How
Do Chinese Herbs Work?
|
Let's say that someone
is suffering from arthritis that is aggravated by humidity
or rain. From the Chinese perspective, that would be
an invasion of cold and dampness into the acupuncture
meridians, or pathways of energy flow within the body.
Sometimes this cold and dampness will lodge in the joints
and this is what we call Arthritis. However, there are
certain plants that are very comfortable living in cold
and damp environments. They have a natural defence against
excessive cold and damp weather. There is one in particular
that is called Hai Tong Pi, translated to Sea Vine Bark.
In this bark, there is the necessary energetics required
to keep this plant alive near the sea, free from constant
invasion of cold and damp air. Ingesting the bark in
the form of tea will provide those who suffer from arthritis
the same relief from the pain associated with an internal
invasion of cold and dampness as is enjoyed by Hi Tong
Pi. |
|
Salicin |
What Can Chinese Herbs Treat?
The answer
is: "All problems can be treated by
using Chinese herbs." Compared with modern advanced medical technology
which gives urgent treatment to those life-threatening diseases,
Chinese herbal medicine has the advantage of being able to treat
chronic conditions when conventional medicine is ineffective. For
example: allergies, arthritis, asthma, back pain, chronic fatigue
syndrome, constipation, cough, depression, dizziness, eczema and
all kind of skin problems, flu, gall stones, gastric pain, hay
fever, hot flushes, hypertension, impotence, indigestion, infertility,
insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney stones, menstrual problems,
migraines, prostatitis, sinusitis, tension and ulcers etc. Extensive
practice and Chinese research have shown Chinese herb's effectiveness
in helping these and many other conditions.
Do Chinese Herbs Have Side-effects?
Thousands years' history of Chinese herbs has
proved that Chinese herbs are generally both safe and effective.
However, all medicines are assessed in terms of their risk-benefit
ratio and it should not be surprising that Chinese herbal medicines
may also occasionally cause side-effects and even adverse events
if they are not correctly prescribed. Statistics have shown that
only 0.2% of the general medical admissions to the Prince of Wales
Hospital in Hong Kong were due to adverse reactions to Chinese
herbal medicine, as compared to 4.4% of admissions caused by pharmaceutical
drugs.
Side-effects can be avoided by correctly using
herbal formulas from a professionally qualified herbalist. However,
it is important for you to tell the herbalist about your current
medication and all pre-existing conditions to help the herbalist
make a correct and effective formula for you.
How To Find A Qualified Practitioner
The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM)
is UK's only professional organisation in regulating the practice
of Chinese herbal medicine. Its members must meet the criteria
for the minimum standards of theory, clinic experience and western
science that are required for the practice of CHM in this country.
For your own safety and peace of mind it is strongly recommended
that you only consult an RCHM member who is entitled to use the
designatory letters MRCHM (Member of the Register of Chinese Herbal
Medicine) when you are considering taking Chinese herbs. |
