What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Acupuncture
and Chinese Herbs
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, is the summary of the experiences of the Chinese people struggling against disease and pain for thousands of years. It is invaluable, both for its rich practical knowledge, and as a unique, integrated, theoretical healthcare delivery system which has been established and utilized since ancient times. The major components of TCM are Acupuncture (needling) and Herbology.
Chinese Herbs is a central and important part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been used for thousands of years by Chinese people. It is much more popular in China than other forms of TCM. During the last two millennia, more and more people have recognized herbs due to its nature and obvious effects. Many more herb books have been devoted to herbology than any other forms of TCM.
How It Works:
Traditional Chinese Medicine theories envision the human body differently from Western Medicine. TCM integrates the complete physiological and psychological individual, and therefore, looks at the body as a whole. If the body is balanced (internally and externally, “Yin and Yang”, “Qi” and Blood, and between the various organs, etc.) your health is maximally enhanced and you are in harmony status. If the body’s balance is lost, you will have uncomfortable feelings or symptoms. Herbal recipes, going into body, can provide the means to rebalance various disharmonies, so the discomforts and imbalances you have will be diminished and / or disappear.
Each patient is unique. The TCM doctor will, by interview and examination, gather all relevant information including the symptom(s) as well as the individual’s other general characteristics, and classify it into what Chinese medicine calls a “pattern of disharmony.” The symptom is the reflection of an imbalanced internal condition. Symptoms can be the same in different people, but the cause / disharmony can vary. The herb recipe will be used based on this differentiation to suit individual need. By achieving the balanced body, the symptoms or discomforts will disappear. Traditional Chinese Medicine theory contains the fundamental belief that the human body is affected by the constant change of the surrounding environment, diet, emotion, lifestyle, etc. The herb formula thus will be adjusted by adding or deleting various herbs or by manipulating the amount of the herbs to fit the precise disharmony of each individual..
Regular monitoring and follow ups are suggested to ensure better results.
What about the side effect:
Differentiating from the modern drugs which associated with many side effect, Chinese herbs and formulas are natural remedy with very small or no side effect. But, you should always take herbs under the supervision of a qualified TCM herbologist. Most people will not have any uncomfortable feelings and will feel better after taking the Chinese herbs recipe. A few people who are sensitive to herbs might experience a little discomfort such as slight stomach ache or loose bowel movement. It usually can be corrected by following the professional’s advice.
How to Take It:
The traditional way is to boil the raw herbs and drink the liquid. Now there are also capsule, tablet and granule forms available. These forms may be more convenient in that you can just swallow the pills with the water (warm or room temperature). You may choose to open the capsules and dissolve the ingredient into hot water and drink it when its warm. You can also just put the granules into your mouth, drink water, and swallow.
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