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Importance of Plant Anatomy for House Plants

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As a house plant parent, it is my responsibility to know basic plant anatomy to take care of them successfully. Nodes are one of the essential parts of a plant for new growth. Nodes are where roots and sometimes new shoots come out from. We can create a new baby plant by cutting a leaf section of a mature plant with a node attached and placing the steam in water. This process is called propagation. It is also vital for the cutting to include a leaf because most of the chloroplast in the leaf will generate the energy needed to produce roots. Without the node or leaf sections, the propagated cutting will most likely die. Many small plant businesses rely on the propagation method to create new plants and sell them off.

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When considering the basic plant growth process, the first thing that comes to mind is how roots attain nutrients from the soil. To grow healthy plants, the soil must contain minerals, organic material, and the ability to retain water. Soil is essential in agriculture because the success of the crops depends on it. In the online article, a chart compares the three common particles found in all soils: sand, silt, and clay. Sand is easy to till however dries too quickly and does not retain water well. Silt is also easy to till and retains enough water and nutrients. Clay is difficult to till, and it retains too much water though it holds plentiful nutrients. The preferred soil media for farmers is a mixture of the three types named loam soil.
Farmers could also use peat soils rich in organic material or chalk soils with lime and calcium carbonates. However, loam soil might be the most cost-effect soil that produces the best results.
Now with the balanced soil media, plants can grow properly and produce crops. Another critical principle for plant growth is the nutrients in the soil media. Healthy soils should have a sufficient amount of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and potassium. While also having smaller amounts of manganese, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine. All nutrients have a role in plant growth that another element cannot replace. This is why good soil is necessary for plant growth.

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To yield abundant crops, an agrarian has to seed the right plant, at the right time, and in the right place. The right place is determined not only by the geographic location and climate peculiarities but types of soil as well.

Each of them has their advantages and disadvantages, and different types of soils are suitable for growing different crops in regard to:

Nutrient content: is it sufficient for plants or do you have to provide additional fertilizing?

Tilling: how easily is the land cultivated? Thus, you can plant crops that either need frequent cultivation or do not.

Watering/irrigation: how quickly does water seek and drain? Correspondingly, will additional water supply be required or just on the contrary, irrigation to take extra moisture away?

Managing these key agricultural activities you can make the best of the situation.

But to do so, you need to know what particular type you deal with.

What Are The Types Of Soil - Key Features That Make The Difference

When it comes to soil types classifications, there is no unanimous opinion. There exist several approaches depending on the primary distinguishing feature. Most frequently, however, the paradigm is based on composition. It should be noted as well that different industries have their own classifications.

Soil type definitions commonly explain the elements the substance consists of: sand, clay, and silt. Thus, there three main materials to build up different soil types with their strong and weak sides. Trying to understand what makes the difference, we should pay attention to the size of particles. The smallest ones are characteristic of clay. The smaller the particles, the less air remains between them, and the closer they stick to each other.

Let's compare the advantages and disadvantages of each component in the basic types.

*Intake rate is the time soil requires to absorb the amount of water.
*Field capacity is the percentage of moisture in soil when extra water is gone.

It seems that silt is the optimal composition for agricultural needs as it has the 'wisest' combination of all parameters. The 'initial data' mean a lot yet are not decisive. With extra temperatures and no water supply, you can experience failure. However, if you mix your sandy soil with silt or peat, you have all chances to achieve the best results. In the case of clay, it would be good to mix it with sand.

Silt seems to be the best option so far but as appears, not necessarily.

Alongside sand, clay or silt soils, there exist three more types: peat, chalk, and loam.

Peat soils are rich in organic matter (manure) and can be found on river banks and marshlands or forests.

Chalk soils contain lime or calcium carbonate. They are highly alkaline and are not suitable for growing plants that need acid soils. However, if you acidify such lands or grow species that require alkaline soils, you still have all the chances to succeed. Speaking in terms of gardening, a lemon tree or azalea requires highly-acid soils, so all your attempts to grow them on chalk soils would be a complete fiasco. On the other hand, regulating PH with fertilizers (increasing it in this case), you can grow plants that would be quite comfortable with that.

Loam soils seem to be the jackpot for all farmers. They include clay, sand, and silt and is the best possible combination of all negative and positive features. It is regarded as the best type of soil and is more gardener-friendly than any others as it does not require any additional investments. As for its composition proper, it consists of 40% silt, 40% sand, 20% clay.

3 Types Of Soil In Construction: What Provides Work Safety

The classification of types of soils for planting differs from corresponding classifications in other fields of activity. When the paramount parameter in agriculture is the soil capacity to produce high crops, other industries are guided by safety management requirements.

Thus, they fall into soil type a b c, and the main indicator is the cohesive feature. It determines the 'safety' of the area for escalating and trenching. The key aspect of this classification is the land's ability to collapse and slip. When it comes to the safety of human lives, only a competent person should estimate the situation and say definitely, what type of soil is in question.

Solid rock is ideal in this regard - it does not fall and does not seek water. Yet, the three types of soil are most common:

type A soil is the most cohesive and the most reliable;

type B soil positions in the middle;

type C soil is the least safe.

How Many Types Of Soil Are There: Does The Definite Number Exist?

As there are various parameters of classification, there is no definite answer to this question. If we speak of construction and building - there are 3 of them (a, b, c). If we take into account the soil composition, we can distinguish 6 main types: sand, clay, silt, chalk, peat, and loam.

How To Determine Soil Type: Simple But Informative Tricks

There are several basic and quick tests to understand the types of soil structure. To make it more precise, you need to separate big and heavy particles from it, for example, stones and gravels, and to previously mix samples from different field areas.

1. Ball. Make a ball of wet (but not soaking wet) substance and throw it approximately half a meter high. Catch it. If it falls apart, it is too sandy. If it still sticks together - it means that it contains much clay. Another option is just to squeeze it. If it breaks, it is sandy. If it sticks to your hands - it is made up mostly of clay.

2. Grain of pea. Take a small amount of soil and rub it with your fingers. If the substance is as if oily to touch, sticks to your fingers and spreads smoothly - it is clay. If it is gritty and does not spread easily, it is sand.

3. Stick. Make a stick of damp soil by rolling it between your hands. Put it up. If it erects without crushing - it has enough clay. If not, it mainly consists of sand.

4. Jar (bottle). This option involves little math and physics. Put a handful or two of soil into a bottle and fill it with water. Shake it properly. The experiment will result in different layers according to their weight. Measure them and calculate the ratio. Note, that clay may fall for several days. The sequence of elements depends on their weight. The heaviest is sand, it will be on the bottom. Silt will be in the middle. The lightest is clay - it will be on the top.

EOS Crop Monitoring

Access high-resolution satellite images to ensure effective fields management!

