Herbal Medicine is another integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine which has long been used to successfully treat a variety of ailments. The earliest record of the use of Chinese herbal medicine dates back to around 206 BC with the book Shen Nong Ben Cao, or Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica, which listed and described in detail the properties and medical uses of 365 herbs.
Chinese herbs are derived from organic substances found in plants, barks, roots, flowers, and even minerals and animal products. Over the succeeding centuries, the use of Chinese formulas has evolved and adapted to the changing needs of society and an integrative medical landscape. Since the inception of Chinese herbal medicine, the beneficial healing effects, side effects, and contraindications have been well documented. It is quite rare that an herbal formula will illicit negative or harmful side effects, especially when prescribed by a well-trained Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner.
For centuries and across large populations, herbal formulas have been prescribed to adults, children, the elderly, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. When herbs are prescribed in conjunction with acupuncture, they complement each other quite nicely and produce very effective treatment protocols.
Herbal medicine and acupuncture are both rooted in the fundamental belief that there is an intrinsic connection between human beings, nature and the cosmos.
- Herbs tend to be highly specific in their actions.
- They possess unique qualities and properties, much like human beings, and target different aspects of an individual’s disharmony.
- Herbs have four major properties and functions:
Cold / Cooling herbs – clear heat, dispel fire, detoxify the body, and promote Yin energy
Warm / Heating herbs – warm the interior, dispel cold, and promote Yang energy
Mixing two or more individual herbs is similar to adding hot or cold water. It cannot be too hot or too cold, unless the TCM practitioner is attempting to achieve this effect.
Herbs have five flavours that coincide with the five elements:
- Sour (wood) – arrests, discharges, and acts as an astringent
- Bitter (fire) – expels heat, reduces dampness, strengthens the Yin, and disperses fire
- Sweet (earth) – strengthens the body, balances the Yin and Yang, and relieves pain
- Pungent (metal) – disperses internal heat, and boosts circulation of Qi and blood
- Salty (water) – softens hardness, moistens, and has a purgative effect
Seldom does an herbal formula belong to solely one flavour. Generally, it may possess a few flavours, but in varying degrees. Therefore, a formula oftentimes contains more than one property, function and flavour.
We customize formulas for the individual using only the highest quality herbs that contain no preservatives, sweeteners, and toxic heavy metal. Our expertise in TCM diagnosis allows us to ascertain the root cause. Therefore we are able to treat your symptoms as well as the primary cause of your ailment.
