Chinese herbs are prescribed to treat diseases that are yin or yang and either hot, cold or between.
The use of Chinese herbs dates back almost 5,000 years. Chinese herbs can be used for almost all ailments, whether internal or external, chronic or acute, physical, mental or emotional. Herbs can be taken alone or, more commonly, as formulas -- a mixture of many herbs. Chinese herbs are medicine, can be dangerous when incorrectly paired, and should be prescribed by a Chinese doctor. Also, herbs don't work as quickly as western medicine, so don't expect immediate results. There are many ways to classify Chinese herbs. One method is by the four properties of hot, warm, cool and cold, where cold herbs are given for hot diseases. Another is classification by the five flavors: bitter, sweet, sour, salty and pungent.
Pungent
Herbs classified as pungent have similar effects, mainly dispersing or expelling, and promote blood and energy movement. These herbs affect the upper and exterior parts of the body and, as with all flavor classifications, can range from hot to cold. Herbs in this class, such as mint, which is cool, are good for inducing sweating in the case of a common cold. Mint can be taken alone for a cold with a sore throat because it is cool, as a sore throat indicates heat.
Sweet
Sweet herbs are nourishing, strengthening and moistening in nature. These herbs are used for deficiency syndromes due to a lack of blood or energy, constipation due to excess heat, coughing from excess heat in the lungs and some pain syndromes. A well-known herb in this category is ginseng, a warm herb used to increase stamina, treat impotence, lower blood pressure and boost energy. Ginseng should be taken on the advice of a Chinese doctor. Dang Quai, which is sweet, bitter, pungent and warm, is widely used to treat menstrual problems, such as cramps, by helping the circulation of blood and strengthening reproductive organs.
Bitter
Bitter herbs are drying in nature and used to direct energy to the lower parts of the body, purge and increase appetite. These herbs are used for constipation, damp-heat and damp-cold diseases, such as arthritis, dysentery and yeast infections, and the early stages of acute infectious diseases, such as mononucleosis. Da Huang, or Chinese rhubarb is bitter and cold, and is used for constipation, dysentery, tumors and blood clots. Cang Zhu, bitter, pungent and warm, is used for yeast infections, edema in the lower limbs and diarrhea with vomiting.
Salty
Salty herbs have a softening effect on hard body masses and are used for promoting bowel movements and treating lumps, such as tumors, tuberculosis and cysts. Herbs like Hai Zao, or seaweed, which is salty, bitter and cold, is used for tuberculosis, goiter, haemorrhoids, hernia pain, and as a diuretic for edema because of salty herbs' effect on the kidneys. Mang xiao, or sodium sulfate, is salty and cold, and is used for constipation due to excess heat.
Sour
Sour herbs have an astringent and absorbing nature. These herbs are commonly used when liquids in the body are out of control, as in the case of profuse sweating, bleeding, chronic diarrhea, and incontinence. Shan Zhu Yu, sour and warm, is used for impotence, incontinence, frequent urination, excessive sweating and excessive bleeding during menstruation. Wu Wei Zi, sour and warm, is used for asthmatic coughs, profuse sweating and to help prevent liver damage by helping the liver metabolize the drugs. It also helps regenerate liver tissue damaged by alcohol and viruses, such as hepatitis.
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