CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbal medicine dates back
almost 5000 years. The Chinese systematically
categorized close to 5800 substances that may be used
when treating individuals. Most practitioners are
trained in about 400 of these herbs. These can range
from flowers to roots and berries. An herbal formula may
be taken several different ways as a tea, pills,
tincture, granules or topical as lotions and poultices.
Herbal treatments are integral to TCM and have been
since the earliest days of recorded history. An herbal
formula is given to fit a pattern of disease that a
particular patient may be presenting at the time of
their visit. As the patient gets better and their
symptoms change so does their formula until they are
symptom free.
Before a formula can be administered a comprehensive
exam must be done to evaluate the type of formula to be
given. In Chinese medicine, due to our diagnostic
system, we are able to treat the root cause of a disease
along with the various symptoms that may manifest as a
result. In this way, we are able to treat the whole body
and mind rather than just the outward symptoms.
Western herbalists tend to recommend 1 or 2 herbs
whereas some Chinese formulas may be as many as 30 or
more depending on the complexity and duration of the
condition to be treated. Herbal formulas are constructed
in such a way to carefully mitigate any potential side
effects that a single herb may present. The risk of side
effects are very low, however if you do notice anything
unusual, it is always best to check in with the
herbalist before continuing with the formula. Please
consult your herbalist right away.
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