Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is a major branch of Chinese Medicine. Although most associate Traditional Chinese Medicine with acupuncture, the majority of cases in TCM clinics in China are treated with herbs, either with acupuncture or alone, rather than with just acupuncture. In the States, more and more TVCM practitioners are following suit by incorporating herbs in their veterinary practice. CHM therapies has its historical origins with TCM, and dates back 4,000 years. Herbs today are prepared with the benefits of modern technology, but are still guided by the historical wisdom underlying TCM. In CHM practice, herbs are used to correct imbalance underlying a disease pattern and to promote the body's ability to heal itself. Each herb has a different effect on the body and can fall under a number of classifications such as warming, cooling, sour, or bitter and can affect a variety of organs, including the liver, lungs, or heart. TCVM utilizes herbal formulas that are a combination of single-herb ingredients to treat a specific pattern of disease.
The increasing popularity of CHM lies in the fact that it is an all-natural treatment option that is generally safe and effective when prescribed correctly. An extensive body of clinical research have shown CHM to be extremely effective in treating chronic veterinary medical issues in the fields of: gastroenterology, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, reproduction, oncology, and behavior. CHM is also commonly used to treat respiratory issues and sports injuries. In addition, CHM increases the quality of life for geriatric patients, especially those diagnosed with terminal cancer, since it assists the body's ability to reduce tumor size when chemotherapy is not an option. CHM can be combined with acupuncture and/or Western Medicine to enhance clinical results.