澳洲草药与中医

吴宇琛

SUM WU

Sum Wu

Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS)

Bachelor of Science Majoring in Psychology (UOW)

Director of Hurstville Chinese Herbs Centre

Vice Dean of College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics Australia

Specialising in pain management and mental wellbeing through Tradition Chinese medicine in combination with modern science in mental health, dieting and nutrition.

吴宇琛，澳大利亚政府注册中医师、针灸师，五龙岗大学心理学学士、悉尼科技大学中医系学士，澳大利亚松轩中医药中心主任医师，澳大利亚中医骨伤专科学院副院长。

擅长用传统针灸理伤手法和中药治疗各种新旧损伤痛症，特别采用中医中药和现代心理学、营养学相结合调理治疗各种慢性病和亚健康。

Australian Herbal Medicine and TCM

澳洲草药与中医

The use of native Australian herbs within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an emerging area of interest, particularly among practitioners in Australia who face limited access to some traditional Chinese herbs due to import restrictions, biosecurity laws, sustainability concerns, and regulatory controls. Rather than replacing classical Chinese herbs entirely, many practitioners explore whether certain Australian botanicals possess properties that can be understood through a TCM lens, for example, whether an herb is warming or cooling, drying or moistening, or whether it influences particular organ systems such as the Lung, Spleen, or Liver etc.

在澳洲传统中医（TCM）的框架下运用澳洲原生草药，正逐渐成为一个新兴且备受关注的领域。尤其对于澳洲的中医师而言，由于进口限制、生物安全法规、永续性考量及相关监管制度，部分传统中药材的取得受到限制，因此不少中医开始探索，某些澳洲原生植物是否具备能以中医理论理解的特性，例如其性质偏寒或偏热、偏燥或偏润，又或是否能作用于肺、脾、肝等特定脏腑系统。

Australia has a rich history of Indigenous medicinal plant knowledge developed over tens of thousands of years by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Many native plants were traditionally used for wounds, infections, respiratory illnesses, digestive complaints, and inflammation. While Indigenous Australian medicine and TCM arise from very different cultural and philosophical systems, there are occasional functional parallels that allow modern integrative practitioners to cautiously compare them.

澳洲拥有极为悠久且丰富的原住民植物医疗知识体系，这些知识由澳洲原住民与托雷斯海峡岛民历经数万年发展而成。许多原生植物传统上被用于处理伤口、感染、呼吸系统疾病、消化问题以及各种炎症。虽然澳洲原住民医学与中医源自完全不同的文化与哲学背景，但两者之间偶尔仍可见某些功能上的相似性，使现代整合医学得以在谨慎的前提下进行比较与研究。

For example, Lemon Myrtle contains aromatic oils with antimicrobial and digestive-supportive qualities. From a TCM perspective, some practitioners may view it as mildly aromatic, transforming Dampness and supporting the Spleen and Stomach, somewhat similar in function to herbs that regulate Qi and improve digestion. Its warming aromatic nature also makes it useful in teas for mild cold-type digestive stagnation.

例如，柠檬香桃木（Lemon Myrtle）富含芳香精油，具抗菌及支持消化系统的功效。从中医观点看，部分医师可能视其为具轻度芳香化湿作用的植物，能协助脾胃运化，其功能与某些理气健脾、改善消化的中药有一定相似性。此外，其温暖芳香的特性也使其适合作为茶饮，用于轻度寒性食滞或脾胃气滞的情况。

Eucalyptus has long been used traditionally for respiratory conditions. In biomedical terms it contains volatile oils that may help open airways and reduce congestion. Through a TCM framework, it could be interpreted as dispersing Wind-Cold, opening the Lung, and transforming Phlegm. Inhalation of eucalyptus vapour resembles certain traditional Chinese herbal steaming methods used for sinus congestion or exterior syndromes.

尤加利（Eucalyptus）长期以来被传统上用于呼吸系统疾病。从现代生物医学角度而言，其挥发性精油可能有助于扩张呼吸道与减少鼻塞。若以中医理论理解，则可被视为具有疏散风寒、宣肺及化痰的作用。吸入尤加利蒸气的方式，也与部分中医利用药蒸或薰蒸法治疗鼻塞或表证的方法有相似之处。

Another commonly discussed herb is Kakadu Plum, which is extremely rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Although TCM does not traditionally classify foods through vitamins, practitioners may interpret its sour and cooling characteristics as helping generate fluids, clear Heat, and support recovery after illness. Its astringent quality may also loosely parallel herbs that preserve body fluids.

另一种常被讨论的植物是卡卡杜李（Kakadu Plum）。其富含极高含量的维他命C与抗氧化成分。虽然中医并不以维他命作为分类依据，但中医可能会将其酸味与偏凉特性理解为有助于生津、清热以及促进病后恢复。其收敛性质亦与某些能固摄津液的中药作用略有相似。

Tea Tree is widely known for its antimicrobial properties. In topical applications, it may resemble the TCM concept of clearing Heat toxins and resolving damp inflammatory skin conditions. However, concentrated tea tree oil can be irritating or toxic if misused internally, highlighting an important issue in integrating herbal systems recklessly. It is important to remember that “natural” does not always mean safe.

