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Uses for Chinese Herbs

Herbs have been used in China since prehistoric times. They have been used both for medicinal purposes and as flavorings in food. In many cases, medicinal herbs are the same herbs as ones used in cooking, and vice versa.

  1. Overview of Chinese Medicine

    • The foundation of Chinese medicine is in manipulating and balancing the chi. The chi is the life force, or energy, that is present in all living things. The chi runs through the body along meridians. Imbalances in chi are described as the chi being too hot, warm, cool or cold. In addition, the chi must have the proper balance between yin and yang. An unbalanced chi or a chi that is an unhealthy temperature can both be the cause of physical problems and an indication of physical problems. Chinese herbs work to tone and balance the chi.

    Herbs for Hot Chi

    • A chi that is too hot requires stronger, and often more, herbal medications than a chi that is simply too warm. Although there are many herbs that are good for cooling the chi, forsythia, licorice, gardenia and peony are several common herbs. A hot chi is associated with, among other conditions, urinary disturbances, kidney stones, gall stones, obesity and skin disease.

    Herbs for Warm Chi

    • Although warm chi is similar to hot chi, there are different diseases associated with a warm chi. Auto-immune diseases, ranging from allergies to multiple sclerosis, are auto-immune diseases associated with a warm chi. Herbs similar to those prescribed for hot chi are also prescribed to people with a warm chi. Care must be taken not to cool the chi too much.

    Herbs for Cool Chi

    • One of the best known herbs for warming a cool chi is panax ginseng. Ginseng has been used since prehistoric times to treat a number of illnesses caused by a cool chi. Ginseng is also very good for liver problems caused by a cool chi. Because of its potency in warming the chi, only small amounts of ginseng is required to warm the chi.

    Herbs for Cold Chi

    • A cold chi is a constricted chi. Problems caused by a cold chi include cramping and a number of skin conditions. In addition to many other herbs, including ginseng, extract of cyprus, or Xiangfu in Chinese, is very a very common herb for warming the chi.

    Herbs for Weak Yin

    • Symptoms of a weak yin include itchy skin, constant hunger or a chronic cough. Ginseng, chrysanthemum and astragalus root are among the many herbs prescribed to tone and strengthen the yin.

    Herbs for Weak Yang

    • The symptoms of a weak yang are often opposite of those of a weak yin. Common symptoms include lack of appetite, lethargy and incontinence. A weak yang also may be indicated by a craving for spicy foods. Ginger is often prescribed for a weak yang, Angelica sinensis, huang qi and bai shao, among many others.

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