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“What I appreciate the most is the breadth of experience Dr. Chen shared in reference to each of the formula - some of the uses and combinations are new to me and will be helpful in my clinical practice.” L.C.

“I learned many new connections between TCM & Western medication which will help me to mesh both together. Excellent seminars.” M.B.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF
PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS
& CHINESE MEDICINE FOR HEPATITIS

By John Chen, L.Ac., O.M.D., Pharm.D., Ph.D.

WESTERN MEDICAL APPROACH

Liver diseases, such as hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, are serious and very complicated diseases. In western medicine, these conditions are usually treated with interferon. These drugs, however, have limited success, but are extremely expensive and create significant number of serious side effects, including dizziness, confusion, coma, arrhythmia, heart failure, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and many others. In severe and life threatening cases, such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, surgery may be performed.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE APPROACH

In traditional Chinese medicine, treatment of liver disorders is also a very challenging and complicated matter. These conditions are usually treated with herbs that drain damp-heat from the Liver. Pharmacologically, these herbs have hepato-protective effects that remove toxins from the liver, prevent the entrance of toxins into the liver cells, and increase blood circulation to the liver to facilitate recovery. In most cases, herbs are most effective in the early stage of liver disorder characterized by increased liver enzymes. Immediate and aggressive treatment with herbs generally lowers liver enzyme levels and reverses the illness. Once the disease progresses into various stages of hepatitis and/or liver cirrhosis, customized treatments should be considered for maximum effectiveness.

SUMMATION

Liver diseases, such as hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, are serious and very complicated diseases that are challenging to both western and traditional Chinese medicines. Herbal treatment is generally more effective for early stages of liver disease, and ones with mild to moderate severity. Drug treatment, such as with interferon, are generally not utilized unless there is moderate to severe liver disease, because the risks of side effects are generally greater than the potential benefits. Unfortunately, severe cases of liver diseases are extremely difficult to manage for both western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Under these circumstances, customized treatment with careful supervision is most effective.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Chen, L.Ac., O.M.D., Pharm.D., Ph.D.

Dr. John Chen is a recognized authority in both western pharmacology and Chinese Herbal Medicine, having combined formal training in both fields with extensive research ‘on the ground’ in China. He teaches at the USC School of Pharmacy, Emperor’s College, Yo San University of TCM, OCOM, Five Branches, AOMA and ACTCM, and has taught numerous professional seminars across the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Chen’s published works include Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (2003, AOM Press) and the upcoming Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications (2008, AOM Press) for which works he is lead author.

This article was taken out of the Clinical Manual of Oriental Medicine, V2 and Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. To order a copy, click here.

To learn more about herbs, John Chen is speaking on the following topic for Lotus Institute. The class is approved for 8 CEUs/PDAs by the California Acupuncture Board and NCCAOM.

CLASS BY THE AUTHOR

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