Why Herbs Work: The Chinese Explanation

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Why Herbs Work:

The Chinese Explanation "

What’s common between high-performance athletes and the rest of us is that

we all consume energy and we all need to replenish it.... The same herbs that

enhance athletic performance are also considered anti-aging herbs and immune

tonics.

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Traditional Chinese medicine relies on herbology, acupuncture, diet,

exercise, and mediation, all of which replenish and fortify the

body’s resources. Chinese herbs are a particularly potent method of

reestablishing and maintaining resistance, flexibility, and

endurance. The harmonious condition-which you might call

‘healthâ€-is described in terms of yin and yang, life’s complementary and

polar forces.

In the body, yin refers to blood and essence, and yang refers to

vital warmth and qi, best defined as metabolic activity. When these are in

their proper proportions, conditions are ideal for the

flourishing of mental and physical power. An abundance of qi and

blood ensures that a person will be able to ward off and recover from

illness and be capable of prolonged and strenuous physical

and mental effort. Deficiencies or obstructions of either blood or qi

can cause weakness, lack of stamina, and illness.

Each of the Chinese tonic herbs has yin and yang properties, which

are thought to influence certain organs and functions in the body.

Yin tonics replenish the body’s resources, blood and essence;

yang tonics build the body’s capacity to use its resources and

covert them into energy-qi and warmth.

The kidneys, called the “root of life’ by the Chinese, determine a

person’s fundamental level of vitality, and even lifespan. Like all

organs, they have both yin and yang characteristics. The yin is

stored, potential energy; the yang is active kinetic and metabolic

energy that is generated during strenuous activity, such as

athletics. Athletes are generally advised to take kidney yang tonics

on days they compete, kidney yin tonics in the preparatory phase,

and kidney yin and yang tonics during recuperation periods. - C.S.

GINSENG

panax ginseng Origin: The mountainous regions of China and Korea. Ginseng

root acts on the cardiovascular system, regulating blood pressure and

sustaining proper cardiac rhythm; it also regulated the central nervous system,

promoting relaxation and restoring alertness; helps maintain adequate blood

glucose; reduces elevated cholesterol; and supports adrenal, thymus,spleen, and

thyroid function. Unlike many herbs, ginseng is often traditionally used as a

single-ingredient tonic.

Preparation: The following is considered

and annual ginseng tonic, taken in the

middle of the winter (because the energy of

ginseng is very warm), and it can improve

energy for the whole year. Stream a whole

root to soften it, cut into slices, and place it

in a ginseng pot, a tightly covered pot that

eliminated evaporation; you can substitute

with an ordinary double broiler-either

ceramic or glass, since ginseng should not

be cooked with metal-with the lid tied or

weighed down so that no moisture

escapes. Add two cups of water.

Cook for SIX hours; drink a cup of the resulting tea

for each of two successive days. Start out

with White Chinese ginseng or American

ginseng, rather than Red Korean or Red

Chinese ginseng until you learn more how

the herbs affect you. Red ginseng is

processed in a way that enhances its yang--

heating and stimulating-properties. It can

cause discomforts in some people, includ-

ing hot flashes, headaches, dehydration,

rapid heart rate, palpitations, and elevated

blood pressure (“ginseng abuse†occurs

mostly among people in Asia who overuse

Red ginseng).

-A carefully prepared annual ginseng tonic taken mid-winter

(one cup of the tea on each of two successive days) is

believed to improve energy for the whole year. Start with White

Chinese or American ginseng.

CORDYCEPS

sinensis Origin: The mountainous regions of China and Tibet.

A sexual and respiratory tonic that enhances immunity, invigorates

reproductive capacity, and relaxes spasms of the heart, bronchi, and

intestines. Like

ginseng, it is both tranquilizing and strengthening.

Preparation: Cordyceps is one of the safest and gentlest tonics, and a good

one with which to begin. In China, it is given to people no matter what their

age, gender, or state of health. It is often cooked in soups or stews or

prepared with such meats as duck or chicken. For weakness, use once a day. For

health maintenance, use once a week.

ASTRAGALUS

membranaceus Origin: Northern China and Mongolia.

Preparations of this root increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance;

protect the liver against toxicity and enhance its ability to store and release

glucose; improve the diuretic function of the kidney; and reduce blood

pressure by increasing the elasticity of blood vessels.

Preparation : The root comes sliced in long, flat pieces that look like

tongue depressors. It is good to cook with meat, vegetable, or mushroom soup

stock. Cook an ounce of astragalus in a couple of quarts of liquid. This makes

a

potent liquid food that you

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Expert advice should be sought whenever there are serious

symptoms or special needs, says Beinfield. One of her

patients, for instance, was diagnosed two years ago with

multiple sclerosis. After six weeks of taking herbal tonics and

undergoing acupuncture, the patient has experienced

dramatic increases in energy.

Tonics sold in Asian markets and health food stores are not

usually isolated herbs, but rather formulations made up of

several herbs. “Chinese herbs,†says Arndt, who

teaches Chinese herbology at the Oregon College of Oriental

Medicine, " are given in groups in order to nullify the side

effect of members of the group, and to achieve a synergistic

effect.

Put five together, and you’ll get ten times the effect.â€

Arndt believes, however, that it can be difficult for people to

ascertain which formulations to use. “A kidney tonic may be

best for one person,†she says, “while others might need their

spleens nourished or their liver qi regulated.â€

Z.F. Linn, a physician who practices TCM, agrees that the

use of herbs should be based on individual characteristics.

‘We don’t treat just according to symptoms, because one

condition might have several different causes.†he says.

“People should consult a Traditional Chinese Medicine

doctor, rather than try to diagnose their own conditions.â€

Acupuncturist Patrice also believes that herbs

should be recommended by a trained herbalist. However,

she believes that athletes who are in good health can benefit

from over-the-counter formulations. “If herbs are taken as a

tonic,†she says, “some of the patent herbals for sports

performance can be helpful.â€

A careful balance of kidney yin and yang tonics is

recommended for athlete customers by Frummer, a

Chinese tonic herbalist and manager of the Tea Garden

herbal Emporium in Los Angeles. “You have to have yin,â€

Drummer says, “because it’s your stored energy. But yang

is the spark. You can have all the fuel in the world, but

without a spark, you can’t use it.†-C.S.

No information in this letter should be construed as medical advice.

This information is for educational purposes only.

Jeff el

10360 Pine Lakes Blvd

North Fort Myers, Fl 33903

http://www.msprotocols.com/