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Inflammation

Definition
 
Western
Inflammation is a part of the complex processes of the protective tissue responses which the immune system shields the body from harmful stimuli such as foreign particles, bacteria and pathogens. However, if inflammation persists for a prolonged period of time, it can cause serious damage to different parts of the body resulting in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, pancreatitis or ulcerative colitis. Inflammations can be classified into acute and chronic.
 
Acute inflammation is an initial rapid response and stops upon removal of the injurious stimuli. Chronic inflammation is a prolonged delayed process which occurs when the injurious stimuli persist and cannot be removed. In many circumstances, the latter may arise from the persistence of acute inflammations.
 
 
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Here, inflammation is a condition when the body is invaded by endogenous or exogenous pathogenic factors. In most cases, the constitution of one’s body plays an important factor in determining the chances of contracting inflammatory diseases. Individuals, who were born with weak immune system, autoimmune diseases or adopt unhealthy lifestyles, do not have strong defense mechanisms to combat the viruses and bacteria. Consequently, this results in the improper functioning of the various vital organs as well as causes disruptions to the body’s metabolic and circulating systems.
 
 
Classifications & Symptoms Displayed in TCM
 
Weak immunity
Symptoms displayed are fever, swelling, pain, frequent cough with thick yellow phlegm or mucus, sneezing, thirst, afraid of cold or wind, dry throat, may experience headache or chest tightness; or easily irritable; or dry cough accompanied with less phlegm or traces of blood in phlegm, hoarse voice, lethargy, flushed face or night sweats.
 
Unhealthy Diets
Common symptoms displayed are mild fever, swelling, pain; limbs feel heavy and lethargic, thirst, loss of appetite, soft foul stools and yellow urine.
 
Injuries and Trauma
Generally in the pus formation stage of inflammations. Common symptoms are fever, redness, pain or swelling around the affected area, thirst, dry throat, feeling easily irritable that result in sleeping difficulty, formation of pus and constipation.
 
Chronic Diseases
Mostly seen in rheumatism, gout, asthma, certain autoimmune diseases, influenza and allergic sinusitis. General symptoms displayed are frequent sneezing with runny white mucus, itchiness of nose and eyes, afraid of cold, chest tightness, pain and stiffness in the joints which may worsen in cold environment, pale complexion, preference for warmer environment, some may experience headaches or body aches. 
 
 
Causes
 
Inheritance
Individuals with weaker immune system since birth are usually more predisposed to allergies and infections. Inflammations are one of the most common processes that may take place in most allergic reactions and infections. Hence, this group of individuals has a higher chance of developing inflammatory diseases.
 
Diets
Unhealthy diet habits such as excessive alcohol drinking and consuming foods of high fat or oily or spicy content for pronounced period of time can be harmful and create burden to the digestive system. This may aggravate and result in the persistence of the inflammatory processes, hence, leading to digestive disorders or diseases.
 
Injuries
Open wound injuries such as abrasions, deep cuts or scalds are also one of the most common causes of inflammations as these can be easily infected.
 
 
Risk Factors
 
Inheritance
Individuals with weaker body constitution, digestive and immune systems since birth are more prone in developing inflammatory diseases and infections.
 
Lifestyle
Unhealthy diet habits such as having strong preference for oily, deep-fried and spicy foods and excessive alcohol are more predisposed to digestive aliments. Stress and late nights may also worsen the condition.
 
 
Treatments
 
Herbs commonly used in prescriptions:
 
1.     Bai Hua She She Cao – 白花蛇舌草
 

English/ Common name

 
Spreading Hedyotis Herb
Latin species
Oldenlandia Diffusae (Wild.) Roxb.
Park of plant used
Whole organism
Action/s
Found to have anti-inflammatory [2- 3] and diuretic effects [21]. Also helps to relieve painful sensation during urination [21].
Precaution/s
Individuals with weak digestive system should use with caution.

