Traditional Chinese Medicines and Herbals

Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM is a medical system started in China about 2000 years before. It has the basis principles of human life and health from Buddhism and Taoism. Therefore, according to TCM, life and human activity is directly related to the environment.

TCM includes traditional Chinese herbs, Acupuncture, and massages.

Traditional Chinese Herbs: There are about 500 types of Chinese herbs being used today. The herbs are classified into 2: according to their taste (sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and spicy) and temperature (hot, cold, neutral). The combinations of these two can influence the yin and yang energy flow in the human body. These are used in the treatment of dry and protracted coughs, diarrhea, respiratory and digestive disorders.

These traditional herbs contain plant parts such as dried mushrooms and also animal parts such as dried sea-horse, tiger bones and parts.

Acupuncture:‘Acus’ means needles in Latin and puncture means ‘prick’. This treatment involves pricking of ‘acupoints’ with needles. The location of the acupoints varies depending on the illness. Nausea patient will be receiving acupuncture treatment on the acupoints on his wrist, while those having vision problems on the acupoints on his foot. The injected needles are made to remain for 15-30 minutes. This treatment is intended to increase the blood circulation and energy balance. These are used in the treatment of headaches, severe lower backaches etc.

As the treatment results are slow, one should take at least 10 such treatments spread out weekly or monthly. Acupuncture should be done by experts using sterilized needles; otherwise it would lead to nerve injury, kidney damage, and even stroke. Acupuncture treatment is for..

• acupuncture for acne
• acupuncture for allergies
• acupuncture for anxiety
• acupuncture for depression
• acupuncture for dogs
• acupuncture for fibromyalgia
• acupuncture for insomnia
• acupuncture for menopause
• acupuncture for weight loss

Acupressure: It is a blend of Acupuncture and pressure by applying pressure on the acupuncture points with hand, elbow or other devices.

Shiatsu: ‘Shi’ means palm and ‘atsu’ means pressure in Japanese. It refers to the use of one’s palm and fingers to apply pressure on the body surface. Shaitsu practitioners believe in treating an illness by improving one’s immunity and natural healing power through massages.

Qigong: It is an exercise to control and regulate the mind. It differs from the regular physical exercises because Qigong exercises are done sitting in one place, standing upside down or lying sideways or on the back. They regulate breathing.

There have been controversies regarding the use of endangered animal parts in this type of treatment; especially the use of tiger body parts and sea-horses have resulted in their killing in numbers, making them to the brink of extinction. 

Certain Chinese herbal medicines result in allergies and even poisoning and also are adulterated.

What ever be the controversies, the traditional Chinese medicines are in huge demand all over China and are preferred over Western medicines.