Chinese Herbal Medicine

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the great medical systems of the world, and is in widespread use around the world.

More than three hundred herbs that are commonly used today have a history of use that goes back at least 2,000 years. Over that time, a vast amount of experience has been gained that has gone towards perfecting their clinical applications. According to Chinese clinical studies, these herbs, and others that have been added to the list of useful items over the centuries, can greatly increase the effectiveness of modern drug treatments, reduce their side-effects, and sometimes replace them completely.

In China, the two most common methods of applying herb therapies are to make a decoction (a strong tea that must be simmered for at least half an hour or more).. The teas are deemed too time-consuming, smelly, and awful-tasting amongst some, thus granules and powders are offered to help overcome this.

Both these systems are extensively used for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases at Hospitals and Clinics in China. 

Chinese medicine is successfully used for a very wide range of conditions. Among the more commonly treated disorders are:

• Musculoskeletal  conditions  including low back and neck pain and conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria
• Gastro-intestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis
• Gynaecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility
• Hepatitis and HIV: some promising results have been obtained for treatment of Hepatitis C, and supportive treatment may be beneficial in the case of HIV
• Chronic fatigue syndromes, whether with a background of viral infection or in other situations
• Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis
• Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis

Herbs are often used in combination with one of the other therapies on offer. Please call us on 01483 720464 or email at lholve@yorkclinic.co.uk where we will be happy to discuss and further questions you may have.