Chinese Medicinal Herbs

What is "special" about Chinese herbs?
Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of at least 2,500 years of written accounts. It developed from folk medicine into a complex medical system that shares its theoretical background, its diagnosis and treatment plans with acupuncture and other branches of Chinese medicine.
    Of all professional medical systems still practiced today in the world Chinese medicine has the longest continuous history. It is also important to note that Chinese herbal medicine has developed a complete system of classification of medicinal substances describing their therapeutic qualities that is unequaled by any other herbal practice of other cultures.

What is special about Chinese herbs for you is that – because Chinese medicine treats the whole person and not the disease – each prescription will be matched exactly to your condition and needs!

How do Chinese Herbs Work?

    Chinese Herbal Diagnosis is a highly sophisticated system that focuses both on a particular symptom(s), and the overall condition of a patient. A trained and experienced Chinese herbalist can create a formula that is specifically design for an individual's needs. The common cold, for example, might strike 5 different people, but each person's constitution and condition affect how and to what extent those individuals experience symptoms. So the Chinese herbalist might prescribe 5 different formulas for these 5 people. Although the formulas might share some basic herbs, they would each be modified to fit that person's need. Chinese herbs treat both the symptoms and help regulate the body back to natural health.

How are Chinese Herbs Taken?

    Chinese herbs come is 3 basic forms:

1. Dried Loose Herbs - these are usually made into a decoction and drank as a tea (cook in water). The Chinese consider these to be the most effective way to take herbs, but are usually strong in taste.

2. Granules - Herbs that have been processed into small sand size grains that are dissolved into water and drunken. They are much easier to take and still retain their potency.

3. Patents - Herbs that have been processed into tablets, pills, powders, liquid extracts, syrups, medicinal wines, herbal plasters and liniments. These are convenient, but usually not as potent.

4. Formulas