How can herbs help?

The use of herbs is an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine. Herbs help to reorganise the body constituents (qi, blood and body fluids) within the meridians and organs, as well as help the body adjust to the impact of external influences like wind, cold or dampness.

In general, Chinese herbal medicine involves using multiple herbs in combinations that have specific effects in aim to restore balance to the body. Herbs are classified according to the theory of the Five Elements, with specific flavours and qualtities that allow the practitioner to match them with symptoms of illness.

Herbs contain a  large number of substances that work together to alter the body's chemistry. Unlike purified synthetic drugs, plant and other naturally occurring materials contain a wide variety of substances and hence less of any one particular active alkaloid. These other substances are thought to work together to restore balance to the body with minimum side effects. The plant meadowsweet is a good example: it contains compounds similar to those in aspirin that act as  anti-inflammatories. These compounds, called salicylates, often irritate the stomach lining. unlike commercially prepared aspirin however, meadowsweet also contains substances that soothe the gastric lining, thus providing protection from this common side effect of aspirin.