茶树（Tea Tree）则因其强大的抗菌特性而广为人知。在外用方面，其作用可类比中医所说的清热解毒与改善湿热型皮肤炎症。然而，高浓度茶树精油若内服使用不当，可能具有刺激性甚至毒性，这亦突显了在综合不同草药系统时不可轻率行事的重要性。我们必须记住，天然并不等于绝对安全。

One particularly interesting area is the use of bitter Australian herbs. Certain native plants possess strong bitter qualities that may correspond to the TCM action of clearing Damp-Heat or Fire. However, accurate translation between systems is difficult because TCM herbal medicine is based not only on chemical effects, but also on flavour, temperature, channel entry, dosage, preparation methods, and formula compatibility.

另一个特别值得关注的领域，是澳大利亚苦味草药的应用。部分澳大利亚原生植物具有明显苦味，而中医中“苦能燥湿，泻火”的理论，可能与这些植物的某些作用产生对应。然而，两种医疗系统之间要做到准确转译其实十分困难，因为中药学不仅建立于化学成分之上，还涉及药物的气味，寒热内容，归经，剂量，炮制方法，以及方剂之间的配伍关系。

This is where caution becomes important. Indigenous Australian medicine is its own sophisticated healing tradition and should not simply be absorbed into TCM without respect for its cultural origins and traditional custodians. Many native herbs have not been extensively studied for long-term safety, interactions, pregnancy safety, or compatibility with Chinese herbal formulas. In addition, TCM diagnosis relies heavily on pattern differentiation, meaning the same herb may help one person while worsening another person’s condition.

因此，谨慎便显得格外重要。澳大利亚原住民医学本身是一套成熟且复杂的疗愈体系，不应在缺乏对其文化来源与传统守护者尊重的情况下，被简单纳入中医架构之中。此外，许多澳大利亚原生草药尚未经过大规模长期安全性研究，包括其与其他药物的交互作用，怀孕期间的安全性，以及与中药方剂配伍时的相容性等。

再者，中医诊断高度依赖辨证论治，也就是说，同一种草药可能对某些患者有益，却可能加重另一些人的病情。因此，草药的使用不能仅根据单一功效来决定。

In clinical practice, some Australian TCM practitioners experiment with local herbs as adjuncts rather than direct substitutions. For example:

在临床实践中，部分澳大利亚中医会将本地草药作为辅助性资料，而非直接取代传统中药。例如：

Aromatic Australian herbs may be incorporated into teas for Dampness or digestive stagnation.

芳香性澳洲草药可加入茶饮中，用于湿气或消化停滞问题。

Native anti-inflammatory plants may complement external trauma liniments.

澳洲原生抗炎植物可作为跌打损伤外用药膏或药油的辅助成分。

Respiratory herbs may be used in steam inhalations alongside traditional approaches.

呼吸系统相关草药可配合蒸气吸入疗法使用。

However, replacing classical formulas entirely is difficult because traditional Chinese herbal formulas are highly refined systems developed over centuries, with carefully balanced herb interactions.

然而，要完全取代传统经方仍相当困难，因为中医方剂是经过数百年发展而成的精密系统，其中药物之间的平衡与协同作用极为讲究。

There is also growing academic interest in pharmacological overlaps between Australian botanicals and Chinese herbs. Researchers are examining antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidant effects, and immune modulation. Some practitioners believe Australia may eventually develop a uniquely Australian style of TCM materia medica adapted to local ecology and regulation, much as Chinese medicine historically incorporated herbs from different regions over time.

目前，学术界对澳洲植物与中药之间的药理重叠亦日益感兴趣。研究人员正积极探讨其抗菌活性、抗炎成分、抗氧化作用以及免疫调节能力等。一些中医甚至认为，澳洲未来或许可能逐步发展出一套具有本地特色，适应澳洲生态与法规环境的中医本草系统，正如中国医学历史上亦曾不断吸收不同地域药材一样。

Ultimately, the safest and most respectful approach is not to force native Australian herbs into TCM categories, but to find a common ground and careful research. Indigenous Australian medicine, Western herbal medicine, and TCM each offer different ways of understanding health. When used carefully, evidence-informed integration may expand therapeutic options while still respecting the integrity of each medical system.

最终，最安全且最具尊重性的做法，并不是强行将澳洲原生草药套入中医分类，而是在不同医疗体系之间寻找共同点，并建立在严谨研究基础上的交流与综合。澳洲原住民医学，西方草药学与中医，皆提供了不同理解健康与疾病的方式。若能以审慎且循证的态度进行综合，或许能在尊重各自医学体系完整性的同时，进一步拓展临床治疗的可能性。

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