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What Are Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbs have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries, in fact, there are indications that the Chinese have been using herbal medicines since as early as the 3rd century BC, and that’s a very long time ago. Surely things have progressed a little since then, I hear you think (I’m clever that way), well, yes, they have, but guess what, the use of Chinese herbs in medicine has progressed along with other medical practices, and many of today’s “modern” medicines have evolved from the use of Chinese herbs.

Chinese herbs and their use in medicine is all about balance, the Yin and the Yang, and basically, if your Yin and Yang are not balanced then all is not well and you are not in harmony. The Chinese do take the whole business of medicine and illness one step further however, recognizing that good health is about very much more than the absence of a particular disease. Chinese herbs, therefore, are not only used to fight diseases, but to restore balance and maintain good health on an everyday basis. It’s all about lifestyle you see.

Chinese herbs can also be used to flavor your cooking! Many people don’t realize that the herbs they buy in the grocery store or garden center to give their food a little extra flavor can also be used to cure headaches, common colds, heal wounds and much, much more. Some of the most common herbs have very useful properties which the Chinese have known about for generations.

Commonly Used Chinese Herbs – And What They Can Be Used For

• Popular Chinese Herbs – Lavender has lots of different health benefits (and it smells nice too). Lavender is very calming and soothing producing sedative effects, but it also has much more to offer than that. Lavender can be used as a remedy for mood swings, depression, anxiety and insomnia, it can be applied topically because it also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Fungal infections, insect bites and stings, acne, eczema, skin burns, hair loss, sprains, rheumatism, headaches, ulcers, toothache . . . is there any condition which lavender can’t help?  Cellulite, you’ll have to use different Chinese herbs to combat cellulite . . . (it took a while but I got there in the end).
• Popular Chinese Herbs – Aloe Vera has a special place in Chinese herbal medicine too. Okay, we’ve all heard the jokes, Aloe Vera . . . hello Charlie! Aloe Vera has great benefits for the digestive system helping to restore the balance of the acids in the stomach.  It can also be used to treat bruises, eczema, cuts and wounds, diaper rash, varicose veins, acne, pimples, hair loss,  muscular pains . . . it’s used in lots of beauty treatments too.
• Popular Chinese Herbs – Carob - just an alternative to chocolate or is it much more? Well, handle with care, because as far as Chinese herbs go, Carob is often used as a laxative – that should warn you against eating too much of the stuff. It’s also a very useful natural sweetener and has been shown to provide some potential to people suffering from diabetes. Hmmm, interesting!
• Popular Chinese Herbs – Dandelion – herbalists love ‘em, some gardeners hate ‘em, they do tend to appear on even the most well tended lawns if you just turn your back for a day or two, and I remember being told when I was very small that if I picked them I would “wet the bed” although I did try it once in secret and was absolutely fine! Well, I’m not going to tell you otherwise am I? So, what use are Dandelions in the world of Chinese herbs? Well, they have been used for centuries for the treatment of problems with the liver and gallbladder, as well as urinary tract infections. It seems that there may have been some truth in the fact that Dandelions affect your “waterworks” after all.
• Popular Chinese Herbs – Eucalyptus has many medicinal benefits too, and like many other Chinese herbs can be used for many different reasons, internally as well as topically. Applied locally, eucalyptus can help with arthritis and can stimulate cardiac function, you can gargle with it to help soothe sore throats and a eucalyptus mouthwash is effective treatment for gingivitis and dental plaque. It’s also used in Chinese medicine for many respiratory diseases like bronchial catarrh, the symptoms of asthma, laryngitis and so on.
• Popular Chinese Herbs – Garlic can be used for many more things than to flavor your soups and discourage unwanted kisses . . . it’s also a great way to treat lower blood sugar levels, fight high blood pressure, treat colds and flu and many more fungal and bacterial diseases. There is some suggestion that garlic can help to raise testosterone levels too but don’t quote me on that one, studies are ongoing, however, there’s no reason why you can’t do a little research on your own.