Good Morning!
This is the beginning of the new lunar calendar. In celebration of
the Chinese New Year, I will be discussing the many wonderful
contributions the Asian cultures have given the world in relation to
alternative medicine.
Celebrating Chinese New Year: The Contribution of Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is the strongest, natural medicinals on the
planet, due to their unique combinations of herbs in a formula. It is
among these treatment methods which make up the unique qualities of
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Chinese herbs are specifically used to create decoctions or "teas"
and is a very powerful part of healing dis-ease. Herbal decoctions
can also be given in "tea pills", tinctures, granules or as an
external patch, compress or bath. Chinese herbal medicine uses
several hundred substances, mostly of plant origin (roots, seeds,
flowers, twigs, crystals, bones and barks). These are hardly ever
prescribed singly. They are combined into a formula, which usually
contains between 8 and 12 ingredients. It is the "herbal synergy"
that seems to be the strength behind Chinese herbal formulas. The
exact combination is adjusted to suit the patient's individual
condition, and is likely to be altered as the treatment progresses to
take account of changes that have occurred. It is therefore a very
flexible system, which can be closely developed to the needs of the
patient.
For example, Astragalus is a powerful broad-spectrum antiviral herb. It is safe and effective. Conventional western medicine has nothing to combat the vast majority of viruses (they only suppress symptoms), but still doctors will not recommend astragalus because it is plant based. Plant based treatments cannot produce large profits because they cannot be patented. Large profits are needed to pay for the expensive FDA approved clinical trials. So plant based treatments
never get FDA approval to treat a disease. Your doctor can only prescribe treatments that are FDA approved. If your doctor prescribes treatments that are not FDA approved, he or she can be sued or lose their license. However, any state certified herbalist can prescribe astragalus and many other herbs.
The methodology behind an herb's function, indication,
contraindication, preparation and use are numerous. Herbs are
categorized according to their properties, taste, temperature and
their "herbal synergy" is created by using a dominant (chief herb)
with a deputy, assistants and envoy herbs in a combination to produce
a better effect on one particular organ or condition. The chief
herb "rules" the prescription and has the primary effect on the
disease condition. The deputy and assistant herbs help to
synergistically increase the effect of the chief herb, to treat an
illness, as well as, "supervise" the function of other herbs.
Here are ways herbs are used:
*Pills, Capsules, Granules are the most popular form. These are herbs
ground into powder then either rolled into "teapills", put into
capsules or given in granule form. Herbal formulas tend to be created
for a single problem or nest of related problems and their specific
pattern of disharmony.
*Tinctures Herbal remedies are also prescribed in tincture form and
are the previously fresh herb in well preserved, highly concentrated
form. This liquid, as well as, concentrated forms of extracted herbs
are preserved in their freshest form.
*Essence Steam distillation or cold pressing results in herbs as
essential oils.
*Poultice are macerated or chopped herbs that are placed directly on
the skin and a hot, moist bandage is applied.
*Infusions are used when you are working with the most delicate part
of the herb-the leaves flowers, fruits and seeds. Infusion time can
be approximately 3-5 minutes.
*Decoctions are used to extract the tougher part of the herb-bark,
berries and roots. Decoction time can be between 45 minutes to 90
minutes.
Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
http://www.peacefulmind.com/herbology.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit
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