Chinese herbal medicine

Chinese herbalism is often regarded as more important than acupuncture by Chinese practitioners, with herbal remedies being used to influence the flow of qi or chi (vital energy) throughout the body.

Herbs are not usually prescribed on their own. For example, eczema can be a symptom of the body having too much heat and damp. It may call for a mixture of herbs that are cool and dry by nature, to counteract this. These herbal mixtures are based on tried and tested formulae from medical books that date back over hundreds of years.

Every herb has its own characteristics and effects, and combining different herbs helps to increase their potency and minimise any unwanted consequences. The basic formulae are often modified slightly according to the person concerned and their problem.
Herbs can come in a dried form, or as herbal capsules, tablets, ointments and creams. Dry herbs are available only on prescription, from a practitioner. They are more powerful than capsules or tablets, but are often more expensive. They need to be brewed into drinks and the resulting brew may well taste rather bitter, because most herbs are derived from roots, tubers or tree bark and the stems of plants, flowers or seeds.

Your initial consultation may take some time as the practitioner assesses our constitution and determines your ‘pattern of disharmony’. Your tongue will be examined, sleep patterns, diet and digestion discussed as well as family history and your pulse is taken from three positions on each wrist indicating the varying strengths and qualities of chi.
Many clinical trials have been carried out on herbal formulae used in China and Western researchers are taking a great interest in the results. The formula for eczema seems to be particularly successful and researchers have also found that artemisinim, an extract from wormwood, is not only effective in treating malaria but seems to kill breast cancer cells in laboratory tests.

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