Among the 5 main branches of traditional Chinese medicine lies pharmacopoeia. A living science enriched by 3,000 years of practice, it encompasses thousands of substances and continues to develop new formulas daily.

A Living Medical Science

With a history spanning more than 3,000 years, Chinese pharmacopoeia is a science that has already undergone considerable evolution and refinement, and appears to possess virtually unlimited potential. Each day, new products and formulas are developed to address an ever-expanding range of applications.

Currently, several thousand substances are used in Chinese pharmacopoeia, of which approximately 300 are in regular use. It's worth noting that each region has developed its own formulas, while practitioners have leveraged modern advances to perfect their methods.

90% Plant-Based

In Chinese pharmacopoeia, plants play a major role: although mineral, animal, and even human substances are also used, at least 90% of any composition must be of plant origin.

Plants are indeed considered a national—and indeed universal—treasure, and every part is utilized: leaves, flowers, bark, roots, seeds, and more. Often, it is through creating blends that the practitioner treats the patient.

Adapting to the Individual

As with all of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese pharmacopoeia does not consist of a standardized list of treatments to be applied based on detected illness. Rather, it is essential for the physician to study the "terrain"—that is, the patient—to understand their specific needs.

It is not the disease itself that determines the choice of a plant or combination of plants, but rather the practitioner's overall observation: the remedy must heal or prevent illness based on the patient's individual needs and vulnerabilities. For each person, the treatment will therefore differ.

This is a defining characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine as a whole: treatment is personalized. What benefits one patient may not benefit another. The physician must first understand the patient and their constitution before selecting the appropriate remedy.

Properties of Substances in Chinese Pharmacopoeia

A substance's capacity to heal a patient or strengthen health depends on its inherent characteristics. Depending on the patient's needs, different types of products may be necessary.

The five key characteristics attributed to plants and other substances are:

• Color
• Nature: warm, cold, or neutral
• Flavor: sweet, sour, bitter, mild, pungent, salty
• Configuration: shape, texture, moisture content
• Properties: dispersing, consolidating, purging, tonifying

The Risks of Chinese Pharmacopoeia

Except for a few simple preparations, Chinese pharmacopoeia treatments should be administered by a qualified physician, not through self-medication. The use of pharmacopoeia is far from a repetitive mechanism; only a practitioner can determine a patient's specific needs.

Regarding side effects, the physician should be capable of anticipating and mitigating them (for example, by including a second plant in the formula). Nevertheless, should adverse effects occur, they are most often digestive in nature.

Concerning toxic substances, these are used only as a last resort; the primary risk remains the prescription of an unsuitable treatment for the patient. Finally, it's worth noting that due to their taste, Chinese pharmacopoeia preparations are often difficult to consume, or at least unpalatable.