RMHI CD-ROM: Suggestions for Update

[Guest guest]

Hi Roger,

 

> Hi Phil, [One must define] herb-drug interactions; the medical

> community bandy this term about without ever defining it. Most

> so-called " herb-drug interactions " are not true interactions; they

> are additive effects that create an overdose of a particular

> action. For example, using a blood-thinning drug such as heparin

> together with several blood-thinning herbs.

 

Agreed. Synergistic (agonistic) effects are the most obvious.

However, one must consider antagonistic effects also. One should

be cautios of either agonising or antagonising the effects of

prescribed (or self-prescribed) allopathic drugs. :

 

Examples: (a) Hbs with hypertensive effect must be used with

caution (if at all) in people taking hypotensive OR hypertensive

medication.

 

(b) Hbs with hyperglycaemic action in people on Hyperglycaemic

OR hypoglycaemic medication;

 

© Hbs that thin blood in people on anticoagulant OR coagulant

medication, etc.

 

> These types of " interactions " can be simply avoided by one who >

> understands the properties of TCM herbs and the properties of the

> drug (from a TCM perspective) and adds the action vectors for each

> of the substances. On the other hand, use of coumadin as a blood

> thinner has been observed to be one of the most susceptible drugs

> to not only herb interactions, but to daily diet, which is why

> clotting time and platelet counts are checked so frequently in

> people taking this drug. From my understanding, herbs that affect

> LV metabolism, such as those that Rectify LV Qi, may affect the

> breakdown and excretion rate of circulating coumadin, thus

> affecting clotting time.

 

Agreed. That is why a strong section in your CD that lists the

action vectors for each substance, and (especially) each formula,

would be most useful.

 

> What we will be doing in the next edition of the CD-ROM is to list

> what I call " herbal action vectors " for all of the most commonly

> used herbs. See: http://www.rmhiherbal.org/review/2004-3.html As

> it explains, this is a necessary first step in quantifying the

> effects so that one can determine whether two substances truly

> " interact " or whether the combined effect is merely additive and

> non-interactive:

 

Will you include the " formula action vectors " ?

 

Will you also include a NEW section on the key actions of

commonly prescribed allopathic medicines (coagulants,

anticoagulants, etc)? If not, links to med sites that supply those

data would be useful.

 

> Until this is done, the term herb-drug interaction will continue to

> be abused. We need to demand that people who use this word define

> what they mean by it. I've tried to do that in the article above.

> Roger

 

There is another major area to consider.

 

1. Some people have compromised organ function (for example

compromised LV or KI] before they begin herbal therapy.

 

2. Some Hbs are toxic, for example to LV or KI. People with

compromised LV or KI may not handle these herbs well.

 

3. In ADDITION, if such people are ALSO on allopathic medications

that stress LV or KI function, the effect of the Hbs would be

compounded

 

In that case, rather than the THREE factors really involved, the Hbs

would be blamed for any adverse reaction via LV or KI.

 

IMO, herbalists need a fast and easy way to check out Hbs in any

formula as regards adverse effects on a compromised organ.

 

Also, a specific list of organ-protective Hbs would be useful, so that

one could " add protection " to a formula if one knows that a patient

has, for example, compromised LV (hepatitis / LV failure /

cirrhosis) or KI (nephritis, KI failure / cirrhosis) before herbs are

used.

 

For example, the following Hbs are said to have organ-protective

functions [Please feedback errors or omissions on this list]:

 

 

 

 

 

Brain / CNS-Protector: Baiguo

GB-Protector: Longdan, Yinchenhao

HT-Protector: Baizhu, Chuipencao, Danshen, (Chuan), Dilong,

Hongjingtian, Huanglian, Jiaogulan, Maimendong, Renshen,

Shuiqing, Tianma, Wujiashen, Xiecao, Xuanshen, Yangdihuangye,

Yejuhua, Yinyanghuo, Zhongjiefeng

KI-Protector: Dongchongxiacao, Ejiao, Huangqi, Leigongteng

 

LU-Protector: Baiwei, Hongjingtian

 

LV-Protector: Baijiang, Baishao, Baizhu, Banzhilian, Biejia,

Chaihu, Chilaoya, Chuanxinlian, Chuipencao, Ciwujia, Dahuang,

Danggui, Dangshen, Dangyao, Danshen, (Chuan), Dasuan, Dazao,

Dongchongxiacao, Ercha, Fuling, Gancao, Gouqizi,

Guanyejinsitao, Guizhi, (Zhi), Heshouwu, Hongjingtian, Huajiao,

Huangqi, Huzhang, Jianghuang, Jiaogulan, Jiecao??, Jingyinhua,

Jinsitao, Jisongrong, Kushen, Laoguancao, Lianqiao, Lingzhi,

Longdan, Luhui, Ruhui, Meirenjiaogen, Mohanlian, Mugua,

Nuzhenzi, Pugongying, Qinghao, Qingyedan, Sanqi, Shaji,

Shandougen, Shayuanzi, Shengdihuang, Shengjiang, Shengma,

Shuifeiji, Shuiqing, Tianguadi, Weilingxian, Wenjing, Wuweizi,

Wuzhuyu, Xianggu, /, Xiangxun, Xiaoji-1, Xiheliu, Xiyangshen,

Yangjinhua, Yinchenhao, Yunzhi, Zexie, Zhizi, Zhuling, Zishiying

SI-LI-Protector: Tiexiancai

SP-Protector: Xiyangshen

ST-Protector: Lugen

ST-SI-LI-Protector: Chaye

Vascular-Protector: Jiaogulan

 

 

 

Best regards,

 

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