ABOUT CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of many TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) disciplines with a recorded history of over 2,000 years. It is practised in China today, in hospitals alongside Western medicine and as an independent treatment in itself and has been growing rapidly in the UK since the 1980s.

Similar to the fundamental principles of acupuncture and TCM as a whole, Chinese herbal medicine treats the root of a disease, primarily focussing on treatment of the cause of the illness, thereby bringing about a more effective treatment to the problem.

The oriental Materia Medica contains hundreds of herbs that have therapeutic indications used both singularly or in combination with other herbs in a prescribed formula. They can be administerd in their raw form, requiring their preparation of a drinkable concoction, in a powdered form, in a topical cream application and/or in concentrated pills. The effectiveness of Chinese herbs is by the right combination of herbs that suit that particular diagnosis for that particular patient: it is often a very tailored and individualised treatment.

Common conditions treated with Chinese Herbal Medicine...

There is a wide use of Chinese herbs for all sorts of diseases, conditions and ailments, often applied in conjuction with acupuncture and other TCM therapies, they can however act as a very effective treatment in their own right, particularly for those that do not like the idea of acupuncture and wish to be treated by Chinese herbal medicine alone. Common conditions treated with Chinese herbal medicine are:

Skin Diseases: eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea.

Digestive Complaints: IBS, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation

Women's (Gynaecological) Conditions: period pain, irregular periods, infertility, polycystic ovaries, menopausal syndrome

Respiratory Diseases: hayfever, asthma, coughs, rhinitis, sinisitis

Arthritic Conditions: rheumatoid arthiritis, osteoarthritis

Head and Facial Pain: headaches, migraines

Urinary conditions: cystitis, kidney stones, bladder infections

Emotional and Mental Dysfunction: anxiety, depression

Metabolic Disorders: diabetes, thyroid conditions

The safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine...

The use of natural herbal products may still produce some mild side-effects but adverse reactions to Chinese herbal medicine is extremely rare and these special cases are mostly due to improperly-trained practitioners. It is therefore essential that you are treated by a Chinese herbalist who has had a high quality standard of training in the practice of Chinese herbs and who complies with professional codes of practice which includes knowledge and understanding of herbal-drug interations and quality herb suppliers. The main governing body for the UK that regulates the practice of Chinese herbal medicine is the RCHM (Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine). All RCHM members have achieved recognised standards of qualification and have full professional insurance. Hong Tao Clinic's practitioner Sarah Clark, is a full member of the RCHM and stringently complies by its codes of conduct and rules of practice.

How can Chinese herbal medicine help you?

The list of what Chinese herbal medicine can treat is very wide and only a handful of the most common conditions are listed above. At the Hong Tao Clinic, a thorough assessment of each case is given at the first consultation prior to treatment.

To find out how Chinese herbs can help you, please contact our clinic for more information.