Though this book has presented many references to Chinese medical philosophy, acupuncture energy systems, and Chinese herbs, it is not intended to be a text on Chinese medicine nor does it have an agenda to advocate Chinese medicine over any other system. However, in my clinical view, no treatment of viruses is complete without the use of Chinese medicine.
In this chapter I discuss several Chinese herbal medicines that are essential inclusions in your viral immunity program. Chinese medicines will not only make your plan more effective, but they will provide additional health benefits, like improved cardiovascular function, and they may even reduce the effects of aging.
Let's look at some of the reasons why Chinese medicine is so important in the treatment of viral conditions.
This information may seem daunting, but let me assure you that it is not necessary for you to be an expert in Chinese medicine to put these therapies to use in your program, any more than you have to be a nutritionist to eat properly. However, if you have questions or desire a more detailed approach to the use of Chinese medicine for viral conditions, read further from the books in the recommended reading list or seek the services of an experienced acupuncturist or doctor of Oriental medicine. A skilled Chinese medicine professional can perform a detailed diagnostic workup for you, and will recommend a treatment plan that may include acupuncture as well as herbs matched to your individual situation.
Chinese herbal medicines cover all the aspects of immune protection discussed in this book, along with some additional benefits. Therefore, they can enhance and improve every step of your viral immunity program.
If you use steroids, antiviral drugs, or pharmaceutical interferon, certain Chinese herbs may be used concurrently to reduce the side effects of those drugs. For example: ginseng and wu jia pi / radix acanthopanax (Acanthopanax senticosus) have been used to protect against damage to the immune system caused by radiation treatments during cancer therapy. Formulas containing Chai Hu / radix bupleuri (Bupleurum falcatum) have been used to enhance the effects of steroids and at the same time reduce the immune-damaging side effects of these drugs. Keep in mind that combining herbs with drugs may cause complications and should be only done by a knowledgeable physician, especially in the case of bupleurum-containing formulas (see the section on bupleurum in this chapter for more details).
Many Chinese herbs, such as ginseng and astragalus, have powerful immune-modulating effects. A considerable number of them have been shown to induce production of natural interferons, including bupleurum, astragalus, and lithospermum (Lithospermum crythrorhizon). Additionally, in our age of rampant cancers, AIDS, and worldwide chronic hepatitis, extensive screening of Chinese herbs has taken place for their immune-modulating effects and antiviral activity.
A recent Cochrane Review, an authoritative collection of scientific evidence for the presumed efficacy of medical therapies from Oxford University in England, assessed nine randomized trials of 936 patients and concluded that some Chinese herbs have effectiveness against hepatitis B virus (Liu 2001). The authors recommended further research to evaluate the potential clinical use for these herbs in conventional therapy. In another study, 1,000 Chinese herbs were screened for antiviral activity and 127 were found to be effective, and 28 were classified as highly inhibitory (Zheng 1992).
Chinese herbs exert anti-inflammatory effects and are useful in inflammatory conditions induced by cell-mediated immunity, irritable bowel syndrome, pneumonitis (a respiratory tract inflammation), and tissue inflammation caused by viruses (like herpes blisters or liver inflammation from hepatitis virus). The flavonoids in huang qin / radix scutellaria (Scutellaria baicalensis) and other Chinese herbs act as modulators of the inflammatory response. Many Chinese herbs have liver-protective properties and are useful in managing the liver-damaging effects of chronic hepatitis B and C.
One of the most important contributions of Chinese herbs to world medicine is the use of adaptogens—substances (like ginseng) that improve homeostasis, reduce the effects of stress, restore organ energy reserves, and enhance hormone balance. In dysfunctional immunological states, chronic underlying homeostatic disturbances occur, and no drug can put all the pieces of the immunological system back together again. In such cases, the long-term ingestion of traditional Chinese tonic remedies with adaptogenic properties is not only helpful, but may be essential to complete recovery.
In the following sections, you will learn about the most important Chinese herbs in these categories. I focus on those individual herbs and formulas that have antiviral activity and that are the best-known immune enhancers.
I have already introduced several Chinese herbs with antiviral activity, including phyllanthus, cordyceps, and ganoderma. In this section, I will discuss several more important antiviral and immune-modulating Chinese herbs.
Andrographis: Chuan xin lian / herba andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) has great therapeutic potential in the treatment of infections. It is a member of the Acanthaceae family and grows wild or under cultivation in China, India, and Southeast Asia. It contains the lactone compound, andro-grapholide, and has been studied in the treatment of HIV, bacterial infections, and the common cold.
