The second tier of Asian medicine, after Food Therapy, is traditional chinese herbs – therapy chosen because of its relevant affective strength on the human body. Herbal therapy is applied to open the channels with specific influence on the underlying cause of imbalance and related symptoms. Comprehensive knowledge of herbal medicine is necessary or harm may be done. Herbal medicines have the same strength as food except that it does impacts the body directly. Once concentrated to an extract stage which equals about 4-5 times the potency of the fundamental herbs, the outcome is more rapid and impactful. Natural herbs do not heal any better than synthetic medicines but they can help the body to fight disease, strengthen the body’s immune system, and help to harmonize the body’s functions. After a master herbalist learns about individual herbs then a herbalist will proceed to herbal formulas which make a greater impact to energize, reduce or harmonize more body parts in the restorative process. Traditional Chinese herbs deserve respect because harm can occur if not applied correctly. Though not as dangerous as synthetic medicines, imbalances can occur if rendered inappropriately. On the positive side, they can achieve freedom from imbalances and pain, quickly, while rooting health.
The MERIDIAN ATTRIBUTION OF HERBS
The humman body has 12 channels or meridians. These clearly defined channels are influenced by historically beneficial herbs that are known to impact a specific channel. In addition, herbs can influence many body functions with a multitude of results. For instance, when a person has a hot type imbalance, the herbs recommended must be cool or cold, and if the person suffers from a cold type disease the herbs that should be taken are warm or hot. A hot type disease may be liver-heat or stomach-heat; a cold type disease may be lung-cold or spleen-cold conditions. Here is where a thoughtful practitioner shows their value. Herbs that can purge liver heat may not be able to rid stomach heat; herbs that can warm a cold spleen may not be able to warm cold lungs. Therefore, different herbs have been assessed for their multiple affect on the functions of different organs. The functions of the herbs and the 12 meridians can be interrelated and this is what is meant by the meridian attribution of herbs. Chinese herbs have been investigated, experimented with and effects recorded regarding every influence on almost every body channels for thousands of years. In particular, well trained master herbalists will know which channel and at what point along the channels, the herbs impact. Below are common Traditional Chinese herbs used by a herb master.
Common Traditional Chinese Herbs include the following:
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American Ginseng |
Chinese Scullcap |
Licorice |
Shiitake |
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Asian Ginseng |
Corydalis |
Ligustrum |
Fo-ti |
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Astragalus |
Dong Quai |
Maitake |
Chinese Ginger |
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Bitter Melon |
Eleuthero |
Reishi |
Ginkgo biloba |
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Bupleurum |
Green Teas |
Schisandra |
Longan fruit |
Herb therapy when combined with compatible food therapy can be extremely valuable in aiding an ailing person towards normal balance. When you add exercises (Tai Chi & Qi Qong) that wake up the natural restorative energies of the body then the potential for optimal health is achievable.
