CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE FOR BEGINNERS: A Comprehensive Beginner's Guide to Learn about the Realms of Chinese Herbal Medicine from A-Z

By Linda Wong

Chinese herbal medicine is one of the most ancient healing practices in human history, and it has been continually

evolving and adapting to meet the needs of a changing world. For more than 5,000 years, Chinese herbal medicine has successfully

treated a range of chronic and acute illnesses and injuries and supported people's general

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Wong
• Release date: Oct 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088167182

Book preview

Introduction

Chinese herbal medicine is one of the most ancient healing practices in human history, and it has been continually evolving and adapting to meet the needs of a changing world. For more than 5,000 years, Chinese herbal medicine has successfully treated a range of chronic and acute illnesses and injuries and supported people’s general sense of well-being. Although its full potential has yet to be fully realized, this approach to healthcare is becoming more accessible to the general public with the spread of modern medicine and the increasing emphasis on natural remedies. Today, relatively simple techniques like Chinese acupuncture have become mainstream and are widely available, opening up a whole range of exciting possibilities for people in need of healing.

This book will explore the exciting prospects of herbal medicine in general and Chinese herbal medicine in particular. We will look at various ways it can be used to support health and well-being. We will also examine the range of conditions it can help with, and the different methods used to treat them. The book delves into this ancient practice in a very personal way, guiding you gently through an intuitive experience of Chinese medicine as you explore these ideas and principles. It is not just a book on herbs; it’s also a joyful exploration into healing, beauty, and inner alignment. It embraces the philosophy of natural healing while giving us the tools needed to apply it more effectively to our lives. As you enter into this realm, it’s important to remember that every person is different, and every condition is different. Therefore each person will need a unique combination of treatments for effective healing. This book does not aim to offer specific advice about any particular condition or symptom. It merely aims to inspire and inform you about feasible alternative options through the effective use of herbal remedies.

Chinese herbal medicine is not only a way to understand your health and life, but it can also show you a pathway to balance. It opens you up to the world of healing, emphasizing your relationship with the natural environment. As we learn to recognize and utilize the intelligence within nature, we become more in harmony with ourselves, others, and our planet. The power that lies within nature can be harnessed if we are prepared to extend our understanding of its capabilities beyond the limits of conventional medicine.

Chapter 1

Crash Course

Chinese herbal medicine is a group of traditional Chinese medicinal practices that use various plants and minerals. It is both an effective medical and anti-aging therapy as a holistic art and science. It can be used to manage, diagnose, and cure various diseases. From historical records, we learned that Chinese herbal medicine began about 4000 years ago, around the time Emperor Shen Nong began cataloging medicinal plants. 3000 years ago, these findings were compiled into a booklet called ‘The Yellow Emperor’s Herbal Classic.’ This was then followed in 2696 BC by the ‘Chinese Pharmacopeia,’ a more standardized form of herbal medicine listing several hundred medicinal substances.

Chinese herbal medicine is not only effective, but it has also been a great influence on Western herbal medicine, particularly in the form of plant extracts. The movement of herbalism from the East to the West began in the 15th century, when Antonio de Leon, a Spanish surgeon, introduced various herbs to Europe after observing their use in China. He wrote an account of his findings entitled ‘A Treatise on Chinese Medicine.’ It was not until 1636 that further recorded developments of Western herbalism began with other Europeans reporting on Chinese herbal remedies, such as Nicholas Culpeper, who wrote a book called ‘The English Physician.’ It was written during the 17th century, and it became the world’s first published description of herbal medicine.

Principles of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine goes beyond the European practice of using one herb to treat a disease. Its basis is that the function of the human body rests upon a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang, or natural and spiritual. The key feature of this approach to medicine is that every part of the body has its own meridian, and that these can be affected by diet, emotions, and the living environment to bring about changes in health. This philosophy has been integrated into modern Western medicine to introduce acupuncture, acupressure, magnetic therapy, and various other practices. Understanding these principles can enhance your practice and help you deliver the best possible treatment.

A Comprehensive Approach

Chinese herbal medicine gives you a holistic treatment plan that focuses on connecting the body, the mind, and spirit. This is because Chinese doctors believe that restoring health requires all three components to be treated simultaneously. Adhering to this belief means that you should consider each patient’s symptoms from every possible angle and provide treatments along with lifestyle and behavior changes. Because disease is viewed as a sign of the body’s attempt to fight imbalances, it is important to identify and stabilize these changes so that your body can restore its natural balance. Take insomnia, for example. About one person in ten has insomnia, and Chinese herbal medicine views it as the body’s response to an internal asymmetry. So instead of taking sleeping pills designed for your mind, Chinese herbalism would look to resolve other issues such as stress, lack of exercise, and poor diet to promote healthy sleep. It does this by opening up blockages within the body.

These blockages can include fat, mucus, and scum that builds up in your body over time as a direct result of poor diet, lifestyle, and environment. Generally, your immune system will keep these blockages at bay, but if you are stressed, there is a good chance that they can develop into a bigger problem. Chinese herbal medicine breaks down these forms of blockage by using specialized ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in herbs. Each herb has its unique role within the human body, and certain herbs work better for specific functions than others do.

Yin and Yang

Understanding the Chinese concept of Yin and Yang can help you understand why balancing your food intake, lifestyle, and environment is so important to the practice of herbal medicine. Yin means passive, cold, and moist. It represents our body’s physical nature and how things work within a system based on water and includes the processes associated with it, such as respiration, circulation, reproduction, and metabolism. Yang means active, warm, and dry. It is associated with the sun, fire, and atmosphere that results from a combination of air, electricity, or gas. Yin’s place in nature is passive, while Yang’s place is active. Healthy Yin allows for healthy Yang and vice versa. Of course, all things have both Yin and Yang, but when they are balanced, they operate more effectively than they do when they are out of balance.

The concept of Yin and Yang is fundamental to Chinese medicine, as it is the basis from which other concepts like Qi (vital energy), the five elements, and the six paths originated. The original term for Chinese medicine is Tao-yin, meaning natural Yin, and most practitioners agree that to effectively practice Chinese herbal medicine, you must understand this concept and be able to apply it in your daily life. It is important to understand that Chinese medicine is not holistic in the modern sense of the word. Yin does not equal Yang. It is about finding balance within an individual’s system. The first step in bringing Yin and Yang into balance, which herbal practitioners call the treatment of disharmonies, is to assess the current status of each aspect. By considering the following factors, you can decide whether you need to focus on Yin or Yang:

Pulse: The pulse is the body’s way of communicating with the practitioner on a very subtle level. You can feel it anywhere on your body, but to check the measure of Yin or Yang, you should initially check your wrist or radial artery pulse. This pulse is never read as a measurement in time like a heartbeat, but rather as an assessment of quality and resonance and is considered by many herbal practitioners to be one of the most important diagnostic tools available.

The pulse assessment referred to here is known as the ‘Three Purities’ pulse reading, meaning the practitioner checks three qualities of the pulse. The first quality is the temperature or rhythm of the pulse. The ideal temperature for the Yin pulse is relatively cool and weak. For Yang, it should be warm and resilient. The second quality assessed is strength or volume. The third quality relates to vibration, which can be felt by your fingertips as they glide over your wrist – this feeling should be light and soft like silk, rather than thick, heavy, or rough like cotton wool.

Complexion: The assessment of complexions based on the quality and color of your skin, nails, and eyes. Your complexion will vary according to the season and your age, and lifestyle. However, when it comes to diagnosing disharmonies, you should