Chinese Herbal Medicine

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Good Morning!

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine

 

Herbs are the medicinals in holistic medicine. 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.

 

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.

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