Chinese Herbal Medicine
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic system of primary health care that includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage, exercise therapy, and diet and lifestyle advice. Traditional Chinese Medicine views the mind, body and spirit/emotions as intimately connected and utilises this, the vast knowledge developed over thousands of years of clinical experience and modern clinical research to provide individually tailored treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners look carefully for signs of health and dysfunction, paying particular attention not only to the presenting signs and symptoms, but also to medical history, general constitution, and the pulse and tongue.
Traditional Chinese Medicine developed from the philosophy that restoring balance or harmony within ourselves can treat presenting ailments as well as assist in disease prevention. Consequently treatments can not only target your presenting signs and symptoms, but also their underlying cause; while improving your other health problems and general state of health and wellbeing. Clinical decision making and patient management strategies are also influenced by contemporary Western approaches to health care, including infection control practices and known interactions of herbal medicines with pharmaceuticals and other therapeutic substances.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective form of health care when provided by a qualified practitioner.
When we are healthy there is an abundant supply of qi (life energy) that flows through meridians (a network of invisible channels in the body). If there is inadequate supply of qi or blockage of the flow of qi in the meridians the body fails to maintain harmony. This can be due to stress (emotional and physical), poor diet and/or lifestyle, overwork, disease pathogens, the environment and weather conditions. This imbalance can result in illness and disease.
Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body's meridians to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of qi through you. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion, cupping, electrostimulation, gua sha and massage, in order to re-establish the flow of qi.
What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Most health conditions present with a core set of recognisable signs and symptoms, but the actual presentation of a particular condition will vary from person to person. Therefore people with similar health conditions may be provided with quite different Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions. A qualified practitioner is able to prescribe a Chinese herbal formula that specifically matches and treats your individual health problem. As your condition changes and improves with treatment, the Chinese herbal treatment is also adjusted and modified until the desired health outcome is achieved.
What substances are used in Chinese herbal medicine?
Some substances that were used traditionally are no longer part of modern professional Chinese herbal medicine practice. For example, substances with similar actions have replaced traditional remedies that were derived from endangered species. More than 450 substances are commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine, with most being of plant origin.
What conditions does Chinese herbal medicine treat?
Chinese herbal medicine provides effective treatment for a wide range of health disorders including:
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Loss of appetite and common digestive disorders
- Constipation and diarrhoea
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Common cold and influenza
- Chronic headaches
- Skin disorders
- Fluid retention
- Anxiety, depression and stress
- Allergies
- Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
- Premenstrual syndrome and painful menstruation
- Excessive menstruation
- Infertility
- Impotence and prostate disorders
- Disorders associated with menopause
Chinese herbal medicine can strengthen and enhance normal body functions to boost the immune system, maintain health, and promote a general sense of wellbeing while assisting in disease prevention.