Chinese people have used herbs to treat ailments for over 2,000 years. As integrative and holistic medicine gains popularity in the Western world, so, too, does TCM, or traditional Chinese medicine.

To figure out how to use Chinese medicine, it’s important to know the language practitioners use to describe these herbs’ effects on the body. Many herbs are used for clearing excess heat, damp and cold from the body. If you read an entry from the Chinese herbal Materia Medica - the encyclopedia of herbology and pharmacology, which describes each herb’s intended use – you’ll run into many unfamiliar terms and categories.

Tonifying herbs are considered to be among the most powerful in traditional Chinese medicine, because they can be used as both treatments for illnesses and as preventative medicine. These herbs help balance the body; they tonify yin and yang, qi, and the blood. According to TCM and Chinese philosophy in general, yin is the feminine, soft, cold and wet aspect of the body, whereas yang is hot, dry, hard and masculine. These aspects must be balanced for a person to maintain health. Qi, or life energy, must flow freely and strongly with no blockages, as must the blood.

Another category of herbs is used to “dispel wind dampness,” or boost circulation and act as anti-inflammatory agents. These herbs are often used to alleviate skin problems and arthritis. Another dampness-related herbal category is “drain dampness,” which helps remove unwanted fluids from the body; they act as diuretics and assist in treating edema. Aromatic herbs are a category in themselves, and can also treat dampness, especially when it involves the spleen; this type of dampness has to do with digestive problems and blood sugar levels.

A third category of herbs warms the body. “Warm interior” herbs help move along the digestive process by removing cold from the stomach and spleen meridians (points along the body that are used in acupuncture, which is another facet of traditional Chinese medicine). Conversely, other herbs can also “clear internal heat,” which helps improve vision, among other purported benefits.

There are many more categories of herbs, and often, they are combined to create specific formulas for ailments. While it’s edifying to be able to read and understand the intended uses of TCM herbs, it’s also wise to seek out a TCM practitioner who can guide you through the reasons why certain herbs are combined, and advise you on the best treatments for your particular symptoms.

Source: GrannyMed.com