East-West Integrative Medicine,
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Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the great herbal systems of the world with the tradition stretching back to the 3rd century BC. Throughout history, it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions and researched into every aspect of its use. This tradition continues today with the development of modern medical diagnostic techniques and knowledge.
For centuries Chinese herbal medicine has had a great influence on the theory and practice of medicine in the East and as a result, its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness has more recently been growing in popularity in the West. It still forms a major part of healthcare provision in China, and is provided in hospitals alongside Western medicine.
Herbal Remedies and Supplements
Herbal medicine is a powerful approach to healing a variety of illnesses and alleviate symptoms. Western drugs may help to control symptoms, but do not correct the disease process. For example, antibiotics eliminate bacteria, but will not improve the body’s resistance to infection. Another example are diuretics. While they rid the body of excess fluid, they do not improve kidney function. Chinese herbs however will treat the underlying condition as defined by traditional diagnosis, and rarely cause the unwanted side effects of Western medicines.
Similar to soil which becomes depleted through overuse, so can the human body’s Qi, moisture, and blood. They can become depleted from overwork, emotional tension, mental strain, too much or too little exercise, and/or inadequate diet or rest. Any combination of these issues serve to impair the capacity of the Organ Networks to maintain overall health and wellness.
How Herbs Work
The body is divided into five functional systems known as Organ Networks. Herbs assist the Organ Networks (Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney) in the performance of their tasks. These Networks govern particular mental processes, tissues, and physical activities by preserving and regulating Qi, Moisture, Blood, Spirit, and Essence. Particular herbs enhance the ability of the Heart to propel the blood and soothe the mind. They allow the Spleen to manage digestion and fluid equilibrium. Herbs enable the Lungs to handle respiration and body defences. They enhance the Liver’s ability to resolve emotional stresses and promote supple limbs. Herbs help the Kidneys sustain the body’s sexual and regenerative power. Below are a few examples of how some common health issues are understood and treated with herbs.
Some herbal formulas address ailments such as colds, allergies, inflammation, or cramps with dramatic and immediate results, while others fortify body reserves over time.
