Welcome to herbal medicine Guide
Thai Herbal Medicine Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Understanding Chinese Herbal Medicine
from:Maintaining health by restoring the balance of energy, body and spirit is the main focus of Chinese herbal medicine. The difference between the methods of Chinese herbal medicine and traditional methods is that instead of the herbs being used to treat a particular disease or condition in Chinese herbal medicine is that the herbs are used to nourish the body. Imbalances in the body can be detected by the appearance of the skin, hair, tongue, eyes, pulse and can be heard in the voice. A variety of herbs are used, in different combinations, to help restore balance to the body. These combinations of herbs are created to treat the main complaint or patterns of the patient’s symptoms instead of the underlying cause. Use of the Chinese herbal medicine method of treatment helps to restore the bodies balance, resulting in the patient being healthier in mind, body and soul.
The make-up of Chinese herbal medicine
Herbal medicine is administered in numerous ways, from teas to powders, pills, tinctures and syrups. Herbal formulations typically contain anywhere from four to twelve different plant based ingredients. In China there are over 3,200 different herbs to choose from. There are 300 different mineral and animal extracts available. Currently there are over 400 different herbal formulations that are used. To make these formulations effective, one or two herbs are chosen that will have the greatest impact on the major aspects of the problem. The other herbs that are used in the formulation work in a variety of ways from treating the minor aspects of the formula to helping the other herbs work more effectively. The minor herbs also help direct the herbal formula to specific parts of the body.
History of Chinese herbal medicine
Chinese medicine has been firmly established since 200 BC, however a listing of medicinal herbs and formulations were not developed until the first century AD. During the Ming Dynasty (1152-1578) a classic book on medicinal herbs, which lists nearly 2,000 different herbs and extracts, was written by Li Shi-Zhen. When Western conventional medicine began spreading to the East many of the traditional herbal medicines began to be regarded as folklore. Interesting enough the Chinese government has supported the use of both traditional and Western medicine since 1949. Traditional Chinese medicine began to gain popularity in the United States during the 1970’s after President Richard Nixon paid a visit to China and continues to remain a popular alternative today.
Traditional Chinese medicine can be used in conjunction with traditional medical practices provided you choose a health care practitioner that is knowledgeable in both fields. As with any medicine there are side effects and possible drug interactions, so before deciding that Chinese herbal medicine is right for you, talk to your health care provider.
Thai Herbal Medicine Specific links
Thai Herbal Medicine News
Saving Thailand's wild medicinal plants - Bangkok Post
Saving Thailand's wild medicinal plants Bangkok Post As forests disappear so do the herbal plants used in Thai traditional medicine, special protection areas & methods to grow outside of forest needed. Read a previous Bangkok Post article about mosquito repellent made from herbal medicine, the subject of ... |
RI to tap potential of traditional and herbal medicines - Jakarta Post
RI to tap potential of traditional and herbal medicines Jakarta Post Indonesia is committed to developing non-conventional health care that includes traditional, alternative and complimentary medicines as about 80 percent of the country's population already uses traditional medicines, especially herbal medicines, ... |
The Veggie Girl: Cilantro, herb of controversy - Lake County News
The Veggie Girl: Cilantro, herb of controversy Lake County News Blogs are devoted to their herbal disdain, as well as a Facebook page that boasts more than 10000 members. But I love the stuff. I even went to the cilantro fan page on Facebook and “liked” it, just to counteract the negatives. I have to admit, though, ... |
Herbal remedies - The Canberra Times
 The Canberra Times | Herbal remedies The Canberra Times Herb gardens don't just sit there. Their lives are as eventful as any soap opera. Basil flares up into summer handsomeness, and withers just as soon. Tarragon lurks under Canberra winter soils, to emerge either triumphantly fragrant or to be attacked ... |
Eastern odyssey: Visit to Asian Market closes gap between exotic lands and ... - Naples Daily News
Eastern odyssey: Visit to Asian Market closes gap between exotic lands and ... Naples Daily News Davis has a variety of traditional Chinese herbs available at his market as well, something Matthews said he uses for various ills, aches and pains. “Some of the herbal remedies you can find at Asian Market have been around for thousands of years and ... |