Traditionally, andrographis is used in Chinese medicine to treat respiratory, throat, urinary tract, and skin infections. I have used andrographis successfully for several decades in my practice for the treatment of bacterial and viral upper respiratory tract infections like sinusitis, for tonsillitis and pharyngitis (sore throat), and as a detoxifying agent in cancer treatments.
It is generally considered safe, but in high dosages or with extended use it may cause allergic reactions, so its use is best limited to 1–2 weeks at a time. It is available in tinctured form, dry extracts, and can be found packaged in capsules under the name Andrographis Formula, a 90 percent andrographis extract with 10 percent yan hu suo / rhizoma corydalis (Corydalis yanhusuo); this is a Chinese medicine to activate blood circulation and relieve pain. The dosage of Andrographis Formula is two capsules three to four times daily, or 10–20 drops of the tincture three to four times daily. It can be used to treat influenza, the common cold, or opportunistic bacterial co-infections in chronic viral illnesses or deficient immunity.
Astragalus: Like ginseng, huang qi / radix astragali (Astragalus membranaceus) is considered an adaptogenic tonic that regulates the body's physiology and helps to restore normal homeostasis. Also like ginseng, astragalus is valued in traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to improve digestion and rebuild the body's energy, referred to as the spleen qi and yang.
Its particular characteristic of stabilizing the immune system's defensive energy (wei qi) makes astragalus the ideal herb for immune enhancement. In Chinese medicine, the three energy functions of strong spleen qi (digestive and nutritive function), yang energy (aggressive energy), and wei qi (immune resistance), are the most important factors for a healthy immune system that can defend the body against infections.
Astragalus is a polysaccharide-rich plant that has a marked effect on the human immune system. It stimulates interferon production, enhances immune cell activity, and stimulates the destruction of cancer cells. Though astragalus has no direct antiviral activity, it is important as an adaptogen (an immunomodulator) in a viral immunity program. It is usually taken as a tea by simmering 9–30 g of the dried sliced root per cup of water. Astragalus is safe to take in dosages up to 60 g or even more, and there are no reported side effects for long-term daily use of dosages in the 9–30 g range. It is also available in capsules: take two to three 500 mg capsules two times daily.
Bupleurum: Chai hu / radix bupleuri (Bupleurum falcatum) belongs to the Apiaceae family which has sixty-five different bupleurum species in temperate climate zones worldwide. It is a perennial herb native to northern China, across northern Asia, and parts of Europe. Bupleurum contains several saponin compounds (saikosaponin c, a, and d), triterpene glycosides (saikosides), the essential oils furfural and bupleurumol, and flavonoids. It is reported to have anti-inflammatory properties, to activate phagocytosis, and be liver protective; it stimulates T and B cells, and inhibits herpes simplex and other viruses. In Chinese medicine, the root is used medicinally to treat unresolved respiratory tract infections and hepatitis. However, it is not used alone, but combined with other herbs.
The most well-known bupleurum-containing formula is Minor Bupleurum Decoction, which is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis (see below). Though scientific data on this herb is limited, bupleurum is considered nontoxic and safe for short-term use in treating acute viral illnesses like influenza. However, serious interactions between this herb and some drugs have been seen. Refer to the precautionary note on bupleurum-containing formulas further on in this chapter.
Coptis: Huang lian / rhizoma coptidis (Coptis chinensis) is used in traditional Chinese medicine to clear “damp heat” syndromes; conditions characterized by inflammation, tissue swelling and edema, and discharge of body fluids like diarrhea or mucus drainage. Coptis is used in the treatment of bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts like abscesses, dysentery, gastritis, and sinusitis. It is also a very useful remedy for conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” an inflammation of the white part of the eye caused by bacteria or viruses. Coptis contains the isoquinoline berberine chlorides, sulfates, and coptisine; berberine is the bright yellow, bitter antimicrobial alkaloid discussed in the previous chapter. Coptis berberines have been extensively studied in Asia for their anti-inflammatory effects; coptis also has liver-protective properties and anti-cancer activity.
Coptis can be used by itself or in combination with other berberine containing compounds and along with other antimicrobial herbs to treat systemic bacterial co-infections. It is a very powerful herb, and I have found it to be as effective as or more effective than standardized mixed berberine extracts. However, since individual patients respond differently to various formulations, even of similar compounds, I use both the European standardized berberine extract and Chinese coptis. The herb is considered safe and without toxicity, and may be used long term without side effects.
