Pain relief remedies

Woodlock massage oil – Woodlock is used as an external analgesic for the relief of pain in joints, muscles and nerves and is especially helpful for pain relating to sprains and arthritis and is in the form of massage oil.

Red flower oil – this is used for many different types of pain ranging from a headache to pain in the joints and is in the form of massage oil.

Xiao Huo Luo Wan – this is usually in the form of an herbal pill and can be used for a wide variety of pain from pain in the muscles and bones to chronic arthritis and lumbago.

Cold and allergy remedies

Hay fever

Fang feng Xin Yi Wan – these are in herbal pill format and are especially helpful to those suffering from hay fever and the common cold, they also work to relieve sore throats, dry mouth, night sweats and reduce high blood pressure. The main ingredients used in this remedy are Folium mori, Flos magnoliae, Flos lonicerae, Flos chrysanthemi, Fructus xanthii, Spica prunellae and Radix saposhnikoviae.

Sinusitis

Bi Yan Kan – these pills are especially helpful to those suffering from sinusitis and contain over 14 different herbs including Forsythiae Suspensae Fructus, Angelicae Radix, Gardeniae Jasminodis Fructus, Phellodendri Cortex and Rhizoma Notopterygli.

Bronchitis

Qi Guan Yan Wan – these pills bring relief to those suffering from bronchitis and the main ingredients are Eriobotrya japonica leaf, Codonopsis pilosula root, Ziziphus jujuba fruit, Morus alba leaf, Zingiber officinale rhizome-fresh and the Prunes’ armeniaca seed.

Cough

Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa – this is a traditional cough syrup that will relieve coughs due to colds and allergies and is made from Eriobotrya japonica, Taraxacum officinale, Euphorbia, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Citrum reticulata, Tussilago petasites and Senega.

Digestive problems

Indigestion

Jian Pi Wan – this can be taken either in liquid form or pills and is excellent for relieving trapped wind and aiding with digestion problems such as heartburn and indigestion and is made from Tang Shen root, Hawthorne berry fruit, Atractylodis root, Immature bitter orange fruit, Tangering peel and Germinated barley sprout.

Gastrointestinal problems

WeiTai – this is commonly given as a tea and relieves problems with the stomach such as flatulence, acidic stomach and stomach ache it contains Evodia fruit, Mock Orange leaf, Szechuan Pepper root, Baical skullcap root, Costus root, White Peony root and Tuckahoe.

Remedies aimed at the women

Painful periods

Menstrulax – aimed specifically at those who suffer from painful periods this remedy includes Motherwort and Leonurus cardiaca.

The menopause

Jing Xin Menocare Essence – this remedy helps to alleviate problems associated with the menopause such as hot flushes, headache and depression and includes Chinese Angelica Root, White Peony Root, Glossy Privet Berries and Wild Jujube Seed as some of the main ingredients.

Remedies aimed at the man

Impotence

Yang Sheng Wan – this is the herbal equivalent to Viagra for those suffering from impotence and is a 100% natural ingredient tonic.

Infertility

Wu Zi Yan Zhong Wan – this remedy is used to treat infertility in men and improve the sperm count it can also be used to improve the male sex drive and contains ingredients such as Lycium chinense fruit, Cuscuta chinensis seed, Rubus chingii fruit, Plantago asiatica seed, Schisandra chinensis frui.

Problems with the skin

Acne

Pien Tze Huang Pearl Cream – this cream is designed to improve the look of the skin and help to alleviate acne, the ingredients include Pearl Powder, Pien tze huang, Glycerine and super Fatty Alcohol.

Eczema

Genseng-RoyalJelly Cream – this cream nourishes and moisturises the skin relieving it from the dryness that eczema can cause.

What does herbal treatments consist of?

Herbal treatments are available in many different formats with the more popular ones being available as dried leafs or in bags for making tea, pills and capsules. You should however always buy your herbal medication from an herbalist to ensure that the correct treatment is taken and in the correct dosage.

