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Chinese Herbal Medicine for your Children
Author: Paul Courtney
Firstly it must be understood that Chinese herbal medicines for children have literally been developed, tried, tested and in most cases proved to be very affective. These medicines have been in use for over 5000 years.
Chinese herbal medicine for children takes on a holistic approach which does not only look at treating the symptoms but also looks at strengthening the bodies resistance and mental stability of the patient ensuring overall health.
Unfortunately one of the shortcomings of conventional medicines is that they often have detrimental side effects. For example, the overuse of antibiotics can make a child more susceptible to illnesses like ear infections. Another is that they treat your child (and you) like a machine and not like people. We are not suggesting that you should seek to replace your conventional pediatrician, you can certainly look into incorporating Chinese herbal medicines for your children for their care.
What Ailments Respond To Traditional Chinese Medicine
There are some ailments and long-term conditions that seem to respond very well to Chinese herbal medicines for your children. These include asthma, diabetes and juvenile arthritis. Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) has realized that children have different health needs than adults and have been developed over thousands of years. Chinese herbal medicines for your children are designed to have the child´s body retun to its natural balance.
TCM Powders
Chinese herbal medicines for your children are often given to you in powdered form. These powders can then be mixed in applesauce or a drink and administered twice a day, or whatever the TCM practitioner recommends. Unlike modern medicines where there is an expiry date, the powders themselves are usually odorless, have very little taste and can be stored over very long periods of time. They are also tailored to meet the individual health needs of your child.
Chinese herbal medicine powders for your children are made from dried extractions of natural botanical material (roots, stems, leaves and the like). These medicines are now made and packed in modern, sterile laboratories. The plant material is boiled until a sap like substance is made. This substance is then dried and ground up to make the powders. They are far more potent than the original material it came from.
TCM Also Requires Your Active Participation
Unlike conventional medicine, where you depend entirely on the doctor´s direction, you are part of your health solution in TCM. Pediatrics in TCM looks at treating children in four ways
– through proper diet,
– herbal medicines,
– Chinese massage (Tui Na) and
– acupuncture.
– Your child will also be expected to learn how to handle stress and to regularly exercise.
You will find that most children like the TCM sessions like Tui Na massage or acupuncture. The needles are incredibly thin now and insertion can barely be felt. Sometimes Chinese Herbal medicines for your children are burnt near the child during these sessions. Don´t be alarmed. These burning herbs will not be put on the child. They seem to activate the emotions and self-esteem of the child to help give their natural immune system a boost.
As you can see it is not just a question of taking a prescription to cure the ailment but rather a complete system to transform the body back to natural balance.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition
View Description and Table of Contents
by Dan Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger, Andrew Gamble
The new 3rd edition of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica is designed to give practitioners the information they need to practice Chinese herbal medicine with greater understanding and confidence. It provides a wealth of new information -– more than twice the content of the previous edition -- and practical insight into more than 530 of the most commonly used herbs in the Chinese pharmacopoeia.
Drawing from a wide range of sources, both classical and modern, this edition provides unparalleled perspective and detail that goes far beyond what is available elsewhere to the Western practitioner. Among its many features:
Herbs are grouped in chapters by function, with expanded summaries and tables for contrast and comparison. Each herb is identified by its pharmaceutical, pinyin, botanical, and family names, as well as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English common names.
Key characteristics are provided at the beginning of each entry, along with dosage, properties, channels entered, and relevant cautions and contraindications. This provides a quick overview of essential information.
Actions and indications are integrated with important combinations that illustrate the range of an herb´s functions, with references to appropriate formulas. This presents a more three-dimensional picture of how each herb is actually used.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition
View Description and Table of Contents