The Secrets of Chinese Herbal Remedies

The practice of using Chinese herbal remedies has been around for thousands of years. It is a big part of traditional Chinese medicine (or TCM). People are turning to Chinese medicine because they may not have had success with mainstream medicine. Others are drawn to its exotic philosophy and the wisdom behind it. More still are drawn to it because it uses natural treatments that are said to have very few side effects. The philosophy behind herbal Chinese remedies and healing, is harmony. This is the harmony found in the balance of Nature. When we tip our body’s balance, we get sick. The Chinese call this balance “yin/yang” and it is this balance that they are intending to restore when a doctor of TCM treats you. The approach works with the “chi,” or life force energy of the body. The goal is to regain the chi balance and vitality. TCM also views the yin/yang balance as hot/cold within our systems. rnFor the best results, Chinese herbal treatments should be blended by a master herbalist. This is because each herb recipe or prescription is not only tailor-made for your condition; it is also specific to you and the overall working harmony of your body. Chinese healing herb recipes are not sold as standardized products that are mass produced. (Although the various herbs that go into the blend should be standardized and have quality control for freshness, potency and purity.) There are a lot of Chinese herbs online and Chinese herb stores. But it is best to actually see a doctor who prescribes the recipes because the recipes are so individualized. And the doctor needs to assess you carefully before he or she gives you a Chinese herbal formula. Doctors of TCM have a different way of assessing patients than the western medical system. A doctor of Chinese medicine will assess each patient using a number of key simple, but effective medical tests. They will observe or consider your tongue, stool, bowel activity, urine, breath and a complex pulse reading that assesses all of your main organs. Only after careful observation are you given a recipe. A good herb blend will balance the hot/cold-yin/yang aspect just for you. If it is balanced properly, doctors of TCM say that the herbs will have no side effects. In this way, a Chinese herbal remedy restores the energy and balance of the area that they treat. The harmony philosophy may mean that the individualized recipe may treat other organs at the same time, because in the practice of TCM, everything in our bodies is interconnected. As the west embraces the use of traditional Chinese herbal remedies, the orient is also embracing western medicine. In the future, the best of both practices may blend like the most exquisite healing recipe, with the end result being more thorough, optimum treatment and health for all.