Agricultural Software And Soil Type Maps As The Most Precise Method To Determine The Soil Type

These tests are but approximate and can give you just a general idea. They are easy to conduct and are suitable as school experiments in science. If you want to know for sure and seek for professional advice, you can rely on satellites. They can provide you with a soil types map estimating the earth's surface radiation.

Different types of soil emit different signals (aka temperatures) that are distinguished and recorded by satellites. Special software available at agricultural platforms interprets the signal and gives you the ready high-precision results.

Soil Types In Crop Monitoring

The Platform provides a soil type mapping function. To accomplish this, let's imagine the following: a farmer draws a particular field on the map, he / she selects 'Soil Type' and gets the requested map to proceed with their farming practices. Then, depending on the type of soil, the farmer makes an informed decision on which crop to sow based on this data. The Platform also provides recommendations on which fertilizers can be used to maintain and/or enhance soil productivity.

Another useful feature in Crop Monitoring is the ability for farmers to see the history of vegetation development of any specific field for the past 5 years. This feature is employed to compare the state of fields of previous years and determine which factors influence the development of a particular type of crop. Thus, they are able to decide on fertilizers, soil temperature and moisture levels, as well as other requirements to meet the needs of a particular soil type.

What Type Of Soil Is Best For Farming - How To Make The Right Choice?

There is no single recipe for success when it comes to the proper type of soil for plants, yet loam soils seem to be a perfect match.

Even if the grass seems to be greener behind the fence, your neighbor is most likely to have the same type of soil as you do. It rarely happens that different soil types occur in the same vicinity. The most precise answer could be given by online software for farm management - satellites can monitor the area, process the data and give a definite answer with a specific soil type chart of your fields.

It should be also noted that 'pure' types are seldom met - most likely, you have to deal with mixtures like sandy clay, silty clay, loamy clay, silty loam, loamy sand, etc.

Besides, types of soil pollution should be taken into consideration as well. Alongside natural 'inclusions' like manures and excreta produced by animals and humans, there are radioactive pollutants and urban and industrial wastes to impact the soil composition and general quality.

So, the main trick to succeed in farming here is to know your particular soil type and to produce plants that are most suitable for the case.

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Soil Types As A paramount Aspect Of Agricultural Productivity

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To yield abundant crops, an agrarian has to seed the right plant, at the right time, and in the right place. The right place is determined not only by the geographic location and climate peculiarities but types of soil as well.

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One of my favorite facts about plants is how vining plants can climb up different kinds of materials. Climbable materials include wood, tree bark, plant trellises, rock, and even drywall at times. Vining plants have adapted to climb in nature. For example, Monstera deliciosa, a typical large house plant, is usually found in the wild, growing around trees. Vining plants climb in several ways, including aerial roots, tendrils, twining stems, or adhesive discs. The Monstera deliciosa plant uses aerial roots that grow from steams and stick to rough surfaces. Another method is tendrils, which are leafless stems that wrap around the vertical surface. Tendrils enable vines to grab onto materials like fences and poles. A vine that uses tendrils is the Vitis vinifera, also known as the grape plant.

Similarly, twining vines have adapted to grow around vertical surfaces without tendrils. Instead, the main stems of the plant weave through the spaces in a fence or trellis. Twining plants did not adopt physical characteristics to help them attach to surfaces, but their growth pattern enabled them to grow around objects. The last method is perhaps the strangest form of attachment. Adhesive discs grow from the stems of plants and appear as small circular patches connected to the surface. They can attach to smooth surfaces, unlike the other types. The Virginia Creeper plant is an example of this form of attachment.

All forms of climbing have contributed to the success of vining plants in nature. Where most plants other than trees lie low to the ground, they constantly battle for resources. So climbing on trees and rocks was a characteristic that would give them an advantage in receiving more sunlight and protection from animals. These adaptations have also made it easier to farm many fruits that grow on vines. Watching a plant grow onto vertical surfaces by itself (or with a bit of assistance) is a fascinating detail of nature!

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How a vine supports and attaches itself and the selection of the right kind of support structure go hand in hand. Unfortunately, many vines are chosen for their decorative qualities with no consideration or thought given to how or if they will be able to grow on the support available. So, try to match the method of attachment of the vine to the structure or support you want to cover.

Vines climb and support themselves by using either twining stems, tendrils, aerial roots or adhesive disks sometimes called hold fasts.

Vines that twine will physically wrap their stems around supports. In this case, poles, chain-link fence, wire, trellises or arbors provide the best support. Wisteria, trumpet vine, and honeysuckle are examples.

Vines with tendrils use thin flexible, leafless stems that wrap around supports. Thin poles or light lattice (3/4 inch or less in diameter), wire, twine or chain-link fence are suggested supports. Grape is a classic vine with tendrils.

Another vine that prefers wire, chain-link fence or small thin lattice is clematis. This vine uses its petioles (the short stem that attaches the leaf to the plant) to wrap around the support.

Vines with aerial roots such ad Baltic ivy or climbing hydrangea use small root-like structures that grow out from the sides of the stems to support themselves. These root-like structures attach best to rough textured surfaces such as masonry, very rough textured wood and bark.

Vines with hold fasts use disk-like adhesive pads to attach themselves to most any smooth surface. Boston ivy and Virginia creeper are examples.

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How a vine supports and attaches itself and the selection of the right kind of support structure go hand in hand. Unfortunately, many vines are chosen for their decorative qualities with no consideration or thought given to how or if they will be able to grow on the support available.

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In every type of biome, there are plant species unique to the area and may not exist anywhere else in the world. Just like It is essential to protect animals, it is also vital to preserving the plants so they won't go extinct. In recent years house plants have become more popular as more people collect plants, causing the demand for rare plants to skyrocket. Plant poaching is now a notice threat causing some rare plant species to go extinct in the wild. In the state of California, plant poaching has become a significant issue. In the desert areas of California, there are 26 native species of rare Dudleya succulents that are being stolen from the ground. Other succulents that are being poached include cacti, wild orchids, and carnivores plants. Many of these plants are transported to China, Japan, and Korea, valued for their beauty and rarity. Plant poaching is a severe offense that deprives the land of natural beauty and disturbs the natural ecosystem between the animals that rely on them.

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What exactly is a Dudleya?

Dudleya is a genus of succulent plants in southwestern North America that includes 47 species and 21 subspecies.

26 species of those species are native to California and grow along coastal cliffs

More than half of California's species are ranked as rare

10 of California's Dudleya are classified as threatened or endangered under the Federal and/or California Endangered Species Acts.

What you should know

People often associate poaching with white rhinos and shark fins, but plant poaching is a serious problem that puts dozens of species at risk every year. Succulents like Dudleya, orchids, cacti, and carnivorous plants are regularly stolen from wildlands and sold on the black market. In some cases, 100-year-old Dudleya have been uprooted from California cliffs and sold for thousands of dollars only to die within a year.

