Treatments: Herbs

Chinese herbs have served as the foundation for "Traditional Chinese Medicine" for over 5,000 years. The fundamental idea of living in harmony with nature and the environment forms the basis for the use of Chinese herbs as well as the traditional Chinese approach to health. Knowledge of the healing power of Chinese herbs and herbal remedies has been passed down from generation to generation, and today represents one of China’s greatest cultural heritages to mankind.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is very different from the western scientific approach we are accustomed to. Chinese medical experts promote a healthful balance of Yin and Yang – two forces present in all of nature. When Yin or Yang forces or Qi/energy levels are off-balance in the body and spirit, health problems arise. Chinese herbs and herbal remedies are used to help realign an individual’s yin or yang balance in order to improve overall well-being. Chinese herbal formulas include hundreds of popular organic ingredients that work in harmony to produce the desired effects in a person’s body.These ingredients are primarily of plant origin, and may include roots, bark, seeds, flowers and leaves. Each organic ingredient typically has unique characteristics that are reinforced and harmonized in comprehensive ancient Chinese herbal formulas that have been passed down through the years.

One of the first books about Chinese Herbal Medicine was written 2200 years ago by Shen Nong called The Classic of Materia Medica. Since that time, a vast amount of experience has been gained which has gone towards perfecting their clinical use today. There are an estimated 7000 species of Chinese Herbal Medicine in use, including nearly 1,000 materials derived from animal sources and over 100 minerals, all of them categorised under the general heading "herbs."

A practitioner need only have about 200 herbs to be able to treat most common ailments. After consultation and traditional Chinese diagnosis, a formulation of between 8 and 15 herbs will be pescribed. The ingredients and amounts of each item depend on the nature of the condition to be treated.

In 1989 the World Health Organisation Of the United Nations published a book listing 150 of the most commonly used herbs in Chinese medicine. Chinese herbs are now experiencing a rapid increase in usage and popularity. Health-conscious consumers are concerned about the concentration of synthetic chemicals in western diets, medicines, and the general environment. Chinese herbs are being welcomed by progressive western consumers whoare seeking natural, healthy and balanced alternative remedies.