Chinese Herbal TherapyHerbs have properties that include energy, flavour, and its movement as related to meridians that it connects to. There are 4 types of energies - cold, cool, warm and hot. Herbs that are cold or cool are used to treat fever, thirst, sore throat and in general for heat diseases. Chinese herbs have been used for centuries to treat various diseases and conditions as well as to prevent illness. Each herb has its own properties and a knowledgeable herbalist or practitioner must be consulted when herbs are being used.
Pungent herbs are used to induce sweat and to promote proper circulation of both Qi and blood. Sweet herbs are used for nourishing deficiency, harmonizing other herbs or to reduce the toxicity of another herb, to relieve pain and to slow down the progression of acute diseases. Sour herbs constrict, obstruct and solidify. They can stop sweating, diarrhea, seminal emission and also stop leucorrhea. Salty herbs are used to lubricate the intestines, and to drain them downward. They are used to treat constipation or diseases like goitre. Bitter herbs are used to reduce fevers, and to induce bowel movements. They also reduce hot sensations and can redirect Qi. They are also used to nourish the kidneys and to treat diseases that are deemed to be "damp". Herbs move in 4 different directions within the body. They can move up towards the head, down towards the lower limbs or inward toward the zang-fu organs. They can also move outward towards the superficial regions of the body. Every herb has a corresponding meridian or more than one meridian to which it responds to. An example is the herb Gou Teng it corresponds to the liver meridian and is used to treat liver diseases.
Researchers in Texas have tested the effectiveness of Chinese herbs on arthritis pain including that of rheumatoid arthritis and have found herbs to be effective, namely the extracts of the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF). In Geneva Switzerland it was reported that the World Health Organization came out in support of using wormwood to combat malaria. The Chinese people have been using wormwood for over 2000 years and have found it to be life-saving against Malaria. Doctors in London England have concluded that 10 different herbs when used as a mixture are effective at treating dermatitis. The conclusion was drawn from a study that had been conducted at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
A report from the University of Exeter by Dr. Ernst states that there are certain herbs that is safe to use such as camomile, garlic, Ginkgo biloba, peppermint, sabal, saw palmetto and St. John's wort. He specifically mentioned that St. John's wort has fewer side effects than the synthetic antidepressants used in western medicine. World News About Chinese Medicine
|
Chinese Herbal Medicines |