 

               
2.      Ye Ju Hua – 野菊花
 

English/ Common name

 
Wild Chrysanthemum
Latin species
Flos Chrysanthemi Indici
Park of plant used
Flowers
Action/s
Found to have anti-inflammatory effect [4-6,21] and helps to strengthen the immune system [5-6].
Precaution/s
Individuals with weak digestive systems should not consume for prolonged period. Not suitable for pregnant women.

 

 
3.     Ban Lan Gen – 板蓝根
 

English/ Common name

 
Indigowoad Root
Latin species
Isatis Indigotica Fort
Park of plant used
Roots
Action/s
Found to have anti-inflammatory [7], anti-viral [8-9] and anti-bacterial effects [10-11], help to relieve sore throats [21] and inflammatory-related ailments [12, 21]. 
Precaution/s
Individuals with weak digestive system should use with caution.

 

               
4.     Jin Yin Hua – 金银花

English/ Common name

 
Honeysuckle Flower
Latin species
Lonicera Japonica Thunb
Park of plant used
Flowers
Action/s
This herb is found to have anti-inflammatory effects [13-15].
Precaution/s
Individuals with weak digestive system should use with caution.

 

 
5.     Yu Xing Cao – 鱼腥草

English/ Common name

 
Heartleaf Houttuynia Herb
Latin species
Houttuynia Cordata Thunb.
Park of plant used
Whole organism
Action/s
This herb is found to have anti-inflammatory [16], anti-cancer [17-18] and anti-viral effects [19-20] which helps in discharging pus and wound healing [21]. It also has some diuretic effects [21].
Precaution/s
Do not simmer for longer than 30 minutes. Individuals with weak digestive systems and body constitution should use with caution.

 

 
 
Test & Diagnosis
 
Laboratory Tests
1)     Blood tests for levels of white and red blood cells, infections and certain antibodies to help in the diagnosing of various types of inflammatory diseases such as pancreatitis and ulcerative colitis.
2)     Stool/urine samples to check for any increased levels of white blood cells to detect inflammatory bowel or urinary tract diseases.
 
 
Home Remedies
 
板蓝根 Băn Lán Gán + 野菊花 Yé Jú Huā + 银花Yín Huā + 生姜Shēng Jiāng       + 大枣 Dà Zăo + 甘草 Gān Căo
a)     Put all ingredients in a cooking pot and pour enough water to fill half the pot.
b)     Bring to boil for 10 minutes.
c)     Simmer for a further 20 minutes.
d)     Add sugar to taste.
e)     Remove from heat. Serve warm.
 
 
References
 

1.      Parakrama Chandrasoma, Clive R. Taylor (ca. 2005). "Part A. General Pathology, Section II. The Host Response to Injury, Chapter 3. The Acute Inflammatory Response, sub-section Cardinal Clinical Signs". Concise Pathology (3rd edition (Computer file) ed.). New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0838514995. OCLC 150148447. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=183351. Retrieved 2008-11-05

