Chinese Herbal Healing
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses herbs to treat ailments and disorders. Chinese herbal remedies are used to restore unbalanced energy, which TCM believes to be the root of all illness. Chinese herbal healing is an exact science and has become more widely used in the Western hemisphere within recent decades.
History
According to the American Cancer Society's (ACS) online guide to Chinese herbs, Chinese herbal medicine dates back to before 200 BC. By that time Chinese herbal healing was well on its way to wide acceptance as a legitimate healing method. By the first century AD, Chinese physicians had developed a list of herbs and formulas. When Li Shi-Zhen wrote a text about medicinal herbs in the Ming Dynasty (1152-1578), he included "nearly 2,000 herbs and extracts." As traditional Western medicine spread through China, TCM came to be regarded as folk healing and relegated as substandard. China has long embraced Chinese and Western medical practices. The introduction of Chinese philosophy and healing wisdom in the West brought higher regard for ancient Chinese herbal healing.
Function
The American Cancer Society describes the purposes for which Chinese herbs are used. Chinese herbal healing incorporates Chinese herbs and combines them to restore the patient's energy imbalance. TCM healers commonly use astragalus, ginkgo, ginseng, green tea and Siberian ginseng. According to ACS, TCM claims that Chinese herbal formulas prevent and treat illnesses and disorders including, but not limited to, hormonal imbalances, infections and pulmonary disorders. The ACS is interested in claims that Chinese herbs may be beneficial for cancer treatment.
Features
There are over 3,200 Chinese herbs, which may be combined with 300 mineral and animal extracts to make medicine. According to the ACS, Chinese herbal formulas can contain four to 12 ingredients and may be ingested as infusions, "powders, pills, tinctures or syrups." TCM practitioners include herbs to address the primary ailment and will add other ingredients to ease additional complaints.
Properties
The Alternative Medicine Foundation's TCM Resource Guide explains that Chinese herbal properties include "nature, taste, affinity and primary action." The guide further details each property's unique characteristics. An herb's nature may cool or heat as well as hydrate, ease or energize. Peppermint cools and is prescribed to regulate metabolism or for certain digestive ailments. Chinese herbs also are classified according to taste. An herb may be bitter, sweet or bland, or may be salty or spicy. TCM healers recommend bitter herbs, such as dandelion, for colds and upper respiratory conditions. Herbal affinity refers to its effectiveness for different organs, such as the liver, lungs or kidneys. An herb's primary action refers to how the herb behaves in the system. Some herbs are astringent, while others purge or strengthen.
Conditions
TCM practitioners use Chinese herbs to treat a long list of illnesses and imbalances. The many conditions for which Chinese herbs are used include low blood pressure and angina. Herb China provides in-depth descriptions of recommended herbs for these ailments. Nine herbs are used in combination to treat low blood pressure. These herbs include fructus aurantii Immaturus to promote vital energy flow and to "disperse stagnation." TCM practitioners use combinations of herbs to treat angina. Herbal remedies include the use of radix puerariae. According to Herb China, radix puerariae is a mild hypotensive and has antispastic action.
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