Many of today’s medicines find their roots in 2000 years of Chinese
history. Modern day asthma treatments make use of the Chinese ephedra
and hepatitis remedies use the schizandra fruits and licorice roots
found in Chinese medicine.

In China herbal therapies are applied in two fashions: They are either
made into a strong tea by simmering herbs for an hour or more called a
decoction or to put the herbs into a honey-bound pill. The teas are
considered to be too time-consuming for most Western doctors and are
often awful tasting as well. The honey pills are sticky, bad tasting
and difficult to chew. Thus steps in modern techniques and improved
methods of application. The two most popular applications are extract
powders and easy-to-swallow tablets or capsules. The quantity that
must be consumed is considerable but necessary to get the same effect
as the traditional Chinese applications.

There are more than 6,000 species of herbs used in medicines with
about 1,000 materials being derived from animal sources and more than
100 different minerals all of which are categorized under “herbs”.
Herbs are cultivated from the wilds of China, India or the Mid-East
and are processed either by cleaning, drying soaking or slicing. They
are then established into a specific formulation for an individual
patient. They are not made in batches as medicines are in Western
medicine. Chinese medicine is designed for a specific individual. In
addition to the herbal therapy the patient is often advised to change
diet, lower the level of stress they are under, or increase their
amount of exercise they are getting.

Chinese practitioners are taught through large schools, research
institutes and teaching hospitals in every province in China.

In the U.S. Chinese herbs are not labeled as drugs but as food
supplements. As supplements they are not as strictly regulated, as
they would be if they were classified as drugs and regulated by the
FDA. The FDA does monitor herbal supplements regarding how clean the
manufacturing facilities are though. There is also testing done to
ensure that there are no bacteria or chemical contaminants contained
in the supplements.

Imported Chinese herb products should only be taken when the
individual is advised by a trained health professional as there may be
adverse responses to certain Chinese herbs such as allergic responses
or gastro-intestinal upsets (constipation, diarrhea, nausea and
bloating). Other responses that have been noted have been dizziness,
headache, sleepiness, lowered appetite, and agitation. There are very
limited studies being done in America regarding herbal therapies.
American practitioners have to rely on the clinical trials that have
been done in China for information needed when making decisions
regarding treatment.

Astragalus used for immune responses, atractylodes used to treat
digestive disorders, bupleurum used to treat liver diseases, skin
ailments and arthritis and cinnamon used to improve circulation and to
harmonize the energy of the upper body with that of the lower body as
well as to correct imbalances are all commonly used Chinese herbs