Traditional Chinese Medicine: 5 Herbs with amazing benefits

Natural Healing: 5 Amazing herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Angela Goh

11 Apr 2016

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Ginseng
Undeniably one of the most common Chinese herbs, ginseng has long been cherished as a disease-preventative and life preserver. It is thought to normalise blood pressure, resist fatigue, increase oxygen utilisation, and even improve cognitive function. This makes it the perfect herbal substitute to a coffee or energy drink when you need an energy boost.
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Angelica Root
Chinese angelica root has a very important place in traditional Chinese medicine as the ‘ultimate herb’ for women. Though it is primarily used as a fortifying daily tonic, it is particularly prized for its use in ending hot flushes and relieving menstrual cramps. When used alongside black cohosh, it is also thought to reduce the symptoms of menopause.
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Goji
Though it has only become popular in western diets fairly recently, dried goji berries have been an ingredient in many Chinese teas, soups, and tonics for much longer. Due to their high number of nutrients, these shrivelled red berries are thought to be an aid to good general health, covering everything from improving eyesight to aiding in weight loss. However, its main traditional use is to improve sleep quality, an attribute that’s even been backed by some studies.
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Dried Mandarin Peel
Traditionally used to treat bloating, enhance digestion, and reduce phlegm, dried mandarin peel is a longtime favourite of those who suffer from motion sickness. When preserved in salt and eaten, or used to brew tea, the peel is thought to relax the stomach and aid absorption. It is also a common remedy for morning sickness.
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Hawthorn Berry
Though primarily known for its role in the much-loved haw flake, hawthorn is actually a common herb in traditional Chinese medicine. While modern research efforts have identified its aptitude in treating cardiac weakness, hawthorn is traditionally used as a digestive aid to combat indigestion and heartburn. By stimulating the production of enzymes that digest food, and fat in particular, it helps reduce the feeling of fullness and heartburn.

Want to find natural remedies to replace sugary energy drinks or sleeping pills? These common TMC ingredients may help.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine that is still being continuously practiced today and shows no signs of fading away into obscurity. Its roots have been traced back 2500 years. Common TCM herbs, such as hawthorn and goji berries, have been used for several centuries by the Chinese, which goes to show how effective and efficient their healing properties can be when used appropriately.

These natural remedies can sometimes offer a better alternative to less healthy options. Feeling tired or lethargic? Ginseng can provide a herbal substitute to caffeine so you won’t need that Red Bull or cup of coffee to gain some energy. Suffering stomach cramps or menopausal symptoms? Chinese angelica root can relieve your discomfort better than regular painkillers.

Whether or not you intend use these herbs in your daily life, it might be worth doing a bit of research and looking up the benefits of some of these incredible TCM ingredients. Take a look at the gallery above for a round-up of 5 of the most common herbs that pack some powerful healing properties.

Angela Goh

Photos: Getty Images

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