Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is the most ancient of early medical systems in the world. Its immense scale of experience spans thousands of years and countless administrations.
Chinese herbs are most often taken in formulae (combinations of herbs) rather than the use of single herbs. By combining herbs, synergies are created that vastly increase their medicinal effects. Also when specific herbs are used together they often change their action on the body. Blending herbs in this way also allows the herbalist to neutralize unwanted side-effects. These blends consist of principal herbs, assisting herbs, directional herbs, and herbs that reduce the side effects, or aid the digestion of a particular herb.
Although herbs can have a strong effect on the body, most formulas are used to slowly allow the body to come back into balance, to improve organ function, and allow the body to heal itself. Remember, we are not treating the disease but the person. This allows for a permanent change in the body, because we are not just treating the symptoms but also the underlying weakness that has manifested itself in the body. For example: If we have a headache we take a pain relieving drug. This does not stop the cause of the headache it only removes the pain. If we use herbal medicine we can not only treat the symptom of pain but also treat the root cause of the headache to prevent them from returning.
Herbs can be ingested as boiled teas called decoctions (tang), milled powders (san), pills (pian), tablets (wan), granulated or tinctured extracts. Topically, herbs are used in poultices, plasters, soaks, ointments, washes.
