Q: What are Chinese herbs?
A: Chinese herbs are plant, animal or mineral substances used in specific combinations and dosages to treat disorders in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each herb has its own medicinal qualities which are enhanced or reduced when used with other herbs.
Q: How can Chinese herbs help me?
A: Chinese herbs can help by replacing bodily substances that are deficient or by removing substances that are in excess. They also help by moving stagnant energy or blood away from an injury site or to an area where these are lacking. This rebalancing act can help help fight pain, diseases, or prevent disease in some cases.
Q: Do herbs really work?
A: Yes, herbs work. Most of the medications available today have plant origins so it is not as weird as you think. Herbal medicine has been around for thousands of years and many cultures still use them today. Remember, not everyone has a drugstore around the corner, but they still have health concerns to address!
Q: How do the herbs taste?
A: Herbs have a wide variety of tastes depending on where they are from, how they are prepared and how they are combined with other herbs. Some common herb tastes are bitter, sour, sweet, salty or woody and in many cases, the same herb may taste different to different people or even to the same person as their condition changes. The taste of the herbs is part of its medicinal quality.
Q: Do I have to brew the sticks and leaves?
A: Not anymore! Chinese herbs are now available in raw or prepared form.The raw form (sticks and leaves) which is what people are used to seeing or hearing about, need to be brewed before drinking. Herbs in prepared form have already been cooked and concentrated and are ready for consumption. They are available in pill, tablet, capsule or powder.
Q: Are the concentrated herbs as good as the raw herbs?
A: It is my opinion that concentrated herbs are as good, if not better, than raw herbs in certain instances. By eliminating incorrect preparation, concentrated herbs can sometimes be stronger and easier to ingest. The basic difference is a matter of convenience. Raw herbs need to be cooked while the concentrated form does not.
Q: How often are the herbs taken?
A: Depending on their application, herbs may be taken several times a day or as a one time dose. Usually, herbs are taken for a length of time to allow for changes in the condition being treated. As the symptoms change, the herbs are changed too.
–By Eric S. Wu, L.Ac