Classical Chinese Medicine

Pre-prepared Chinese Herbs

In China, raw herbs have been used to treat a wide range of medical conditions since at least 300 BC. Over this 2000 year span many eminent and distinguished physicians have contributed to our knowledge of this tradition and in the past few decades there has been intensive academic research carried out on the efficacy and subtle bodily effects of literally hundreds of herbs.

The astonishing complexity of these natural products means they are balanced in a way that pharmacological drugs based on one active constituent in a herb can not be, meaning they are much less likely to cause side effects.

Rich diversity combined with proven clinical effectiveness means Chinese herbal medicine is one of the most powerful and flexible treatment traditions in the world. Herbal medicine, like the other arms of Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] such as acupuncture, aims not only to treat specific problems but to balance the body's core systems and strengthen the patient's Qi, or vital energy, thereby preventing any recurrence of illness.

A healthy body is not one which merely shows no symptoms of disease, it is one which every system is energised and working to complement the whole.In China, herbs are prescribed alongside contemporary pharmaceutical medicines in virtually every hospital and clinic.

Conditions That Can Be Treated

The application of Chinese herbal medicine is extremely wide, but there are a particular range of conditions which respond exceptionally well to this tradition :

• Skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, urticaria
• Digestive disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, chronic constipation and diarrhoea
• Gynaecological conditions such as a difficult menopause, pre-menstrual syndrome, endometriosis and infertility
• HIV : TCM does not claim to cure HIV but supportive treatment can often be very helpful
• Hepatitis: promising results have occurred in the treatment of hepatitis C
• Chronic fatigue including ME also known as post-viral syndrome
• Respiratory conditions such as asthma, coughs and bronchitis, hay fever, sinusitis rhinitis
• Urinary problems including chronic cystitis
• Psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety

 

 

How Chinese Herbs Are Prescribed

Raw herbs are rarely prescribed singly. Instead between 8 and 12 ingredients are combined in a unique balance for each individual. This allows a natural synergy to occur which both increases the herbs effectiveness and safety.

The majority of herbal medicines are roots, seeds, flowers twigs and barks and having been carefully blended in their raw state they are given to the patient to simmer gently at home to produce a tea/decoction which is generally drunk twice daily.

Because this method of prescribing is so flexible and so personal, the balance of the herbs can constantly be adjusted to the patient's specific bodily reactions and any change in their condition.

Skin conditions are also be treated with herbal washes, ointments and soaks and sometimes pills are prescribed, particularly if long term treatment is required, but this approach is inherently less flexible.

In many cases, a positive reaction is seen in two to three weeks, although long standing problems often need treatment for 8 to 12 weeks.

At Medical Alternatives we never use ingredients which come from endangered plants or animals or in any way threaten their conservation.

Safety Of Herbs

There have been occasions when unscrupulous suppliers have included banned toxic materials or pharmaceutical ingredients.

At Medical Alternatives all our herbs are sourced from suppliers who are members of the Chinese Medicine Association of Suppliers and who as such, adhere to the highest standards of purity, quality and safety. The welfare and trust of our patients is our overriding concern.