Chinese Herbs

Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is one discipline within a broad tradition which also includes acupuncture, massage, dietary therapy and exercise (qi gong). It is one of the great herbal traditions of the world, with a recorded history of more than two thousand years. Like the other Chinese medicine disciplines, CHM is based on the principle that good health depends on achieving optimum vitality and balance – a balance described in terms of the polarity of Yin and Yang. CHM has a great deal to offer in supporting that vitality and balance.

Treatment with CHM involves the use of combinations of herbs which are designed to correct the particular disharmony of the individual. The principle is that a balance of ingredients with certain properties is matched to the individual patient's pattern, allowing the practitioner to adapt to the changing needs of the patient.    Most commonly the herbs are prescribed either as a tea, to be made up from raw herbs or from concentrated powders, or as an already-made formula in tablet form.   External preparations are also used, including creams, ointments and washes for skin conditions, and compresses for traumatised tissue. Chinese herbals teas tend to be bitter, but most people get accustomed to them quickly.

The possible uses of CHM are very wide, and people of any age or constitution can benefit from it.   The following conditions are commonly treated:

  • Skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea
  • Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis and chronic coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis
  • Digestive complaints, including irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, ulcerative colitis
  • Pre-menstrual syndrome, painful periods, menopausal syndromes, endometriosis, some forms of infertility
  • Urinary conditions, including chronic cystitis
  • Reumatoid and osteo-arthritis  
  • Headaches and migraine
  • Chronic fatigue syndromes
  • Anxiety and depression

Maggie Bavington, acupuncturistMaggie Bavington is qualified as a practitioner of acupuncture and qualified to prescribe Chinese herbal remedies. She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.  Maggie works at Bodywise on Monday and Wednesday evenings. She charges £50 for the first appointment, which lasts one hour, and £40 for follow-up appointments, lasting 45 mins.

Margré de Vries (Prajnadevi) qualified from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading with a BSc Hons in acupuncture and is also qualified to prescribe pre-prepared Chinese herbal remedies. She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and has been a practitioner at Bodywise since 1991, where she sees patients on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Initial consultation is one hour and costs £50. Subsequent treatments are 45 minutes and cost £40. Margré also practices Shiatsu and Reflexology at Bodywise.