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Chinese Herbs By Jimmy Sturo

Chinese Herbs: Are they Safe By Michael Roland

Traditional Chinese Herbs for Modern Health By Kah Joon Liow

Chinese Herbs By Jimmy Sturo

Chinese herbs are a separate category of medicines altogether and rightfully so. They can strengthen the immune system, inhibit the growth of tumors, manage blood pressure and increase sexuality – indeed, the range is very wide. There are numerous herbs, including those that are considered common and those that are the jealously guarded secrets of traditional Chinese herbalists.

Here are some examples of Chinese herbs and what all they can be used for:

Ginseng is a commonly available root that has a flair for healing and rejuvenation. The Korean ginseng, for example, stimulates the cerebral cortex and counters exhaustion and extreme infirmity. It helps to replenish depleted energy and body fluids. It can also stimulate the sex glands and is capable of removing toxins from the body. The taste is mildly bittersweet.

The black and red Reishi mushrooms are other examples of prized Chinese herbs. They can strengthen the immune system, increase vitality of white blood corpuscles and accentuate the impact of anti-oxidants. These mushrooms also have a calming influence on the mind. They alleviate insomnia and female sexual dysfunction.

The Lotus seed is yet another indispensable Chinese herb. It tones the kidney and spleen and eases diarrhea. It stimulates appetite and has a sweet to neutral taste.

The Licorice root comes as a blessing because it can detoxify the body, invigorating and cooling it down at the same time. It acts as an analgesic and can regulate the action of other herbs. It can also be used as a natural sweetener.

Ginko biloba is a distinguished herb and arguably the oldest in traditional Chinese medicine. It has proven beneficial effects on the heart and lungs. It is used to treat coughs, asthma, and chronic allergic inflammation, and is one of the best herbal nutritional supplements available.

Chinese Herbs: Are they Safe By Michael Roland

People in Asia have benefited form using Chinese herbs for literally thousands of years. The traditional Chinese pharmacopeias list hundreds of conditions for which herbs may be prescribed, from asthma to migraine to herpes zoster. Over the last twenty-five years there has been a huge boom in the natural healthcare industry. Many of the herbs that were once only found in Chinese herbal pharmacies have now found their way into grocery stores and health spas. Currently, there are many over-the-counter supplements that contain Chinese herbs. The marketing hype that is offered in regard to many of these these supplements suggests that they are best used for weight loss or as a stimulant. The main reason for this is probably because obesity is a major health issue in the United States and increasingly around the globe. There is a huge market for products to deal with this issue because, besides the obvious health disadvantages, there are also perceived social issues in being overweight. These reasons, rightly or wrongly, combine to put pressure on individuals to lose weight. For many of us losing weight is difficult, thus making the allure of weight-loss-in-a-bottle very attractive. Marketers know this and capitalize on it. Of course, in reality the essence of losing weight requires eating less and exercising more.

So, are Chinese herbs dangerous? As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, I see the main problem with specific herbs is that they are marketed and used inappropriately. Ephedra was very much in the media last year, when 23 year-old Orioles pitcher, Steve Belcher, tragically died after ingesting large doses of ephedra, also known as mahuang, before practice. Ephedra has a long history in Chinese medicine. By and large it is prescribed for two problems; asthma and swelling. Historically, it has never been used as a stimulant or as a weight-loss agent; nor have other Chinese herbs commonly found in over-the–counter supplements. Consider that anything, even water, can be dangerous if misused. That being the case, the question is not so much are Chinese herbs dangerous, but are they safe if used appropriately?

The two Chinese herbs most commonly misused seem to be ephedra and herbs containing aristolochic acid (can cause kidney problems if misused). Aristolochic acid can be found in various Chinese herbs including aristolochia fangchi (guang fang ji), akebia (mu tong), asarum (xi xin), clematis (chuan mu tong), clematis chinensis (wei ling xian), and stephania (han fang ji). Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is another Chinese herb that when inappropriately used has been implicated in causing heart failure. It sounds like these herbs are bad. Are they? Not, if used appropriately.

The next question of course is: What is the appropriate use of Chinese herbs? I don’t know if there is a concise answer that fits all situations, but I’d like to look at two important considerations that will help you make good choices.

The first consideration is quality. Like other herbal products, the manufacture of Chinese herbal supplements is not regulated. Good manufacturing practices (GMP) are very important. The manufacturer should follow GMP guidelines to ensure consistency and quality. The company manufacturing the supplements should submit them for analysis to certify that they contain the substances shown on the label and that they are free of contaminants. This information is often available on the company websites or by request.

The second consideration is proper usage. Are you taking the right Chinese herb for the right reasons? This can be a difficult question to answer. As you have read, you cannot rely on marketers to answer this question for you. Most Chinese herbs, such as astragalus and ginseng, are quite benign when taken in recommended dosages. Some herbs like ephedra can be quite potent and even harmful when taken inappropriately.

The easiest way to make sure you are taking the right Chinese herbs for the right reasons is to consult with a qualified Chinese herbalist. Often these experts will be licensed acupuncturists, who within their licensure have extensive training in Chinese medicine and herbs. These practitioners will take into account your condition, your current medications and supplements, and they will have a good knowledge of the quality of the products they are dispensing.

If you want to pick your own Chinese herbal supplements, keep it simple. Use the herbs only for their traditional indications. Don’t exceed the recommended dosage. Make sure to have regular check-ups and consult your physician about your symptoms. By following these simple guidelines, you can safely continue to enjoy the many, many health benefits provided by Chinese herbs as they have been enjoyed throughout time.

Good Luck and Good Health!

Michael Roland, L.Ac., MTCM is the acupuncture and Chinese medicine expert on drweil.com. He is in private practice in Tucson Arizona

Traditional Chinese Herbs for Modern Health By Kah Joon Liow

Traditional Chinese herbs are given according to their Qi and Blood energy.

That’s right, each herb has a particular energy and when matched with the energy of the person, can restore the person’s health.

So there are two elements here:

* energy of the person
* energy of the herbs

And they are combined on a case-by-case basis according to the requirements of the individual.

The practice of Chinese medicine generally revolves around cooling what is hot and warming what is cold. Chinese herbs are instrumental in balancing the energies of a person, and have been proven over the centuries to be both safe and effective.

Chinese Herbs and Their Energies

The energy effects of Chinese herbs have been observed by skilled Taoist and Buddhist physicians for centuries. By closely examining individual substances, their characteristics were recorded. How it’s done is pretty amazing.

A physician would take a single substance and through Qigong (qi exercises) and meditation, feel the energetic qualities of the substance. In this way, each part of a plant – seed, root, leave, bark – and each animal shell or insect and their qualities was methodically classified.

When giving herbs, three things must be considered:

* What is the energy of the herb – is it warming or cooling?
* What is the effect of its energy – increasing or decreasing?
* To which organ or part of the body is energy directed?

Chinese Herbal Formula

By mixing herbs in a balanced combination, Chinese herbal formulas can be used to remedy a variety of conditions. Such formulas are known as “patents”. Several herbs together have a stronger effect than a single herb.

At the same time, formulas provide greater safety because an individual herb with a particularly strong energy, can be offset by other herbs. If you’ve been to a Chinese herbalist before, you’ll have seen first hand herbs being prescribed. This is the way Chinese herbal medicine is practiced.

Even though acupuncture may be more well-known in the West as a procedure of TCM, herbal medicine can actually treat people quickly and more effectively in some cases. Chinese herbs have strong effects but they are gentle in their action and nourishes both the blood and qi. In China, they are part of the normal diet, as medicinal plants are frequently use in boiling soups and other forms of Chinese cooking.

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