Medical Dialogue

医学会话

Consultation on Chinese Herbal Formula
中医方剂咨询

An American woman age 43 is stopping in Hong Kong as part of her Asian tour. She makes her way through the winding streets and enters a traditional grocery store. In the far rear comer she notices a glass display counter with all sorts of roots, mushrooms, and beautiful tall wine bottles in it. Behind the counter are rows and rows of wooden boxes and other bottles of patent medicines.

store owner:Hello, madam. I see you are very curious about Chinese herbs. Is there anything I can help you with?
woman:Hello, sir. Yes, I am very interested in the herbs. I have read several articles about acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The articles talk about how effective both acupuncture and herbal medicines are for many types of health problems.
store owner:This is very true. Chinese people have been practicing acupuncture for thousands of years and through many dynasties.
woman:Do you know much about the herbs that you sell in your store?
store owner:Oh yes! I am also a doctor of Oriental Medicine, specializing in Chinese herbs and acupuncture.
woman:Oh, that is wonderful! I would love to have some information about what herbs I can take for my health problems. I take many medications but they do not seem to resolve my problems.
store owner:What are some of your afflictions?
woman:I suffer from headaches and they are so intense that I must take a pain medication when I get one. Then I am so tired from the pill that I must sleep for a few hours and I cannot go to work. I also have strong mood swings. I am either very angry about something or else I become very depressed and I cannot go out of the house because I am so sad.
store owner:And what types of medications do you take?
woman:For this problem I take an antidepressant pill. I also have digestive problems. When I eat a meal my stomach becomes very painful and bloated. For this problem I take another pill called Prilosec.
store owner:Do you have any trouble with your menses?
woman:Yes, I have many gynecological problems. My menstrual cycle is very irregular and painful with a lot of cramping when it comes.
store owner:What does your menses look alike?
woman:I pass purple clots and I also get a headache during that time. So once again I will take a pain pill and have to miss work because I feel so exhausted. In addition, my appetite is very poor.
store owner:How long have you had these problems?
woman:I have been suffering from these multiple health problems for the last 20 years. So, if I wanted relief from all of my problems, I would probably have to buy half of the herbs in your store.
store owner:Actually madam, in Traditional Chinese Medicine we look at the body as one functioning whole, so when we see patterns of illness within someone, we find the common thread that links all of their problems together.
woman:So, what is wrong with me in your medicine?
store owner:May I look at your tongue and check your pulse in your wrist quickly?
woman:Sure, you can.
store owner:Your tongue is slightly purple with a thick white coating, and your pulse is wiry and thin.
woman:What does that mean?
store owner:In your case I have a diagnosis of liver qi stagnation with underlying spleen qi deficiency. I guess that you probably have no idea what that means, and yet your symptoms fall very easily into this diagnosis.
woman:You are right. I don't understand, but at this point in time I am willing to try anything. Do you have any effective formula for my condition?
store owner:I am glad that you are willing to try new things in your life. What I have in mind for you is one very simple formula.
woman:One formula? You must be joking with me.
store owner:I am not joking with you. It is called xiaoyaosan and it is a very widely distributed formula.
woman:Does this formula have an English name? I don't think I can say it in Chinese?
store owner:The translation is "free and easy" in English.
woman:That sounds as it might fit me. May I buy a few boxes from you?
store owner:Sure, you can. Thank you.
woman:Thank you very much.