying squirrel feces are vector for
typhus diseases
Rhinoceros
horns are
believed used for fever remedy and believed they are agents to cool the blood.
But hunting for Rhino horns are banned, but still these horns are found sold in
black markets, because Rhinoceros are considered as an endangered animals.
Elephant
skin are
believed to cure acne and pimples and other skin blemishes
Tiger
parts -The baculum or penis bone
of the Tiger are one of the most famous Chinese medicine and the tiger eyes, believed to improve
virility and cure impotency. The tiger
whiskers are consumed for toothache remedy and strength, the tiger eyes can cure epilepsy, seizures
and convulsions, malaria, nervous breakdown and eye cataracts. The tiger nose are also remedies for
epilepsy and convulsions, the tail
is for skin diseases treatment. The crashed and powdered tiger bones and mixed with wine or soup, can treat rheumatism,
arthritis, muscle strength and prolong life. The tiger brain, is believed to cure pimples and laziness, while the
tiger skin, can cure mental diseases, the
blood if consumed for strengthen will power and stamina, the flesh or meat
can cure malaria, nausea and energy. The
testes is believed to cure tuberculosis and upset stomach, the tiger bile
is best for child’s convulsion, the gallstones is a treatment for weak and
watery eyes. And Tiger feces or poops
are used to treat boils, hemorrhoids, epilepsy, ulcers and
malaria. No scientific evidence are shown this are all effective.
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| Tiger penis |
Snake blood are usually prepared by slicing the belly, and allow the
blood to pour and drink it fresh from the cobra’s wound. It is widely believed
to ward off all kinds of illness and boost energy and an aphrodisiac. Some cannot
drink it fresh, so they mix it in some drinks like wine and tea.
Dried sea horses are used to treat
problems like asthma, impotence and heart disease, while snake oil is rubbed
onto achy joints.
These
are just some of the animals used in TCM, they use a lot more weird ingredients
or whole animals like dog’s penis, bull penis, rat’s fetus, pangolins’ fetus,
Macaque
Monkey meat, Ground turtle shells, various insects, abalone,
shark fin, clams, fish maw, lizards, Silkworm Feces ect. Besides
animals TCM also uses human body parts like
human feces, dried human placenta,
finger nails, child's urine, hair, and urinary sediments.
Besides
making remedies, potions , wines, pills TCM incudes a various types of
treatments that can be dangerous and certainly are not good for halt. Here are
some examples of TCM treatments
Urine therapy ,
It is believed that urine could cure illnesses such as hyperthyroidism. Founded
in Hong Kong in 2008, the China Urine Therapy Association claims to have
gathered more than 100,000 followers who’ve turned to urine therapy, even
though medical experts pointed out that the practice is likely more harmful
than effective.
Apitherapy, a
folk therapy using bee venom, is claimed to be effective in curing rheumatism,
arthritis, migraine headaches, stomach pains, high blood cholesterol and other
ailments, although the state has not approved Apitherapy as a useful Chinese
medical treatment. Experts say the biggest risk is allergies, which could be
deadly.
Moxibustion is
a therapy that involves burning moxa (mugwort root) made from dried Artimesia
vulgaris (spongy herb) to facilitate healing. Burning moxa produces a great
deal of smoke and a pungent odor that often is confused with that of cannabis.
The purpose of moxibustion is to warm and invigorate the blood, stimulate the
flow of Qi, strengthen the kidney Yang, expel wind and disperse cold, and
dissolve stagnation. Inhaling any kind of smoke damages lungs.
Gua sha is
a therapy that involves scraping your
skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation. Gua sha is intended to
address stagnant energy, called chi, in the body that practitioners believe may
be responsible for inflammation. Inflammation is the underlying cause of
several conditions associated with chronic pain. Rubbing the skin’s surface is
thought to help break up this energy, reduce inflammation, and promote healing
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| Gua Sha massage aftermath |
Cupping is
a type of Chinese massage, consisting of placing several glass or plastic
“cups” (open spheres) on the body. TCM practitioners warm the cups using a
cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is then placed inside the cup
to remove all the oxygen. The practitioner then removes the substance and
places the cup against the skin. The air in the cup then cools, creating lower
pressure inside the cup, creating a vacuum and allowing the cup to stick to the
skin. Fleshy sites on the body, such as the back and stomach, are the preferred
sites for treatment. Scraping, or “Gua Sha,” is a folk medicine technique that
uses pieces of smooth jade, bone, animal tusks, horns, or smooth stones to
scrape along the skin to release obstruction and toxins that are trapped at the
surface of the skin. The scraping is done until red spots then bruising cover
the treatment area.
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| Terrible effects of cupping |
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| Usual effect of cupping |
Ear candling is an alternative medicine practice that ,medical research has clearly shown that this process may be both ineffective and dangerous! Ear candling involves placing one end of a hollow candle into the ear canal and lighting the other end to create negative pressure. The goal of this technique is to clean the ear by drawing ear wax and debris out of the canal. Studies have shown that not only is it ineffective at getting ear wax out, but it can also be dangerous as the hot wax can drip into the ear and burn. Unfortunately, this may not be the best method to treat allergies, headaches, and colds, which are all symptoms that ear candling was believed to be a cure for
Acupuncture is
a form of alternative medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body.
It is the best known part of TCM and certainly the most popular one. While,
like in all other cases there are no scientific evidence that this method
actually have any positive effects some negative effects are pretty common and
usually no one talks about them.
1. Soreness,
Body parts where acupuncture needles get inserted can feel sore after needles
are removed.
2. Bruising can occur at the needling site as a result of
hematoma caused by needle insertion
3. Muscle
twitching as a result of needle agitate nerves, sometimes muscle spasm can
occure.
4. Skin
Infections
5. Skin
irritation
6. Possibility
of infection with HIV or hepatitis
Also
a study conducted by National Patient Safety Agency, part of the UK’s
government-funded National Health Service found that many kids of adverse
effects occur during acupuncture treatments and some of them are life
threating. More than 50 % of the patients experiencing dizziness and fainting
when the needle was inserted. There were 5 cases of lung collapsing, caused by
the needle puncturing the pleural membranes around the lung. Studies
of acupuncture in other countries and in the UK outside the NHS have revealed
86 deaths after acupuncture between 1965 and 2009, most of them from lung
collapse. Another risk, he says, is to the 6 per cent of people who naturally
have a hole in their breastbone, near an acupuncture point. The hole is covered
with ligaments, so a doctor cannot feel it. “Acupuncture needles go right through
and penetrate the membranes around the heart,” with lethal effect.
As
we can see, there is nothing scientific in TCM , even more, it is dangerous and
harmful practice. The only proven beneficial practice that came from TCM is manual
massage which is pretty much the same as massage anywhere else on the world. In this article only the most common practices are described, every local enviornment has its own specific, odd, dangerous and harmful practices.
sources
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn22247-acupuncture-treatment-is-not-as-safe-as-advertised
