Chinese medicine is successfully used for a very wide range of conditions.  Among the more commonly treated disorders are:

H       Skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria

H       Gastro-intestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis

H       Gynaecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility

H       Hepatitis and HIV: some promising results have been obtained for treatment of Hepatitis C, and supportive treatment may be beneficial in the case of HIV

H       Chronic fatigue syndromes, whether with a background of viral infection or in other situations

H       Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis

H       Rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)

H       Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis

H       Psychological problems (e.g. depression, anxiety)

H       Children's diseases

Many of these conditions, especially in their chronic forms, create great difficulty for conventional medicine, whilst Chinese Herbal Medicine has a great deal to offer. 

The early records of Chinese Herbal Medicine date back around 2,000 years but its true origins could be many centuries before that. Evidence suggests early Shamanic uses of herbal medicine however the first recorded Chinese herbalists began therapeutic treatment around 150AD. Chinese Herbal Medicine developed alongside other Far East herbal based therapies from Japan and Vietnam.

Chinese surgeon Hua Tuo is considered one of the first exponents of Chinese Herbal Medicine using various herbs to create natural remedies.  Zhang Zhong Jing, an eminent Chinese physician and one of the early Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioners, wrote a book called 'Shang Han Za Bing Lun' around 200AD that contained over 100 herbal formulas. 

Chinese Herbal Medicine forms part of what is known as "Traditional Chinese Medicine" or TCM, along with therapies such as Acupuncture, Acupressure and Massage.  Chinese Herbal Medicine has been popularised in the West over the last two decades and is one of the most used forms of alternative therapy in the world.

Throughout its history it has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions, and has been sustained by research into every aspect of its use.  This process continues today with the development of modern medical diagnostic techniques and knowledge

Because of its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness it has for centuries had a very great influence on the theory and practice of medicine in the East, and more recently has grown rapidly in popularity in the West.  It still forms a major part of healthcare provision in China, and is provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine.  Chinese medicine includes all oriental traditions emerging from Southeast Asia that have their origins in China.

Practitioners may work within a tradition that comes from Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan or Korea.  It is a complete medical system that is capable of treating a very wide range of conditions. It includes herbal therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and exercises in breathing and movement (tai chi and qi gong).  Some or several of these may be employed in the course of treatment.

Ancient Chinese philosophy states that Chinese Herbal Medicine helps to restore the balance of Yin and Yang and aims to free blocked life energy or qi (chi) that flows through channels (known as meridians) in the body.  By creating herbal formulas for specific conditions and ailments, the Chinese Herbalist looks to boost the immune system, regulate internal organs and aid the body's natural healing process.

Chinese Herbal Medicine can take the form of soups, teas, tinctures or capsules which contain the extracts and essences of herbs.  Unlike pharmaceutical medicine that takes on a generic prescription to treat everyone, Chinese Herbal Medicine comprises of a number of herbs that are tailored to suit the individual's problem and therefore no two prescriptions will be the same.

As a holistic therapy, Chinese Herbal Medicine looks to maintain overall health and the therapy places emphasis on preventing disease before it occurs.  Therefore, it can be used before the onset of disease as part of a healthy lifestyle.