Chinese medicine enhances the recuperative power, immunity, and state of well-being. With fewer side effects and easy assimilation, Chinese herbs are safe, effective, and gently nurturing.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

With over 23 centuries of continuous use, traditional Chinese medicine approaches disharmonies from within a framework that addresses the patient’s constitution. Both the disharmony and the essential or underlying physical makeup of the individual are taken into account for diagnosis and treatment.

Western drugs often control symptoms but do not alter the disease process, whereas Chinese herbal therapy treats the imbalance underlying a condition’s symptoms. Each treatment is tailored to the individual and based upon a traditional diagnosis.

How Herbs Work

“Since fatigue results from a lack of Qi, herbs that nourish the Qi have an energizing effect. Since blurry vision, restless sleep, and irritability result from depleted Blood, Blood-enriching herbs improve vision, sleep, and equanimity. Since dry skin and dehydration arise from insufficient Moisture, herbs that replenish it soften the skin and relieve an otherwise unquenchable thirst.

Herbs assist the Organ Networks in the performance of their tasks. Particular herbs enhance the capacity of the Heart to propel the blood and soothe the mind, the Spleen to manage digestion and fluid equilibrium, the Lung to handle respiration and the body’s defenses, the Liver to maintain resilient emotions and supple limbs, and the Kidney to sustain sexual and regenerative power. Some herbal formulas address ailments such as colds, allergies, inflammations, or cramps with dramatic and immediate results, wh ile others fortify body reserves over time.

Chinese herbs are usually combined in formulas to enhance their individual properties and actions. Symptoms and signs are matched with therapeutic effects, reflecting the particular conditions and needs of each patient. Tonic formulas restore eroded body resources; regulating formulas decongest the Qi, Moisture, and Blood, relieving discomfort; and purging formulas eliminate pathogenic influences.

Herbs, more like foods than drugs, can supplement the diet and fortify your constitution as well as prevent or remedy ailments. Formulas fall into three principal categories and have specific energetic actions:

Tonifying or supplementing formulas are used for conditions of weakness or deficiency. Deficiency patterns may be seen in any of the organ systems especially; Spleen, Lung, Kidney, Liver (Blood and Qi) with symptoms such as fatigue, poor digestion, low immunity, and incontinence.

Purging or eliminating formulas eradicate a pathogen such as a virus or bacteria. These are very specific types of formulas that are mainly used for conditions such as Wind Heat invasion (common cold or flu), Heat and Toxins (growths or infections), or pain conditions such as Blood stasis, or excess Dampness (arthritis).

Harmonizing formulas restore balance and equanimity to an organ system – usually the Liver/Gall Bladder (Digestive system) that may manifest as manic behavior, constipation or diarrhea.

Patterns can be complex and manifest in many different ailments and behaviors.”

Chinese Medicine – How it Works
Harriet Beinfield & Efrem Korngold

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