Chinese Herbal Medicine
The use of herbs as medicine has been a major part of traditional medicine in human history.
Together with dietary therapy, it's probably the first form of medicine developed in ancient China. Today it's the strongest medical method in Chinese medicine, followed by acupuncture.
What makes Chinese herbal medicine unique is that it's applied from a completely holistic framework fundamental of Chinese medicine, where the treatment requires addressing both the cause and the effects while considering the relations of body-mind-spirit.
Usually herbs are prescribed in preparations that can have a number of different herbs. They can be prescribed as complete or grounded raw herbs, granulated herbs, pills, capsules, syrups, tinctures, creams, ointments, and patches.
Chinese herbal medicine is not just confined to the use of plants -- it also includes mineral and animal products. But contrary to popular belief, in Australia we don't use aberrant products such as rhinoceros horn, bear bile, tiger genitals or other highly unethical and endangered substances. It's completely unnecessary, and there are many alternative herbs used in place that are much more effective in treatment.
