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Chinese medicine is not just acupuncture or herbal therapy. There is a whole host of different therapies the people of China use to stay in balance and keep qi flowing in a proper balance. Chinese medicine is just one of many alternative medical systems available in the world today according to western medicine.

The basic alternative medical systems are:

Ayurveda
Chiropractic
Herbalism
Homeopathy
Naturopathic medicine
Osteopathy
Traditional Chinese medicine
Unani

In China, Traditional Chinese medicine is the main healthcare system.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a theory that says that all of the bodily processes are interrelated and in constant interaction with the environment. When there is an unbalance in the body with the environment, then, illness is present in the body. There are various treatments used to help keep the balance. These treatments are based on philosophical frameworks that include yin and yang, the five elements, the meridian system, Zang Fu organ theory and a few others that are lesser in importance.

The patient is treated as a whole entity and not just a disease. A diagnosis is made by conversation with the patient, by smelling, listening to the sounds the patient makes, by touching the patient and by examination. A pulse reading is also taken as part of the diagnostic process. The patient’s tongue is also examined. Temperature of different parts of the body is also noted.

Therapies:

There are usually a combination of therapies involved in the treatment of the patient including Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, die-da or tieh ta, Chinese food therapy, massage therapy (tui na), qigong, physical exercise and also mental health therapy such as feng shui or Chinese astrology is consulted.

Cupping, gua sha and auriculotherapy are done during acupuncture or moxibustion.

Herbal medicine is the treatment of the body by way of medicinal herbal teas, pills and use of food therapy (eating to heal).

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical method of unblocking qi by inserting fine needles at specific points (acupoints) on the body to restore the balance of qi.

Moxibustion is a Chinese medicine therapy that utilizes mugwort herb as a form of heat therapy.

Jin Gu Die Da Wan is a herbal remedy that breaks blood stagnation, helps to tonify blood, stops bleeding, opens the channels and strengthens bones and also relieves pain.

Tui na is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy often used when acupuncture or moxibustion is being performed.

Qigong is a part of Chinese medicine that deals with the coordination of different breathing patterns and series of physical postures and motions of the body for the proper maintenance of the body. These breathing patterns and body postures are also taught as part of the traditional Chinese martial arts training.

Chinese medicine recognizes the importance of a total healthy connection between body, mind, physical exercise, healthy diet, and the balance of life. A combination of therapies is usually prescribed for a patient and not just one as the Chinese believe that one is unbalanced and can falter where when more than one is prescribed they will balance each other weaknesses and have greater strength.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Tags: acupuncture, auriculotherapy, cupping, gua sha, herbal medicine, herbal tea, herbal therapy, moxibustion, TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine

There are many cures that have been tried in order to ease the pain of the common hangover that many of us suffer from after a New Year’s Eve party or an evening out with our friends.

Maybe your thought is to pig out on greasy bar food while you drink. Maybe you have the latest and greatest over the counter miracle cure pill to try. Or maybe you have a cooler made up with some “hair of the dog” chilling in the back of your fridge for the morning after. However, if you are looking for a healthy alternative to your traditional hangover cures, you might take a look at what your local Chinese herbalist has to offer.

If you are familiar with traditional Chinese foods, you may have noticed that many of the recipes include ginger and garlic, which are known for their medicinal affects on a variety of discomforts. This is because many of the recipes evolved as part of traditional Chinese medicine, which traditionally uses these and other herbs and foods to help keep the body in top shape.

So, while you are out shopping for beer, wine coolers, and tequila, you might consider a stop into your local Chinese herbalist. Here are a couple of recipes that might perk you up after your night of overindulgence.

For hangovers, you can consider some herbal tea. You will need 20 grams of Hovenia dulcis, known as zhi ju, 10 grams of Pueraria/kudzu root, known as ge gen, and 10 grams of Peuraria flowers, known as ge hua as well as four cups of spring water. Take a glass or ceramic pot, and bring the herbs to a boil in the water. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer until you only have two cups of liquid. Strain the mixture, discarding the herbs, and divide into two cups. Drink one cup on an empty stomach immediately, and then drink the second cup about two hours later.

If you want to detoxify your liver, you can try a Lotus Root Cooler. You will need a large fresh lotus root, raw sugar or barley malt, and four cups of spring water. Cut the root into one inch pieces, and add the pieces and the sweetener to a saucepan. Cover with boiling water. Put a lid on the pot and allow the mixture to steep for a few minutes. You can then strain it and drink throughout the day.
If you want to detoxify your whole system, you should try some Ginseng Licorice Tea. You will need a handful of the small rootlets of white ginseng roots, known as ren shen. You will also need 10 long, thin slices of licorice root, known as gan cao, and eight cups of boiling water. Add licorice and ginseng together with four cups of boiling water in a teapot or thermos, allow to steep for 20 minutes, and then pour off the liquid into another container. Repeat with another four cups of water (can be repeated up to five times) and drink throughout the day.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more informaton on Hangover Cures.

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Tags: chinese medicine, Hangover Cures, Herbal Remedies, herbal tea, Traditional Chinese Medicine