Herbal medicine is, by itself, a powerful method of healing. Western drugs are usually used to control symptoms but do not alter the disease process. For example: antibiotics kill bacteria, but do not improve a person’s resistance to infection; diuretics drain excess fluid from the body, but do not improve the kidney function. Chinese herbs can rid the body of disease like Western pharmaceuticals, but they also nourish and balance the body in very specific ways, thereby improving organ function and building up a person’s basic constitution and immune system.
Chinese herbs are traditionally given as a very strong brew, or decoction. Although, more often than not, the practitioner will prescribe herbal tablets, powders or tinctures, instead of the traditional raw herb formula. This is because a modern, busy life style does not usually allow for so lengthy a process as preparing and cooking herbs. Simply put, already prepared formulas are more convenient. However, raw herbs are usually more quickly effective, and therefore, available upon request.
