subject: Chinese Medicine Herbal Remedies and Your Health [print this page] It would be foolhardy toassert that western medicine hasn't successfully ushered in an era of modern medicinal miracles and marvels - unlike that witnessed in any other period of recorded history.
It would be just as foolish to assert that Chinese traditional medicine - which dates back thousands of years hasn't earned its share oflong-term success, either.
In recent years, burgeoningnumbers ofscientists and doctors haveattempted to draw attentionto the seemingly inherent - and possibly dangerous -flaws in the strictly science-based approach to medicine that continues to dominate the medical establishment in the Western world.
Most troubling, these critics claim, is the tendency of conventional doctors to focus solely on the physical symptoms of illness.
In sharp contrast to this approach, traditional Chinese medicine is based on a holistic view of health, recognizing physical ailments, but also taking into consideration the mental, emotional, and spiritual components of an individual's overall well-being.
Indeed, the primary aim of traditional Chinese medicine is fostering the free flow of the life force, known as qi (pronounced "chee").
They believe illnesses are developed only when the flow of qi is blocked or impeded in some way.
Herbs and Philosophy
Traditional Chinese medicine is a complex interweaving of the principles of herbal homeopathy and Taoist philosophy, with origins that date back several millennia.
In 1949, the brutal communist takeover in China limited the practice of traditional Chinese medicine in many areas of the country, while only some remained vibrant and vital in spite of senseless restrictions.
Today, thankfully, traditional Chinese practitioners can be found in virtually every corner of the world and are safe from the iron-fisted, relentlessly dogmatic communist restrictions.
Quackery or Sanity?
For centuries, Western doctors dismissed the principles of traditional Chinese medicine as quackery. However, in recent years, the practice of traditional Chinese medicine has gained credibility and support from an unexpected ally the scientific community.
Since the early 1990s, Western research teams have undertaken a series of investigations into the effectiveness of Chinese medicine.
The results, published in many of the leading scholarly journals, have supported the usefulness of treating a variety of illnesses and symptoms with qi, especially when Chinese meds are combined with certain elements of Western medicine that are shown to be effectively compatible.
These favorable scientific findings are also supported by glowing reviews from a broad array of individuals who have given traditional Chinese medicine a try. Many patients have reported astonishing success rates.
They only found these remedies, however, in desperation after science-based Western practitioners were unable to ease their symptoms
There's Your Trouble!
In the Western medical paradigm, doctors often focus their efforts on the part of the body where symptoms have developed.
In traditional Chinese medicine, however, the origins and the manifestation of an imbalance can often occur in completely different areas of the body.
For example, to a traditional Chinese practitioner, a sallow complexion, pale lips, or muscle weakness could all be signs of problems with the spleen, while a western doctor would focus on the separate body part symptom areas.
Here's an overview of some of the most frequently used herbal remedies that a practitioner might prescribe to restore your qi ("chee") and put you on the path to enhanced well-being:
Ginseng: Now well-known in the West, ginseng is used to combat fatigue, enhance energy, and increase sexual stamina.
Schisandra: This lemony herb, also known as five-flavor berry, is used for bolstering the endocrine system function and to ease liver problems. It is also sometimes used to alleviate the intense symptoms of allergy sufferers.
Ginger: Prized by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to treat nausea and stomach ailments, improve circulation, and provide a boost to sluggish metabolisms. It is also recommended as a non-hormonal method of regulating the menstrual cycle.
Dong Quai: This herb is often used to treat an array of feminine symptoms, ranging from menstrual cramps to hot flashes. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine often refer to it as "women's tonic" because of its usefulness with these problems.
Astragalus Root: This herb is a time-honored method for fortifying the qi, or life-force. It also bolsters immune system functioning and improves lung capacity in frequent cold sufferers or those with ongoing respiratory problems.
Licorice: If you're a licorice fan, you might be happy to hear that practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine often use herbal licorice to improve the taste of bitter herbal teas, as well as to strengthen other prescribed herbal blends. Licorice is also believed to treat ulcers and ease endocrine and immune system problems.
These represent just a few of the thousands of herbal concoctions that are part of the rich healing tradition tapped into by practitioners of Chinese medicine.
If you want to develop a comprehensive health regimen, please consult a qualified practitioner to get started.
However, if you simply want to explore a little on your own before engaging the services of a professional, you can easily brew herbal teas using ingredients that relate to your symptoms.
You can also check out a library book or search the Internet for specific recipes, but you need to follow through (unlike so many health seekers) for the sake of your good health.
If you are sincere and stick with it -you may find your qi ("chee") will be flowing freely in no time at all!
