Chinese Herbs: a Natural Solution

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Chinese Herbs: a Natural Solution JoAnn Guest Jun 13, 2005 18:34 PDT

 

http://www.willner.com/article.aspx?artid=147

 

With a history of over 5,000 years, is a highly

organized system to health and prevention. Recently, there has been a

growing interest and acceptance of . Since November

1997, the National Institute of Health (NIH), issued a statement

recommending Acupuncture (a discipline of ) as an

effective form of treatment, with less side effects than many

conventional therapies. In this article we will answer some frequent

asked questions about and Chinese herbs.

 

How does compare to Conventional Medicine?

 

Conventional Medicine views the body in parts and treats symptoms within

isolated parts of the body. views the body

holistically, as a microcosm or entity. With consideration to the

interrelation of each part of the body, its diagnosis surveys the whole

body and treats the ailment. To give an analogy, think of each part of

the body as a team member. Once a ailment is identified, Conventional

Medicine concentrates and treats one team member. This individualized

treatment may cause disharmony in the team. On the other hand, Chinese

Medicine focuses on the whole team to resolve the problem. This teamwork

approach harmonizes the team to work in unity.

 

Moreover, ¹s approach differs from conventional medicine

because it concentrates on treating the underlying conditions of a

ailment to balance the body; rather than targeting an isolated part of

the body and directly treating the symptoms. For instance, in

conventional medicine, we often hear about the search for the magic

bullet to cure a disease. The magic bullet implies a fast and aggressive

eradication of a disease on one part of the body. For ,

the magic bullet does not target only one part of the body, rather it

examines the whole body, to locate and resolve the underlying

conditions, thereby treating the ailment.

 

How does approach health?

 

Conventional Medicine¹s approach to health is a direct treatment of

symptoms and diseases. Indeed, we are all taught to go to our doctor

when we are sick, not when we are healthy. On the other hand, the

emphasis of is on prevention, as well as treatment of

ailments. Chinese take herbs and cook with herbs when they are healthy

to maintain their health, as well as visit their doctor when they have

minor ailments. Chinese believe that minor ailments must be treated at

the onset, to prevent the development of a more serious disease. For

example, most of us do not consider a spraining ankle serious enough to

warrant a visit to our doctor. However, treats a sprain

seriously because that sprain has the potential to result into

rheumatoid arthritis in the future.

 

What are the basic principles of ?

 

The basis of is the balance of Yin and Yang. Yin and

Yang are polar opposites, like night and day and are co-dependent, i.e.,

Yin is necessary for Yang to exist, and vice versa. Optimal health is

dependent on the balance of Yin and Yang. Where there is an imbalance,

ailments arise.

 

Another key principle in is the concept Chi (pronounced

chee). Chi is best defined as metabolic or vital energy, i.e., an energy

force that animates life and allows us to breath. Chi is the energy that

pumps the oxygen through our blood, and flows through the veins. The

proper flow of Chi is important for good health. When there is a

deficiency or obstruction in the flow of Chi, ailments arise.

 

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

 

Chinese herbal medicine is a highly sophisticated practice of

formulation and therapy, that uses over 6,000 natural elements. Chinese

herbal medicine is the most widely practiced disciple of medicine in

Asia. It administers balanced multiple herbal formulas developed to

correct imbalanced of Yin and Yang and the flow of Chi within the body,

thereby assisting in the treatment of ailments.

 

Do Chinese herbs have side effects?

 

Conventional drugs are intended only to treat isolated part of the body,

without consideration of the whole body. However, drugs do affect the

whole body, which results in serious side effects. In Chinese herbal

therapy, herbs are combined and formulated to treat ailments or

imbalances, with the intent to affect the whole body. Chinese Herbal

formulas are botanically composed to work collectively with the whole

body to treat the underlying conditions where ailments arise.

Nonetheless, there can be some mild adverse reactions, like

gastrointestinal disturbance, when herbs are taken on an empty stomach.

If such a reaction occurs, it can be prevented by taking the herbs after

a meal.

 

Are Chinese herbs effective?

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine is a discipline that has derived from thousands

of years of practice. In fact many popular pharmaceutical products are

derived from herbs that originated in Asia. In recent years,

pharmacological testings on hundreds of herbs have demonstrated that

many herbs have a physiological activity that supports the traditional

use of the herb. At present, there is much research throughout the world

on Chinese herbs, like Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng that validate the

traditional Chinese use of the herb.

 

Are there Chinese herbs that can assist with Stress?

 

Many herbs for stress may give us the sedative effect. Chinese herbs

like Jujube fruit can assist with the tensions of stress without the

drowsiness or sedative effect. Jujube works by promoting better

circulation and enabling the body to have a better tolerance of stress.

Like most Chinese herbs, jujube is best used in a multiple formulation.

For example, Stress Away by Neo€Concept is a Chinese herbal formula that

is formulated with Jujube.

 

How can Chinese herbs help with digestion?

 

If you suffer from indigestion, reflux, gas, bloatedness, or just poor

digestion, herbs like Ginger and Licorice have long been known to assist

with the dissipation of gas and soothe the digestion track. Chinese

herbs like Atractylodes can assist to harmonize the stomach and spleen.

Neo€Concept Gastro Ease is natural herbal formulation that assist with

healthy digestion. It is multi herbal balanced formulation that combines

ginger, licorice atractylodes, and other Chinese herbs. Gastro Ease

assist to promote healthy digestion by assisting on the underlying

conditions to balance the digestion system and work with the flow of Chi

or movement in the body, to assist with healthy digestion.

 

What are some women¹s Chinese herbs?

 

Chinese herbalism has address women¹s issues long before modern medicine

recognized the women suffered from monthly discomforts. In Asia, Dong

Quai is the most widely used Chinese herb for women¹ health. Dong Quai

tonify's to the blood and supports muscular relaxation. Considered a

phyto-estrogen, Dong Quai can assist with the hormonal imbalances of

monthly cycles.

 

Bupleurum is another Chinese herb that has historically supported women

through the month. Bupleurum is a Chinese herb that may assist with

irritability and mood swings. (see Neo€Concept Monthly Relief)

 

What Chinese herbal formula addresses headaches?

 

Recently, a Chinese Acupuncture clinic in New England administered a

Chinese herbal formula that can assist with the conditions of migraine,

tension, and cluster headaches. The migraine suffers that used this

formula over 70% of them felt that this formula assisted them with their

condition. The herbal formula was administered continuously for the

duration of at least a month and continued in application as needed. The

Chinese herbal remedy was formulated to assist with easing tensions and

promote the flow of Chi in the body to balance the system. (see

Neo€Concept Head Relief)

 

How long do I have to take Chinese herbs?

 

We are conditioned to think expedience is effective. When we take a drug

we want to feel or see the results immediately. What many of us do not

realize, is that expedience tends to shock the natural balance in our

body, which may contribute to the side effects. With Chinese herbal

therapy, the uses of herbs tend to take a longer duration, as its

emphasis is to work gently on the underlying imbalance of the body.

Although Chinese Herbal therapy may be administered for a longer

duration, it is a more natural and balance approach to health.

 

Author: Phyllis Tan, Neo Concept Company

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

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