Herbal Medicine 

 

 

Herbs and herbal formulas are used widely for different conditions since ancient time in China. It is continously been used as medicine in Asian coutries. The herbal remedies are used to enhance effects sometimes along acupuncture and other treatments.

 

When considering the appropriate herbal remedy for a patient, our practitioners will perscribe base on indivdual conditions so it is the best for each person. The reason being is because each person's body constitution is different. Therefore, different herbal formulas are customized to suit each person. No one medicine fits everyone. Moderfication is needed to get the best result maybe a way to explain this. Pracitioners are trained to determine which formula and what form of herbs for each patient on weekly bases. 

A herbal formula usually contains a combination of potent herbs, and NOT all formulas are created equals.

 

Different forms of herbs:

 

Western medications have different forms. The different types of medicines and how they work‘Pharmacology’ is the science that deals with the origin, nature, chemistry, effects and uses of drugs. Medicines come in a variety of different forms, including: pills, tablets, capsules, injection, liquids/syrups, lozenges, inhalants,

creams, ointments, suppositories, aerosol, pessary. 

 

Herbs has different forms also. Herbs are divided into external herbs and internal herbs in general. Internal herbs are intake use. External herbs are for external apply only.

 

Internal Herbs:

• pill herbal formula (generatic patterned herbal formula)

• Capsules

• powder herb (high concentrated herbs into a powder form. It can be dissolved with warm water)

• raw herbs (original forms of herbs. Patient need to cook it under practitioner's perscription. Some herbs may need to cook longer, others need to put in at last. It is based on how practitioner wants the formula to perform)

 

 

External Herbs:

• herbal plaster

• liquid herb

• oilment 

• cream

• spray

• ETC

 

Others: IV and injection includes herbal concentrations are used in hospitals in Asia. It is not being used in clinic in USA in general.

 

 

Difference between herbs and foods:

Food are daily used by everyone who doesn't need special training. Charcterstic, functions, contraindication, indication, dosages are not taught when we cook foods.

 

Foundation of studying herbs:

 

Practitioners must learn the temperature, flavor, channels the herbs enter(s), function, indication, contraindication of each herb first. The next step is to learn the combination of herbs. Certain herbs total enhance the functions of each other, others reduce the effect. Afterwards, practitioners must study the classic formulas existed for thousand of years. To understand and expertise the theory, function and reasons how they are formulated. Every little thing counts. Old practitioners always say to the new practitioners:" To treat patient, practitioners must be careful and careful. It is like we are walking on the ice constantly. There is no mistake can be made."

 

 

Herbs are foods in some cases; others are not. There are more than 400 single chinese herbs in the ancient time and being studied by practitioners. Today, some new ones are being discovered. Some ancient herbs do not exist due to envirnoment changes and other reasons. 

 

Differences between herbs and herbal formulas:

Herb is one herbe. Herbal formulas are combination of two herbs or more.  

There are categories of action in herbs:

• exterior resolving

• heat clearing

• precipitating

• wind dispelling

• water disinhibiging, dampess percolating

• interior warming

• qi rectifying

• food dispersing

• worm expeling

• blood rectifying

• phlegm transforming, cough suppressing, panting calming

• spirit quieting

• liver calming, wind extinguishing

• orifice opening

• supplementing

• securing and astring

• externally used