What is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine is the great herbal systems of the world, with tradition that date back to the 3rd century BC. It has continually developing 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.

Chinese Medicine still forms a major part of healthcare provision in China, and is provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine and more recently has grown rapidly in popularity in the West.

Chinese medicine includes all oriental traditions emerging from Southeast Asia that have their origins in China. It is a medical system that is capable of treating a wide range of conditions. It includes in it’s practices herbal therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and exercises in breathing and movement (tai chi and qi gong).

Chinese herbal medicine, along with the other components of Chinese medicine, is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. It aims to understand and treat the many ways in which the fundamental balance and harmony between the two may be undermined and the ways in which a person's Qi or vitality may be depleted or blocked. Clinical strategies are based upon diagnosis of patterns of signs and symptoms that reflect an imbalance.