In my clinical practice, I use two forms of coptis. The traditional form is called Huang Lian Su Pian, and consists of the extract coptin; it is packaged in glass vials containing twelve small tablets per vial. I use this form for minor food poisoning, gastritis, and traveler's diarrhea. Typically, I recommend two tablets two to four times daily until symptoms improve. For liver and gallbladder inflammation, and systemic bacterial and yeast infections accompanying chronic viruses, I use a standardized extract of coptis. Each tablet contains 100 mg of coptin and is available from HepaPro. The typical dosage is two tablets taken three to four times daily, 10–20 minutes before ingesting food.
Ginseng: Ren shen / radix ginseng (Panax ginseng) is the most studied of Chinese herbs. The Chinese revere ginseng for its use as a longevity medicine, and the highest quality ginseng is worth more than its weight in gold. Traditionally it is considered the premier energy tonic and is used to treat weakness and deficiency of the spleen and kidney qi. In 1986, immunostimulating polysaccharides were isolated from ginseng; research since has shown that ginseng improves cell-mediated immunity. An Italian study in 1996 with 227 subjects showed that ginseng had preventive effects on the common cold and influenza. The main therapeutic components of ginseng are ginsenosides; several recent studies have shown that the ginsenosides Rb1 and Rb2 inhibit cancer progression, and another study discovered a new protein from ginseng called panaxagin, which has both antifungal and antiviral activity.
Ginseng improves stamina, reduces the effects of stress, has anti-inflammatory activity, elevates mood and energy, and when taken consistently over a period of time can give a sense of well being, benefit blood sugar control, and improve liver function. For therapeutic purposes, I recommend the standardized extract rather than the tea form. It is usually taken in capsules, 100–300 mg, yielding approximately 5–15 mg of ginsenosides, daily. The tea is used as an energy tonic, but not as a stimulant or replacement for coffee. Korean red ginseng extracts are also very effective and are available in most Korean markets. A decoction is made from the root by slowly boiling 3–10 g of the dried and sliced root for about one hour. This method can yield up to 100 mg of ginsenosides per day.
Ginseng improves stamina, reduces the effects of stress, has anti-inflammatory activity, elevates mood and energy, and when taken consistently over a period of time can give a sense of well being, benefit blood sugar control, and improve liver function. It is usually taken in capsules, 100–300 mg, yielding approximately 5–15 mg of ginsenosides, daily.
Though ginseng is considered safe for long-term use, there are several contraindications. It should not be taken if you have high blood pressure, have an active infection, fever, or inflammatory condition, and you should not take ginseng if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibiting anti-depressants (Nardil, Parnate) or anti-Parkinson drugs like selegiline (Deprenyl) that have MAO inhibiting activity. Do not take ginseng during pregnancy or give it to children.
Isatis: Ban lan gen / radix isatidis (Isatis tinctoria) is another powerful antimicrobial Chinese herb. It is a member of the mustard family and is the source of a natural indigo dye. In Chinese medicine it is used to clear “internal heat,” inflammation and infection in the organs, and can treat bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections. I use it for influenza and combine it with antimicrobial herbs, like andrographis, to lower viral load in chronic viral illnesses.
Licorice: Gan cao / radix glycyrrhizae (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is Chinese licorice and is the most frequently used of all Chinese herbs. Traditionally, it is combined in formulas to enhance the activity of the other herbs and is thought to nourish the spleen, expel phlegm, and clear “latent heat”—the unresolved conditions of chronic viral infections like herpes and hepatitis C. In these latent heat cases, low-grade inflammation and infection linger in the tissues and are difficult to eradicate.
In modern Chinese medicine, the concentrated extract glycyrrhizine (often given intravenously) is used as a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. It also has antiviral activity and used as a detoxifying agent and for peptic ulcers in a form with the glycyrrhizine removed.
Glycyrrhizine is also considered an immunomodulating drug and mimics naturally-produced steroid hormones. It contains the triterpenes glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid and has been studied extensively for the treatment of hepatitis. The mechanisms by which glycyrrhizin works for hepatitis are still unknown and the pharmaceutical form is not an approved drug in the United States. In my practice, I use an oral extract form for active liver inflammation in patients with HCV. It is available in capsules; however, due to its potential serious side effects, I do not recommend you use concentrated glycyrrhizine without the supervision of a doctor.
