6/26/2021 TCM and Infectious Disease

) compiled in the first or second century C.E. This text discussed the presence of

Re Bing (hot disease), which according to our understanding today, refers to the
various types of infectious disease. ' />

Acupuncture Today – May, 2011, Vol. 12, Issue 05

TCM and Infectious Disease

I
BY JOHN CHEN, PHD, PHARMD, OMD, LAC

n traditional Chinese medicine, the first reference to infectious disease

appeared in Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) compiled in
the first or second century C.E.
This text discussed the presence of
Re Bing (hot disease), which
according to our understanding
today, refers to the various types of
infectious disease.

The understanding of infectious

disease progressed further during
the Ming and Qing dynasties as many
people in Southern China suffered
and died from a variety of feverish
conditions. Many doctors recognized that these patterns of illness were
significantly different from shang han (cold damage) patterns, and therefore,
must be diagnosed and treated differently. W Yu-Xìng, Yè Guì, and Wú Táng,
three of the most influential doctors during that era, collectively contributed
to a new school of thought, namely wen bing (warm disease). According to this
new theory, warm and hot disease plagued everyone, starting "from one
person to the entire household, from one household to the entire street, and
from one street to the entire village." When affected, the disease first affected
the exterior of the body, and progressed to the interior, following the patterns
of wei (defensive), qi (energy), ying (nutritive), and xue (blood) levels.
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Furthermore, it was observed that the cause of these warm and hot disease

have "no sound nor smell, and no shape nor shadow." In addition, it was noted
that the warm and hot disease may be transmitted from one person to another
via "heaven (air borne)" or "earth (direct contact)," and affect weak, deficient
individuals (i.e., those with low immunity).

Lastly, many of the bitter and cold herbs and formulas used to treat these
warm and hot diseases are recognized today to have remarkable antibiotic
effects. These observations are made and published approximately 200 years
before the discovery of bacteria and other micro-organisms. Wen bing (warm
disease) theories accurately described the origins and transmission of
epidemic disease, and the importance of the immune system in relationship
to the pathogens. Wen bing (warm disease) theories revolutionized and
significantly influenced the theory and practice of traditional Chinese
medicine, changes that persist even today.
Prevention of Infectious Disease

One of the fundamental concepts in traditional Chinese medicine is that

"superior medicine prevents disease, and inferior medicine treats disease."
Prevention of infectious disease is certainly no exception since bacteria and
virus tend to adversely affect those who have weakened or compromised
immune systems. Many herbs and formulas that tonify wei (defensive) qi have
been shown to have marked effect to boost the immune system. Examples
include:
Classic formulas with immunostimulant effect:

• Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction)

• Ren Shen Yang Ying Tang (Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Nutritive Qi)
• Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction)
• Si Jun Zi Tang (Four-Gentlemen Decoction)
• Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder)

Herbs with immunostimulant effect:

• Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps)

• Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng)
• Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsis)
• Huang Qi (Radix Astragali)

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• Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)


Treatment of Infectious Disease
Traditional Chinese medicine consider infectious disease as wen bing (warm
disease) and treat it with heat-clearing herbs. Many of these herbs are
confirmed to have remarkable antibiotic effects, including antibacterial and
antiviral. In addition to traditional diagnosis and treatment, the following
herbs and formulas may be considered to more precisely target and treat
infectious disease.

Classic formulas with antibiotic effect:

• Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder)

• Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity)
• Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Decoction to Drain the Liver)
• Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin (Universal Benefit Decoction to Eliminate Toxin)
• Ba Zheng San (Eight-Herb Powder for Rectification)

Herbs that have antibacterial effect include:

• Bai Tou Weng (Radix Pulsatillae)

• Chuan Xin Lian (Herba Andrographis)
• Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis)
• Hu Zhang (Rhizoma et Radix Polygoni Cuspidati)
• Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis)
• Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae)
• Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis)
• Pu Gong Ying (Herba Taraxaci)
• Shan Dou Gen (Radix et Rhizoma Sophorae Tonkinensis)

Herbs that have antiviral effect include:

• Ban Lan Gen (Radix Isatidis)

• Da Qing Ye (Folium Isatidis)
• Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae)
• Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae)
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• Ye Ju Hua (Flos Chrysanthemi Indici) 

In Western medicine, the discovery of antibiotic drugs is one of the major

breakthroughs in modern medicine. It enables doctors to effectively treat
many different types of infections. Unfortunately, decades of abuse and
misuse have led to growing problems of bacterial mutation and resistance. At
this moment, many of these "super bugs" can only be treated with the newest
and most potent antibiotic drugs, and unfortunately, many of them have
potent side effects as well. Due to the number of antibiotic drugs, and the
various species of micro-organisms, it is beyond the scope of this article to
discuss the benefits and risks of each individual drug. As a category, antibiotic
drugs are extremely effective against most types of bacterial infections. The
key points are to select the correct antibiotic drug with least potential side
effects, and make sure that the patient finishes the entire course of therapy.

