Chinese
Herbology
and
Qi Gong
Chinese
Herbology
and
Qi Gong
The Way of Health
Herbs for Peace, Herbs for Healing
"The free thinking of one age is the common sense of the next." -- Matthew Arnold, Victorian poet
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Chinese Herbology
Well known as a major facet of
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chinese
Herbology is a diverse, independently recognized body of knowledge with over
2000 years of evolution and improvement. The
science and art of TCM is one of the most highly developed clinical
systems in the world for analyzing and balancing disharmonious patterns of the
body, mind and spirit with repeated success and consistency.
In the ancient Chinese health system there was an infrequent need for surgery, unless an emergency arose. In fact, the Chinese did not have a deep understanding of physical anatomy as they do now, but primarily used the “meridians” or energy channels in the body as a means for healing. We now know from modern physics that our bodily form is nothing more than a vibrating mass of energy. It is not solid at all, as we might perceive through our senses. The meridians or energetic pathways should transport subtle substances from one organ system to another in a continuous, unobstructed and perfectly energized flow. But this can only functionally exist if we live a well balanced, emotionally satisfied life, consuming the right food and drinks, getting adequate exercise and “personally tailored" nutritive substances into our body daily. Then we can be almost assured of a long and disease free life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the unique systems addressing health, and is truly holistic. It takes into account the whole individual and all the organ systems of the body, including the emotions, mind and spirit. Balance is the objective. If you have a disease, then you are not in balance. And usually there are many things that need to be addressed. TCM is a energetic system of healing that is over 4000 years old and empirically proven as extremely effective. TCM seeks to maintain or restore a complete, balanced and happy person. Although addressing various disharmonies of the psyche, spirit and organ systems, TCM is usually more concerned about health than it is about disease.
In ancient China, the health practitioner was not paid for their services if a person became ill. They were only compensated for keeping patrons healthy via advice on diet/nutrition and exercise along with herbal decoctions to keep the body, mind and spirit functioning harmoniously. So it was healthy people who supported the Chinese practitioner and not the sick. Unfortunately, in our modern society, it is the sick that provide the practitioner with a healthy income.
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“The highest class of medicines is that which nourishes ming, (one’s life and destiny). This realm corresponds to heaven. If one wishes to prolong life without aging (and thus fulfill one’s true potential), one should use these.”
“The middle class of medicines is that which nourishes jing, (one’s
intrinsic nature). This realm corresponds to humanity. If one wishes to prevent illness and strengthen that which
has been depleted, one should use these.”
“The lowest class of medicine is that which treats illness and disease, (it is
said in Chinese Medicine that “treating a disease after it is manifest is like
waiting until you are thirsty to begin digging a well”).
This realm corresponds to earth. When
one wishes to cure that which has already become an illness, one should use
these.”
-Preface to the “Shen Nong Ben Cao”
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