Chinese Medicine

11/10/2013 by wellbeing

What is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese medicine is based on herbal therapy and acupuncture. Over 400 Chinese herbs are in common use and prescribed by qualified Chinese doctors after consultation with patients. So prescribing the correct combination of herbs is essential. All herbs are processed to a high standard, being cleaned, dried and purified, and often blended with honey, ginger, vinegar or similar foods before being safe for use. Some herbs known to have mild side effects on their own (e.g, too calming or too stimulating) can be counteracted by other herbs in the same prescription. Chinese herbal medicine has been used and developed over thousands years and is very popular in China. The function of acupuncture is to unblock and regulate the meridians (energy channels) and then improve the flow of Qi (energy) and blood circulation in the body. The unique theories of Chinese medicine and miraculous therapeutic effects have fascinated more and more people in the world.

Chinese Herbs

All Chinese herbs are divided into different categories according to their properties in Traditional Chinese Medical theory: COLD, HOT, WARM, COOL. This means that some herbs of a ‘ COLD’ nature can remedy excess heat in your body, while others of a ‘ HOT’ nature can remedy excess cold in the body. After consultation, the Doctor will formulate a prescription based on the Chinese medicine principles they studied at TCM University and which suits the specific condition of your body.

As for herbal tablets and pills, ready-made herbal products are made according to traditional formulas that have been tested and refined over many centuries. These are usually prescribed for fairly simple, common health conditions, where other factors in the patient’s health do not seem likely to be contributing. The Chinese have been using natural herbs to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions for many centuries. These include roots, flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves and branches. The history of TCM goes back more than 3000 years. Chinese herbs have become available in extract powder form only in recent years, owing to technical advances in production methods, and this has made it easier and more convenient for people to take herbal medicine.