Herbal therapies with TCM

The combination of herbs as the key to a strong therapeutic effect

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes a large number of natural remedies with therapeutic effects. Unlike in Western medicine, these are not used individually but always in various combinations. In formulas individually tailored to the objectives of the therapy, they release synergies upon which the successful outcome depends.

 

Medicinal herbs are also used in Western medicine. However, they are applied individually according to their particular effect. Traditional Chinese Medicine follows an entirely different approach: it combines herbs into formulations that target the root cause of the specific symptoms in accordance with the basic principle of TCM.
 

In the composition of a TCM herbal remedy, each substance has a clearly assigned task. TCM differentiates between Monarch, Minister, Assistant and Envoy substances:

• The Monarch herb focuses on the core of the disease or complaint.
• The Minister herb supports the role of the Monarch herb in a supplementary capacity.
• The Assistant herb targets weaknesses in other organs or functions and ensures the formula has no unintended effects.
• The Envoy herb can fulfil two roles: it can direct the effect of the therapy to the areas of weakness or help the body to absorb the medicinal compound.

 

TCM herbal therapies place a considerable demand on the TCM therapist, who must be highly qualified to determine suitable components based on the overall diagnosis and combine them into an individually targeted, efficacious formulation. Our TCM therapists at TCM Chan possess the expertise required to compile correctly balanced combinations of Monarch, Minister, Assistant and Envoy herbs. They work with the patient throughout their treatment and can adjust the formula if necessary. Often they will apply supplementary TCM therapies such as acupuncture or cupping, which can enhance the effect of the treatment and speed up the recovery process.