What does Herbal Medicine treat?
The possible uses of CHM are very wide and people of any age or constitution can benefit from it. The following conditions are commonly treated:-
- Skin disease including eczema, psoriasis,acne and rosacea
- Respiratory condition including asthma, bronchitis and chronic coughs; allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis.
- Digestive complaints including irritable bowel syndromes, indegestion, ucerative colitis.
- Gynaecological problems including pre-menstrual syndrome, painful periods, menopausal syndromes,endometriosis and some forms of infertility.
- Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis.
- Rheumatological conditions including rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis.
- Headaches and migraines.
- Chronic fatigue syndromes.
- Anxiety and depression.
- Hepatitis and HIV, some promising results have been obtained for Hepatitis C and supportive treatment may be beneficial for HIV.
- Some metabolic disorders including diabetes and thyroid conditions may benefit from supportive treatment.
Are Chinese Herbs Safe?
Serious adverse effects from CHM are very rare and it has a very good safety record. However "natural" does not in itself mean that no side-effects are possible. It is therefore essential that you are treated by a practitioner who is trained to a high standard, who complies with a professional code of practice, who monitors each case carefully to ensure that the patient has no unusual reactions to treatment and uses suppliers that are committed to quality.
The register of Chinese Medicine (RCHM) demands high standards for admission, imposes stringent rukes on its own members and it actively engaged in initiatives to assure the quality of herbs and herbal products.
Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is one discipline within a broad tradition which also includes acupuncture, massage, dietary therapy, and exercise. It is one of the great herbal traditions of the world, with a recorded history of more than two thousands years.
Chinese Herbal Medicine has retained a strong presence in China today, is practised nationwide alongside western medicine, instate hospitals, in the treatment of a wide range of conditions. it has more recently gained popularity in the west, expanding rapidly in the UK since the 1980's.
Chinese Herbal Medicine is based on the principle that good health depends on archieving optimum vitality and balance described in the terms of the polarity of Yin and Yang. Herbal Medicine has a lot to offer insupporting that vitality and balance.
What does CHM treatment invovle?
CHM may be administered in variety of ways. Most commonly it is prescribed either as a tea, to be made up from raw herbs or from concentrated powders, oras a ready-made formula in tablet form. External preparations are also used, including creams, ointments and washes for skin conditions and compresses for traumatised tissue.
Chinese Herbal teas have an unusual taste, but most people get accustomed to them quickly.
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