There are innumerable outstanding Chinese medicine books on the market that can give you important insight into this ancient practice. A lot of these books will explain about the history of Chinese medicine, which has been in use for thousands of years. Other volumes mostly deal with the theories that underlie the tradition of Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine is increasingly becoming accepted in the western medical profession for its ability to cure health disorders. However in the Orient, Chinese medicine has long been used together with western contemporary medicine. If you’re interested in knowing about the ins and outs, the good and bad, of Chinese medicine and what it can do for you, just pick up one of the many good books that are available.

“Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics” by Yifan Yang is one of the best guides for Chinese herbal medicine. This book provides some of the best information available for learning more about Chinese herbal remedies, especially if you are a trained herbalist. But it is not an easy work to study. This book requires that you have basic knowledge of Chinese herbal treatments. The specialized vocabulary and identification of maladies are very technical.

Still, this tome is recommended for anyone interested in the medicinal properties of Chinese herbs, whether you’ve worked with these plants or not. This book is a treasure trove of information regarding traditional Chinese and herbal medicines that will greatly add to your knowledge of this subject.

The majority of people who purchase technical books, including those on Chinese herbal medication, rarely possess the patience or time to read the entire thing. But when you read “Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics”, you’ll find a wide variety of interesting health topics that will encourage you to read the whole thing. This is an excellent reference book about Chinese herbal medicine, describing the herbs most commonly used in great detail and providing additional information.

This Chinese natural remedy book uses a clear Q & A style in every section. You can obtain some great information that will instruct you on different types of Chinese herbal medicines and remedies. The author is a graduate of the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is very knowledgeable about both Western traditional medicines and Chinese medicines. She has given readers a lot to chew on based on her in-depth knowledge about traditional Chinese medicine. She has a Masters Degree in Chinese Herbal Medicines and Formulas as well as experience as both a physician and teacher at Beijing University.

pain relievers

As a chronic migraine sufferer for more than two years, Brian B. Carter who is an acupuncturist, herbalist, author and medical professor swears by Chinese herbal formulas for migraine relief. He highly recommends a formula created by Zhu Dan Xi back in 14th Century AD (Yes, traditional Chinese herbal remedies are OLD)! The concoction is sometimes called the “Escape Restraint Pill.” In the school of Chinese medicine, it is believed that migraines are caused by excess or deficiency in one of six areas. For instance, energy (Qi) can be regulated with cyperus, blood with ligustici, dampness and phlegm with atractylodes, food with shenqu and heat with gardenia. Also added to the Escape Restraint Pill is chrysanthemum, cassia, tribulus, uncaria, peony and licorice to improve circulation, nourishment, relieve tension and stop pain. If taken the moment you feel a migraine coming on, then he says it works like a charm.

Are you thinking of creating a Chinese herbal formula at home? It is really very cost efficient and easy to do once you have the basics down! Trade in those expensive cold medicines for a home brewed echinacea elixir! Before you begin concocting a Chinese herbal formula on your own, a visit to a Chinese herbalist is always a good idea to determine your individual needs.

The best container for making your Chinese herbal formula is preferably ceramic (but glass is ok too). You should avoid cast iron or metals because some Chinese herbs create chemical reactions with those materials. Your teapot should also have a lid, which you should never lift while cooking, as it can allow the vital healing properties to escape. In ancient times, the preferred water used came from a spring, although today you can fill your pot with whatever you prefer.

Cook times for your Chinese herbal formulas will vary depending on what’s in the pot. The average cook time is 20-30 minutes, and aromatics like peppermint or lemon balm should only be steeped 5 minutes. Herbs like burdock or echinacea should be cooked no longer than 15 minutes. Chinese tonic herbs like licorice, ginger or ginseng may require up to 50 minutes of simmering.

After you finish cooking, strain the tea and try some. Some people find the initial brewing of their Chinese herbal formulas unpalatable, in which case they should try adding more water (or a drop of honey if absolutely necessary) before nixing the whole brew. While the taste may be shocking at first, you’ll find that the body will warm up to it over time. Some Chinese medicine books recommend putting your tea in for a second steeping. The first steeping will affect energy/Qi levels, while the second steeping offers effects on the blood level. You can even split the batch in half, putting one half in for a second steeping to combine both effects.

Which kind of Chinese herbal formulas will you be making? For optimal effect, tonification formulas should be drank on an empty stomach or an hour before eating. Pain relievers and formulas used to treat afflictions below the diaphragm should be taken an hour before eating so the food pushes the effects down. By contrast, a Shen calming Chinese herbal formula for insomnia relief should be taken an hour after eating or two hours before bed, as the food helps direct the effects upwards to the head. Formulas for heat syndromes should be taken chilled and cold syndrome herbal supplements should be taken hot.