Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

KIM: Institutionalizing the Wisdom of Herbal Medicine

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When I was growing up as a Korean-American in Philadelphia, my mother used to give me Chinese herbal medicine for all kinds of ailments, ranging from headaches to stomachaches. For my college-educated parents, the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine was unquestionable. When I asked my father about why he trusted the practice, he would say, “Thousands of years of Chinese herbal medicine’s effectiveness cannot be wrong.”

Today, researchers have found that Chinese herbal medicine can be brought into the fold as a legitimate supplement to Western medicine. Even advanced medical schools and scientific researchers are touting the merits of Chinese herbal medicine as a complementary treatment for cancer, acute asthma, ADHD and other serious health conditions.

Georgetown University has joined the nationwide push behind the use of complementary and alternative medicine in conjunction with Western medication and treatment. In fact, Georgetown has developed a Master of Science in physiology program with a concentration in CAM, which was launched over 10 years ago with funding from the National Institute of Health. In fall 2005, the Georgetown University Medical Center launched a five-year MD/MS track, with the MS in CAM followed by the four-year MD curriculum.

For many Asians, this institutionalized progress follows a legacy of widespread personal testimonies in favor of herbal remedies.

The usage of Chinese herbal medicine has been increasing in the United States; a growing number of immigrants from Korea, China and Japan have opened up Chinese herbal medicine practices in Asian-American communities, such as Koreatown in Los Angeles and Chinatown in New York City.

Even scholars in the science and medical communities are documenting the benefits of herbal medicine. Chinese herbal medicine can, for example, reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation, slow the progression of cancer growth, and minimize pain related to cancer, according to a 2018 study.

Similar to its positive impact on cancer patients, Chinese herbal medicine is scientifically proven to be effective for acute asthma. In a recent clinical trial using a Chinese herbal medicine formula called Pingchuan Yiqi granule, patients with asthma who had received PCYQ showed marked improvement in their ability to exhale when breathing compared to asthma patients who were not given PCYQ. Besides the breathing test done using advanced scientific machines, blood tests showed the PCYQ reduced inflammatory agents that exacerbated asthmatic attacks.

Chinese herbal medicine has also proven effective with ADHD. Chinese herbal medicine used rehmannia root for thousands of years to treat kidney problems by wine-steaming the root and extracting a substance that reduces inflammation, protects nerve cells and slows the aging process. Recent scientific studies showed that the root can help patients with ADHD as well by reducing nerve cell death and preventing the failure of important body metabolism, which often occurs in ADHD patients.

Natural components that help solve serious and common health conditions make Chinese herbal medicine an ideal complement to Western medicine. The wisdom of thousands of years of Asian health care solutions is becoming more accessible in the United States. Evidence-based medical research helps to provide confidence for using Chinese herbal medicine as an effective complementary medicine alongside Western medicine.

College students who are suffering from asthma, ADHD and other health conditions should look into supplementing their current illness treatment with Chinese herbal medicine to help achieve maximum health.

Heerak Kim is pursuing a Master of Science in nursing. Dissecting Health Care appears online every other Tuesday.

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  • K

    Kelly NeistatNov 15, 2019 at 9:23 am

    Robinson Buckler cured me from Herpes virus and Hepatitis-b, since 4 year ago i was effected with herpes simplex virus 1 and hepatitis-b, and i have taken all manner of drugs prescribed to me by several doctors,but all my effort was wasted,i cried all day thinking on how i can be cured of this illness, i lost hope while i was looking for solution for my health,but one faithful day, i was searching the internet i came across several testimonies about Robinson Buckler,and how he has cure so many effected individual ,so i try and contact his email and asked him for solution about my herpes simplex virus 1 and he started the preparation to my cure,to my greatest surprise after two weeks, i was totally cure by his powerful herbal medicine,i never believe that i could be cure from this wicked disease until i met Robinson Buckler i’m very grateful to you and i know your herbal medicine will save more millions of lives. his email Address Robinsonbuckler (( @yahoo )). com, …..

    Reply
  • A

    Aditya RoyNov 5, 2019 at 6:54 am

    Such a great article I have ever seen. Everyone should follow your thoughts. I really appreciate it.

    Reply
  • T

    Toko Herbal SemarangSep 17, 2019 at 2:28 am

    the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine was unquestionabl

    Reply
  • M

    Marie VedAnshApr 23, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    Good day everyone, i’m Marie, If getting herpes cure was that easy then why do a lot of people still suffer from herpes?. i was diagnosed of herpes back in 2013 and i was also told it has no cure, i have been leaving with it since then, but i kept praying and doing everything possible to get cured, so i never stopped doing research about finding a cure, i came across testimonies about people getting cured through herbal medication, and i have always believe in herbs and its medical properties, after doing so many research about it i found Dr. Bulukona and i discovered he was a professional in herbal medication and he has also helped many people, i contacted him through his Website: bulukonaherbalsolution. webs. com , we talked on phone and i confirmed he was genuine, i did all what he told me to do, i received the medicine, used it as he has prescribed, and glory be to God almighty i am completely cured, i went back to my doctor to confirm it. Do not be deceived THERE IS A CURE FOR HERPES, doctors might tell you there is no cure but WITH HERBAL MEDICATION THERE IS A CURE and if you need it contact Dr. Bulukona Email: bulukonasolutiontemple @outlook. com,.

    Reply
  • A

    AlumNov 29, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    There are certainly benefits to elements of traditional Chinese medicine, but for serious ailments forgive me when I go to a doctor- not a Chinatown tea shop.

    Reply