10 Best Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbs have been awarded a separate category of medicine for good reason. There is a huge number of Chinese herbs, the curative powers of which range from strengthening the immune system to inhibiting the growth of tumors to increasing sexuality. There are many Chinese herbs including some that are considered common and some that are secrets zealously guarded by traditional Chinese herbalists. The following is a list of the 10 Best Chinese herbs:

1. Ginseng: Ginseng is a common root that enhances healing and rejuvenation. It helps to replenish body fluids and depleted energy. Ginseng also helps to remove toxins from the body and also stimulates sex glands. It is mildly bitter sweet to the taste.

2. Black & Red Reishi Mushrooms: These herbs are prized by the Chinese for helping to strengthen the immune system, enhance the impact of antioxidants, increase white blood corpuscle vitality and have an overall calming effect on the body. Reishi mushrooms have also been known to help reduce insomnia and female sexual dysfunction.

3. Lotus seed: The Lotus seed is another invaluable Chinese herb that tones the spleen and kidney and helps ease diarrhea. Lotus seeds also help to stimulate appetite and have a taste that is sweet to neutral.

4. Licorice root: The Licorice root is another well recognized Chinese herb because of its detoxification powers. It invigorates and cools down the body at the same time. Another use is as a natural sweetener.

5. Ginko Biloba: The Ginko Biloba is arguably the most ancient medicine of all Chinese herbs. It has time-tested curative effects on the lungs and the heart. It also fights coughs, asthma and chronic inflammation from allergies. It is also among the best herbal nutritional supplements around.

6. Ephedra: Ephedra, also know as 'ma huang', may be the world's oldest herb, cultivated for medicinal purposes nearly 5000 years ago. It fights asthma and stimulates blood pressure and heart function. Ephedra increases the secretion of adrenalin and stimulates certain glands, muscles and tissue functions.

7. Astralagus: This is a herb that has been used as an immunity booster in China for the last 4000 years. Astralagus helps increase the impaired immune function of blood cells up to and sometime beyond the normal cell capacity.

8. Prepared Aconite: Prepared Aconite is a powerful yang tonic. It is a Chinese herb that when used in excess, can become toxic. Aconite in its raw form is toxic. Also, overuse of Aconite can result in overheating of the body. It is never used alone and always combined with other herbs. Prepared Aconite is used to treat infertility, impotence, frequent urination, arthritis and rheumatism.

9. Albizzia Flower and Bark: The Albizzia flower and bark have long been utilized by the Chinese when one is experiencing emotional problems. This is an excellent Shen stabilizer and has superb calming properties.

10. Alisma: Alisma is yet another Chinese herb that strengthens water metabolism in the body. It is often used to fight obesity, especially for people who carry excess water weight. Alisma is also used by people who have trouble urinating and diabetics as well.

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Chinese Herbs for Diabetes

In Chinese Medicine, diabetes is considered to be a condition of disharmony in the body called Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome. Diabetics can often experience symptoms of severe thirst and hunger while losing weight. The ancient Chinese noticed these tendencies, and identified the condition according to its external symptoms, in spite of the fact that they could not determine a person's blood sugar levels at the time. There are many Chinese herbs that have been traditionally used for Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome. The beneficial effects of these herbs for diabetics are now being borne out by modern research being done in China.

One Chinese herb that shows promise in the treatment of diabetes in called mai men dong or ophiopogon. Research done in China has demonstrated that it can potentially stimulate regeneration of cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The cells in this part of the pancreas are responsible for the proper production of insulin, and therefore the proper processing of blood sugar in the body. Stimulating regeneration of these cells can potentially reverse diabetes in adult-onset diabetics.

Another Chinese herb that shows promise for people with high blood sugar is tian hua fen or trichosanthis. Tian hua fen has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in Chinese research studies. It is very commonly used in herbal formulas for diabetics. Other commonly used herbs include astragalus and Chinese wild yam.

An Asian vegetable which is also used as an herb, called bittermelon, or momordica charantia, has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics in studies done in China and in Thailand. This vegetable also may have antibacterial and antiviral properties. In Asia, it is being considered as a potential treatment for AIDS, HIV, and hepatitis C.

There are also other Chinese herbs that can be useful for the many symptoms associated with diabetes. The Chinese herbal formula Ming Mu Di Huang Wan is used in China for the vision problems that diabetics often experience. Other herbs can be used to improve blood circulation and stimulate healing. This can be very beneficial since diabetics often heal more slowly from cuts, wounds, and other injuries and also because they tend to have poorer circulation. Many of these herbs may be beneficial for diabetic neuropathy. Diabetics often have nerve pain or uncomfortable nerve sensations that can be alleviated with the use of herbs. Acupuncture can be beneficial for this as well.

As you can see, although the ancient Chinese could not easily monitor blood sugar levels in diabetics, many of the herbal treatments they used for people who exhibited the symptoms of this condition are being shown to be effective in modern research trials in other countries.

If you are diabetic and you are taking medication to control your blood sugar levels, it is best to have your blood sugar monitored while taking these herbs, and have your doctor adjust the dosage of your medications accordingly, so your blood sugar doesn't drop too drastically. It is likely that you will eventually be able to taper off of the herbs and medication, until you can control your disease primarily through diet and exercise.

Dr. Farah Khan, DOM is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She offers information and products related to different health conditions at her web site at http://www.yinessence.com. Her product, GlucoSupport, can be found at http://www.yinessence.com/catalog/item/1142101/1374330.htm.

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