Chinese Herbs - Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health

What are Chinese Herbs?

Contrary to the name “Chinese herbs”, herbs used in traditional chinese medicine (TCM) include substances other than plants. These materials include minerals, shells, animals or insects.

How to Take Chinese Herbs

Herbs are given according to their Qi and Blood energy.

That’s right, each herb has a particular energy and when matched with the energy of the person, can restore the person’s health.

So there are two elements here:

• energy of the person
• energy of the herbs

And they are combined on a case-by-case basis according to the requirements of the individual. The practice of Chinese medicine generally revolves around cooling what is hot and warming what is cold. Herbs are instrumental in balancing the energies of a person, are have been proven over the centuries to be both safe and effective.

Chinese Herbs and Their Energies

The energy effects of Chinese herbs have been observed by skilled Taoist and Buddhist physicians for centuries. By closely examining individual substances, their characteristics were recorded. How it’s done is pretty amazing.

A physician would take a single substance and through Qigong (qi exercises) and meditation, feel the energetic qualities of the substance. In this way, each part of a plant – seed, root, leave, bark – and each animal shell or insect and their qualities was methodically classified.

When giving herbs, three things must be considered:

• What is the energy of the herb – is it warming or cooling?
• What is the effect of its energy – increasing or decreasing?
• To which organ or part of the body is energy directed?

Chinese Herbal Formula

By mixing herbs in a balanced combination, Chinese herbal formulas can be used to remedy a variety of conditions. Such formulas are known as “patents”. Several herbs together have a stronger effect than a single herb.

At the same time, formulas provide greater safety because an individual herb with a particularly strong energy, can be offset by other herbs. If you’ve been to a Chinese herbalist before, you’ll have seen this is the way herbs are prescribed. This is the way Chinese herbal medicine is practiced.

Even though acupuncture may be more well-known in the West as a practice of TCM, herbal medicine can actually treat people quickly and more effectively in some cases. Chinese herbs have strong effects but they are gentle in their action and nourishes both the blood and qi.

In China, they are part of the normal diet, as medicinal plants are frequently use in boiling soups and other forms of Chinese cooking.

Chinese Herbs Go Online

It is now possible to purchase Chinese herbs in stores and online for a variety of needs. For instance weight loss. This is a billionaire dollar industry with fads such as South Beach Diet, Perricone Diet, Weight Watcher’s Diet, Atkins Diet etc, some of which come with side effects. Chinese herbs achieve weight loss by steady slimming over a few months, thus preserving the balance of energy in the body.

Chinese herbs are available to alleviate conditions such as arthritis pain, boosting the immune system, improving blood circulation and energy, relieving stress, improving digestion etc. A comphrehensive online store for Chinese herbal formulas is Chinese Herbs Direct, a family-owned business based in Redondo Beach, CA.

I spoke with Zachary Lin of Chinese Herbs Direct and asked him which were his top sellers. Here's what he said (in no particular order)

• Free and Easy Wanderer (xiao yao wan)
Free and Easy Wanderer (xiao yao wan) is an all-natural Chinese herbal formula used to regulate qi/energy, relieve stress and harmonize the body during monthly menstrual cycles.


• Bi Yan Pian
Bi Yan Pian is an all-natural Chinese herbal formula that is used to disperse wind, clear heat and toxins, transform phlegm and provide comfort from nose inflammation.


• Gan Mao Ling
Gan Mao Ling is an all-natural Chinese herbal formula used to release the exterior and clear heat and toxins from the body, and is recommended to be taken at the first sign of cold/flu symptoms.


• Reishi Musrooms
Ling Zhi Reishi, also known as "Mushroom of Immortality", has long been revered in Chinese medicinal history as a "miracle herb", once believed to enhance youth and longevity if taken over long periods of time.


• Yin Chiao
Help your body cope with Yin Chiao (yin chiao chieh tu pien), an all-natural Chinese herbal formula used to disperse wind, clear heat and relieve toxicity associated with cold/flu and sore throat.


• Cordyceps
Cordyceps (dong chong xia cao) has been taken for thousands of years to help build body strength and immunity, improve lung functioning, strengthen the immune system and even heighten sex drive.

Their herbal formulae cover a wide range of conditions and are made from GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) factories. This is the most important certification to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Chinese herbal supplements.

Resources: Chinese Herbs Dictionary Chinese Herbology


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