Chinese Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine has been practiced in China from its earliest days. The use of herbal remedies has been developed and refined over millennia giving it a credibility that cannot be denied.

While modern Western medicine initially looked up its nose at some of the practices, over the past four decades scientists from around the world have discovered that there is in fact sound scientific evidence of the medicinal value of the healing powers in the herbs used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

Many modern Western drugs have been developed from the very herbs and roots used for centuries by the Chinese.

Over three hundred herbs used today in the practice of Chinese herbal medicine are known to have been in active use for 2000 or more years. This long period of practical use in itself is a testament to their viability.

Chinese researchers have been active in clinical studies verifying the efficacy of many herbs and their ability to increase the effectiveness of modern Western medicines and drug treatments. Many serve to reduce negative side effects and others appear capable of totally replacing some established drugs.

Traditional Chinese medicine involved very strong and often awful tasting teas and humongous hard to swallow pills. Over the years more acceptable ways to administer the herbs have been developed.
There are about 6000 herbs used in Chinese herbal medicine. About a sixth are actually from animal sources and about 100 of mineral extraction. The bulk however, are derived from wild or cultivated plants.

Today herbal medicines are processed in both traditional ways and with more modern processes. The net effect is a distinct alternative approach to Modern Western medicine with a long track record of success. Even so, it’s fair to say that even in China today, it’s not always the first choice in many circumstances. But it appears to be gaining more and more popularity in China and the Western world.