Why Assembly Bill 223?

AB 223 gives law enforcement officials and district attorneys the tools necessary for prosecution and enforces penalties that are large enough to deter Dudleya poachers. The bill makes it explicitly unlawful to steal and sell Dudleya taken from state, local, or private lands, and establishes strong penalties for violations.

These mascots are here to spread the word on Dudleya, the poaching issue and Assembly Bill 223! You can use these endearing mascots on social media with custom GIPHY stickers!

Mascot Stickers

When you save plants, you save places.

Join CNPS

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Dudleya Protection | California Native Plant Society

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What exactly is a Dudleya? Dudleya is a genus of succulent plants in southwestern North America that includes 47 species and 21 subspecies. 26 species of those species are native to California and grow along coastal cliffs More than half of California's species are ranked as rare 10 of California's Dudleya are classified as threatened or endangered under the Federal and/or California Endangered Species Acts.

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Most people will get a few things from the fresh produce section on a regular run in the grocery store. One of the most common items people grab is bananas. Bananas are one of the most popular fruits globally, recognizable by their unique shape and color. Many are not aware that the banana the whole world loves almost went extinct. The banana that people consume today is not the same one from many years ago. The Gros Michel Banana was the fruit that everyone knew in the early 1900s. However, somewhere along in the 1950s, a type of fungal Panama disease (Also known as banana wilt, a disease only harmful to banana plants.) began infecting all banana plantations around the globe. Farmers of the large plantations had to burn down all plants on the land because the disease was soil-borne. Agricultural scientists and farmers were able to save the fruit from extinction by asexually breeding another variety. The fruit that people now enjoy today is known as the Cavendish banana. Although scientists were able to prevent the extinction of the plant, other strains of the disease are still a threat to the species. This should serve as a lesson that the foods in the produce section could change or even disappear. Genetic engineering is more than just making foods larger; it secures the plants' future and the human diet.

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Bananas are the world's most popular fruit, but the banana industry is currently dominated by one type of banana: the Cavendish (or supermarket banana) that we all know and love. The Cavendish banana rose to fame in 1965 when the previous banana superstar, the Gros Michel, officially became extinct and lost the throne.

The Cavendish is poised to face the same fate as the Gros Michel banana. This is because Cavendish bananas lack genetic diversity. In a way, bananas of this variety are clones of one another. This is a phenomenon known as monoculture, a practice present across many industries in our society.

Manufacturers often embrace monocultures because it helps the bananas all look familiar, birthing a sense of trust in consumers' minds. Monoculture decisions also relate to the scale of operations, for it is easier to apply a mass pesticide to large Cavendish banana plantations.

Moreover, monocultures allow for the same maintenance processes to be used across different banana plantations. The major issue with monoculture is that when a segment of the bananas gets infected with a disease, they are all at risk for infection.

The History

The Cavendish banana found its way from Mauritius into the hands of an English gardener named Joseph Paxton in the 1830s​. Paxton's fascination with these bananas developed after he saw bananas on some Chinese wallpaper. He planted it, and in 1835, it bloomed,​ growing rich with bananas.

Cavendish bananas were then distributed to various parts of the world by missionaries, but it wasn't until the Gros Michel banana was out of sight that the Cavendish began dominating the market. It now makes up 99% of all banana exports.

Over the years, society has consciously bred a few banana varieties for commercialization due to their particular shipping requirements (55-58 degrees Fahrenheit) and taste​. Thus, there was a favored predecessor to the Cavendish banana: the Gros Michel banana ​.

How the Gros Michel Became the Cavendish

The Gros Michel banana dominated our society starting in the early 1900s. Banana plantations and increased transportation to export markets ​in South America in the late 1800s helped the world embrace the Gros Michel​. Plus, the Gros Michel banana was also said to be tastier and last longer than the Cavendish banana. The Gros Michel enjoyed a short reign prior to its extinction.

Here's how it went down. In the 1950s, a strain of ​ fungus fusarium wilt (aka Tropical Race 1 ​, a strain of the fungal Panama Disease) spread throughout the Gros Michel population. The disease quickly distributed itself across banana plantations around the world.

Panama Disease is a ​soil-borne​ disease, so it is ​ extremely hard to eliminate from the soil​. As a result, infected banana plantations were burned down and other crops had to be planted in the soil.

Alas, the Cavendish banana came in to save the day. At least for a little while. As breeders began mass production of the asexually bred Cavendish to save the banana industry, they were unconsciously repeating history​. Then, Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a newer strain of Panama Disease, was born.

TR4 began its journey into the Cavendish kingdom in 1990. Its global spread was as follows: Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, and Mozambique. TR4 is still moving, although its next destination is TBD.

More on TR4

Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is another strain of the Panama Disease that made a grand, unwanted entrance into the banana society. Put simply, this disease kills the banana plant from the bottom up, negatively affecting its vascular system and ​ preventing it from getting water​.

Pair this with Black Sigatoka disease, a deadly fungal disease from the 1900s, and you get a banana recipe for disaster. Unfortunately for the Cavendish, this disease is thriving, as the current climate crisis is exacerbating its effects. The rising temperatures and wetter climate in areas home to banana plantations help to facilitate the spread of Black Sigatoka.

Can We as Consumers Help Save the Bananas?

As far as we know, the only obtained cure to TR4 is fungicide application. These fungicides, however, need to be applied 60 times a year to work, which creates tension with the environment and the workers who apply it.

The valuation of the banana industry currently stands at $12 billion. Buying organic and Fair Trade bananas shows manufacturers that we are willing to pay a little more for bananas. This can help favorably frame sustainable production practices. Thus, similar to conversations in the coffee space, conscious consumerism is a key to making a difference.

How Can the Industry Save the Cavendish?

There are over 1,000 banana types worldwide, but as shown, two big players made the manufacturing cut. This came for a myriad of reasons. Among them are cheaper, ideal shipping costs, a longer shelf-life, superb taste, and familiar image.

In fact, many of these other banana types may have a 'secret ingredient' needed to save the Cavendish: resistance to TR4. As new banana mapping technology is developed, the genetic makeup of these other varieties can be examined for a TR4-resistant trait that can be added to the Cavendish.

Another option is to begin planting fewer banana crops per plantation or intercrop bananas with other plants. This can help increase the plantation's disease resistance abilities, as there are fewer plants on a plot of land that can fall victim to disease. One planter in the Netherlands found a way to plant bananas with no soil to prevent the spread of TR4 among banana plants.

All in all, there's hope. But if we want to preserve the world's most popular fruit, we need to act fast. As coined by BBC, this 'banana-pandemic' is real.

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Are Our Beloved Bananas Really on the Brink of Extinction?

