Posted by Hombre on September 4, 2010, at 0:54:16
In reply to Re: TCM))Hombre, posted by Lao Tzu on September 3, 2010, at 14:00:56
> Took my first dose of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan today. Noticed that it felt very agreeable. However, I am such a novice at TCM. I really don't know what I'm doing. And there are so many formulas. In your opinion, is taking herbs in a formula more beneficial than trying individual herbs. I say this because I usually strike out when it comes to using individual herbs. I think I always miss the mark when I focus on one particular herb. That strategy just doesn't work well for me. My mental illness is very severe. Psychosis. No single herb works well. I'm just wondering if the Chinese formulas will be more beneficial in regards to mood and depression. I made the decision to try the formula because I believe something is lacking in my regimen. I am taking the Holy Basil, but it just isn't enough. I've tried a whole host of individual herbs, but alone they don't address my problems. You said to try a couple of different formulas. I do like the Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan, but is it a formula that indirectly effects mood over time? Should I be wary of trying certain formulas since I am on Risperdal, zoloft, and lamictal? Which ones would you stay away from? I realize you take medication as well and that you have benefitted from TCM. You inspired me to give it a try. I know it won't cure all of my problems, but in your own experience, can you say your prognosis is better because of TCM, taking into consideration that you also receive benefits from medication?
> Is there any validity or proof that combining Eastern medicine with Western medicine results in greater benefits than either alone? Is this a myth or is there solid evidence? Also, can you recommend any good books I can buy on the subject of TCM? I know so little about it. Thanks for all your input. You definitely peaked my interest, and I hope this is a step in the right direction.
>
> LaoI would definitely recommend using formulas over single herbs. The classical formulas have been tested over many, many centuries. We have a pretty good idea of how they work by now. Most formulas are pretty elegant in the way they are formulated. There are usually 1 or more chief herbs. Then there are herbs that help the actions of these herbs, maybe directing them to certain channels or 'organs'. Then there may be some herbs to counter any side-effects that may be caused by the chief herbs. Then there may even be some herbs that just harmonize the formula, helping all the herbs work better and even make the formula taste a bit better. That's why you see licorice root included in so many formulas. By itself, it may not be the right medicine, but added to a formula, it has a job to do. A good herbalist can take a base formula and add/subtract herbs to suit the specific needs of the patient. I wish we could all get personlized herbal formulas, but my focus right now is more on what the average person can do on the cheap without sacrificing efficacy.
I can't say for sure that the herbs won't interact with your meds, but from my experience they work at a different "layer", perhaps affecting the core functionality of the body. Meds tend to work on top of this layer, which is why I also believe that some cases of AD poop-out may be due to deficiencies in the body's ability to function at a basic level. If anything, you might not feel much at all. If that's the case after a week or two, consider upping the dose a little. Maybe add one more dose of 8 pills a day or taking 12 instead of 8, three times a day 30 minutes before meals or 1 hour after.
The main signs that a formula is not good for you is if it affects your sense of your body's temperature and your bowel functions. If you start to feel too hot and develop dry stools and thirst, you may need to supplement yin as well or only yin for a while. If you start to get loose stools and feel a little sluggish, the formula is too cold. BZYQW is a bit warm, but it does have some herbs to eliminate toxic heat as well. Usually the box will have a general contraindication to this effect. It's usually very simple and in plain words.
As I said, it took me some time to feel the cumulative effects of the herbs. Give it time and go on a week by week basis.
I wish there was evidence that western and eastern meds were more powerful together for psyche conditions, but it seems nearly impossible to combine the two worlds. It seems that there are more CM docs who understand both systems, but of course no one wants to believe them. And some are too new-agey.
I am definitely getting good results for myself. I wish I could say it will be the same for you, but it takes some time to figure out what your body needs and how to address that need. Also, the longer you've suffered from your illness, the longer it could take to bring the ship back on course.
Lifestyle factors will make a huge difference as well. In my opinion, exercise is necessary in order to maximize your chances of success. You don't have to do too much either - it's more likely that you'd stick to something like a 15 minute walk daily than a tough hour at the gym once or twice a week. Having done some research into how people are able to make changes to their life to increase their health and energy, the key is to create new habits in the form of rituals. Think about brushing your teeth - but wait, you don't have to. You just do it. It's automatic. You don't have to expend energy thinking about it. It's become a ritual. A ritual has a deep motivation (keep your teeth healthy) and is subconscious, so it doesn't require much conscious thought to execute.
It takes 1-3 months to instill a new ritual, but once you do it you can just set it and forget it for the most part. The key is that the purpose of making the new habit must be tied into your deepest beliefs and aspirations in life. If you just want to look good to impress others, you may workout for a while but in time will lose momentum. But if you workout to feel well, to have energy, and to prepare yourself for the stresses of re-integrating back into society after a long time battling mental illness, it becomes something you want to do.
Anyway, I'm trying to describe a process, not preach. I just happen to be passionate about exercise because a) it directly increases one's sense of self-efficacy and confidence b) most people don't get enough these days c) it is scientifically proven to not only lift mood and reduce anxiety, but also to help regrow the brain, something we long-term depressive need, since our hippocampi (?) have probably atrophied a little.
Please ask more questions so I can try to be more helpful. Sorry if I didn't address everything well.
poster:Hombre
thread:961091
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20100812/msgs/961232.html