A Chinese doctor determines the patient's prescription through a short series of examinations referred to as the five diagnostics. These are as follows: (1) checking the pulse- this is not merely an examination of heart rate, although that is a part of it. (2) examination of the tongue- the tongue is a strong indicator of an individuals internal health, (3) examination of face, (4) a series of questions concerning the patient's diet, (5) and finally a verbal interview where the patient and the doctor discuss lifestyle, ailments, family history, etc.

The principal applied methods of utilizing Chinese medicine are herbal, acupuncture, and certain styles of massage and preventative exercises. Herbal medicine, however, is the principal and most useful method of treating patients.
Although Chinese herbal medicine can be prescribed for internal ingestion or for eternal application, it is usually ingested in a decoction of herbs slow boiled for about an hour, strained, then drunk two or three times a day. Tinctures, herbal pills, and powdered extracts are available, but are not usually as efficacious concerning the flexibility and potency of the prescription.
At first, the herbs may taste rather bitter. However, many patients find that after a few days, they become accustomed to the taste and may even crave it. Many times this shows the medicine is working.

There are around 500 ingredients listed in the standard Chinese repertoire, and about 15-20% of these originate from outside China. The Chinese have adopted and adapted into their practice herbs from all across the world. It is the method by which they are utilized that makes them significant to the Traditional Chinese Medical system. The repertoire also consists of ingredients from all three kingdoms of Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, although most are from Vegetable sources. These can be leaves, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, twigs, and other assorted vegetable parts.

Chinese Medicine is extremely safe. When prescribed correctly by qualified professionals, Chinese Medicine should have no side effects. Most of the medicinals in the materia medica have a very low toxicity, even when compared to common, over-the-counter Western drugs. Also, a patient's prescription can be modified on a daily basis if they experience discomfort. As that Chinese medicine strives to achieve holistic balance, side effects would mean there is imbalance which needs to be corrected.

Chinese medicine is also capable of treating diseases and symptoms of pregnant or lactating women without causing harm to fetus or child. Pediatrics is also a specialty within Chinese Herbal medicine, which can be useful in treating colic, teething, diarrhea, cough, fever and more.

The time it takes for Chinese medicine to manifest results can vary. For acute conditions, results can be expected very quickly, even in minutes. Two weeks should be sufficient for most chronic conditions. Many chronic conditions can much longer to heal and require varying methods; however, improvements can and should be expected rather soon into treatment.

Chinese medicine works. In fact, Chinese medicine is so universally effective that the World Health Organization has selected it for worldwide propagation. Empirical evidence has proven that Chinese medicine works for Westerners as well as the Chinese. Chinese medicine has been utilized successfully in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and all throughout Asia. At this moment, thousands of practitioners around the world are proving everyday that Chinese medicine works no matter where one lives, to what culture one adheres, or to what race one belongs.

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Bian Que
(407-310 B.C.)
Possibly 1st official
Chinese Doctor