Herbal Medicine

WHAT IS CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE?

Chinese Herbal Medicine has evolved over thousands of years as a powerful and accurate tool regulating the internal organs and immune system. It assists greatly not only in helping many skin and digestive conditions, but also allergies and other imbalances too.

All the ingredients used are natural, and unlike most Western drugs, have no adverse side effects. A trained TCM doctor will prescribe a mixture of different herbs to treat an individual’s illness, self diagnosis is not an option. Over 1000 herbs are used in Chinese medicine and the ingredients all come from the natural flora and fauna of China and other countries.

HOW DOES ONE TAKE CHINESE MEDICINE?

Traditionally, Chinese herbs are boiled in a soup or as tea to extract the essence of the herbs, which is then drunk by the patient. These days all the herbs are available in capsule form, I only prescribe this form of help when it is needed.

No two prescriptions will be the exactly same, as the herbal prescription is tailored to treat the specific ailment of the individual, unlike Western prescriptions which are standardised by the pharmaceutical companies.

IS IT TRUE THAT ANIMAL PRODUCTS ARE USED?

Many years ago such things as bones or horns were used in the ingredients, the philosophy being that energies / characteristics of the animals are passed through this outmoded device, for example the bravery of a tiger. All modern therapists consider the use of these ingredients unethical and even if they were legal, I would not consider exploitation of any endangered species.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE WITH ACUPUNCTURE?

Chinese herbs are used to regulate the internal organs and boost the immune system. With or without acupuncture, Chinese herbs can be a powerful therapy.  Each herb of the four part prescription is selected to bring its own special factor and must harmonise with all the others, so you can see this is a complicated subject.

IS MY DIET IMPORTANT?

Food therapy on many levels is known to us all - and chocolate comes to mind here!

Yes, a healthy lifestyle in general is important. Diet, exercise, fresh air, deep breathing, enough sleep, and relaxation all contribute to good physical and mental health. The enzymes forming naturally in the gut can have encouragement to do their job well, as we see advertised on the TV frequently.

There are many methods of utilising the ‘Universal Energy Fields’ around us, for example Tai-Chi and Chi-Gong, you have perhaps seen in films from China where many people of any age all exercise gently together forming the shapes of birds and animals with hands and feet to stimulate the bodies own energies, the public parks are commonly used for these beautiful and stimulating exercises in warmer climates.

THE STUDY OF TCM

The formation and development of theory of Chinese materia medica has undergone significant changes through several centuries. Based on the ancient Chinese philosophy: the human being relies on natural Qi of the universe for life.

The natural Qi supply not only our human body, but also every living thing. Illness is caused by imbalance of the Qi’s activity.

Although ancient Chinese people knew that herbs possess the power of natural Qi that can be used for treatment, the process of formation of the theory of Chinese herbal medicine was slow. To begin with, they only used single herbs for treating very limited range of disease. Gradually, they realised that the extent of treatment can be obviously widened by composing formulae that combine several herbs. But how does one compose an effective formula? They knew the most important thing was mastering the herb’s property, flavour and medicinal mechanism.

From the 14th to 19^th centuries, the theories and achievements of the past were built upon and farther refined, “Compendium of Materia Medica (1590 AD)” was a great medical work compiled by Dr. Li Shizhen, 1,892 medical substances, more than 1,000 illustrations and over 10,000 prescriptions are listed with detailed description of the appearance, properties, method of collection, preparation and use of each substance. Dr. Li Shizhen made an outstanding contribution to medicine and botany of the world.

The student of Chinese herbal medicine studies each herb’s property, flavour, meridian tropism and therapeutic effect individually; then learns the basic principle and strategy of composing the formula. Finally, they make formulae based on particular cases. The training courses are to form a basic knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine through this process.

Location: Reepham in Norfolk, East Anglia, is about 20 minutes from the outskirts of Norwich. Appointments are made by telephone: 01603 879126

The cost of treatment is dependant on the monetary resources of the client. I have helped many people through the holistic healing approach, from the busy man working all day in his office, who has a hidden fear of public speaking, to the retired farmer who’s back pain has troubled him all his working life.

If unable to answer the phone I will ask you to leave a message speaking slowly and clearly, and give your contact number so I can return your call as soon as is possible.