The use of herbs is probably the oldest medicinal method in the world; dating back 2500 years ago. Although acupuncture was the first Chinese method used for treatment in the Western world, Chinese herbal medicine has quickly positioned itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative treatments in the western world.
You probably will not be able to find Chinese plants on the market. They have a unique energy, which enters the body and effects specific organs. The role of the therapist in Chinese herbal medicine is to not only know which plants will treat which organ but also to know the right dosage and the specific timing for the patient to take it for optimal effect.
The therapist uses his will and knowledge to create a Chinese “Formula” which will effect both internally and externally. The formula is given after a careful diagnosis has been made by orderly questioning about the systems in the body, one by one, looking at the tongue and taking a pulse. The plants are given as liquid, pollen or as pellets.
Traditional Chinese medicine is very different from the Western scientific approach that we are used to. It works on a healthy balance of yin and yang – two forces found in nature as a whole. When these levels of force or Ch’i energy (yin or yang) are out of balance in body and spirit, health problems arise. Chinese herbs and herbal remedies are used to help re-align this equilibrium.
Chinese herbal formulas include hundreds of organic substances that work in harmony to create the desired effect. These ingredients are mostly plant-based and may include roots, peels, seeds, flowers and leaves. The plant formulas encompass ancient Chinese knowledge that has passed from generation to generation over many years.
What is herbal medicine is used for?
Chinese herbal medicine treats a wide range of acute diseases including: the flu, intestinal diseases and colds. It also treats chronic diseases such as allergies, gynecological disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic viral illness expressed as muscular pain, diabetes and more. Chinese herbal medicine is particularly good at promoting the body’s ability to heal and recover from disease in a natural way.