Chinese herbal medicine in Leeds
Chinese herbal medicine is an ancient method of healing that harnesses the special properties of plants to treat illness and maintain good health.
According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body's energy (known as Qi) moving smoothly through a series of channels or meridians beneath the skin. Qi is made up of equal and opposite parts - Yin and Yang - and when these become unbalanced, then illness may result.
Practitioners usually prescribe a particular mixture of herbs for each patient, aimed at putting the balance right and improving the patient's health.
- What can Chinese herbal medicine help?
- Chinese herbal medicine in Leeds at the Good Health Centre
- Chinese herbal medicine treatment
- What to expect
- Cautions and care
- Training and Regulation
- Find out more
What can Chinese herbal medicine help?
Chinese medicine is successfully used for a very wide range of conditions. Among the more commonly treated disorders are:
- Skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria
- Gastro-intestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis
- Gynaecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility
- Hepatitis and HIV: some promising results have been obtained for treatment of Hepatitis C, and supportive treatment may be beneficial in the case of HIV
- Chronic fatigue syndromes, whether with a background of viral infection or in other situations
- Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis
- Rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis
- Psychological problems (e.g. depression, anxiety)
- Children's diseases
Provided by the Register of Chinese Herbal medicine (RCHM)
Chinese herbal medicine in Leeds at the Good Health Centre
Dr Wenqing Li is a highly qualified doctor of Chinese Medicine. After six and half years full time studying, she obtained her medical degree from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine where she was trained in both Chinese and Western medicine. In 1996, she became an Associate Professor (Consultant) in the Beijing hospital where she practised for over 25 years.
Dr Li has published numerous papers on Chinese Medicine and on the integration of Chinese and Western Medicine. She has participated in many conferences on medicine in China, Europe, Canada and the USA.
Dr Li is a member of the following professional associations:
- In the UK: Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM)
- In China: Association of Chinese Medicine, Association of Western Medicine, and Association of Acupuncture
Chinese herbal medicine treatment
Medical research has confirmed what traditional healers have known for centuries, that plant remedies have active ingredients that are widely used in modern medications.
However, herbal medicine is different from conventional medicine. Practitioners believe that the complex structure of plants make them more balanced than drugs based on specific active ingredients and less likely to cause side-effects. Also, because a particular blend and mixture of herbs are usually prescribed, the different components can balance each other and work together to become safer and more effective.
Herbal medicine works holistically to correct the body's imbalances rather than to treat individual symptoms. There is an emphasis on managing our lifestyles to prevent disease before it occurs. When the body is in balance, our natural healing processes are stimulated and we can live happier and healthier lives.
What to expect
At the first consultation the practitioner will ask you about your symptoms, your medical history and any medication you are taking. They will also do a physical examination, taking your pulses and inspecting your tongue.
The practitioner may then give you advice about your diet, lifestyle and exercise and make up a prescription.
The herbs may come in different forms:
- A tincture, which is a concentrated solution of herbs in water and alcohol.
- Tablets.
- Ointment, particularly for skin problems.
- 'Raw herbs', which have to be boiled in water and then drunk as a tea.
- Freeze dried herbs to make into a tea.
You will be asked to return for a follow up appointment, it's useful to take note of any changes in your health and symptoms.
Cautions and care
Herbal medicine are like other medications and should be used with care. They can interact with other drugs so it is essential to tell your Chinese Herbal Practitioner if you are on prescribed medication and to consult your GP.
If you feel worse or unwell in a different way while taking herbal medicines, you should tell your herbal medicine
practitioner, your doctor or pharmacist immediately. They can report any harmful effects of medicines, including herbal medicines, to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Poorly made or labelled medicines can be a risk to health. At the Good Health centre we ensure that the prescriptions are safe and effective.
There are also some licensed herbal medicines on the market, which are made to assured standards and can be identified by the PL number on the product.
In some parts of the world, Chinese medicine practitioners use products that are made from endangered species of
animals. This is illegal in the UK and the ban is fully supported by practitioners, if you come across this practice you should report it.
The Medical Toxicology Unit at St Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust suggests that you ask for a list of the ingredients in any herbal product they buy or are given. So that if there are any side effects the causal ingredient can be identified.
Training and Regulation
There are many practitioners in the UK that claim to practise Herbal Medicine. Some of them will have received proper training, and some of them may have not. It can be difficult, for a member of the public to establish the validity of the qualifications.
Dr Wenqing Li is a highly qualified doctor of Chinese Medicine. After six and half years full time studying, she obtained her medical degree from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine where she was trained in both Chinese and Western medicine.
Find out more
The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine
www.RCHM.co.uk
To check whether the Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued advice about particular herbal products or ingredients, you can check Herbal Safety News on the agency's website: www.mhra.gov.uk
