Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is one of the great herbal traditions of the world, with a recorded history of more than two thousand years. It has retained a strong presence in health provision in China today, where it is practiced alongside western medicine in state hospitals throughout the country, in the treatment of a wide range of conditions.

Treatment with CHM involves the use of combinations of herbs which are tailored to address the particular disharmony of the individual patient; the Chinese Materia Medica contains several hundred commonly used ingredients, including roots, stems, flowers, leaves and barks, together with some non-plant materials. This allows the practitioner to create prescriptions which match individual patients' patterns of disharmony, and which can be adapted to meet each patient's changing needs as treatment progresses.

The possible uses of CHM are very wide, and people of any age or constitution can benefit from it.

Treatment may also include lifestyle and dietary advice, which is based upon the energetic and medicinal qualities of foods.

Commonly, CHM may be administered in one of three ways:

Loose herbs

This by far and away the most effective way of prescribing CHM. Their main advantage is that the prescription can be tailor made to suit your individual needs, and this can be modified as the treatment progresses. On each visit you may be given 3 to 5 bags of medicine; each bag usually provides medicine for three to four days. All herbs used in this clinic are organically grown and ethically sourced.

Freeze dried granules

Freeze drying herbs and making them into powders, is a modern technological advance which has been developed in Japan and Taiwan during the recent past. This way of prescribing also offers both practitioner and patient flexibility. They can be prescribed in powder form, which is dissolved in warm water.
Alternatively the powder can be encapsulated and taken in much the same way as you would take medicines prescribed by your GP. These are also easily transportable; a small drum of capsules can be carried in your pocket.

Pill form (patent remedies)

Over the centuries, the Chinese have developed a large number of what are now referred to as Classical Formulas, and many of these are available in pill form. These have the advantages of being both cheap and easy to carry around.

About the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM)

Michael Potter, who provides Chinese herbal medicines at Body & Sole is registed with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicines (RCHM).

The RCHM, regulates the practice of Chinese herbal medicine. Members are subject to a Code of Practice, a Dispensary Code and a scheme for Continuing Professional Development, and are fully insured.

In order to qualify for membership of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (MRCHM) practitioners have to undergo a three year training in the theory and practical application of herbal medicine. All RCHM accredited courses are now taught at Degree level.

The RCHM continually updates its members on the status of current research, as well as all issues of Public Safety, including those medicines which are not used for ethical reasons (i.e. animal products and endangered species).

The RCHM, is a member of the European Herbal & Traditional Practitioners' Association (EHTPA), and has been granted professional status by the Department of Health, which will now be regulated by the Health Professions Council (HPC).

Prices for Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can be found by clicking here