Caution: In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice root is only used in very small amounts as a complement to other formulas. Since the side effects were known by the ancient Chinese, precautions were taken to remove some of the active component by steaming and drying to reduce the toxic effects. This purified form can be used in small dosages safely without concern of side effects.
Concentrated glycyrrhizine, on the other hand, can cause swelling, high blood pressure, and fatigue in about 20 percent of patients due to its effects on mineralocorticoid hormones. Do not use glycyrrhizine if you have edema, hypertension, kidney disease, or arrhythmia (heartbeat irregularity), or if you are taking prescription diuretics or Digoxin.
Ligustrum: Nu zhen zi / fructus ligustri (Ligustrum lucidum) is used traditionally as a liver yin tonic to treat dizziness, tinnitus, and eye problems. Ligustrin, the concentrated extract, contains oleanolic acid and other substances and is used as a liver-protective medication. Ligustrin has been shown to inhibit liver degeneration, protect against liver damage from hepatitis and liver cancer, and exert immune-modulating effects. It is a safe herb and can be taken over a long period of time. The therapeutic dosage of ligustrin is 300 mg, taken three times daily 10–20 minutes before meals. A tea can also be prepared from the roasted seeds; however, it is time-consuming to make and is not as effective as the extract.
Schizandra: Wu wei zi / fructus schizandrae (Schizandra chinensis) is a member of the magnolia family and is traditionally used to control “leakage of vital essence” from the body. The Chinese believe that the body produces a vital essence, jing. This is different from yet similar to and just as important to health as the qi; it is present in semen, saliva, and other body fluids. Schizandra treats cough, wheezing, asthma, noninfectious frequent urination, and spontaneous sweating. Extensive research in Asia has been conducted on schizandra for its liver-protective effects and seven liver-enzyme lowering substances have been found including schizandrin B and C. Schizandrin has powerful antioxidant properties and can significantly improve glutathione status.
Extracts of schizandra are generally not used alone, but are commonly found as a primary ingredient in formulas for HCV, such as Hepala or Eurocell, both discussed in the next section. Generally considered safe, schizandrin is contraindicated in pregnancy, in patients with epilepsy, or if you have a peptic ulcer.
Though several of the herbs discussed in the previous section (ginseng, astragalus, and coptis) can be used alone, Chinese medicine usually applies formulas containing several ingredients, using a family of different herbs, as it were, each with its own characteristics and personalities.
The wisdom of the Chinese doctors is that individual herbs work synergistically to increase the overall effect of a formula while also decreasing toxicity. Combination therapy also greatly increases the number of active component interactions and thereby reduces the chance of microorganisms developing resistance—an important concept in working with viral infections.
In my clinical practice, I mainly use formulas that are based upon traditional principles of prescribing. I also follow the modern Chinese research and will experiment with new or adapted formulas or individual herbs. However, in respect for a system that has thousands of years of continuous use, I always remain rooted in traditional Chinese methods.
Minor Bupleurum Decoction: Minor Bupleurum Decoction (MBD) is the formula of our times. In my practice, I routinely prescribe this formula for a variety of conditions including lingering or recurrent influenza and chronic HCV. It is so versatile that many modern American practitioners of Chinese medicine rank it among their favorite formulas. This one formula addresses many of the immune conditions affecting modern people: it increases energy, controls infections, clears phlegm, and detoxifies.
Traditionally, MBD is the premier formula for shaoyang stage illnesses, that is, those conditions characterized by lingering symptoms that are stuck between the interior regions of the body and the surface. Located principally between the diaphragm and the throat, especially around the liver area on the right side under the rib cage, shaoyang conditions manifest as chronic viral disease, chronic inflammatory conditions, and chronic fatigue—all the conditions discussed in this book.
The individual herbs in the formula are thought to harmonize the defensive and constructive energies simultaneously, allowing the body to remove pathogenic influences and rebuild energy and strength. MBD is composed of six Chinese herbs with several slices of fresh ginger added. Bupleurum root clears stagnation from the liver and supports detoxification functions; it also has antiviral and immune-modulating activity as mentioned earlier, and clears pathogenic influences from the surface of the body.
It is paired in the decoction with Chinese skullcap or scutellaria root (Scutellariae baicalensis), which clears dampness and heat from the liver, gallbladder, stomach, and large intestine; it also removes pathogenic influences from the interior of the body. Scutellaria is a flavonoid-rich plant with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiretroviral, antitumor, and antibacterial properties.
