Saturday, August 16, 2008

CHINESE HERBS

Traditional Chinese Herbs,Herbal Remedies, and Medicine
For thousands of years, natural Chinese herbal remedies and herbs have been used to improve health, vitality, and overall life expectancy. The effectiveness of these herbs is continually proven as they are used to restore body functions to normal and to treat numerous illnesses.
Used to restore normal body functions and to treat sickness, Chinese medicines and herbs have been used for thousands of years and are recognized for their abilities to improve health, vitality, and life expectancy. These herbs often have few or no side effects in contrast to commercial drugs.Differing dramatically from scientific medicine, Chinese medicine focuses on treating the entire body to promote health. The emotional and spiritual health of a patient, in addition to total wellness, are considered when treating and diagnosing conditions and problems. When illness or disease is present, the condition is considered a symptom of the person being out of balance.Holistic and homeopathic treatments are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine including massage, stress-reduction, acupuncture, exercise, cupping, lifestyle change, moxibustion, and herbal medicine.Chinese Herbs Directory
Ashwagandha
Dong Quai
Echinacea
Fo Ti
Garlic
Ginger
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginseng
Green Tea
Kava Kava
Licorice
Reishi
Saw Palmetto
Yohimbe

REISHI MUSHROOM

Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushrooms grow in the coastal areas of China and are cultivated in Taiwan, Korea, North America, and Japan. It is referred to as the “herb of spiritual potency”, or hing zhi. They are found on fallen tree stumps and decomposing logs. There are six varieties of color, but red mushrooms are used primarily in Asia and North America. Medicinal benefits come from the fruiting part of the mushroom.Reishi is used to treat asthma, coughs, weakness and fatigue, and insomnia. Polysaccharides, coumarin, sterols, mannitol, and triterpenoids called ganoderic acides are the primary constituents of the mushroom.Ganoderic acids may be able to lower cholesterol and blood pressure in addition to inhibit blood platelets from sticking together. Although not yet proven, these acids may also be able to treat chronic hepatitis B, altitude sickness, cancer, and diabetes mellitus.Recommended Dosage
Take 1.5-9 grams of dried mushroom daily
Take 1ml of tincture or in tea daily
Take 1-1.5 grams in powdered form daily

GINSENG

Ginseng Root and Herb
This famous Chinese herb has been used for over 5,000 years. It was worth more than gold to the Qing Dynasty of ancient China.Ginseng is used in thousands of formulas to provide vivacity and energy. Ginseng is used more than any other herbal remedy.Ginseng contains nitrogenous compounds, minerals, vitamins, fat-soluble compounds, and carbohydrate compounds in its stained root. The herb is costly and not easy to produce and takes six years to reach maturity. Researchers today label ginseng as a strong immune system tonic that can uniquely affect the entire body.Various types of ginseng include Japanese ginseng (Panax japonicum), Asian ginseng (panax ginseng), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), and American ginseng. Asian ginseng is the most popular and grows in China, Korea, and Japan. Siberian ginseng is native to Korea, China, Japan, and Russia. America ginseng can be found in forested areas from Quebec to Minnesota and south to Georgia and Oklahoma.American and Asian ginseng, both similar in chemical composition and appearance, are the types recognized for having healing powers. Ginseng grown in North American is often thought of as the most favorable and costly. It is grown and exported from Wisconsin, British Columbia, and Ontario.

GINGER

Ginger Herb
Ginger has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine to treat problems such as vomiting, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, coughing, and rheumatism. Tibb and Ayurvedic medicine also uses ginger to treat inflammatory joint diseases including rheumatism and arthritis.Proposed Medical Benefits of GingerGinger root is used today to provide relief for symptoms of motion sickness including sweating, vomiting, dizziness, and nausea. No conclusive results were found when studies compared commercial medications with ginger. Signs of similar results between the two did seem apparent in the studies.Ginger has other uses including relieving arthritis pain, ulcerative colitis, menstrual discomfort, headaches, fevers from flu and colds, and sore throats. Gastrointestinal problems including heartburn and gas can also be treated with ginger. The muscles of the gastrointestinal tract can be strengthened by the use of garlic. Ginger is also used to treat arthritis, both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. It is thought that garlic can also provide relief for toothaches, but no scientific evidence exists to support this.Ginger ConstituentsVolatile oils in ginger are what cause the taste, smell, and medical effectiveness. About 1-4% of ginger is oil. Ginger contains pungent constituents, shogaols and gingerols, which make it effective for relieving vomiting and nausea. Bisabolene and zingiberene are the aromatic constituents of garlic.Dosage and AdministrationFor treating and preventing motion sickness, ingest 500 mg of ginger powder (dried) between 30 to 60 minutes prior to traveling. 500 mg should be taken as needed every 2 to 4 hours. Pregnant women should not use ginger for a prolonged amount of time, but can take as much as 1 gram daily to treat nausea.There are no recommendations for dosage in children.

