About TCM Herbs
As with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions which affect any of the systems of the body. Although in some ways it might be considered similar to taking conventional medication there are significant differences:
- Formulas are modified to address the particular needs of the individual patient.
- Formulas are balanced within themselves so that side-effects are avoided.
- Formulas usually treat both the noticeable aspect of the condition (the symptoms) but also the underlying disharmony which has led to the symptoms. Most conventional medications fail to treat all the aspects of the condition and tend to focus on removing or subduing the symptoms.
Chinese herbal medicine is often good for more complex conditions which acupuncture finds difficult to treat. People can treat themselves on a daily basis over long periods which is often important for chronic or constitutional conditions.