Together, bupleurum and scutellaria synergistically regulate the shaoyang, and by doing so, help to reduce inflammation. A small amount of ginseng is added, complemented by red dates (Zizyphi jujubae) and honey-fried licorice, to improve digestive function, enhance the constructive energies, supplement and fortify the spleen, and “nourish” the spirit (shen) residing in the heart. In Chinese medicine, the therapeutic method of “nourishing the spirit” refers to herbal or acupuncture treatments that calm the nerves, lessen anxiety, improve the mood, and clear the mind.
Pinellia (Pinelliae ternatae) in this decoction removes stagnant phlegm from the chest and stomach. The fresh ginger supports the stomach and enhances the activity of the entire formula as latent pathogens rise to the surface for removal from the system.
MBD (xiao chai hu tang in Chinese; sho-saiko-to in Japanese) is the best selling traditional Chinese herbal formula in Japan and one of the most widely used in the world. It was originally recorded in the herbal classic Shan Han Lun more than a thousand years ago. Consider this: A medication in continuous use for thousands of years is not only still in use, but more widely used now than it ever has been. Can you imagine a Western drug that will be in use one thousand years from now?
Ginseng is the most researched of all individual Chinese herbs (and one of the ingredients in the formula), and MBD is the most researched herbal formula, extensively studied in Japan, Korea, and China for its use in hepatitis. Pharmacologically, it has immune-modulating activity, reduces inflammation, is antiviral and antibacterial, and exerts liver-protective effects. MBD is used to treat bronchial asthma, influenza, common cold, sinusitis, and chronic hepatitis B and C.
It is available in concentrated extract form from several Taiwanese manufacturers. In my practice, I use Brion (Sun Ten) Herbs. For lingering influenza or colds, the dosage is typically three to four capsules, three times daily, away from food, for 5–10 days. For chronic viral diseases, I typically recommend two capsules, three times daily for 1–3 months. I generally alternate the next 1–3 months with phyllanthus or a different Chinese antiviral formula as a method of preventing the possibility of side effects occurring from continuous use of any one herb or herbal formula. Three months is also a sufficient amount of time to achieve therapeutic benefits.
Though Minor Bupleurum Decoction is considered safe and nontoxic for short-term use, when given concurrently with interferon for the treatment of hepatitis C it has been associated with increased incidence of acute pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs) and interstitial pneumonia, having produced sixteen fatal cases in Japan.
Since the herbal formula alone does not cause lung inflammation and interstitial pneumonia can occur with interferon therapy alone, researchers suspect that it is the combination of the two that causes the increased incidence of this serious side effect rather than herbs in the formula. Though the exact interaction is still unknown, researchers suggest the herbs may increase pro-inflammatory interleukin levels, while the interferon may cause neutrophils to accumulate in the lungs triggering an immune reaction. Never take this formula if you are taking interferon.
Additionally, Minor Bupleurum Decoction is known to inhibit prednisolone (a common steroid drug) metabolism. This can result in higher levels of the drug in the body, leading to increased possibility of steroid-induced side effects, such as immune suppression. Do not take this formula while on any type of steroid medication without the supervision of a doctor. As it also can up-regulate the immune system, it should not be used by people with rheumatoid arthritis, transplant patients, or for any condition in which over-active immunity is undesirable.
Due to the increasing incidence of HIV and HCV infection, Chinese doctors have researched individual herbs and formulas from their traditional materia medica and have created new formulas, or modifications of existing formulas, to meet the demands generated by emerging viral diseases. In one study, 472 herbs were screened for antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus; after repeated testing, ten new herbs were found to have antiviral activity, among them Patrinia villosa, one of the active herbs in Eurocel, a formula discussed below.
CH-100: This was tested on HCV patients in a study performed in John Hunter Hospital of Newcastle, Australia, by Professor R. G. Batey of Newcastle University. Like most of the formulas discussed in this chapter, CH-100 proved to be effective in normalizing levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase), but not in reducing the overall viral load. Because ALT is usually elevated in hepatitis C patients, it is used as a sensitive indicator of injury to liver cells. During the course of treatment, ALT levels are often tracked by doctors to determine improvement or worsening of liver inflammation. CH-100 is imported from China by Cathay Herbal Laboratories.
Eurocel: This is a Korean product distributed by Allergy Research Group in the U.S. It is composed of Patrinia villosa, Artemisia capillaries, and schizandra. Patrinia, or bai hua bai jiang cao, is a wild perennial plant used in Japan and Korea to reduce liver toxicity. What makes this formula attractive for HCV treatment is that a small pilot study carried out over a two-year period in Korea showed dramatic reduction in ALT levels, as well as viral load.