 
2.      Lin CC, Ng LT, Yang JJ, Hsu YF. Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity of peh-hue-juwa-chi-cao in male rats. Am J Chin Med. 2002, 30(2-3), pp225-34
3.      Kang SY, Yoon SY, Roh DH, Jeon MJ, Seo HS, Uh DK, Kwon YB, Kim HW, Han HJ, Lee HJ, Lee JH. The anti-arthritic effect of ursolic acid on zymosan-induced acute inflammation and adjuvant-induced chronic arthritis models. J Pharm Pharmacol 2008, 60(10), pp1347-54.
4.      Cheon MS, Yoon T, Lee do Y, Choi G, Moon BC, Lee AY, Choo BK, Kim HK.Chrysanthemum indicum Linné extract inhibits the inflammatory response by suppressing NF-kappaB and MAPKs activation in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009, 122(3), pp473-7.
5.      Wang, Z.G., Ren, A.N., Xu, L., Sun, X.J., Hua, X.B., 2000. The experimental study on the immunological and anti-inflammatory activities of Chrysanthemum indicum.Chinese Journal of Traditional Medical Science and Technology 2000, 2, pp92–93.
6.       Cheng, W., Li, J., You, T., Hu, C. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of the extracts from the inflorescence of Chrysanthemum indicum Linné. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2005,101,pp 334–337.
7.      Shin EK, Kim DH, Lim H, Shin HK, Kim JK. The anti-inflammatory effects of a methanolic extract from Radix Isatidis in murine macrophages and mice. Inflammation. 2010, 33(2), pp110-8.
8.      Li HB, Yan D, Jin C, Wang JB, Wei L, Xiao XH, Cao JL. [Establishment of bioassay method for antivirus potency of radix isatidis based on chemical fluorometric determination]. Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi.2009, 29(4), pp908-12.
9.      Fang J, Wan J, Tang J, Wang W, Liu Y. [Radix isatidis and infectious diseases caused by viruses]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2009, 34(24), pp3169-72. Review. Chinese.
10.    Fang JG, Liu YH, Wang WQ, Xie W, Fang SX, Han HG. The anti-endotoxic effect of o-aminobenzoic acid from Radix Isatidis. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2005, 26(5), pp593-7.
11.    Wang W, Fang J, Liu Y, Xie W. Screening of anti-endotoxin components from Radix isatidis.J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci. 2006, 26(2), pp261-4.
12.    Ni LJ, Zhang LG, Hou J, Shi WZ, Guo ML. A strategy for evaluating antipyretic efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines based on UV spectra fingerprints. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009, ;124(1), pp79-86.
13.    Chan BC, Hon KL, Leung PC, Sam SW, Fung KP, Lee MY, Lau HY. Traditional Chinese medicine for atopic eczema: PentaHerbs formula suppresses inflammatory mediators release from mast cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Oct 30, 120(1), pp85-91.
14.    Park E, Kum S, Wang C, Park SY, Kim BS, Schuller-Levis G. Anti-inflammatory activity of herbal medicines: inhibition of nitric oxide production and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in an activated macrophage-like cell line. Am J Chin Med. 2005, 33(3), pp415-24.
15.    Yibing Xu, Bryant G. Oliverson, Daniel L. Simmons. Trifunctional inhibition of COX-2 by extracts of Lonicera japonica: Direct inhibition, transcriptional and post-transcriptional down regulation. J Ethnopharmacol 22 May 2007; 111( 3); pp667-670
16.    H.M. Lu, Y.Z. Liang, L.Z. Yi, X.J. Wu. Anti-inflammatory effect of Houttuynia cordata injection. J Ethnopharmacol 2006; 104 (1-2); pp 245-249
17.    Tang YJ, Yang JS, Lin CF, Shyu WC, Tsuzuki M, Lu CC, Chen YF, Lai KC. Houttuynia cordata Thunb extract induces apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathway in HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Oncol Rep .2009; 22(5); pp1051-6.
18.    Kusirisin W, Srichairatanakool S, Lerttrakarnnon P, Lailerd N, Suttajit M, Jaikang C, Chaiyasut C. Antioxidative activity, polyphenolic content and anti-glycation effect of some Thai medicinal plants traditionally used in diabetic patients. Med Chem. 2009 Mar; 5(2); pp139-47.
19.    Lin TY, Liu YC, Jheng JR, Tsai HP, Jan JT, Wong WR, Horng JT. Anti-enterovirus 71 activity screening of chinese herbs with anti-infection and inflammation activities. Am J Chin Med. 2009; 37(1); pp143-58.
20.    Lau KM, Lee KM, Koon CM, Cheung CS, Lau CP, Ho HM, Lee MY, Au SW, Cheng CH, Lau CB, Tsui SK, Wan DC, Waye MM, Wong KB, Wong CK, Lam CW, Leung PC, Fung KP. Immunomodulatory and anti-SARS activities of Houttuynia cordata. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jun 19; 118(1); pp79-85.
21.    Gao Xue Min. Pharmacopoeia. 2002