Chinese Herbal Medicine is a powerful method of healing which has been used for centuries. The first Chinese manual on pharmacology, the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing lists 365 medicines and dates back to the 1st century CE Hahn dynasty. Chinese herbal medicine treats the underlying pattern of disease behind the symptoms which the patient presents with.
Chinese Herbal Medicine traditionally includes plant, animal and mineral ingredients, but the majority are plant based and in fact the animal and mineral ingredients are now replaced in modern formulas, for regulatory reasons, by plants with equivalent properties.
Herbal Formulas – treating the underlying condition
Chinese Herbs are usually combined in formulas to enhance their individual properties and actions. Unlike Western medications, the balance and interaction of all the ingredients are considered more important than the effect of any individual ingredient. Following on from a detailed client history and consultation, a formula is chosen to suit the particular needs of the patient and the symptoms of the presenting pattern of disease. Chinese Herbal medicine treats the root cause of the disease rather than just treating the presenting symptoms.
Chinese herbal medicines are formulated entirely from different parts of plants and contain no western medicines. No animal products, minerals or endangered plant species are used. Formulas are available in a variety of forms, loose herbs for herbal tea preparation, capsules or powders and liquid extracts and tinctures.
At the College of Oriental Medicine all our herbal practitioners are trained to Degree Level in Chinese Herbology and Prescriptionology which gives them the necessary knowledge and qualifications to prescribe tailor made herbal formulas for their patients.
All herbal preparations used by the college are supplied by RCHM approved suppliers and our Herbal Medicine graduates are eligible for membership of the RCHM.
