For Physicians Of Chinese Herbal Medicine Austin Should Be The Place To Check Out

By Patricia Bell


Chinese herbal medicine is comprised within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is a holistic approach to human health. As a holistic approach to health, it seeks to restore balance between various elements of the body. The body is viewed as composed of spiritual, mental, psychological, and physical parts, which must be in balance and harmony for the body to be in good health. When in need of experts in Chinese herbal medicine Austin is the place to go.

Disease occurs when the balance among the various parts that make up the human body is lost. This field of TCM has been practiced for over four thousand years and has been adopted widely in the world over. The practice employs several different types of herbs and mixes them with other methods to treat patients.

Herbs are often not used in isolation. They are combined with techniques such as massage, dietary changes, exercise, and acupuncture. Patients undergoing medication are required to drop certain lifestyle habits in favor of others. The new habits must be maintained even after medication because failure to do so is likely to cause the illness to recur.

This approach to medicine is based on what is referred to as Yin and Yang in China. Yin and Yang are two opposing forces of energy that sustain life. In healthy individuals, these two forces are maintained in balance and when the balance in disrupted, health is lost. Qi, which is a form of energy that flows within the body through invisible channels is composed of Yin and Yang.

A lack of balance between Yin and Yang blocks or disrupts the flow of Qi. As such, it is the purpose of herbalism to locate and eliminate the causes of imbalance in Yin and Yang so as to restore the normal flow of Qi. Imbalance can be caused by many causes including emotional upset, poor diet, infection, stress, and pollution. As opposed to eliminating the effects of the illness, herbalism aims to correct the cause.

Almost all herbal medicines involved in Chinese herbalism are plant based. However, other preparations may include animal products and minerals. The medicines are made in different forms including lotions, tablets, powders, and pastes. The form in which the medicine is made may be dependent on the herb and the use it is intended to be put to. Different herbs have different properties, which makes them serve different purposes.

Some people tend to underestimate the power and capabilities of herbs. However, it should be understood that they are as powerful as pharmaceutical drugs and can have adverse effects when taken in large doses. Some can cause allergic reactions while others are toxic in large amounts. The herbs can be used in combination with conventional medicine and it is best to inform the doctor before seeking holistic treatment.

Conventional medication should never be abandoned when one starts using herbs. If one feels compelled to do so, they should inform their doctor. The herbalist approached should also be qualified and experienced to avoid trouble.




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