External Herbal Mediums

History
Chinese Herbal Medicine goes back more than 5,000 years. The discovery of herbal medicine is credited to emperor Shen Nong 3494 B.C.E. He is said to have introduced agriculture to his people and became interested by the medicinal properties of plants. The discoveries of the Shen Nong era were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth, since there were no written records at this time. Myths and facts are therefore hard to distinguish. It took approximately 2,000 years until these discoveries were committed to writing. Many remedies and concepts have stood the test of time and their effectiveness has been proven by modern science.

About 500 B.C.E. herbal medicine had become an integral part of Chinese philosophy and spiritualism. At this time the spiritual aspects of herbalism was about personal transformation. There were two main ways to accomplish this, one through internal formula and the second though external applications. The internal taking of herbs became the dominant thinking. Since then, the external use of herbs has been used mainly for traumatic injury, invasions of external pathogenic factors and abdominal complaints.

What are External Herbal Preparations?
External herbal preparations are massage mediums commonly applied during Tui Na massage. They are used externally on various areas of the body to enhance treatment. They lubricate the skin and protect it from strong Tui Na techniques or ancillary therapies such as Gua Sha. They also permeate the skin to treat or prevent disease. They can be applied to specific acupuncture points or areas that will increase further the therapeutic effect. Your practitioner will give you directions and if you have any questions click here to contact.
You can buy some formulated products from your practitioner, or your local Chinese Herbal Shop.

White Flower Oil is used to alleviate headaches, colds, flu, muscular pain, insect bites, travel sickness. Apply to the temple, forehead, neck or any area affected by pain or discomfort. For relief of sinus headaches, inhale White Flower Oil holding the bottle a few inches from your nose or apply one drop under your nose.

Ingredients: Wintergreen Oil, Peppermint Oil, Menthol Crystal, Lavender Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Camphor.

Do not apply to areas like your eyes, mucus membranes, sensitive tissue or broken skin. Not suitable for Children and Pregnant women

Red Flower Oil is used for neck, shoulders or limb pain, rheumatic pain, lumbago, nerve pain or cramps, strained sinews, sprains or bruises and pain or itching from insect bites. Apply directly and massage gently to areas affected by pain 3 to 4 times a day. For sprains and bruises, apply to cotton pad and bandage it on the affected area. Do not bandage tightly. Red Flower Oil is a very effective medium when using Gua Sha to treat Rheumatic complaints

Ingredients: Cinnamon oil, turpentine oil, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, camphor oil, methyl salicylate

Do not use on open wounds. Avoid contact with your eyes or mucous membranes. For external use only. If pain persists, stop using the product and consult a doctor. Red Flower oil is not suitable for pregnant women

Woodlock Oil is deep and penetrating, it moves stagnation of blood at the injury site. Its main uses are for muscle aches and pains, sprains, strains of muscles and tendons and arthritic problems. It is particularly useful for old injuries. Rub into affected area or use with Gua Sha for strong treatment

Ingredients: Menthyl Salicylate 50%, Menthol 16% and Camphor 10%.

Only use Woodlock oil externally. Do not use on wounds. When using this product do not bandage tightly. Avoid contact with the eyes or mucous membranes. Woodlock Oil is not suitable for pregnant women. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help.

Tiger Balm is for temporary relief of muscular aches and pains. It is an analgesic rub that brings relief and warmth to tired, aching muscles by promoting blood flow.

Ingredients: Menthol BP 8.0%, Clove Oil BP 1.5%, Cajuput BP 13.0%, Camphor BP 11.0%, Dementhoilised Mint Oil BP 16.0%, Paraffin Base (Yellow Soft Paraffin BP and Hard Paraffin BP) 50.0%

Massage well into the affected areas two or three times a day. For external use only.

 

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