CHINESE HERBAL THERAPY

Chinese Herbs are a major part of Chinese Medicine, and they can be thought of as having a strong and specific nourishment or anti-pathogenic effects to different areas or systems when viewed in the Chinese Medical context.

Most herbs have multiple functions, but I will describe the basic ones.

When there is poor form or looseness the astringent herbs help tone and firm.

When there is a excess of heat, moisture, cold, etc the draining herbs will drain the excess through the urine or bowels in most cases.

When there is weakness or lack of nourishment the nourishing herbs will supplement and strengthen.

When there is hardness the softening herbs will soften and dissolve hardness or masses.

When there is stagnation or blockage of Qi and Blood the moving herbs will move or breakup the stagnant Qi and Blood and allow nourishment in to repair the damage.

When individual herbs are combined into a formula they can accomplish many things at once.

Example: A cold manifesting with chills, clear white phlegm in the lungs, moist cough, clear runny nose with sneezing and loss of appetite and a cold stomach to touch.

This is a Wind Cold Damp condition affecting the respiratory system mainly but also the digestive system mildly. Herbs that expel cold wind from the surface, eliminate cold damp and phlegm from the lungs and sinuses along with herbs to eliminate dampness and cold from the digestive system.