Keep in mind that one study of ten patients does not mean that this formula will work for you, but it may be worth a trial of four to six months with a liver function panel taken before and after. One of my HCV patients added this formula to his regimen of natural medicines, and after four months of treatment, his ALT levels dropped by 50 percent—a significant change. The typical recommended dosage is two to three capsules, two times per day.
HEPA 1A Formula: Developed by Dr. Zhang, one of the leading authorities on the treatment of HCV with Chinese medicine, this remedy contains several Chinese herbs with broad-spectrum antiviral and liver-protective effects, including radix scutellaria / huang qin (Scutellariae baicalensis) and fructus schizandra / wu wei zhi (Schizandrae chinensis). Scutellaria has broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects and anti-inflammatory activity useful in treating viral hepatitis. Schizandra has been studied extensively in liver diseases and hepatitis. It lowers ALT levels, improves liver function, and aids in regeneration of liver tissue.
This formula is used to reduce liver inflammation and lower the viral load in HCV patients. A typical dosage is to take two 500 mg capsules, three times daily on an empty stomach, about 10–20 minutes before meals.
Qing Tui Tang: Developed in China and available in the United States from the Institute for Traditional Medicine in Portland, Oregon, this antiviral formula has been shown to improve liver function and reduce inflammation in HCV patients. The formula contains several herbs including bupleurum, polygonum, and astragalus. It is taken as a 5:1 concentrate in granule form, 6–9 g, three times daily without food. It is considered safe and non-toxic.
Although echinacea and other North American and European herbs are commonly used to treat the common cold and influenza, I highly recommend that you learn how to use Chinese prepared medicines for these illnesses. I have discussed the reasons elsewhere in the book, but because of their importance, it is worthwhile mentioning them again.
Foremost is that influenza virus strains originate in China and the Chinese have several thousands of years of experience treating these illnesses with sophisticated herbal formulas. If you use echinacea frequently, you may have noticed that its effectiveness ebbs over time. No one knows why this happens, but researchers and clinicians suggest that either the body adapts to the herb, becoming less responsive, or that the infectious organisms develop resistance to the herbal ingredients.
Since Chinese formulas for influenza are composed of at least eight to twelve herbs from different therapeutic classes, there is less chance of either the body or the microorganisms adapting. Regardless of the reasons why an herb may lose effectiveness, it is a good idea to have four to six different herbal flu remedies in your cupboard, and to alternate them every few months during flu season to prevent adaptation.
Gan Mao: This is the Chinese term for the common cold. There are several different forms of the prepared medicine Gan Mao, but one of my clinical favorites for mild cases of the common cold or flu is Gan Mao Tui Re Chun Ji, an instant granule preparation containing isatis; it is mixed directly into hot water. It also works well as a preventative. Take one package three to four times daily for treatment of a cold or one to two packages daily for prevention. It also comes as a tablet or capsule and is called Gan Mao Ling. Though the herbal ingredients of the tablet are somewhat different from the granules, they both can be used for fever due to the common cold or flu. Typically, I advise people to take four to five tablets three times daily, or every hour in the acute stages.
Yin Qiao San: This is a formula from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) and very popular in China. Its action is similar to Gan Mao Ling, and they may be used interchangeably. Yin Qiao has been adapted into a new formula that suits modern febrile illnesses. Called Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian, this formula has immune-stimulating properties, is antiviral, and reduces fever and inflammation; it is stronger than regular Yin Qiao. A recommended dose is two to three tablets, three times a day or more frequently for acute symptoms.
Zhong Gan Ling: The third remedy for seasonal viral infections is Zhong Gan Ling. It is used primarily for influenza with symptoms of fever and achiness, and is stronger than regular Gan Mao Ling or Yin Qiao San. A recommended dose is four to six tablets, three times a day.
Our environment and fast-paced lifestyle deplete deep reserves of our energy and exhaust the essence—the yin and jing qi—of our vital organs. According to doctors of traditional Chinese medicine, this severe depletion is one of the underlying causes of the breakdown of our immune function. Chinese doctors have always been masters of the knowledge of replenishment (the opposite of depletion): the preservation, cultivation, and restoration of intrinsic energy, vital resources, and the tonification of healing potential within the body. This system of therapy of restoration, called fushen, is needed now more than ever.
