|
We are very lucky that here in Australia we have assess to herbs from all over the world and not just the
Mediterranean and American herbs. There are many Chinese herb that have infiltrated into the Australian Herbal dispensary.
Chinese herbs tha we commonly sell in larger volumes include Wolfberry's (Go ji), Schisandra (we wu zi),
Dong quai, Astragalus, Horny Goat weed and Codonopsis to name a few. There is little need to discuss the actions of these herbs as these are discussed in the Herbal Monographs, though I would like to discuss some
other general areas of interest in regards to Chinese Herbs and how they are commonly used.
Herbs traditionally prescribed in TCM (Chinese Traditional Medicine) were prescribed in these ways.
Wan (pills) – the herbs were finely ground into a fine powder and were mixed with a binding agent like honey and then rolled into pellets. These were taken with boiled or warm water.
San (powder) – again the herbs were ground to a fine powder and then dissolved in boiled or warm water.
T'ang (soup) – the herbs were placed in a non-metallic vessel with 3 cups of cold water and then bought to a rolling boil. The soup was then simmered for until only 1 ½ cups of liquid remain, this is usually about 30 minutes. The liquid is strained and drunk. The next day they are boiled again in the same fashion and are then discarded.
Congee (stew/soup) – here the herbs are added with rice and then stewed and eaten. Herbs added are herbs such as ginger, zizyphus, cinnamon, dong quai, wolfberries and chen pi.
Chinese medicine divides all the herbs they use into yin and yang categories, herbs are prescribed on the
principles of opposites. Hot and warming herbs are considered yang and these are used for cold conditions, cool and cold herbs are considered yin and these are used for yang conditions. Chinese herbs were also
categorized into the Four Energies, hot, warm, cold and cool and into the five flavours.
|
Symptoms
|
Disease
|
Herbs/medication
|
Desired Effect
|
|
Hot
|
Yang
|
Yin
|
Cooling
|
|
Cold
|
Yin
|
Yang
|
Warming
|
|
Full
|
Yang
|
Yin
|
Sedating
|
|
Empty
|
Yin
|
Yang
|
Tonifying
|
|
External
|
Yang
|
Yin
|
Suppressing
|
|
Internal
|
Yin
|
Yang
|
Elevating
|
The flavours related to the five elements and we might reserve this subject for another time.
Medications have proved overtime to cure the causes of hot/full/yang diseases are classified as cold/cool or
yin herbs. Those that relieve and cure cold/empty/yin illnesses are categorised as hot/warm or yang herbs. People who are more robust and full of vitality will tolerate more hot and cold herbs, those with a weaker
constitution tolerate more warm or cool herbs.
|