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Bananas are the world's most popular fruit, but the banana industry is currently dominated by one type of banana: the Cavendish (or supermarket banana) that we all know and love. The Cavendish banana rose to fame in 1965 when the previous banana superstar, the Gros Michel, officially became extinct and lost the throne.

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One of the significant issues with agriculture deals with the amount of land and water it requires. With an increasing global population and decreasing availability of land, farming is becoming more and more necessary. Vertical farming is one innovation that is helping with agricultural land space.After reading the unit 6 notes about modern agriculture, I thought back to when I first learned about vertical and cubic farming. Indoor vertical farming is so fascinating because the outside environment is replicated indoors. Usually, farming takes a large amount of land, yet modern technology has revolutionized farming. Of course, the plants grown in this method are simple leafy crops, but they will still provide humans with nutritional food.  In the video, David describes vertical farming as a mission to provide cities and communities worldwide with fresh, nutritious food. I hope that every community in need could attain cubic farming technology so they can sustain themselves.

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This Farm of the Future Uses No Soil and 95% Less Water

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The use of herbal medicines is deeply rooted in Chinese history. The Chinese believe that life is balanced by energy. There is also the idea that the energy that flows in humans is called Qi. Moreover, when a person becomes ill, they need herbal supplements to regain energy. The Chinese have been recording information about plants and their medical uses since the 12th century. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) is the official name given to the collection of medicines.  The people have not forgotten the practice, and many still use many natural medicines today. It is noted that millions of people travel to China seeking the help of TCHM practitioners. The practice is also used in combination with pharmaceutical drugs to help with treatment. Some Chinese herbal medicines have also been proven to help with a wide variety of conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual pain, Headache, and dementia. It is impressive how they have used herbal remedies to treat serious health concerns long before pharmaceutical companies have researched treatments.

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Alternate Names

Aristolochia Clematis

Astragalus membranaceus

Banxia Houpo Tang

Biminne

Bing Gan Tang

Bupleurum, Minor

Chinese Herbs

Chinese Patent Remedies

Coptis Formula

Daio-Kanzo-To

Fuzheng Jiedu Tang

Hange Koboku-To

Herbs, Chinese

Hochu-Ekki-To

Jianpi Wenshen Recipe

Kampo

Magnolia and Pinelliae Formula

Minor Bupleurum

PC-SPES

Saiboku-To

Saiko-Keishi-To

Shakuyaku-Kanzo-To

Shenshao

Shosaiko-To

Sho-Seiryu-To

Shuang Huang Lian

Toki-Shakuyaku-San

Tripterygium Hypoglaucum Hutch

Xuezhikang

Yi Zhu Decoction

Zemaphyte

Uses

Principal Proposed Uses

Other Proposed Uses

History of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Principles of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

Types of Chinese Herbal Remedies

What Is Chinese Herbal Medicine Used for Today?

What Is the Scientific Evidence for Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Other Uses for Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

How to Choose a Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

Safety Issues

References

Overview

The system of herbal medicine that developed in China differs in several significant ways from European herbal medicine. The most obvious difference is that the Western herbal tradition focuses on "simples," or herbs taken by themselves. In contrast, traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) makes almost exclusive use of herbal combinations. More importantly, these formulas are not designed to treat symptoms of a specific illness; rather, they are tailored specifically to the individual according to the complex principles of traditional Chinese medicine. For this reason, TCHM is potentially a deeply holistic healing approach. On the other hand, it is both more difficult to use and to study than its Western counterpart.

TCHM is widely used in Asian countries, both in its traditional holistic form and in a simplified disease-oriented version. There have been a few properly designed scientific trials of TCHM, but the evidence base remains highly inadequate. In addition to questions regarding effectiveness, there remain serious safety concerns to be resolved.

History of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine has a long historical tradition, although it is not quite as ancient as popularly believed. Ancient herbology in China focused on potions whose function was part medicinal and part magical, and it lacked a substantial theoretical base. Sometime between the second century B.C.E. and the second century A.D., the theoretical foundations of traditional Chinese medicine were laid, but the focus was more on acupuncture than on herbs. 1 Only by about the 12th century A.D. were the deeper principles of Chinese medicine fully applied to herbal treatment, forming a method that can be called TCHM. This was further refined and elaborated during various periods of active theorizing in the 14th through the 19th centuries. Western disease concepts entered the picture in the 20th century, leading to further changes.

In China today, TCHM is used alongside conventional pharmaceutical treatment. Considerable attempts have been made to subject TCHM to scientific evaluation; however, most of the published Chinese studies on the subject fall far short of current scientific standards. (For example, they generally lack a placebo group.)

In neighboring Japan, a variation of the TCHM system known as Kampo has become popular, and the Japanese Health Ministry has approved many Kampo remedies for medical use. The scientific basis for these remedies remains incomplete, but several studies of minimally acceptable quality have been reported.

Principles of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

Even a basic introduction to the principles of TCHM exceeds the scope of this article. Consider the following nothing more than a taste of this vast medical system.

According to the principles of all Chinese medicine, health exists when the body is balanced and its energy is freely flowing. The term "energy" refers to Qi, the life energy that is said to animate the body. The term "balance" refers to the relative factors of yin and yang-the classic Taoist opposing forces of the universe. Yin and yang find their expression in various subsidiary antagonists such as cold vs. heat, dampness vs. dryness, descending vs. ascending, at rest vs. active, and full vs. empty.

In an ideal state, yin and yang in all their forms are perfectly balanced in every part of the body. However, external or internal factors can upset this balance, leading to disease. Chinese medical diagnosis and treatment involves identifying the factors that are out of balance and attempting to bring them back into harmony. Diagnosis is carried out by means of "listening" to the pulse (in other words, taking the pulse with extraordinary care and sensitivity), observing and palpating various parts of the body, and asking a long series of questions.

It is important to realize that diagnosis according to TCHM differs greatly from Western diagnosis. To understand this, consider two hypothetical patients with the single Western diagnosis of migraine headaches. The first might be said to have "dryness in the liver and ascending Qi," while another might be diagnosed with "exogenous wind-cold." Based on these differing diagnoses, entirely different remedies might be applied. In other words, there is no such thing as a TCHM remedy for migraines per se; rather, treatment must be individualized to the imbalance determined by traditional theory.

The herbal formulas used in TCHM consist of four categories of herbs: ministerial, deputy, assistant, and envoy. The ministerial herb addresses the principal pattern of the disease. Deputy herbs assist the ministerial herb or address coexisting conditions. Assistant herbs are designed to reduce the side effects of the first two classes of herbs, and envoy herbs direct the therapy to a particular part of the body. For example, in the case of "dryness in the liver and ascending Qi" described above, an herbalist might employ a ministerial herb to reverse ascending Qi, a deputy herb to exert a moistening effect, an assistant herb to prevent the stagnation of Qi (Qi stagnation is said to be a side effect of moistening herbs), and an envoy to carry these effects to the liver.