Knowledge of replenishment therapies is critical in managing serious viral diseases like HIV and HCV, and it can help to prevent immune dysfunction and retard aging. I have already discussed several Chinese herbs in this category, chief among them ginseng. Others include ganoderma and astragalus, each notable for its ability to restore qi and yang.
Another herb, equally important, but one that restores the body's yin essences and builds the blood is Ho Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum). In use for thousands of years, its properties were first recorded in the Tang Dynasty nearly two thousand years ago. Ho Shou Wu is carefully prepared by soaking the root of the polygonum plant with black soybeans; then it is dried and sliced into very thin, dark red wafers.
Traditionally, polygonum is used as a tonic for the yin and blood, to nourish the hair, strengthen the bones and muscles, and for the treatment of dizziness, tinnitus, weakness in the loins and knees, and numbness in the extremities. It also is useful for abnormal uterine bleeding, and is noted for its recuperative powers for the treatment of weakness after illness or for lingering diseases like malaria. It is an immune modulator and improves cell-mediated immunity, it slows down the degeneration of glands, and it improves cardiovascular function.
Chinese medical theory teaches that if the kidney essence (yin) is depleted by excessive sex, overwork, stress, drugs, or lack of sleep, the body's immune system is unable to defend against all the myriad microorganisms to which we are exposed.
From the energetic point of view, Chinese medical theory teaches that if the kidney essence (yin) is depleted by excessive sex, overwork, stress, drugs, or lack of sleep, the body's immune system is unable to defend against all the myriad microorganisms to which we are exposed. When this happens, we either become sick with a chronic active disease, like hepatitis C, or if we are still somewhat strong, the pathogenic factor, often a virus or other infectious organism, becomes latent, producing slow, lingering effects. The immune system, unable to eliminate the illness with the normal innate response in the early stages of infection, is also unable, due to faulty adaptive mechanisms, to fully eradicate the condition.
If the pathogenic factor is a virus, it then gravitates to certain organs or tissues that it has an affinity for, usually the liver or the nervous system. In either case, unless the yin essence is restored, the body's immune response is inadequate to expel latent or chronic active viruses, and you gradually become sicker.
To assess your yin status, answer the questionnaire in the Yin Deficiency Self-Test. If you answer “yes” to more than three questions, most likely you have some stage of yin deficiency and should consider adding polygonum into your viral immunity program. The typical dosage is 9–15 g of the root, prepared as a tea by simmering the herb in one quart of water for 30–45 minutes. Drink one cup, two times daily, away from food.
Polygonum also comes as a prepared medicine from China. Called Shuo Wu Pian and produced by the Shanghai Medicine Works, it comes in a bottle of 100 easy-to-swallow coated tablets. The recommended dose is five to ten pills, three times daily on an empty stomach. You can also buy it combined with other tonic herbs in a liquid extract called Shou Wu Chih. This preparation is taken in 1-ounce doses, one time daily in the evening, or it can be added to hot water to make a tea. Polygonum is a safe and non-toxic herb and can be taken over a long period of time without side effects.
How to Use Chinese Herbs in Your Viral Immunity Plan: Chinese herbs are used in two main ways: as adaptogens to improve energy status and organ reserve and as antimicrobials to treat viral illnesses and bacterial co-infections. If you have a chronic viral disease and are fatigued, add ginseng, cordyceps, ganoderma, astragalus, or polygonum to your program. Cordyceps and ganoderma may be combined with other immune-modulating mushroom extracts for general immune enhancement. Ginseng is used if you are very fatigued, feel cold, and have weakened digestion. Astragalus is used if there are recurrent colds, repeated minor infections, muscle weakness, poor healing or recovery, and mild fatigue. Polygonum, as described above, is for symptoms of yin deficiency.
Chinese antimicrobial herbs are essential in any plan that treats chronic viral disorders. Choose one of the formulas discussed in this chapter and take it as directed for three months. If you have an acute infection or a bacterial co-infection, choose one of the individual herbs, like coptin or andrographis, and combine it into your program along with the formula. If you have concerns or questions, be sure to discuss them with a specialist in Chinese medicine.
Caution: Here is a summary of precautions to take when using Chinese herbs.
When selecting Chinese herbs, choose only one or two individual herbs, and only one formula at a time.
Just as well-organized groups of herbs can be synergistic and beneficial when used together, taking multiple herbs at the same time can cause interactions to take place that can either cancel out their positive effects or cause unexpected side effects. Luckily, with natural medicine any negative effects are usually limited to gastrointestinal upset.
