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Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine
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Chinese Herbal Medicine What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?  A big part of Traditional Chinese Medicine is herbal medicine. Chinese Medicine is a complete health care system that has bee around for well over 3000 years. In the west we are more familiar with one of its components, acupuncture.Traditional Chinese Medicine has a holistic view of the human body. In Chinese Medicine the human body is viewed as an interrelated whole (mind, body, spirit) possessing a life force or vital energy called qi or chi (pronounced "chee"). Health depends on the free flow of qi. When disease occurs, therapy is applied to restore the balance and flow of the qi in the body and help the body heal itself. What are Chinese herbs? Chinese herbs are on its great majority botanicals, mineral and organics substances that have their origin on Mainland China. I define as a Chinese herb any substance that is used to treat disease in accordance with Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. Are Herbs safe? You have to remember that over 50% of the exiting drugs are derived from botanicals. Herbs are safe when they are taken under the supervision of a qualified herbologist, in this case a practitioner of TCM. How are they Administered? In TCM herbs are usually administered as infusions (Teas),  but in general here on the west hemisphere we use capsules, tea pills, tinctures and granules. In my practice I use about 80 % tea pills and capsules, and 20% tinctures. In very rare occasions I prescribe raw herbs to be decocted as a tea. What is a Consultation Like? For an herbal consultation the practitioner is going to gather a complete and very detailed health history. He/she will feel your pulse and look at your tongue. The practitioner then will take the information gathered, and form this diagnosis according to Traditional Chinese principles and come up with a treatment plan. What does a Treatment Plan consist of? An herbal treatment plan usually consists of two or three herbal formula. If the condition is complicated then the practitioner may chose to tailor a formula to the patients needs. During the treatment plans the practitioner may change the formulas that the patient is taking according to how he/she is responding to the treatment. The ultimate goal of the treatment is not to replace drugs for herbs but rather assist the body in the healing process. Do I need to have acupuncture to use Chinese Herbs? As a form of therapy Chinese herbal medicine stands alone, and it is not necessary to have acupuncture to treat a condition that is treated with herbal formulas. Many times the acupuncturist will use herbal remedies to extend or enhance the effects of the acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture and herbs used in together complement each other, but is not necessary to have both. There are conditions that are better treated with herbs and others with acupuncture. Conditions Treated by Chinese Herbs Chinese Herbal Medicine excels in treating conditions that Western medicine has difficulty in treating, as well as conditions that do not have a Western medical diagnosis. Chinese herbal medicine can effectively address a wide variety of conditions. Chinese Herbal Medicine has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Chinese herbals are safe and effective for the general public, and even infants, elderly patients. Below are some of the conditions that may be addressed through Chinese herbal medicine: Respiratory Conditions such as: colds and flu as well as chronic respiratory conditions such as allergies, asthma, emphysema, sinusitis and bronchitis. Emotional Conditions such as: anxiety, depression and mood swings. Gastrointestinal Conditions such as: acute or chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastritis and ulcers. Urogenital Conditions such as: urinary tract infections, prostatitis and sexual dysfunction. Gynecological Conditions such as: irregular or painful menstruation, infertility, PMS and menopausal symptoms. Musculoskeletal and Neurological Conditions such as: neuralgia, migraine headaches, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain. Circulatory Conditions such as: hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia. Supportive therapy for other chronic, painful and debilitating disorders such as: hepatitis and fibromyalgia.  |
