Chinese herbs have served as the foundation for "Traditional Chinese
Medicine", or TCM, for over 5,000 years. The fundamental idea of living in
harmony with nature and the environment forms the basis for the use of Chinese
herbs as well as the traditional Chinese approach to health. Knowledge of the
healing power of Chinese herbs and herbal remedies has been passed down from
generation to generation, and today represents one of China’s greatest gifts to
mankind. The isolation of China throughout history plays a role in the general lack of
understanding about Chinese herbs by other world civilizations. However, since
the opening of China in 1972, knowledge of the ancient healing powers of Chinese
herbs has been gradually spreading to western countries. Chinese herbs are now
experiencing a rapid increase in usage and popularity. Health-conscious
consumers are concerned about the concentration of synthetic chemicals in
western diets, medicines, and the general environment. Chinese herbs are being
welcomed by progressive western consumers who are seeking natural, healthy and
balanced alternative remedies.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is very different from the western scientific
approach we are accustomed to. Chinese medical experts promote a healthful
balance of yin and yang – two forces present in all of nature. When yin or yang
forces or qi/energy levels are off-balance in the body and spirit, health problems arise. Chinese
herbs and herbal remedies are used to help realign an individual’s yin or yang
balance in order to improve overall well-being. Chinese herbal formulas include
hundreds of popular organic ingredients that work in harmony to produce the
desired effects in a person’s body. These ingredients are primarily of plant
origin, and may include roots, bark, seeds, flowers and leaves. Each
organic ingredient typically has unique characteristics (i.e. yin/yang
balancing, qi/energy boosting, etc.) that are reinforced and harmonized in
comprehensive ancient Chinese herbal formulas that have been passed down through
the years. For each formula sold at Chinese Herbs Direct, we provide a brief
description of the formula itself and its typical actions, as well as a listing
of the formula’s herbal ingredients and their unique characteristics. If you'd like to understand more about a particular Chinese herb, websites such as the Chinese Herbs Dictionary and the Chinese Medicine Sampler may be useful resources.
The study of Chinese herbs centers on the proposition that many organic
substances have curative powers. Indeed, this is a fundamental tenet of not just
Chinese medicine, but Western medicine as well. Popular Western remedies ranging
from common aspirin to modern chemotherapy treatments have their roots in
organic substances. Western medicine is finally beginning to acknowledge its
debt to Chinese herbal medicine, noting that the effectiveness of many modern
pharmaceuticals was originally demonstrated in Chinese herbal practice centuries
ago. Nonetheless, Chinese herbs should be viewed only as a supplement to western
medicine, and not as a replacement. Chinese medicine emphasizes harmony and
duality, and this is well-represented by the increasing cooperation between
practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine and their counterparts in the
western medical establishment. Please note that all products on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA, are sold in the US as nutritional supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Chinese Herbs Direct® offers ready-made Chinese patent formulas to address
common health and nutritional concerns. Our Chinese herbs are offered in
pre-mixed pill, tablet, extract, liquid, tea or raw form and are manufactured by
world-class laboratories under the strictest GMP standards. Our products are typically offered as pre-mixed Chinese herbal formulas - no special measuring, mixing or decocting skills are required (with the exception of certain extract powders and raw herbs available under special order). The herbal remedies distributed through Chinese Herbs Direct are intended for consumers seeking specific nutritional supplements that address
common health conditions. Chinese Herbs Direct does not evaluate patients or
offer individual health advice. Please consult your physician, licensed acupuncturist or
herbalist knowledgeable in Chinese herbs to decide if these products may be
useful and appropriate for you.
We look forward to sharing
the wonders of Chinese herbs with you.
