| In China, natural substances have been used | | | | remedy at a time; indeed, most rural forms of folk |
| medicinally for thousands of years, and their | | | | medicine work on this premise. An Oriental herbal |
| application is encouraged by the present Chinese | | | | therapist will provide an individually tailored cocktail of |
| government. Traditional Chinese Medicine, including | | | | herbs that will work in conjunction with one another, |
| herbalism, began to be imported into Japan from | | | | and with you, and that will probably be readapted |
| about the 5th century A.D., and - with a few | | | | several times during the course of treatment as |
| modifications - it has to a large extent been | | | | healing proceeds,Herbs are classified in a number of |
| incorporated into the system operated by Japanese | | | | ways. The nature of each is said to be cold, cool, |
| health insurance authorities.The use of herbs once | | | | hot, warm, or neutral. This is the chi or energy value |
| belonged partly to the realm of magic, in the healing | | | | of the herb and is used to balance excess or |
| rites performed by shamans (men and women of | | | | deficiencies in the "disharmony" that constitutes the |
| "natural wisdom") and also stems from observations | | | | illness. The herb's taste and smell are also evaluated, |
| of the way in which animals treat themselves to | | | | as sour bitter, sweet, pungent. salty (and also |
| various plants when sick or wounded. But careful | | | | tasteless or astringent). These characteristics are |
| study of herbs and their properties over thousands | | | | linked special affinities with different organs or body |
| of years has developed Oriental herbal medicine into | | | | system and the related emotions that can be |
| a highly refined and complex discipline.Medical diagnosis | | | | involved in disease. The herbs are also characterized |
| is usually undertaken by practitioners familiar with | | | | as having a ascending or descending effect. The |
| both Western and Oriental medicine, resulting in a | | | | herbalist prescribes a mixture of herbs and tells the |
| wideranging and comprehensive assessment of a | | | | patient how to prepare and use them. Occasionally |
| patient's symptoms. The yin/yang balance will be | | | | ready-prepared remedies such as herbal pills or |
| appraised, as well as the functioning of the internal | | | | tinctures may be given.In Chinese medicine, diet is a |
| organs and systems, the patient's psychological state, | | | | matter of great importance in preventing and treating |
| diet, and lifestyle. And each of these factors will be | | | | disease, and the Oriental therapist also gives |
| considered in relation to the nature of the diseases | | | | instructions on how to correct the diet and lifestyle. |
| or disorder involved, and its degree and speed of | | | | Acupuncture may also be recommended.Western |
| progression.Following diagnosis, the therapist selects a | | | | research now suggests that many of the substances |
| combination of natural "herbs," which may include | | | | that are used in Oriental medicine may in fact be |
| mineral and animal ingredients. Western herbal | | | | capable of forming part of the treatment of cancers |
| therapies are often based on using a single herbal | | | | and other diseases. |