Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is a powerful medicine and is very good at changing the dynamics within the body.

It can be used to supplement energy or take it out, for draining and also for pain relief. In most cases a syndrome will have more than one symptom that cannot be treated by a single herb. Thus in Chinese herbal medicine, several herbs are used together in a formula in order to cope with the conditions of a disease.

Chinese herbs are sourced from natural plants and can be taken in several formats, both traditional and modern. The most potent form is by brewing a concoction from raw, dried herbs but concentrated powders and tablets are also available. The best method of taking the herbs would be down to the individual, taking into account the busy lifestyle we all lead.

The governing body for practitioners in the UK is the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbs are very safe when prescribed correctly by a properly trained practitioner. Over the centuries doctors have compiled detailed information about the available herbs and placed great emphasis on protecting the patient. Allergic type reactions are extremely rare, and will cause no lasting damage if treatment is stopped as soon as symptoms appear. All members of the RCHM give guidance on this to all patients. The provision of good quality authenticated herbs is also very important to protect public safety, and the RCHM is currently working with the main suppliers and Kew Gardens in order to ensure that the products used by its members meet the highest standards of compliance and purity.

Endangered Species

The RCHM and its Members, is greatly concerned about the threat to wild animals and plants that have come as a result of the growth in demand for traditional medicines. Illegal trade in endangered species is strongly condemned and there is a strict policy prohibiting the use of any type of endangered species by any Members. The RCHM uses information supplied by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Wildlife Liaison Office of the Metropolitan Police and the Department of the Environment, all of whom work to stop the trade in illegal substances wherever it is found.