Formulas Combine Benefits
Chinese herbs are usually combined into formulas to enhance their properties and actions. Symptoms and signs are matched with therapeutic effects, reflecting the particular conditions and needs of each patient.
Formulas are available in a variety of forms: crude herbs to be boiled into tea, liquid bottled extracts, ground herbs packaged in pills, and powders. Herbs should be viewed more like foods rather than drugs and are offered as a supplement in our diet to fortify our constitution as well as prevent or remedy ailments. Sometimes the long-term use of herbs is desirable whereas extended use of pharmaceuticals would not be healthy.
傳統中國草本藥方
追溯至公元前三世紀，中國的中藥已經是世界上其中一種偉大的中草藥體系。 縱觀其歷史，中草藥不斷因應變化多端的臨床情況，持續探索每一種可以應用治療的層面。這個傳統配以現代醫學診斷技術和知識的發展，一直延續至今。
幾個世紀以來，中國中草藥在東方醫學的理論和實踐上有很大的影響，因此，其系統化的方法和臨床療效，近年已愈來愈受西方歡迎。中草藥仍然是中國醫療保健的重要組成部分，同時在醫院內輔助西藥以達至最佳療效。
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草藥療法和補充劑
草藥是一種治療各種症狀的強效療方。西藥可能有助於控制症狀, 但不能扭轉疾病的進程，例如抗生素能消滅細菌，但不能提高身體的抗感染能力。另一個例子是利尿劑，它能排出體內多餘的體液，但不能改善腎功能。然而，中草藥能根據傳統診斷而作根本的治療， 同時很少會造成如服用西藥帶來的不必要副作用。
人體的「元氣」與過度使用土壤導致耗損的道理相似。水分、血液 會因為過勞、情緒煩躁、精神緊張、過多或過少的運動而損耗，而飲食或休息不足則損害維持整體衛生與健康的五臟功能。
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草藥怎樣有助療效
由於大自然是由五行(木、火、 土、 金、 水) 支配, 因此人體也分為五大功能系統，稱為「五臟」。 草藥有助五臟(肝、心、 脾、肺、腎) 發揮應有的功能。五臟通過保護和調節元氣、水分、血液、精神與本質，管理特別是腦力, (細胞)組織和體力活動。 個別草藥能增強心臟輸送血液和紓緩心神的功能，控制脾臟消化和平衡體液的功能, 控制 肺 部呼吸和體內防禦系統的功能,維持肝臟平伏情緒和柔韌四肢的功能, 以及維持性能力和再生殖的腎臟功能。以下是一些利用草藥治療常見健康問題的例子：
一些草藥配方主治如感冒、過敏、發炎、 痙攣等疾病並有立竿見影的效果, 而另一些配方則可逐漸提高體內的儲備。
混合配方的好處
中草藥通常會混合成配方以提高它們的特性和作用,症狀和徵兆會與治療成效相配合以配對每位病者的具體狀況和需要。
配方可以不同的形式混合而成: 生草藥材熬煮成茶, 提煉成瓶裝精華液, 磨碎草藥並包裝成藥丸或藥粉。草藥應被視為食品而不是藥物，並作為補充劑加入我們的飲食中以增強我們的體質，以及防止或治療疾病。有時長遠飲用草藥更為可取，因為長期使用處方藥物亦絕非健康之道。
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传统中国草本药方
追溯至公元前三世纪，中国的中药已经是世界上其中一种伟大的中草药体系。 纵观其历史，中草药不断因应变化多端的临床情况，持续探索每一种可以应用治疗的层面。这个传统配以现代医学诊断技术和知识的发展，一直延续至今。
几个世纪以来，中国中草药在东方医学的理论和实践上有很大的影响，因此，其系统化的方法和临床疗效，近年已愈来愈受西方欢迎。中草药仍然是中国医疗保健的重要组成部分，同时在医院内辅助西药以达至最佳疗效。
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草药疗法和补充剂
草药是一种治疗各种症状的强效疗方。西药可能有助于控制症状, 但不能扭转疾病的进程，例如抗生素能消灭细菌，但不能提高身体的抗感染能力。另一个例子是利尿剂，它能排出体内多余的体液，但不能改善肾功能。然而，中草药能根据传统诊断而作根本的治疗， 同时很少会造成如服用西药带来的不必要副作用。
人体的「元气」与过度使用土壤导致耗损的道理相似。水分、血液 会因为过劳、情绪烦躁、精神紧张、过多或过少的运动而损耗，而饮食或休息不足则损害维持整体卫生与健康的五脏功能。
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草药怎样有助疗效
由于大自然是由五行(木、火、 土、 金、 水) 支配, 因此人体也分为五大功能系统，称为「五脏」。 草药有助五脏(肝、心、 脾、肺、肾) 发挥应有的功能。五脏通过保护和调节元气、水分、血液、精神与本质，管理特别是脑力, (细胞)组织和体力活动。 个别草药能增强心脏输送血液和纾缓心神的功能，控制脾脏消化和平衡体液的功能, 控制 肺 部呼吸和体内防御系统的功能,维持肝脏平伏情绪和柔韧四肢的功能, 以及维持性能力和再生殖的肾脏功能。以下是一些利用草药治疗常见健康问题的例子：
一些草药配方主治如感冒、过敏、发炎、 痉挛等疾病并有立竿见影的效果, 而另一些配方则可逐渐提高体内的储备。
混合配方的好处
中草药通常会混合成配方以提高它们的特性和作用,症状和征兆会与治疗成效相配合以配对每位病者的具体状况和需要。
配方可以不同的形式混合而成: 生草药材熬煮成茶, 提炼成瓶装精华液, 磨碎草药并包装成药丸或药粉。草药应被视为食品而不是药物，并作为补充剂加入我们的饮食中以增强我们的体质，以及防止或治疗疾病。有时长远饮用草药更为可取，因为长期使用处方药物亦绝非健康之道。