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Acupunture Magnets & Chinese Herbs

Alternative medicine is a noninvasive approach to healing, balancing and strengthening the body. Acupuncture magnets and Chinese herbs are a painless alternative medicine practice. Oriental Medicine practitioners, acupuncturists and herbalists can advise you on the best approach for your individual needs.

  1. Acupuncture Magnets

    • Acupuncture magnets are used instead of acupuncture needles for healing and balancing. These types of magnets are noninvasive and painless when used properly. Red acupuncture magnets are made from copper or gold. Black magnets are made from silver or zinc.

    Acupuncture Magnet Uses

    • People use acupuncture magnets for general stress, musculoskeletal issues and fibromyalgia. In general, the red acupuncture magnets are used for "tonification," which energizes and stimulates the area, while the black magnets are used for "dispersion," which disperses, releases, and moves stagnant energy. The magnetic energy works with the acupuncture points and meridians that run throughout the body. They also affect the blood because of its iron content.

    Application of Acupuncture Magnets

    • There are two types of treatment. One is a temporary treatment where the magnet is placed on the skin for thirty to forty minutes and removed. The other is a permanent treatment where the magnet is constantly touching the skin, such as in a magnet bracelet. Patients of magnet therapy report a warm, tingling sensation, and increased blood flow to the area being treated.

    Considerations While Using Acupuncture Magnets

    • People who have pacemakers, cancer or are pregnant should not use acupuncture magnets. Don't use the magnets for more than 20 minutes on your head or face. You also should not mix the metals.

    Chinese Herb Uses

    • Chinese herbs are grown in the wild or cultivated. The plants are cleaned, soaked, sliced, dried and further processed as needed. Oriental medicine practitioners, acupuncturists and herbalists often specially mix herbs for customized treatments, sometimes changing the mixture throughout the treatment as necessary. Chinese herbs can be found as decoctions, capsules, tablets, extract powders or powdered herbs. Typically, one to two teaspoons of dried extracts are taken two or three times daily and three to eight capsules are taken two or three times daily, although these amounts may vary. Treatments for acute disorders last one day to one month, while chronic disorders can take three months to treat if strong doses of herbs are prescribed or six months to a year for lower doses of herbs.

    Kinds of Chinese Herbs

    • There are thousands of Chinese herbs but there are some that are used frequently. The most commonly used herb is astragalus, which is used to help boost immune system functioning, digestive functioning and help with skin disorders. Other frequently used herbs are ginger, ginseng, licorice, cinnamon, atractylodes, peony, rhubarb, salvia, ma-huang, coptis, tang-kuei, bupleurum, hoelen and rehmannia.

    Considerations When Using Chinese Herbs

    • The Institute of Traditional Medicine (ITM) states that if you take Chinese herbs in the prescribed dosages, there should be no contradiction with other Western medicines being taken. ITM reports that some people experience constipation, diarrhea, nausea, bloating, dizziness, headache, agitation, sleepiness, changes in appetite or temperature sensitivities. You may be allergic to specific herbs but this can be addressed and an alternative can be offered. Let your practitioner know of any problems associated with taking the herbs that lasts more than three days.

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