Herbal Therapy

The herbs used in Chinese herbal therapy are mostly from plants, but also some minerals and animal substances are used. The Chinese herbs are used from the point of view of energy - Qi and Blood. Each herb has its specific qualities: temperature, taste, direction and the meridian it primarily affects. They also have specific functions, for example to strengthen Qi, nourish the Blood, remove Heat, etc. A TCM therapist must have profound knowledge of the usage of each herb and be skilled at combining them into herbal formulas. Chinese herbs are rarely used solely - a subscription is usually a combination of 6 to 18 different herbs. The herbal formulas are either used on their own or in combination with acupuncture, depending on the case. Both methods support one-anothers therapeutic effect.

The Chinese herbs can be used in many different forms. They can be decoctions, powders, pills, tinctures, creams, etc. Internally used herbs are usually drunk as a decoction or tea; the warm herbal drink is taken a couple of times per day. The length of the herbal treatment depends on each patients individual needs, but generally herbs are taken during a period of two or three months.