The Truth About Herbs and Their Medicinal History
Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners believe the value of herbs is far more significant than adding flavour and garnish to our meals.
For at least 2000 years, the philosophy has held that herbs restore our body’s balance and can assist with health conditions. However, not every herb is created equal. They all have distinct properties and purposes.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, herbs have been used as medicinal compounds for centuries in China. Herbal medicine is utilised for many conditions. There are many claims out there so this article separates the fluff from claims grounded in high-quality research.
Common Chinese herbs include:
Green tea
Latin name: Camellia sinensis
Where it is grown: originated in China but now produced globally.
Traditional Chinese medical theory believes that using green tea as a herb will clear the mind and reduce toxins to prevent disease. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), green tea is also beneficial for lowering blood pressure and reducing cholesterol.
Maidenhair Tree
Latin name: Ginkgo biloba
Where it is grown: Xitianmu Mountain in Zhejiang, China.
This living fossil has been around for around 350 million years. Members of the royal court were given Ginkgo for support in old-age. It has also traditionally been used for treating asthma, bronchitis, and kidney and bladder disorders. According to the NCCIH, the herb contains very high levels of flavonoids that provide protection against cell damage.
Astragalus
Latin name: Astragalus membranaceus
Where it is grown: China, Mongolia and North Korea.
Astragalus was traditionally used in China for night sweats and diarrhea. Today it’s also used to prevent heart disease and fatigue. A recent 2019 study found that Astragalus, in addition to conventional therapies, may be effective in short-term reduction of diabetic kidney disease.
Red Sage
Latin name: Salvia miltiorrhiza
Where it is grown: China and Japan.
Known as a blood moving herb, red sage has traditionally been used to treat blood circulatory disorders. A study treated 2,431 heart disease sufferers with red sage, and found that 63.4% to 99.2% of them benefited. A more recent study found that red sage has the potential to both treat and prevent stone disease.
Ginseng:
Latin name: Panax ginseng
Where it is grown: Far East including Korea and China.
Ginseng means “essence of man” in Chinese and the roots resemble man legs! It has been used in China for thousands of years. It’s one of the most highly regarded herbs in the Orient. It was traditionally used as a tonic to boost energy, prolong life and clear the mind. Today, research has found that Ginseng increases resistance to various illness or microbial attacks by regulating the immune system.
Reishi mushrooms
Latin name: Ganoderma lucidum
Where it is grown: North Eastern Hemlock forests.
Reishi is known as the divine mushroom of immortality for good reason. Traditionally used to harmonize the soul, it has also been shown to reduce free radical activity. A study found that patients with cancer who were treated with Reishi-sourced polysaccharide showed an improvement of their immune systems effectiveness.
So there you have it. Stock up on those aromatic plants and don’t be taking that beautiful leaf on top of your soup for granted again!
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31034954
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2019/1408979/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5421141/#r25
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659612/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12916709
How Chinese Medicine Came To The Western World
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a natural medicinal system.
It’s designed to stimulate the healing mechanisms of the body and can bring many health benefits to you both physically and psychologically, including assisting with fertility and reproductive issues. Originating in Ancient China more than 2,500 years ago, it was passed down through generations and was introduced to societies all over the world.
TCM made contact with the Western world at the beginning of the 17th century and became increasingly popular in America during the 1970s.
Since then, TCM has had a positive impact on modern medicine. The Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine found that the cooperation of TCM and modern medicine is more efficient for the cure and prevention of disease than each of them separately.
TCM treatments include:
- Tai chi
- Qigong (exercise)
- Acupuncture
- Cupping
- Herbal medicine
These practices have been modernized but still maintain their roots in Eastern philosophy. For example, TCM herb formulations have been effective treatments for illnesses for many centuries. TCM and modern medicine has gradually formed a consensus and agreed on the 'pharmacology' and 'mechanism of action' of many of these Chinese herbs.
TCM treatments can help improve:
- Fertility
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Overall nutrition
TCM practitioners believe that health is dependent upon the body harmoniously maintaining a state of balance between internal and external stability. Therefore, TCM diagnosis and treatment aims to detect and correct imbalances that are present in the body.
Studies have shown that TCM can help improve fertility and reproductive health. Unlike Western Medicine, which focuses on manipulating ovulation, surgical procedures, and artificial reproductive technologies, TCM focuses on assisting the body to self-correct using natural remedies.
TCM has an individualized approach specific to each patient and their individual symptoms. Philippa Youngs, a Chinese medical practitioner, says that “a multidisciplinary approach explores optimization of natural fertility.”
Ultimately, since it's integration into communities all over the world, TCM has had a very positive effect on modern medicine.
It uses natural methods to correct imbalances in the body and treat disease. The profound impact on fertility has been ground-breaking. TCM is helping women fall pregnant naturally.
Fabulously Fertile Food – Your Guide to Healthy Living
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a natural medicinal system.
It’s designed to stimulate the healing mechanisms of the body and can bring many health benefits to you both physically and psychologically, including assisting with fertility and reproductive issues. Originating in Ancient China more than 2,500 years ago, it was passed down through generations and was introduced to societies all over the world.
TCM made contact with the Western world at the beginning of the 17th century and became increasingly popular in America during the 1970s.
Since then, TCM has had a positive impact on modern medicine. The Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine found that the cooperation of TCM and modern medicine is more efficient for the cure and prevention of disease than each of them separately.
TCM treatments include:
- Tai chi
- Qigong (exercise)
- Acupuncture
- Cupping
- Herbal medicine
These practices have been modernized but still maintain their roots in Eastern philosophy. For example, TCM herb formulations have been effective treatments for illnesses for many centuries. TCM and modern medicine has gradually formed a consensus and agreed on the 'pharmacology' and 'mechanism of action' of many of these Chinese herbs.
TCM treatments can help improve:
- Fertility
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Overall nutrition
TCM practitioners believe that health is dependent upon the body harmoniously maintaining a state of balance between internal and external stability. Therefore, TCM diagnosis and treatment aims to detect and correct imbalances that are present in the body.
Studies have shown that TCM can help improve fertility and reproductive health. Unlike Western Medicine, which focuses on manipulating ovulation, surgical procedures, and artificial reproductive technologies, TCM focuses on assisting the body to self-correct using natural remedies.
TCM has an individualized approach specific to each patient and their individual symptoms. Philippa Youngs, a Chinese medical practitioner, says that “a multidisciplinary approach explores optimization of natural fertility.”
Ultimately, since it's integration into communities all over the world, TCM has had a very positive effect on modern medicine.
It uses natural methods to correct imbalances in the body and treat disease. The profound impact on fertility has been ground-breaking. TCM is helping women fall pregnant naturally.