If you experience nausea, abdominal bloating or discomfort, or diarrhea when taking Chinese herbs, discontinue immediately.
Consult a specialist in Chinese medicine to help tailor herbs to your specific condition and individual needs.
Acupuncture is a therapeutic system that uses thin stainless steel or other metallic needles inserted lightly into the skin and underlying soft tissue (muscle, ligament, and adipose) at the sites of specific acupuncture points. This is done to manipulate energy currents that flow in the body and to promote healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and harmonize the body's intrinsic energy.
Though there is little conclusive scientific evidence that acupuncture increases specific immune activity, there is considerable empirical evidence that acupuncture treatments strengthen and normalize immunity. Acupuncturists and their patients repeatedly report that treatments confer immune benefits. For example: patients report considerably fewer colds and incidences of influenza, more energy, sleep improvement, less pain, uplifted moods—all conditions that influence the immune system in a positive manner.
For the treatment of viral illnesses, the acupuncturist selects points that promote the dispersal of pathogenic energy from within the body. It moves to the surface where it is met, acted upon, and transformed by the defensive energy, the wei chi. The transformed pathogenic energy is dispersed into the body fluids and is then removed from the body in the sweat, respiration, stool, urine, or mucus.
In Chinese medicine, viral illnesses fall under several different classifications, and each is treated differently. For example, a “wind-cold” pattern, characterized by headache and chills, may be caused by viruses or bacteria, resulting in the common cold, influenza, measles, sinusitis, or conjunctivitis. A “wind-heat” pattern, characterized by fever, sweating, and malaise, may cause all the same viral or bacterial infections, as well as bronchitis and conditions characterized by high fever. A “damp-heat” pattern, associated with inflammation and swelling, can be associated with hepatitis as well as gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach. The acupuncturist selects points that match the Chinese diagnosis for the treatment of the imbalanced energy.
The energy of the disease and its manifestation in the body constitute the pathogenic pattern. The acupuncturist further takes into consideration the level at which the disease is lodged and the strength of the patient. For example, in AIDS, the disease affects the deepest levels, those of the blood and bone marrow. On the other extreme, a minor bout of the common cold, which is only on the surface of the body, affecting the respiratory passages like the sinuses, is classified as a superficial “wind-cold” attack with or without hot or cold phlegm retention
In my clinical experience, acupuncture best serves as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment and management of viral disease. It can shorten the length of a cold or flu; it can reduce the side effects of interferon treatment in patients with HCV, promote internal peace and balance, manage inflammation and reduce pain, improve the quality of sleep, and reduce the incidence of infections.
Phlegm is a common sign in respiratory infections, like a runny nose during a cold or the spitting-up (expectoration) of phlegm with bronchitis. In Chinese medicine, “cold phlegm” is clear or white in color and is not associated with serious infection. On the other hand, “hot phlegm” is yellow, green, or brown and is associated with active infection and is therefore more serious. Needle technique, choice of points, and style of manipulation of the needle are different for each condition, the individual's constitution, the state of the body's energy, and the disease.
From the perspective of Chinese medicine, everything in the body is in a constant state of flux that ebbs and flows between health and disease, excess and deficiency, strength and weakness, heat and cold. A skilled acupuncturist seeks to balance disharmony in your body with needles, harmonizing this fluid state of energy, skillfully tonifying weaknesses and smoothing out stagnation, strengthening deficiency, and removing excess—using a variety of techniques to activate your body's healing power.
Though acupuncture can serve as an immune-modulating technique, there are no specific acupuncture points for viruses. That is not to say that acupuncture does not work as an adjunct in the treatment of viral diseases, as it can improve the flow of qi in the liver meridian and into other corresponding physical organs, thereby improving liver function. However, it cannot directly eliminate RNA viruses that cause hepatitis C. But, if in improving liver qi, acupuncture treatments cause effects that enhance the immune response and manage inflammation, then the liver cells themselves could potentially expel the virus.
In my clinical experience, acupuncture best serves as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment and management of viral disease. It can shorten the length of a cold or flu; it can reduce the side effects of interferon treatment in patients with HCV, promote internal peace and balance, manage inflammation and reduce pain, improve the quality of sleep, and reduce the incidence of infections. For an acute viral illness like the common cold, you may need only two to three acupuncture treatments over a period of one to two weeks to get deep relief. For chronic sinusitis, you may need treatment two times weekly for three to six weeks or longer; and for chronic hepatitis, weekly treatments of several months or even a year or two may be required.