TCHM remedies can also be designed to fit all common causes of migraines simultaneously, mostly by multiplying the number of ingredients. Practitioners of TCHM frown upon this "one-size-fits-all" approach, but it is often popular among consumers and easier to test scientifically.

Types of Chinese Herbal Remedies

To use Chinese herbal medicine in the most traditional fashion, you must visit an herbalist's shop. There, experienced herb preparers will chop, grind, fry, and slice dried herbs according to the prescription given by an experienced herbalist. You will walk home with a packet of dried herbs that need to be prepared according to the instructions, which typically involve adding water, boiling for several hours in a ceramic pot, pouring off the liquid, adding more water, and repeating the process twice more. Certain herbs are supposed to be added right at the end, while others require extra-long preparation.

If you don't wish to carry out such a complex process, or if a classic herbal shop is not available, you may wish to move one step away from tradition and purchase an already-prepared Kampo formula. There are several hundred such formulas designed to match the most commonly seen forms of imbalance. Available in powder, capsule, or tablet form, they can be used much more conveniently than fully traditional herbs. Many Kampo combinations are licensed in Japan and are manufactured there on a large scale by reputable manufacturers.

The lowest level of TCHM, scarcely deserving the name at all, involves so-called Chinese Patent Remedies, which consist most commonly of tiny brown spheres in small brown bottles. They are marketed both for classical imbalances and western disease categories. Patent remedies are inexpensive and widely available. However, there have been so many scandals involving dangerous contaminants not listed on the label that we recommend avoiding this form of treatment entirely. (See Safety Issues .)

In the West, herbal medicine is part of folk medicine. However, in China there is a distinct tradition of Chinese folk medicine that is separate from the orthodox, rather academic TCHM approach. In this Chinese folk medicine, herbs are used more simply, somewhat in the manner of Western herbal medicine. Herbs most commonly used in this manner include astragalus , dong quai , ginger , kudzu ( Pueraria lobata ), licorice , lycium ,Panax ginseng , and schizandra . For more information on the use of these herbs, see the appropriate individual articles.

Besides herbs, substances that we might consider supplements are utilized in TCHM. These include extract of human placenta, 76 glandular extracts, and a variety of minerals.

What Is Chinese Herbal Medicine Used for Today?

In the traditional system of Chinese herbal medicine, herbal formulas can be used to treat virtually any condition. Some of the most common uses in China include liver disease ( hepatitis and cirrhosis ), sexual dysfunction in men , infertility in women , insomnia , colds and flus , menstrual pain , irregular menstruation, menopause , and cancer treatment support .

Acupuncture is often used along with herbs as a supplemental treatment; in addition, extraordinarily detailed lifestyle suggestions are common. It is not unusual for a traditional practitioner to "prescribe" dinner, as well as counsel changes in living situation (for example, move from the basement to the first floor or face the bed south rather than north). Exercise systems such as Tai Chi and Qigong may also be recommended.

What Is the Scientific Evidence for Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine?

To establish the effectiveness of a treatment, it must be put through a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial . For this reason, our database is organized around such studies. However, there are a few issues that make it a bit difficult to study TCHM in this way.

The first problem involves diagnosis. As described above, there is no such thing as a TCHM remedy for migraine headaches, for example. Each person with migraines receives individualized treatment. This introduces an extra wrinkle for experimenters.

The best way to address this issue is as follows. People are chosen to participate in a study based on a Western diagnosis. Next, all participants are diagnosed by a classic herbal practitioner and prescribed a formula specific to their individual constitutions according to the principles of TCHM. Finally, another party steps in and provides participants with either the real formula or a placebo formula, under conditions whereby neither practitioners nor participants know which is which.

Other studies utilize a fixed remedy for all participants, in hopes that it will still prove effective on average. Such an approach doesn't really test the effectiveness of true TCHM; rather, it tests a much-simplified form of it. Still, trials of this type are valid as far as they go.

Numerous other studies simply involve enrolling people with a certain condition and giving each participant an herbal remedy. Researchers then record the extent of improvement. Such "open label" trials , however, prove virtually nothing because even phony treatments will appear to cause benefits. (For more information, see Why Does This Database Rely on Double-blind Trials? ) We do not report open label trials here.

Finally, many of these studies were performed in China, and, up to the time of this writing, research on Chinese medicine conducted in China generally falls far short of modern scientific standards of rigor. 74,75

Chronic Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a serious problem in many Asian countries, and conventional care leaves much to be desired. For this reason, herbal remedies are widely used.

The herbal combination Shosaiko-to (Minor Bupleurum) has been approved as a treatment for chronic hepatitis by the Japanese Health Ministry, and it enjoys wide use in that country and elsewhere. 2 However, a search of the literature uncovered only one large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled study supporting its effectiveness. 3 In this 24-week trial, the efficacy of Shosaiko-to was tested in 222 people with chronic active hepatitis using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Results showed that use of Shosaiko-to significantly improved liver function measurements compared to placebo. Although these results are promising, an absence of long-term evaluation limits their meaningfulness. (Researchers only followed participants for 3 months.)

Other Chinese herbal remedies have been tested as adjuncts to conventional interferon treatment with promising results. 4 However, published trials are of generally poor quality.

Note: If you are on interferon therapy, you should not use Chinese herbal formulas (or any herbs or supplements) except under the supervision of a physician (see Safety Issues ).

Combination Chinese herbal therapies have also shown a bit of promise for the treatment of chronic hepatitis; tested formulas include Bing Gan Tang, Yi Zhu decoction, Fuzheng Jiedu Tang, and Jianpi Wenshen recipe. 5-7 However, the quality of most of these studies was again quite poor-the results are mixed and overall, the evidence for these remedies remains far too weak to rely upon. Two studies failed to find Chinese herbal treatment helpful for hepatitis C. 46,65

Note: There have been numerous cases of hepatitis and other forms of liver injurycaused by Chinese herbs. See Safety Issues for more information.

Liver Cirrhosis

Shosaiko-to, mentioned in the previous section, has also shown some promise for preventing liver cancer and liver fibrosis in people with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. 8,9 However, the evidence remains marginal. For example, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 260 people with cirrhosis were randomly assigned to take Shosaiko-to or placebo, along with conventional treatment. 10 Over 5 years of evaluation, people taking the herb appeared to be less likely to develop cancer or die, but the results just missed the ordinary cutoff for statistical significance . For the subgroup of participants without hepatitis B infection, the benefits were statistically significant at the usual cutoff point.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 116 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were randomly assigned to receive individualized Chinese herbal formulations, a "one-size-fits-all" Chinese herbal formulation, or placebo. 11 Treatment consisted of 5 capsules 3 times daily, taken for 16 weeks. The results showed that both forms of active treatment were superior to placebo, significantly reducing IBS symptoms. However, the individualized treatment was no more effective than the "generic" treatment. Similar results were seen in another study as well. 67

Constipation

The Kampo formula known as Daio-kanzo-to is a mixture of rhubarb and licorice. In a 2-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 132 people complaining of constipation were randomly assigned to one of three groups: placebo, low-dose Daio-kanzo-to, or high-dose Daio-kanzo-to. 12 The results indicate that the higher-dose group, but not the lower-dose group, experienced statistically significant improvements in constipation compared to placebo.

