Herbs
Herbal medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine, along with the other components of Chinese medicine, is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. It aims to understand and treat the many ways in which the fundamental balance and harmony between the two may be undermined and the ways in which a person’s Qi or vitality may be depleted or blocked. Clinical strategies are based upon diagnosis of patterns of signs and symptoms that reflect an imbalance. However, the tradition as a whole places great emphasis on lifestyle management in order to prevent disease before it occurs. Chinese medicine recognizes that health is more than just the absence of disease and it has a unique capacity to maintain and enhance our capacity for well being and happiness.
Herbal medicine role
Chinese herbal medicine has a role to play in the treatment of the following conditions: Skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria Gastro-intestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis Gynaecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility Hepatitis and HIV: some promising results have been obtained for treatment of Hepatitis C, and supportive treatment may be beneficial in the case of HIV Chronic fatigue syndromes, whether with a background of viral infection or in other situations Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis Rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis Psychological problems (e.g. depression, anxiety)
