What is the difference between Chinese herbal medicine and the Western herbs?
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 at
9:52 pm
Hi.
What is the difference in my health food shop between Chinese & Western herbal medicines?
Thanks!
xx Sarah
Filed under: Traditional Chinese Medicine
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There are thousands of herbs used in traditional chinese medicine. They have studied them there and proven over thousands of years their effectiveness in healing the body and conditions……these are documented , and continually documented in modern times.
The herbs can be the same, and they also use ones not as familiar in the west.
the main difference is in ayurvedic and traditional chinese medicine is the herbs are thought about with certain healing properties,and they are put together in well balanced formulas to keep the body well , heal, and prevent side effects……because it is all in balance and works with the body.
The problem comes in when the westerners do not understand or think the same way in healing, and they dont know how to test the methods used, or claim not to know. The trials they conduct are usually on one herb at a time, and they tear it all down, looking for an ‘active’ ingrediant’. Most of the trials are not conducted in a way that the exerts know will prove they work, and instead botch most of the research.
Most herbs and herbal formulas are not tested because it would take millions of dollars to conduct the tests /trials correctly and big pharma is the main source of money to run drug trials.
The herbal and other trials are not conducted in the same way a practioner of quality would treat with them.
Sometimes it is the synergenic action that does the healing , and western ‘scientific’ method doesnt know what to do with that. Still there are over 1500 herbs and alternative means that have been ‘ok’d’ through the FDA and deemed to have healing properties.
There are entire groups of physicians and investors that are always looking for the next ‘miracle’ herb from around the world………then they tear it down and mess it up.
They also cant make any money on it, so big pharma , instead make drugs out of some of them…..drugs are usually from herbs, or synthetic. But drugs are not in balance, with the principles of healing from an eastern perspective, and always cause side effects and danger., for other parts of the body.
The usa is one of the few places that do not train their doctors in eastern and western medical views. All asian doctors are taught both east and western medicine.
And I have known herbalists that have cured many many illnesses using herbs alone, including cancers. Each case is individual and should be treated as such, using the best medicine for that situation.
well generally there tend to be different varieties of plants and animals in different countries, and thats especially true for countries distant from one another as china is from america. but countries of origin is not a logical argument as to why something should be viewed as medically useful. in real medicine we rely on results, not an undue respect for nature or country of origin.
I only know of the similarity: neither of them cure anything.
Different plants and animals due to geographic differences.
Both would be terribly hit or miss, with most of the ones that actually do anything have already been investigated for drug discovery.
Most herbs don’t work. They are folklore and nothing more. Just because it is old doesn’t mean it actually works. Humans are not rational.
for me Chinese have used and studied them for thousands and thousands of years
so that is all i will go with
smile
good luck
Great answer noabuse!
Both Western and Chinese herbology can be very helpful and healing. The main difference is that Chinese herbal medicine is based on a much deeper and older system of knowledge which constructs formulas of one or more herbs that are to treat very specific patterns. Western herbal medicine is more disease specific rather than treating the individual person with the "disease".
I suggest people see a trained practitioner in Traditional Chinese herbs rather than take whatever sounds good from the store, at least to get started in your understanding of the system. They can help explain what is appropriate for your specific patterns and constitution.
Western herbs tend to be taken as a single herb where as Chinese herbs are almost always taken as a complete and harmonious formula. I use both depending on the situation and person. I have been helped by both tremediously and have seen so many people get well on them.
For all of you naysayers out there, wait till you realize what you have been missing and how wrong you have been. It is only a matter of time that most people will wake-up and realize what God made in nature is the ultimate answer for our health…not chemicals and cutting and removing our precious parts. Nature cures focus on building the person up so that they are capable on their own to heal and stave off illness. Typical western medicine aims at over-riding the chemical processes of the body rather than finding out why the body has gotten to this point of illness. Western medicine keeps people dependent on a life-time of prescriptions, Eastern and other natural medicines empower the person to heal themselves and transcend their current ill state. I really can not see what is so appealing about being on a list of drugs to treat your drugs…go to the doctor first if you have just been in a trauma, then get on some nutrition to help you heal. Other than that go natural first and drugs if you have too. There is a place for it all:)
You do not need to check your brain at the door to believe that nature has power, you just need to open your mind and let it expand. Natural forms of medicine have a scientific explaination, it is just that science is still catching up. If you want to really learn, grow and love I suggest you leave your ego at the door. There is a greater world out there than many would have you believe. I live it!!! I am so grateful my eyes are open!