Allergies

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 220 people with allergic rhinitis were given either placebo or the Kampo remedy Sho-seiryu-to for a period of 2 weeks. 13 The results showed that use of the herbal formula significantly relieved all major symptoms of allergic rhinitis compared to placebo. Based on this and other more preliminary studies, Sho-seiryu-to has been approved by the Japanese Health Ministry for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

Another combination herbal therapy has shown promise for allergic rhinitis as well. In a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 58 people with allergic rhinitis were given either placebo or an 11-herb combination remedy called Biminne. 14 This combination therapy contains the following herbs:

Use of Biminne produced significant improvements in some symptoms of allergic rhinitis, while other symptoms showed a trend toward improvement that was not statistically significant. A follow-up evaluation suggested that the results persisted for a year after treatment was stopped.

Benefits have been seen in small studies of other formulations as well. 47,84 However, one study failed to find that use of herbal treatments augmented the effectiveness of acupuncture for allergic rhinitis. 48

Osteoarthritis

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 96 people with osteoarthritis of the knee tested the effectiveness of a mixture of three Chinese herbs ( Clematis mandshurica , Trichosanthes kirilowii , and Prunella vulgaris ). 15 Participants were randomly assigned to placebo group or one of three other groups: 200 mg, 400 mg, or 600 mg of the herbal formula 3 times daily. After 4 weeks of treatment, significant improvement in arthritis symptoms was seen in all three treatment groups compared to placebo. No dose appeared conclusively superior to the others.

Muscle Spasms

The Kampo remedy Shakuyaku-kanzo-to is a combination of peony root and licorice , commonly used for the treatment of muscle spasms in general. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 101 people with liver cirrhosis who also suffered from severe muscular spasms at least twice per week were given either Shakuyaku-kanzo-to or placebo 3 times daily for 2 weeks. 16 (The herb combination is not specifically aimed at liver cirrhosis. However, people with liver cirrhosis often have muscle spasms, so it made sense to try an anti-muscle-spasm formula on them.) The results showed significant reduction in frequency and severity of spasms among the participants using the herb compared to those taking placebo. However, some participants using the herb developed edema (swelling caused by excess fluid) and weight gain. Researchers attributed this side effect to the licorice constituent. (See Safety Issues for risks associated with the use of licorice.)

Menstrual Pain

In a double-blind trial of 40 women complaining of menstrual pain , the Kampo formula Toki-shakuyaku-san was compared to placebo with good results. 17 The design of this study was interesting because researchers preselected women who, according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, would be expected to respond to this Kampo treatment. Over six menstrual cycles, women using the real herbal formula experienced significantly less menstrual pain compared to those in the placebo group. Benefits took three menstrual cycles to develop.

In a 2008 review of 39 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 3,475 women, researchers concluded that the use of traditional Chinese herbs shows some promise in for the treatment of menstrual pain. However, firm conclusions were not possible due to the wide variability of study design and herbs used, as well as the poor quality of many of the studies. 77

Diabetes

A double-blind study of more than 200 people evaluated the effectiveness of Coptis Formula (a traditional combination therapy) with or without the drug glibenclamide for the treatment of diabetes . 18 Coptis Formula appeared to significantly enhance the effectiveness of the drug; however, the herbs produced marginal benefits at best when taken alone.

Asthma

The Kampo remedy Saiboku-to has been approved by the Japanese Health Ministry for the treatment of asthma . However, meaningful supporting evidence appears to be limited to one small trial. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 33 people with mild to moderate asthma received Saiboku-to or placebo 3 times daily for 4 weeks. 19 Treatment with the herbal remedy improved symptoms of asthma to a greater extent than placebo. Additional measurements suggested that Saiboku-to works by reducing asthmatic inflammation (technically, eosinophilia)

A Chinese study using a proprietary formulation reported benefits as well. 61

Eczema

A Chinese herbal mixture sold under the name Zemaphyte has shown promise as a treatment for eczema . This formula, based on herbs traditionally used for skin conditions, contains the following:

In paired double-blind, placebo-controlled trials carried out by one research group, Zemaphyte produced significantly better effects than placebo for both adults and children. 20,21 Each study enrolled approximately 40 people and used a crossover design in which all participants received the real treatment and placebo for 8 weeks each. Use of the herb significantly reduced eczema symptoms compared to placebo.

However, a subsequent study of similar design performed by a different research group failed to find significant benefit with Zemaphyte. 22 The reason for this discrepancy is not clear.

In a 12-week, double-blind study, a different traditional Chinese herbal formula also failed to prove more effective than placebo for treatment of eczema. 72

Tension Headache

A topical ointment known as Tiger Balm is a popular treatment for headaches and other conditions. Tiger Balm contains camphor, menthol, cajaput, and clove oil. A double-blind study enrolling 57 people with acute tension headache compared the application of Tiger Balm to the forehead against placebo ointment, as well as against the drug acetaminophen (Tylenol). 23 The placebo ointment contained mint essence to make it smell similar to Tiger Balm. Real Tiger Balm proved more effective than placebo, and just as effective and more rapid-acting than acetaminophen.

HIV

Chinese herbal therapies have been investigated for the treatment of HIV , but the results have not been very promising. In a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 HIV-infected adults with CD4 counts of 200 to 500 were given a Chinese herbal formula containing 31 herbs. 24 The results hint that use of the herbal combination might have improved various symptoms compared to placebo, but none of the differences were statistically significant. Interestingly, people who believed they were taking the real treatment showed significant benefit regardless of whether they were in the placebo group or the real treatment group.

In another double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 68 HIV-infected adults were given either placebo or a preparation of 35 Chinese herbs for a period of 6 months. 25 The results indicate that use of Chinese herbs did not improve symptoms or objective measurements of HIV severity. In fact, people using the herbs reported more digestive problems than those given placebo!

Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy

A double-blind study performed in Hong Kong evaluated the potential benefits in cancer chemotherapy of personalized herbal formulas designed according to the principles of Traditional Chinese herbal medicine. 71 In this study, 120 people undergoing chemotherapy for early-stage breast or colon cancer were given either a personalized formula or placebo. Researchers evaluated numerous possible effects of the treatment, but found benefits in only one: reduction of nausea. Note that even this single result is less meaningful than it may seem; it is statistical questionable to use a multiplicity of outcome measures. A review of 15 mostly poor quality trials with 862 patients suggested that Chinese herbal medicine might improve quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy. 83

Prostate Cancer

For several years, the Chinese herbal combination PC-SPES underwent significant investigation as a treatment for prostate cancer, with apparently impressive results. However, subsequent investigation revealed that PC-SPES contained undisclosed pharmaceutical ingredients (principally, a form of estrogen and the strong blood thinner Coumadin), and that these were probably responsible for its benefits. 26 The treatment has since been withdrawn.

Liver Cancer

Numerous studies have evaluated traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treatment of liver cancer with generally positive results. 62 However, study design and reporting were markedly substandard.

Breast Cancer

After a mastectomy, some women develop wound complications. Ninety women who had undergone a mastectomy were randomized to receive 1 of 3 treatments: routine wound care, the Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza (given intravenously for 3 days), or another Chinese herb called anisodamine (also given intravenously for 3 days). 86 The women who received the herbal treatments had fewer wound complications compared to those in the routine wound care group. But, the women who took anisodamine had more adverse effects related to the treatment, like painful urination.

Other Uses for Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

A large, double-blind study conducted in China reported that use of the traditional remedy xue-zhi-kang by people with a previous history of a heart attack could reduce the risk that they would suffer a subsequent severe cardiovascular problem, such as a stroke or another heart attack. 63 Chinese herbal medicine may also be helpful for people with angina. In a small, randomized trial of 66 adults with stable angina, Shenshao tablets (containing ginsenosides and white peony) reduced the frequency of angina attacks. 85

In a small, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, use of the herbal combination Banxia Houpo Tang (also called Hange Koboku-To or Magnolia and Pinelliae Formula) was tested for the treatment of impaired cough reflex in people who had suffered a stroke . 27 The results indicated that the herbal combination was more effective than placebo treatment for improving the coughing response. In another study, 140 people who recently had a stroke were randomized to receive the herbal formula sanchitongshu (200 mg three times daily) plus aspirin (50 mg once daily) or aspirin plus placebo. 88 After one month of treatment, those in the herbal formula group had a greater improvement in their neurological deficits and activities of daily living compared to the aspirin plus placebo group.

While traditional Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of use for infertility, there is not a lot of strong evidence to support its effectiveness. In a 2011 review of 14 randomized trials involving 1,316 women, the addition of Chinese herbal medicine to the prescription medication clomiphene (used to induce ovulation) was associated with increased pregnancy rates. 89 The researchers pointed out, though, that the studies were of poor quality with low sample sizes. As with the earlier review, a 2012 analysis of 30 studies, including 8 randomized trials, also found evidence to support the use of Chinese herbal medicine for improving pregnancy rates. 91 This review included trials that compared Chinese herbal medicine alone, with acupuncture, or with standard drug therapy to drug therapy alone. While the researchers concluded that Chinese herbal medicine may improve pregnancy rates , as with the previous review, the quality of the studies was questionable.

Various Chinese herbal formulas have been evaluated for the treatment of respiratory infections. The results of published studies appear to indicate that these formulas are more effective than standard antibiotics, but the poor design of most of these trials precludes placing much faith in their outcomes. 28 One combination therapy called Shuang Huang Lian has better supporting evidence than most.

A review of 17 trials found that there is limited evidence to support the use of Traditional Chinese herbal preparations for the common cold . 82 Although reliable evidence supporting the benefits of Traditional Chinese herbs alone for the treatment of influenza is lacking, a randomized trial involving 410 people with H1N1 influenza found that those who took a combination of 12 Chinese herbal medicines (maxingshigan-yinqiaosan, 200 mL, 4 times daily) along with the antiviral medication oseltamivir (75 mg twice daily) for five days experienced a more rapid resolution of fever compared to those taking oseltamivir alone. 87 One double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested the remedy Hochu-ekki-to for enhancing immune response to influenza vaccine, but failed to find benefit. 63

One study evaluated the effectiveness of an herbal combination containing herbs commonly used for the treatment of cough , but failed to find the treatment effective. 66 ( Note: This study has been incorrectly reported as finding the tested treatment effective; indeed, use of the treatment did help suppress coughing, but so did the placebo treatment, and there was no significant differences between the groups.)

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 29 people with chronic fatigue syndrome found indications that use of the Kampo remedy Hochu-ekki-to significantly improved symptoms compared to placebo. 29

In one study, the herbal formula Duhuo Jisheng Wan, widely used for osteoarthritis , proved to be as effective as the standard anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. 54 However, the herb caused as many side effects as the drug, and was slower to act. (It was so slow, in fact, that its benefits could have been due solely to the placebo effect.) This study did not use a placebo control group.

The Kampo remedies Saiko-keishi-to and Shosaiko-to have been suggested for the treatment of epilepsy , but the supporting evidence is too preliminary to be relied upon. 30-32 Both of these combination treatments consist of bupleurum, peony root, pinellia root, cassia bark, ginger root , jujube fruit, Asian ginseng root , Asian scullcap root, and licorice root , but the proportions are different.

In a review of 21 studies involving almost 3,000 subjects, researchers concluded that Chinese herbs were as effective as commonly prescribed medications for drug withdrawal symptoms in heroin addicts . They could not draw any conclusions, however, regarding which specific herbs were more most beneficial. 80

One study quoted as showing that a Chinese herbal formula can reduce blood pressure actually failed to find any effect on blood pressure. 64

Tripterygium hypoglaucum hutch, another type of herb that is used in TCHM, was found in one study to provide added benefit in treating hives when given along with the medication cetirizine. 90

Other traditional herbal combinations with some supporting evidence (often from studies of questionable quality) include Xiao-Yao-San (Free and Easy Wanderer) for depression and bipolar syndrome , 69,81 Mai-Men-Dong-Tang for allergic asthma , 49 Yi-Gan San for dementia , 50 Bofu-tsusho-san for weight loss and diabetes , 51 Chang Ji Tai for irritable bowel syndrome , 52 and Ondamtanggamibang (a Korean formulation) for reducing symptoms of stress . 53 Qinzhu Liangxue for psoriasis , 78 and red peony root for acute pancreatitis . 79

How to Choose a Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

There is no general certification for the practice of TCHM. Many people who are certified in acupuncture , however, have significant training in herbal medicine as well. (In general, 500 hours of specific training is considered necessary.) Some states offer the license of OMD (Doctor of Oriental Medicine); licensed OMDs are generally well versed in TCHM.

Safety Issues

There are several serious safety concerns with the use of TCHM.

One concern involves the use of multiple herbs typical in this approach. In general, conventional medicine makes a point of using as few medications as possible (in theory, at least) because the greater the number of medications, the greater the risk of harm. (Also, when medications are used together and harm does result, it's hard to know which drug was at fault.) From this perspective, formulas consisting of 5, 10, or 30 herbs are quite worrisome.

