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Kathryn Nemirovsky, LAc
Nature's Medicine Cabinet
Kunlun Mountain Acupuncture, Inc.

Nature's Medicine Cabinet

As the warmer weather draws us outdoors, we can't help but notice the vast array of colors, textures, fragrances and forms of the summer garden. But much more than just providing beauty and pleasure for our senses, these wonders of nature also have powerful medicinal properties, some of which have been used for healing for thousands of years.

The Chinese Materia Medica (compendium of medical material) contains hundreds of plant-based herbs commonly used to treat a wide variety of ailments

Honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua) with its unmistakably sweet fragrance, is used to clear heat and remove toxins from the body, such as might be present in a sore or swollen throat. Magnolia flower (xinyihua) on the other hand, is pungent and warming, and is used to treat conditions related to nasal and sinus congestion. Red sage (danshen) has cooling and calming properties, and has been researched extensively for its positive effects on heart disease and hypertension. Balloon flower (jiegeng) prized for its striking ornamental qualities, is a wonderful herb for colds, coughs, and other respiratory conditions.

Even weeds, plants we often think of as being a nuisance, can have quite beneficial effects when used in the right context. For example, dandelion (pu gong ying) has been used historically to treat problems relating to the liver, gallbladder, kidneys and joints. Common mugwort (ai ye) is a warming medicinal often used for gynecological disorders.

Just as in an orchestra, where the sound of each individual instrument blends into the resulting symphony, Chinese herbs are most frequently used in combination, creating a dynamic interplay and balance of function designed to treat a particular pattern of illness.

In our industrialized culture, herbal medicine can often seem mysterious. But I find that once we understand its potential and true accessibility, any trepidation we might initially have is quickly replaced by a sense of awe and gratitude for nature's bounty. Of course, it's always best to consult with a trained, licensed health care provider before taking herbal remedies, in order to ensure proper dosage and application.

Herbal medicine and nutrition along with acupuncture, qi gong (energy cultivation), and massage is one of the pillars of Chinese medicine, an invaluable tool for creating and restoring health, and for bringing the body-mind into alignment so that the spirit can properly shine through.

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