Chinese Herbal Medicine
The first reference to the Chinese using herbs dates back nearly 5000 years. There is a vast repertoire of herbal medicine textbooks that have been revised and supplemented over the centuries. In addition, since the 1950’s there has been much modern biomedicine research done with the efficacy of using Chinese herbal medicines. Research has isolated the active ingredients of medicines to help the modern Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner prescribe formulas more effectively. A Chinese herbalist diagnoses according to traditional methods and tailor makes a prescription to suit individual needs.
There are a number of ways that Chinese herbs can be prescribed. Usually a combination of 10-20 dried herbs is boiled in a decoction and drunk at least once a day. Some practitioners also use herbs prepared as freeze dried granules and many formulations are also available as pills or tablets.
NZRA Members using Chinese herbs adhere to world guidelines and do not use any endangered species. Herbs imported in to New Zealand are checked by MAF and customs.
A small percentage of Chinese medicines are of animal origin such as oyster shell and minerals such as hematite are sometimes also used.
Chinese herbal medicine can be used instead of receiving acupuncture treatment or is used to supplement acupuncture therapy.
