Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is vastly different from western medicine in that it listens to, understands and responds to the body’s language. The human body has a harmonizing flow between the body, mind and spirit. This flow can be depleted or blocked by various causes. A Chinese medical practitioner is trained to be able to detect how the flow of energy (Qi) is within the body by tuning in to the symptoms that are presented during examination of the patient. These symptoms are the language of the body and being able to hear the language and interpret it are the skills necessary to have in order to practice Chinese medicine. Restoring the harmony within the individual between the body, mind and spirit fights illness.

Many a Westerner is enamored with the idea of availing themselves of alternative medical treatments. If you take a look at the ads on the Internet, you will find that practitioners are practically a dime a dozen! As a matter of fact, in some segments of the population it has become a bit of a status symbol to visit a practitioner of an alternative discipline of medicine. Yet unfortunately for the patient who is genuinely in need of medical attention, this kind of fad will do precious little good.

Everyone knows that in Chinese medicine the body and the mind are intricately connected and in many ways not separable. Yet did you also know that the myth which claims illness is a direct result of mind-made decisions – whether this is done consciously or subconsciously – and that is commonly popularized by the New Age movement and erroneously believed to stem from Chinese medicine is, in fact, not at all related to this discipline? As a matter of fact, Chinese medicine strongly disagrees with the notion that all illness begins in the mind!

Among the many alternative forms of medicine gaining popularity in the Western world, Chinese medicine is by far the fastest growing one. The theory behind this century old practice rests on the utter interconnectivity of mind and body. Opposing the New Age view that illness begins in the mind, to the practitioner of Chinese medicine there is little sense in separating mind from body, and as a matter of fact, according to the Chinese understanding of the perfect harmony that exists between the two, it is impossible to divide them!

There is no doubt that any time that medicine is found to use methods which work, scam artists who will seek to copy methodology, look, and taste of the discovery. Yet unlike the original, the knockoff generally does not have the healing power but instead may actually cause health problems.

Take for example the 2001 scandal surrounding Chinese patent medicines when it was discovered that several of them contained mercury, lead, strychnine, and also aristolochia. While the poisonous qualities of the former ingredients are well known and documented, it is the latter that took several purveyors of traditional Chinese medicines by surprise. Aristolochia is the name of a plant that is sometimes referred to as pipevine while other times it is sold under the moniker Dutchman’s pipe. These vines are among the perennials and the large flowers emit a strong yet pleasing scent.

Schisandra fruit is commonly used berry in Chinese medicine. Shade loving and easy to find, these berries have an interesting flavor property: at the same time, they taste sweet and salty, sour and bitter. This mix is considered to be of vital importance in the improvement of digestive health but also liver protection. Look for it under the moniker of Wu Wei Zi but stay away from it if you suffer from peptic ulcers or are subject to epileptic seizures. Furthermore, pregnant women are strongly cautioned to stay away from these berries in any incarnation.

Chinese medicine relies heavily on a whole body and mind approach. Nutritional counseling seeks to pair foods favorable for health while at the same time also seeking to limit or entirely cut out the kinds of food combinations that are neither favorable nor healthy for a sufferer of certain ailments. Nutritional supplements further assist in the overall wellbeing of the digestive and gastrointestinal tracts, and other modalities – especially massage therapy, acupuncture, and acupressure – will round out the bodily approach. Yet to complete your regimen, do not underestimate the power of the spiritual aspect!

While steroids are the bane of existence for professional sports and the semi pro leagues that supply the up and comers, the use of alternative substances is also not without its critics. Granted, these substances will commonly not show up on the overall drug screens and generally speaking are not associated with the catastrophic health risks linked to steroid use, but there are still risks. Yet when athletes look to Chinese medicine instead of steroids, other considerations factor in as well, at times they are environmental while in some cases they may also be related to concerns of animal cruelty.

The body is a mini eco-system according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The environment and the body are similarly viewed in the Chinese culture. There are vital substances contained on earth that are vital to the earth’s survival such as the air, water, and land. The human body being similar also has vital substances – blood, body fluids, essence and Qi.

Blood

No one can deny the importance of blood to the survival of the body. It is needed for bone, organ creation, skin and muscle. The Chinese also believe that blood contains Shen (spirit) that gives balance to the psyche.

Weight loss in the United States is an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds. Not a day goes by that another miraculous cure or patch, potion, or shake is not unveiled. Thousands of people die each year as a result of fad dieting, side effects from commercial weight loss drugs, and a harmful combination of the two. Thus those who tout the benefits of alternative medicines are speaking up and point to the effectiveness of the herbal methodology. Yet weight loss through Chinese medicine may be more than you bargained for!