Chinese Herbal Secrets

Chinese Herbal Secrets

By Justin Burkett, L.Ac.

History:

Chinese Herbal Medicine goes back to pre-historical times. The earliest Herbal Medicine texts date from around 200 C.E. One of these earliest texts is called, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, The Divine Farmer’s Material Medica Classic. Shen Nong is a legendary figure known to be the father of Chinese Herbal Medicine. He is said to have tasted over 100 herbs in a single day, to learn and experience their properties directly.

Concept:

Chinese Medicine is based on the concept that in a state of health the body exists in a dynamic equilibrium. When there is a free flow of qi internally, and all of the organs are getting the energy, blood and nutrients they need, health is abundant and life is experienced as the tao, one is with the flow of life. Illness and disease is an imbalance and blockage in the energetic flow internally. This blockage and imbalance creates deficiencies and excesses internally. There are patterns of disharmony that develop, and Chinese Medicine aims to correct these patterns of disharmony. 

Chinese herbal medicine is used to nourish life, boost the qi, prevent aging, and prolong life. Additionally, herbs are used to strengthen weak functioning organs, as well as to treat disease. 

Superior Herbs: nourishing herbs that are safe to take in large dosages for long periods of time with no harm, nor side effects.

Medium Herbs: Used for supplementing vacuity conditions, controlling disease, replenishing exhaustion. May or may not have side effects. Should be taken for only a limited time.

Inferior Herbs: Used specifically to treat disease conditions, may have some side effects and should not be taken for long periods of time.

Classes of Herbs:

Chinese Herbs are classified according different sets of criteria.
By the Part of the Plant: They are the root, rootstalk, stem, branch, bark or leaf.
According to yin or yang.
According to their flavors, i.e. salty, sour, sweet, bitter or acrid.
According to their nature: hot, cold, warm, cool.
According to the channels and organs they pertain to.
According to their function in the body:

• Herbs that Release the Exterior • Herbs that Clear Heat
• Herbs that Drain Dampness • Herbs that drain downward
• Herbs that dispel wind • Herbs that dispel wind-dampness
• Herbs that transform phlegm and stop coughing • Aromatic Herbs that transform dampness
• Herbs that Relieve Food Stagnation • Herbs that Regulate the Qi
• Herbs that Regulate the Blood • Herbs that Warm the Interior and Expel Cold
• Tonifying Herbs • Herbs that Stabilize and Bind
• Herbs that Calm the Spirit • Aromatic Herbs that Open the Orifices
• Herbs that Extinguish wind and Stop Tremors • Herbs that Expel Parasites
• Herbs for External Application

Formulas

Chinese herbs are never taken as single herbs. They are incorporated into Formulas where the combination of several herbs creates a synergy. Many formulas have been used since ancient times with great success. Often times a classical formula will be used as a basis for a larger formula, or maybe slightly modified to change its activity to suit a different pattern of disharmony.
A classic example is the formula, “Tranquility”. This is a modification of a classic formula that dates from the Tang dynasty, (around 800 C.E.) This formula in turn, is based on another formula, Si Ni San, a formula from around (200 C.E.).

Jou Herbs

Something very important to consider when using Chinese herbs is their purity, strength and effectiveness. Our herbs are grown in specific bio-regions of China, which have been used for growing Chinese Herbs since Imperial times. What this means is that because the herbs are grown in natural organic soil, they are not exposed to modern chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, the herbs are not stored in warehouses for years and are not fumigated with sulfurous preservatives. The herbs are taken from the fields to the manufacturing plant, which has been awarded certification for its Good Manufacturing Processes. The Herbs are cooked together at low temperature and the essential oils are collected and reintroduced into the formulas and are then concentrated and freeze dried into a powder and encapsulated in veggie caps for ease of absorption and maximum benefit. The net effect is a safe, effective herbal formula that is convenient to take.
Herbs must be taken daily over a period of time to see results. Often times, herbs are correcting a lifetime of nutritional deficiency, so a course of six months on a formula, followed by a rest for a month, then another 6 months is what is needed. Then, a person may switch to a tonic formula for continued maintenance.
Sometimes an herbal program may include a combination of different formulas to create the balance that is needed. For example, a person may have chronic low back pain, and at the same time have issues with constipation. Lower back pain relates to deficiency of Kidney Energy. Constipation re-circulates toxins into the blood stream and exposes the Kidneys and Liver to more toxicity. So it would be necessary to combine Intestinal Balance with Back & Knee Formula in a case like this. It is best to consult with an Acupuncturist to get the proper recommendation for Chinese Herbal Supplementation