AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CHINESE HERBS
Traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese Herbs
Chinese herb came to the U.S. together with the first generation of Chinese immigrants in the 1800s [1,2]. It has saved many American lives in the past over 100 years. However, many Americans still doubt its efficacy and worry about its side effects or drug-herb interaction. One of our tasks is to provide education about the effective and safe application of Chinese herbs.
References:
1. “Doc” Hay, Oregon's pioneer Chinese herbalist
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Chinese herbal medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical system that has been used for thousands of years to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. It is based on the belief that qi (the body's vital energy) flows along meridians (channels) in the body and keeps a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health in balance. Traditional Chinese medicine aims to restore the body’s balance and harmony between the natural opposing forces of yin and yang, which can block qi and cause disease. Traditional Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, diet, herbal therapy, meditation, physical exercise, and massage. TCM is also called Oriental medicine in the USA. (definition by NIH).
Chinese herb does not simply refer to herbs from China. It refers to the herbs that used under the guidance of TCM theories with TCM diagnosis in the forms of formula prescribed by TCM practitioners. ApplicaChinese herbal medicine has been passed down and developed from generation to generation through the writings of famous doctors of the past dynasties.
Medicinal Saint:
1. Li Shizhen - Brief life of a pioneering naturalist
2. In Commemeration of the 500th Anniversary of Li Shizhen
Click below to know more about Chinese herbal medicine
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What Has Been Overlooked on Study of Chinese Materia Medica in the West?
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Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Methods: Identification, Analysis, Bioassay, and Pharmaceutical and Clinical Studies
Please e-mail (aacherbs@gmail.com) to let us know which of the following topics you are interested in.
1. History of Chinese herbal medicine
2. Chinese herbology
3. Formula of Chinese herbal medicine
4. Modern pharmacology of Chinese herbal medicine
5. Drug-herb interaction
6. Side effect and toxicity of Chinese herbs