In earlier days, we were very much connected with nature. Everything was pure and safe for us. Initially even for diseases we do not seek doctors but the different herbs, spices, and other home products. But as the technology is advancing we are moving away from it. We now need readymade products so that no effort is required for its use. This has made us move towards the allopathic medication in every little sniffle. This has various side effects which are seen afterwards.
On the contrary, herbs as medicines are very effective and safe. Traditional medicines just suppress the symptoms while herbal medicines find the root cause of problems and thus eliminating it. Herbal medicines are prepared from the different parts of the plant and plant extracts. These were very popular in china and now have reached to the whole world due to its effectiveness. These herbal medicines are prepared by mixing various plant parts like roots, stems, leaves, bark, flower juices, etc.
In traditional Chinese medicine system, each herbal medicine is prepared by mixing different types of herbs considering the patient's illness. Some herbs are used to detoxify the effect of other herb while some are added to act as catalyst for the other herb. All this is decided in keeping the patient's physical, mental, and emotional and health aspects.
Herbal medicine in china is decided on the following concepts:
Body temperature: every individual has balanced yin/yang degree. The ratio of these two makes the person's body as hot, cold, warm, cool or neutral. While preparing herbs internal balance is checked then medication is done. For internal cold, hot yang medicines are given.
Taste: herbs have five different tastes i.e. sweet, sour, salty, bitter and spicy. Each taste has specific function so are given accordingly. Sweet is used for toning, improving, moistening the basic systems of the body, sour is used in perspiration, protracted cough, and chronic diarrhea. Salty is effective in softening firm masses and adhesions. Bitter helps in clearing body heat, decreases chi, raises appetite while spicy is used to activate meridian points, circulation of blood and disperses energy.
Meridian: meridians are the pathways associated with the body organs. There are specific herbs associated with each organ which is decided considering above two methods.
Herbal remedies are the secret to cure a no of diseases. This is due to the therapeutic effect of each herb on the specific organ in the body. Some of the herbs used in preparing these medicines are:
Ginger: it's an herb as well as spice used regularly in daily diet. This generates warmth in body, effective in cough and cold, detoxifies the food poisons and helpful in digestion.
Cinnamon: a popular ingredient of tea helps in maintaining the balance of energy throughout the body. It regulates the circulation of blood by invigorating it and helps during allergic reaction in the body.
Astragalus: its root is used to strengthen immune system and make body resistant to infection. It also reduces reaction during allergies.
Salvia: used in parts of pain, injury, inflammation, infection, swelling and effective in post stroke syndrome.
Ephedra: it is a stem herb effective in respiratory and nervous system. It's a tonic for those who are trying hard to reduce weight as it helps in burning calories.
Several others include peony, rehmmania, rhubarb, licorice etc. Sometimes these medicines also include minerals and plant parts that ahs raised certain controversies in their use. Otherwise these are the best remedies for your diseases and very cost effective too.
George Jhon is an Author for Backonyourfeet, A Natural Health Clinic where our highly skilled experts may guide you about Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine to Improve Your Life. For more information, visit http://www.backonyourfeet.com.au