In Chinese culture, herbs are usually part of the normal diet, as they are frequently used in cooking soups and in other types of recipes. At odds with the term “Chinese herbs”, herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprise many types of substances apart from vegetation. These substances include minerals, shells, many types of animals or insects. Herbs are given according to their Qi and Xue energy. According to traditional Chinese medicine, each herb has its own energy, and when in line with the energy of an individual, can restore the person™s health. Therefore there are two elements - energy of the person and energy of the herbs. They work together on a case-by-case basis according to the requirement of the individual. The practice of Chinese medicine generally includes cooling what is hot and warming what is cold. Herbs are instrumental in balancing the energies of a person, and have been proven to be safe and effective over the centuries.
The energy dynamics of Chinese herbs have been observed by accomplished Buddhist physicians for centuries. By closely examining specific herbs, their features were documented. How it is done is pretty amazing. A practitioner took a specific herb through Qigong (meditation), and experienced the energetic qualities of the substance. In this way, each part of a plant, animal, shell or insect and their qualities was systematically classified. When providing herbs, three things must be kept in mind: 1) What is the energy of the herb " warming or cooling; 2) What is the effect of its energy " increasing or decreasing; and 3) To which organ or part of the body is the energy directed?
By mixing herbs in a balanced combination, Chinese herbal formulas are used to treat many health conditions. These formulas are also called “patents”. Several herbs together can have a stronger effect than a single herb. In the meanwhile, formulas offer greater safety because a single herb with particularly strong energy may be offset by other herbs. If you™ve visited a Chinese herbalist, you might have noticed that herbs are frequently sold in mixtures. This is how Chinese herbal medicine is practiced. Although acupuncture may be more well-known in the Western world, Chinese herbal medicine may in fact treat people more quickly in some cases. While Chinese herbs have strong healing effects, they are also gentle in action, and balances both Blood and Qi.