5 Simple Ingredients in Chinese Herbal Medicine That You May Already Know

09 Jul 5 Simple Ingredients in Chinese Herbal Medicine That You May Already Know

Chinese herbal medicine, along with acupuncture and Tai Chi, falls into the general category of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on Taoism and is centered around the body’s balance, production, and flow of qi (or, in other translations, chi). Acupuncture treatment, for example, uses extremely fine needles, usually about the thickness of two human hairs, to manipulate points on the body to access and manipulate qi.

Similarly, Chinese herbal medicine uses the unique properties of various medicinals derived from plants and trees, minerals, and animals to affect the balance and circulation of qi through the body. While Chinese medicine specialists use some uniquely Chinese herbs and other ingredients, other ingredients are more familiar. Here are five ingredients used in Chinese herbal medicine that you may already know:

Mushrooms

Edible mushrooms and fungi, usually in dried form, are often used in Chinese medicine. Examples of medicinal mushrooms include Ling Zhi mushrooms and turkey tail mushrooms. Mushrooms and fungi are believed to benefit various internal systems and organs based on the color of the mushroom or fungi. For example, Ling Zhi mushrooms have been studied as an antioxidant, as well as an antiviral and antibacterial substance. Many medicinal mushrooms are now cultivated in mushroom farms on logs or wood chips. In addition to their medicinal properties, mushrooms are used extensively in Chinese cuisine.

Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the most common medicinal ingredients in Chinese medicine. The ginseng used by Chinese medicine specialists is Asian ginseng, which is different from, but related to, American ginseng. The part of the ginseng plant used as medicine is the fleshy root of the plant. Ginseng root looks similar to ginger, but tastes bitter and earthy. Ginseng is thought to improve nervous system and brain functioning and scientific studies tend to support this traditional belief. When used as food, ginseng may be brewed into a tea or used to flavor soups and stocks.

Honey

Honey and bee pollen are used in Chinese medicine. Honey is thought to address many health problems, including pain relief.

Elm Bark

Not all medicinal ingredients used in Chinese medicine are food. One example is the bark of the elm tree. Elm bark is thought to eliminate evil qi and clear out physical blockages. In Chinese medicine, elm bark is brewed into a tea.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum flowers are used in Chinese medicine to treat headaches and other head problems, such as dizziness. When used as food, chrysanthemum flowers and chrysanthemum leaves are edible. Chrysanthemums have many other uses besides medicine and food. For example, pesticides may be made from chrysanthemum flowers.

If you’re interested in Chinese herbal medicine, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at Acupuncture In Bethesda.