Interestingly, such combinations are actually designed for the purpose of reducing risks. According to TCHM theory, the various herbs in a formula balance and moderate each other. Unfortunately, this theory has never been put to the test, and there are reasons not to trust it. Simply put, it is very difficult to get an accurate picture of the risks of a treatment if you don't keep systematic records of adverse effects, and the ancient Chinese government had no such system in place. In any case, the individualized nature of treatment would make it almost impossible to track harm. Herbalists would be expected to notice immediate, dramatic reactions to herbal formulas, and one can assume with some confidence that treatments used for thousands of years are at least unlikely to cause such problems in very many people who take them. However, certain types of harm could be expected to easily elude the detection of traditional herbalists. These include safety problems that are delayed, occur relatively rarely, or are difficult to detect without scientific instruments. How would a traditional herbalist ever know, for example, if a treatment caused liver failure in one out of 100,000 people who used it, especially if such failure took 2 or more years to develop? If such a death did occur in the herbalist's patient population, it would probably be attributed to hepatitis or some other common cause.

These factors may explain why Chinese herbal medicine traditionally uses treatments that are now recognized as potentially dangerous, such as mercury, arsenic, lead, licorice, coltsfoot, and Aristolochia.

Mercury, arsenic, and lead accumulate slowly in the body, and for many years their harm can only be detected by lab tests. Licorice (used in many herb formulas to "harmonize" the ingredients) can raise blood pressure and disturb blood chemistry. 33,34 These effects were presumably undetectable to traditional practitioners unless they became quite severe. The herb Aristolochia can cause severe kidney damage and kidney cancer, but only rarely. Modern medical surveillance has uncovered quite a few such cases, 35 but traditional herbology considered the herb worth using. Aristolochia contains aristolochic acid, a substance shown in animal studies to damage the kidney when taken in high enough doses. Chinese herbal products generally list Aristolochia on the label when it is present, but in some cases, Aristolochia was apparently added accidentally-it is similar in appearance to a much safer herb.

Coltsfoot ( Tussilago farfara ), used in Chinese cough syrups and other formulations, contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, substances that can over time damage the liver. This also does not appear to have been noticed by traditional herbalists. Under modern conditions of medical surveillance, many incidents have been reported in which use of Chinese herbs appears to have various forms of liver injury, including acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, and acute liver failure. 44,55,56,68 Ancient herbal practitioners might not have been able to distinguish these herb-induced illnesses from the effects of infectious hepatitis, a widely prevalent condition, and thereby failed to make the connection; even today, in fact, it appears that many cases of liver failure attributed to hepatitis have in fact been caused by the Chinese herbs used to treat hepatitis! 68

Other reported complications of Chinese herbal treatments include movement disorders and ovarian failure. 57,58

Another set of potential problems arises from the fact that Chinese herbal medicine does not restrict itself to plant products with subtle effects. Many traditional Chinese herbal remedies are, simply put, poisons. When taken in proper doses, they may be safe for use, but dosage miscalculation or use in a particularly susceptible person may lead to serious consequences, including death. For example, in Hong Kong, poisoning caused by the herb aconite (used in numerous Chinese herbal formulas) was sufficiently widespread that public health authorities felt it necessary to launch an information campaign to combat the problem. 45

Besides toxicity caused by Chinese herbs, other problems have been caused by adulteration of herbal products with unlisted ingredients. 36 For example, the Chinese herbal formula PC-SPES, used for prostate cancer, turned out to contain three pharmaceutical drugs-diethylstilbestrol (DES), warfarin (Coumadin), and indomethacin. This appears to have been an intentional adulteration designed somewhat along the lines of a traditional Chinese formula, with one pharmaceutical adulterant that treated prostate cancer balanced by two others to offset the side effects of the first. Unfortunately, the combination is dangerous and has caused at least one case of severe bleeding. 37

In another episode, 8 out of 11 Chinese herbal creams sold in the United Kingdom for the treatment of eczema were found to contain strong pharmaceutical steroids. 38 Other studies have also found steroids in eczema preparations. 59 In addition, Chinese herbal weight loss aids have also been found to contain an unlisted chemical related to the appetite suppressant drug fenfluramine (of fen-phen fame). 60

Herbal products approved by the Japanese government have undergone meaningful safety testing and are very unlikely to contain known toxins or unlisted drugs. However, this does not mean they are completely safe. For example, several case reports suggest that therapy for chronic hepatitis combining an approved herbal formula with the standard drug interferon can cause severe inflammation of the lungs. 39-43

The herbal formulas Takeda Kampo Ichoyaku K-matsu, Taisho Kampo Ichoyaku, and Kanebo Kampo Ichoyaku Hused, all used to treat upset stomach, might reduce the effectiveness of the Parkinson's disease medication levodopa . 70

The bottom line: TCHM is a potentially dangerous form of treatment that should only be used under the supervision of a physician.

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Aristolochia Clematis Astragalus membranaceus Banxia Houpo Tang Biminne Bing Gan Tang Bupleurum, Minor Chinese Herbs Chinese Patent Remedies Coptis Formula Daio-Kanzo-To Fuzheng Jiedu Tang Hange Koboku-To Herbs, Chinese Hochu-Ekki-To Jianpi Wenshen Recipe Kampo Magnolia and Pinelliae Formula Minor Bupleurum PC-SPES Saiboku-To Saiko-Keishi-To Shakuyaku-Kanzo-To Shenshao Shosaiko-To Sho-Seiryu-To Shuang Huang Lian Toki-Shakuyaku-San Tripterygium Hypoglaucum Hutch Xuezhikang Yi Zhu Decoction Zemaphyte Principal Proposed Uses Other Proposed Uses History of Chinese Herbal Medicine Principles of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Types of Chinese Herbal Remedies What Is Chinese Herbal Medicine Used for Today?

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Whenever technology and nature mix, it can lead to major benefits. I have previously mentioned vertical farming; however, I still cannot get the concept out of my head. Vertical farming is such an incredible innovation that I would like to see expand. The current vertical farms have proven to be sustainable in environmental, economic, social, and health factors. It requires a large amount of cooperation to introduce these farms anywhere. Scientists, engineers, farmers, politicians, business leaders, and others in local communities work together to create and maintain these farms. The technology within vertical farms can be expensive but remains an essential investment. It promotes health in the communities where ever they are placed. They eliminate the need for regular farming with land space and water usage. Vertical farming is a major step to providing communities with the materials they may need to have a sustainable food source. I would like to see these farms be integrated into regular society and not just for businesses.  It is visually inspiring and a sign of hope for a sustainable future.

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Why the Future of Farming is in Cities - The Big Money in Vertical Farming