An unbroken tradition going back to the 3rd century BC, it has continually adapted to ever-changing clinical conditions, sustained by research into all aspects of use, that continues today with modern medical diagnostic techniques and knowledge. Because of its clinical effectiveness, it has had a very great influence on medicine in the East and recently its popularity has grown rapidly in the West. It still forms the major part of healthcare in China, provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine.
Chinese medicine includes all the oriental disciplines emerging from Southeast Asia, having their origins in China. Practitioners work within a tradition that may come from Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan or Korea. It is a complete medical system, 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) Several of these disciplines may be employed in the course of treatment. Chinese medicine is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. The aim is to treat the many ways in which the Yin and Yang balance may be depleted or blocked. It places great emphasis on lifestyle, in order to prevent disease before it occurs and recognises that health is more than just the absence of disease and the importance of well-being and happiness.
Chinese medicine has been successful in treating: Skin disease, eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria, gastro-intestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis, gynaecological conditions including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility, hepatitis and HIV. Also, promising results have been obtained for treatment of Hepatitis C and supportive treatment may be beneficial in the case of HIV, chronic fatigue syndromes, whether with a background of viral infection or in other situations, respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis, rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), urinary conditions including chronic cystitis, diabetes and psychological problems (e.g. depression and anxiety)
When prescribed correctly by a properly trained practitioner. Chinese herbal medicines are very safe. Allergic reactions are rare and will cause no lasting damage, if treatment is stopped as soon as symptoms appear.
Pharmaceutical medicines, based on an isolated active ingredient, are more likely to cause side effects, while herbal medicines seek to correct internal imbalances rather than to treat the symptoms alone.
Chinese Medicine