Several herbal medications are now offered as tinctures or freeze dried powders with most of them tasting bitter at first to the person who hasn’t tried them before, it is not long though before the vast majority of people get used to their distinct taste.

As the remedies are tailored to suit a person’s particular needs there isn’t any set price for treatment although supermarkets do now sell some pre prepared herbal treatments for a set price. However, if you haven’t taken herbal treatments before you should always get advice from an herbalist before taking any over the counter remedies.

More and more health insurance companies are now including holistic forms of treatment in their cover so it is worth checking out your policy if you become ill and want to look into a holistic approach as either a supplement to traditional medication or an alternative.

Are herbs safe to take?

If the practitioner has been trained and has knowledge of the plants and herbs used in Chinese medicine and they prescribe the herbs, then they are usually quite safe to take. Chinese medicine has come a long way over the last few years with more and more people practicing it and practitioners now place great emphasis on the protection of the patient, with allergic reactions to the plants and herbs used in the medicine very rarely occurring in patients.

When advising treatment for a condition the herbalist will normally use a combination of herbs as different components found in different herbs, combine to balance each other. As the Chinese strongly believe that it is the disharmony of the Qi that is imbalanced in our body, treatments are usually given and diagnosed based on patterns and signs and symptoms that reflect an imbalance in the body’s energy flow.

During your first consultation with the Chinese herbalist, a full medical history will be taken and most will aid their diagnosis with a tongue examination. The Chinese believe that by looking at your tongue they can get a good idea of what underlying problems you might have that could be causing the depletion or blockage of Qi and therefore what’s causing your problem.

Chinese herbs have been widely used throughout the years for a diverse range of problems and medical conditions with one herb in particular being coveted more than most, Ginseng. Ginseng is perhaps the most illustrious of all tonics and is used throughout the world by people of all ages, unlike many medicinal herbal remedies that target specific illnesses the Chinese herbal tonic is used to enhance the overall general health and can be used on a regular basis.

The Chinese white Ginseng

The Chinese white Ginseng or Panax is the most well known of the Ginseng family and is the one which is used worldwide in tonics. Ginseng is known for its ability to increase the amount of overall energy with its properties enhancing both physical and mental performance particularly at times when we are under stress.

Ginseng is a root and the Panax root is also known for its ability to inhibit cancer cell growth and to help protect cells from oxidative damage. It will also help to alleviate problems brought about due to the menopause as it tones the hormonal system.

It has been used in china for many years treating people who are recovering from heart surgery and many years ago, it found fame as a tonic for men aiding with impotence and to increase low sperm count. Ginseng is rated alongside Ginkgo in popularity in the Chinese herbal remedies of today.

American Ginseng

American ginseng has all the benefits of Chinese but is also beneficial for strengthening the lungs and chest in cases of bronchitis and tuberculosis. It has a cooling effect on the body and is the form which is more widely used in remedies aimed specifically for woman when going through the menopause.

Siberian Ginseng

This root originates from Russia after the Russians sought a cheaper alternative to Ginseng, Russian cosmonauts have used this root to help them get through the rigorous training methods and Olympic athletes have taken advantage of its beneficial effects to help provide them with strength and endurance.

Codonopsis

This is often referred to as the poor man’s Ginseng, its properties are very similar to the Chinese ginseng but the results are somewhat milder as it is less stimulating and therefore more suitable for everyday use. It can help to relive discomfort from indigestion, improve fatigue and also helps to lower high blood pressure.

How to prepare Ginseng root

Ginseng is normally taken as a tea or can be taken in pill or capsule forms, to prepare the tea just follow the simple directions outlined below:

• Use 2oz of root for every 4 cups of water.
• Bring the water to a boil with the root in it and simmer for around 1 hour or until 1 to 2 cups of water remain in the pan.
• Drink 1 cup of the warm tea before your meals, adding ginger powder if you wish.
• It is important that you boil the root in glass or enamel, don’t use a metal saucepan as metal will destroy the antioxidants.