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info at calmspirit dot com
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information found on this website and the uses and functions of any
products on this web site are meant for educational purposes only and
not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The uses and
descriptions of these products are based on the Traditional Herbal
Medicine of China. They have not been evaluated by the United States
Food and Drug Administration. Please see a qualified healthcare
professional if you have any questions regarding your health. |
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| Although there are other ways
to use herbal medicinals, this article will focus on the below mentioned
methods. |
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Internal Application of
Chinese Herbs
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Methods of
application
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(1) Ingesting Medicinal Herbal Powders
(2) Ingesting Medicinal Herbal Wines |
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Ingesting herbal powders
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The
convenience of ingesting herbal powders is one major reason for their
popular usage among Chinese and now in the West. Powdering of crude
herbs has a very long history in China, with a popularity cycle that
peaked in 1080 CE and again in the present.
The herbal powders are taken in one of three
ways: (1) swallowing directly followed with water, tea or rice wine,
(2) pouring hot water over the powder or boiling it, then stirring
until cool enough to drink, or (3) placing the powder into capsules (or
making it into pills / tablets). This last form of placing the powdered
herbs into capsules or compressing them into tablets is the form most
likely seen here in the United States. |
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Herbal Powders (Internal)
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Traditional method of preparation and administration:
The crude herbs were traditionally ground by hand using assistants that
would pound and crush the herbs in a very large mortar and then grind the
herbs between stones. One method would be to place the herbs into a long
trough type device and an assistant would push and pull a stone wheel back
and forth over the herbs until ground. This type of grinding does not make
for very fine powders, but is still used in parts of China and Tibet. Then
the powder was stored for future use to be taken with a liquid or boiled.
Another method mixed other substances into the powder such as yellow rice
powder and a small amount of water or vinegar to make a thick paste. This
paste would be formed into small round pills and dried. These pills would
then be taken with water or rice wine. |
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Ingesting Medicinal Herbal
Wines (Yao Jiu)
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Traditional and modern method of preparation and administration: |
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The Chinese word "jiu" refers to any type of alcoholic beverage. It can
refer to wines, sherry, brandy or distilled liquors such as vodka. In modern
times, medicinal herbs are soaked in a grain alcohol for a specific period
to make the herbal wines. Traditionally the medicinal substances would be
put into the mash and fermented along with the wine or "white alcohol" (bai
jiu). Two basic types of alcohol are traditionally use in making the wine.
Rice wine or sake, is used to tincture herbs or a distilled grain alcohol (Bai
Jiu), such as vodka, can be used. Some recipes for herbal wine called for
the herbs to be crushed into pieces and placed into a porcelain container.
Next the alcohol would be added to the herbs and the lid secured with yellow
earth. The container was placed into the ground about 1 to 1.5 meters deep
for anywhere from 30 to 100 days after which the container was unburied and
the liquid was strained out. In other more simple recipes, one would just
shake or stir the mixture daily until it was done soaking. The herbal wine
either was taken as needed or on a daily basis. Typically, the patient was
instructed to take a small amount of the wine. The dose is usually a small
teacup size, about the size of what is known as a shot glass. The amount
taken, .5 to 1 oz. each time, was such that the Qi of the alcohol was
noticed, but was not to be taken and become drunk. |
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Contraindications for use
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One should be aware of
the cautions against usage of internal medicinal herbal wines if a
person has candida, immune deficiency or an autoimmune disorder. |
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© Copyright 1995-2007 All rights
reserved
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External Application of Chinese Herbs
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Methods of
Application
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(1) Applying Herbal Powders / Soft Plasters
(2) Massaging in Herbs
(3) Washes,
soaks and compress
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Applying Herbal Powders
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Method of preparation and
application
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| External powders are traditionally used for various skin problems that
involve such symptoms as inflammation, itching, swelling and pain. They also
can be applied directly to the skin for open wounds or cuts to stop
bleeding. The powder can be mixed with an appropriate amount of cold, boiled
water and made into a thin paste and applied to the affected area. By mixing
the herbal powder with bees' wax, sesame oil or petroleum jelly, an herbal
paste or soft plaster can be made. This paste can be used with such diseases
as eczema and dermatitis when the production of serous fluid is absent. |
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Massaging in Herbs
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External Herbal Wines: (Liniments)
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Method of preparation and application
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The
external wines are made in the same way as the internal wines. But, because
these are formulated with medicinals that are intended for the external
body, they are not to be ingested unless directly stated.
Andy
Ellis has instructed: "Liniments
should be rubbed in a very lightly, in a circular motion, into the
affected area. To achieve best results keep the spot moist with
liniment as you rub for 20-30 minutes."
Many of these preparations are associated with soreness, stiffness and soft
tissue damage. They typically address swelling, pain and bruising of the
soft tissue. Use of liniments along with acupuncture and soft plasters are
used during the first stages of an injury. This type of treatment, along
with internal ingestion of herbal medicine, acupuncture and /or massage, is
necessary for the complete recovery from an injury. By allowing the correct
flow of Qi through the injured area and also to the internal organs that are
nourished by the meridian Qi that pass through these areas, there will be a
minimum impact to long term health. Some medicinal herbal wines were
traditionally developed for use before and after martial arts practice to
prepare the body for the free flow of Qi and afterwards for the proper
recovery of any hits and strikes associated with physical contact. These are
called "Hit Wines" or "Training Wines". They are rubbed on any affected body
part, usually arms, hands, feet or legs but may be used on any body part
that suffers trauma. I have used these preventatively at the beginning of my
day by placing a tablespoon or so in one hand and rubbing it into my other
hand and forearm, repeating it with the other. Then, again at the end of the
day I repeat the process. I also follow the application with gentle rubbing
and stretching of the joints.
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Contraindications and cautions:
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Do not apply external liniments to any open wound. For external use only. |
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Washes, soaks and compress
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Washes and Soaks
Method of preparation and application: Washes/Soak |
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Method of preparation and application:
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The
herbal formula is decocted in water and allowed to cool down. The
affected area is then dipped into the liquid or the liquid is poured
over the area repeatedly. Another method would be to place a cloth into
the liquid and the soaked cloth lightly held onto the skin. Washing
with an herbal decoction is used for dermatological conditions such as
poison oak/ivy, scabies, scratches, erosion, wheals, sebborreric
dermatitis, chronic eczema, and infected / fungal nails. |
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Compress Method of preparation and application
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The herbal compress is used in situations of soft tissue trauma. They are used a few days after then initial trauma when the swelling and inflammation have subsided. This can be anywhere from 2 to 7 days.
The herbs are placed inside of
a cloth bag and cooked in water, thereby decocting the herbs into the water.
When the water cools sufficiently, the bag of herbs is pressed against the
body part. One may also use a cloth or towel used soaked in the liquid. I
have used two towels at once during a treatment. Both towels are soaked in
the herbal decoction and one is placed on the affected body part, while the
other is left in the herbs to remain hot. When the first towel has cooled,
it is placed back into the herbs to warm and the second towel is placed on
the affected body part. The towels are alternated until the treatment is
finished. |
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The herbal liquid can be kept
warm by keeping the container on a hot plate or similar device during the
treatment. I have also used an electric frying pan or wok with a cover to
keep a soaked towel warm. This is handy to have in the treatment room for
multiple soaked towels to be available and keep the herbal container out of
the treatment room. I have seen microwaves used for this also, but is not my
choice of heating devices. They can be useful if kept away from the patients
treatment room. |
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