GARLIC

Garlic
Garlic is grown in many areas throughout the world and is considered by herbalists to be one of the most essential and useful herbs used for medicinal purposes. Various cultures have benefited from using garlic in medicines and foods for centuries.The Miracle of GarlicGarlic has been used for many years to prevent health problems including colds, flu, menstrual pain, high blood pressure, coughs, gastrointestinal problems, atherosclerosis, and bronchitis. Garlic has been proven to kill various fungal infections, viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Also labeled as an antioxidant, garlic may help prevent certain cancers such as colon cancer and can improve the effectiveness of the immune system.Garlic is most popular for its effectiveness of cardiovascular wellness. Garlic is effective treating atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, respiratory infections, and triglyceride levels.Alliin is the primary ingredient found in garlic. This chemical is similar chemically to cysteine, an amino acid containing sulfur, and possesses no odor. After garlic is crushed, alliin is to converted into allicin, the compound that gives garlic its strong smell and numerous health benefits.Side Effects and Possible InteractionsGarlic supplements are said to have to side effects other than the strong odor.The combination of using garlic and warfarin may result in a greater risk of bleeding. Large doses of garlic should not be ingested when using warfarin, indomethacin, dipyridamole, aspirin, or other medications that thin the blood.Dosage and AdministrationGarlic is most commonly taken daily in capsule form containing between 1000 and 3000 mg. 0.03 to 0.12 mL of garlic oil can be taken three times a day.

ARNICA

Arnica
Numerous people have recognized arnica’s powers to minimize inflammation, ease muscle pain, and accelerate the healing process. Arnica is most commonly used externally, but it can also be ingested to treat some heart conditions. However, a doctor should always be consulted before arnica is taken internally.Also referred to as “leopard’s bane,” arnica is a perennial and has a vivid yellow flower which blooms during the middle of the summer. The flowers have been used in many different herbal remedies for centuries. It is common in Germany, and is a protected plant in many areas of Europe. Arnica has been used as an ingredient in hundreds of medicines.Arnica has sesquiterpene lactones, which minimize inflammation and alleviate pain. Aside from those primary active ingredients, arnica also has thymol, a beneficial oil, flavonoids, inulin, carotenoids and tannins.Arnica is effective because it increases white blood cell activity. This increases circulation since white blood cells digest blocked blood and break up fluids that get caught shaken up from injured tissues, joints, and muscles. Since arnica can enhance circulation, it has been known to increase blood pressure, particularly in coronary blood vessels. In addition to its other external uses, it can alleviate joint pain, ease burns, and treat eczema and acne. Arnica can also be used reduce inflammation and pain, or as an antibacterial to help wounds heal quickly and neatly.

ANGELICA ROOT

Angelica Root
Called Chinese Angelica, Angelica Root, and Dong Quai, this herb helps lower symptoms of menopause, relieves menstrual cramps, and regulates menstrual periods. No scientific evidence supports its effectiveness, but Anglica has been used in oriental medicine to treat these symptoms for centuries.This herb is primarily used to relieve reproductive problems in females. In particular, treatment includes lowering menopausal symptoms, regulating cycles, and relieving menstrual cramps. There is no scientific evidence to support angelica’s effectiveness in treating reproductive problems.Oriental medicine often combines Chinese angelica root with various other herbs to provide treatment for conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, allergies, and asthma. Limited evidence supports angelica’s ability to increase immune system function; this suggests why the root is effective in treating allergies. It also may possess anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting possible benefits when treating conditions including asthma and arthritis. Angelic root may possibly relax blood vessels because of one of the chemical it contains. This may make it effective in lowering high blood pressure.Additional research is necessary to determine and validate angelica root’s medicinal value.Ingredients and Constituents of Chinese angelica
Resin
Volatile Oil
Valerianic acid
Coumarins
Tannins
Vitamin A
Vitamin B
Bitter iridoids
Bergapten Dosage RecommendationsWomen take up to 3-4 grams daily. Angelic root can be ingested in powder form in tea, through tinctures, tablets, and capsules.Possible Side EffectsThose who regularly take Chinese angelic root should avoid large amounts of ultraviolet radiation and sun exposure. It is thought to have very low toxicity, but should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing.