Contrary to most people’s understanding of Chinese medicine, it is in fact Chinese Herbal Medicine and not Acupuncture that is the most widely used part of the Traditional Chinese Medical system.
Chinese Herbal Medicine dates back thousands of years, with the first recognised textbook, the Shen Nong Ben Cao, written on it in the first century BC.
As far back as humanity existed in China, Chinese herbalists began to experiment on themselves and their patients. And over the millennia through their direct experience and gathered knowledge of millions of human trials they discovered which herbs were toxic and could not be used, and which others were beneficial in the elimination of illnesses. They also discovered a multitude of herbs for strengthening and prolonging the life of the human body and mind.
Chinese Herbal Medicine dates back thousands of years, with the first recognised textbook, the Shen Nong Ben Cao, written on it in the first century BC.
As far back as humanity existed in China, Chinese herbalists began to experiment on themselves and their patients. And over the millennia through their direct experience and gathered knowledge of millions of human trials they discovered which herbs were toxic and could not be used, and which others were beneficial in the elimination of illnesses. They also discovered a multitude of herbs for strengthening and prolonging the life of the human body and mind.
Thousands of text books have now been written, describing in vast detail the properties of each individual medicinal herb. Books have now detailed over 17,000 different herbs, with over tens of thousands of herbal medical recipes describing the treatment of different ailments.
Unlike Western Medicines, each herbal formula created by a professional herbalist will contain specific herbs tailored to treat not just the symptoms that the patient suffers from, but the underlying weaknesses that allowed the conditions to materialise in the first place. Thus when a patient has been cured from an illness, there is far less likelihood of that condition or a similar one returning.
Unlike Western Medicines, each herbal formula created by a professional herbalist will contain specific herbs tailored to treat not just the symptoms that the patient suffers from, but the underlying weaknesses that allowed the conditions to materialise in the first place. Thus when a patient has been cured from an illness, there is far less likelihood of that condition or a similar one returning.
Because each formula is designed specifically around the status and constitution of each unique patient, a good properly qualified herbalist will ensure that there are no negative side effects; thus making the use of Chinese herbal formulas incredibly safe.
A word of caution, herbs are very safe when administered by a skilled practitioner but are not suitable for self-medication. They can produce strong effects and if used incorrectly can worsen conditions. So please take them under the advice of someone well qualified who understands how to prepare and prescribe them in the safest and most effective manner.
A word of caution, herbs are very safe when administered by a skilled practitioner but are not suitable for self-medication. They can produce strong effects and if used incorrectly can worsen conditions. So please take them under the advice of someone well qualified who understands how to prepare and prescribe them in the safest and most effective manner.