In traditional Chinese medicine, herbs and herbal formulas are also

extremely effective for treatment of various infections. In fact, most modern
pharmaceutical drugs were originally derived from natural sources, including
penicillin [the oldest antibiotic] and gentimicin [one of the most potent]. One
of the main benefits of using herbs is their wide spectrum of antibiotic effect,
with indications for bacterial and viral infections. Furthermore, most of these
herbs are extremely safe, and do not have the same harsh side effects as
drugs. Therefore, when treating patients with bacterial or viral infections, it
may be beneficial to use the herbs noted with confirmed antibacterial and
antiviral effects.
In summary, both drugs and herbs are effective to treat mild to moderate
cases of bacterial infections. However, because drugs are more immediately
potent and can be prescribed with more laboratory precision (via cultures and
sensitivity tests), they are more appropriate for life-threatening infections,
such as meningitis or encephalitis, or mutant strains of bacteria, such as beta-
lactam-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). On the other hand, use of herbs is far more
effective than drugs for treating certain viral infections, such as the common
cold and influenza, as drugs are essentially ineffective for these conditions.
Most importantly, herbs are much gentler to the body and safer than drugs. In
other words, herbs treat infection without damaging the patient's underlying
constitution. This allows the patient to recover faster, and become more
resistant to secondary or re-current infections.

References

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1. Gilbert D, Moellering R. and Sande M. The Sanford Guide to


Antimicrobial Therapy 1999. 29th Edition. Antimicrobial Therapy, Inc.
Hyde Park, VT USA.
2. W Yu-Xìng, also known as W Yòu-K, 1580's – 1660's (exact dates of his
birth and death are unknown).
3. Yè Guì, also known as Yè Tin-Shì, 1666 – 1745.
4. Wú Táng, also known as Wú J-Tng, 1758 – 1836.
5. Wen Re Lun (Discussion of Warm and Hot Disorders) by the apprentices
of Ye Gui between 1745 to 1766.
6. Wen Yi Lun (Discussion of Epidemic Warm Disease) by W Yu-Xìng in
1642.
7. Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Disease) by Wú
Táng in 1798.
8. Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (Thousands of Golden Prescriptions for
Emergencies) by Sún Sí-Mio in the middle of the 7th century.
9. Chen J. Chen T. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications, 2009. Art of
Medicine Press. City of Industry, CA USA.
10. Zhong Yi Fang Ji Xian Dai Yan Jiu (Modern Study of Medical Formulae in
Traditional Chinese Medicine) 1997;652-654.
11. Guo Wai Yi Xue Zhong Yi Zhong Yao Fen Ce (Monograph of Chinese
Herbology from Foreign Medicine) 1992;14(2):52.
12. Zhong Yi Fang Ji Xian Dai Yan Jiu (Modern Study of Medical Formulae in
Traditional Chinese Medicine) 1997;520-521.
13. Zhong Cheng Yao Yan Jiu (Research of Chinese Patent Medicine)
1981;12:28.
14. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi (Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western
Medicine) 1990;12:22.
15. Chen J. Chen T. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, 2004. Art
of Medicine Press. City of Industry, CA USA.
16. Shang Hai Yi Yao Za Zhi (Shanghai Journal of Medicine and Herbology),
1988; 1:48
17. Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 729:736
18. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi (Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western
Medicine), 1985; 5(8):487

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19. Biol Pharm Bull, 1977; 20(11)-1178-82


20. Xin Yi Yao Xue Za Zhi (New Journal of Medicine and Herbology), 1979;
6:60
21. Chen J. Chen T. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications, 2009. Art of
Medicine Press. City of Industry, CA USA.
22. Zhong Cheng Yao (Study of Chinese Patent Medicine) 1990;12(1):22.
23. Hu Bei Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Hubei Journal of Chinese Medicine) 1981;4:30.
24. Zhong Yao Yao Li Du Li Yu Lin Chuang (Pharmacology, Toxicology and
Clinical Applications of Chinese Herbs) 1991;(1):5.
25. Chen J, Chen T. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. City of
Industry, CA: Art of Medicine Press, 2004.
26. Zhong Yi Yao Xin Xi (Information on Chinese Medicine and Herbology)
1987;6:31.
27. Chen J. Chen T. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, 2004. Art
of Medicine Press. City of Industry, CA USA.
28. CA, 1948; 42:4228a
29. Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998, 178:179
30. Zhong Hua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Chinese Journal of Medicine), 1958; 44(9):888
31. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi (Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western
Medicine), 1989; 9(8):494
32. Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 556-558
33. Zhong Yao Da Ci Dian (Dictionary of Chinese Herbs), 1977: 2032
34. Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1988; 137:140
35. Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 148:151
36. Zhong Yi Yao Xue Bao (Report of Chinese Medicine and Herbology), 1991;
(1):41
37. Xian Dai Shi Yong Yao Xue (Practical Applications of Modern Herbal
Medicine), 1988; 5(1):7
38. Zhong Cheng Yao Yan Jiu (Research of Chinese Patent Medicine), 1987;
12:9
39. Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 174:175
40. Shan Xi Xin Yi Yao (New Medicine and Herbology of Shanxi), 1980;
9(11):51
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41. Shan Xi Xin Yi Yao (New Medicine and Herbology of Shanxi), 1980;

9(11):51
42. Zhong Hua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Chinese Journal of Medicine), 1962; 48(3):188

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