Chinese Herbology
While acupuncture works through the body’s meridians, Chinese herbs are more substantial. Throughout the centuries herbalists realized various plants, animals and minerals affected the body in different ways. Practitioners mixed herbs according to their properties, adding a little of this and a dash of that until the fundamental, balanced formulas of Traditional Chinese Medicine were developed.
Unlike Western pharmaceuticals, Chinese herbs
are processed in their whole form. They are not split into their component
parts, and mixed in various proportions with other chemicals. While various
types of processing affect each herb differently, the herbs themselves maintain
their balanced integrity throughout the process. So, the formulas have balanced
ingredients and, when mixed in proper proportions, are themselves balanced
to maximize their intended effects and minimize side effects.
Chinese herbal formulas include food, teas, elixirs, liniments, powders, capsules, tea pills, and ointments.