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In Chinese herbal medicine nutmeg is associated with the digestive organs and has pungent and warm properties. Its functions are to warm the digestion and promote the circulation of qi. It is used to treat, amongst other conditions, poor appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea,
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In the 16th and 17th centuries the saffron crocus became widely grown as a speciality crop in Saffron Walden.
Saffron is mentioned in the ancient Chinese medical texts, including the forty volume Shennon Bencaojing which is a pharmacopoeia dating from 200-300 BC. Saffron has shown promise as an alternative treatment for some cancers, aids wound-healing and is an antioxidant. |
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Green tea is a “true” tea that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing; it is dried but not fermented. This helps keep all of the beneficial chemicals intact, which is why it is claimed that green tea has so many health benefits.
Green tea is very popular in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and the Middle East. Recently it has become more widespread in the West, where traditionally black tea is drunk. |
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In Chinese herbal medicine turmeric is used to treat chest, epigastric and abdominal pain; menstrual problems; pain and swelling from trauma; rheumatic pain, especially of the shoulders and jaundice and digestive problems.
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In Chinese herbal medicine the young branches of the cinnammon tree are known as "gui zhi" whilst the thick bark of the tree is known as "rou gui".
Gui zhi is used to treat "cold damp painful obstruction" especially of joints and limbs, gynaecogical problems such as painful periods due to "cold", palpitations and oedema.
Rou gui warms the "yang" energy and is used to treat cold limbs' weakness of the back, impotence, frequent urination, abdominal pain and cold; poor appetite and diarrhoea, menstrual problems, abscesses and sores. |
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Rhubarb root contains powerful laxative compounds called anthraquinones, which irritate the colon and stimulate bowel movements.
In Chinese herbal medicine it is used for "intestinal heat or "yang ming heat", high fever, thirst, constipation, abdominal pain, delerium, bleeding haemmorhoids and intestinal abscesses. |
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Dandelion in Chinese herbal medicine clears heat and toxicity, for example red swollen eyes, abscesses and sores.
It is also used to promote lactation. |
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Ginger is used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat colds and 'flu, strengthen digestion and improve circulation. Medical research has
shown that is an effective treatment for nausea associated with travel sickness or morning sickness during pregnancy.
In Chinese herbal medicine fresh and dried ginger have quite different qualities and uses. |
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The English word ginseng derives from the Chinese ren shen, literally "man root" which refers to the root's characteristic forked shape, resembling the legs of a man.
There are various types of ginseng, including Asian, Red and American. Each type has a different properties. The Asian version has a warming nature and the American variety has a more cooling nature.
Medicinal use of ginseng can be traced back nearly 2,000 years with reference to treatment of poor nutritional status and digestive problems.
Today it is commonly suggested for its "tonic" or energy-boosting properties and for aiding recovery from weakness after illness.
In 1989 a farmer from China dug up a 500-year-old ginseng root that weighed over 16 ounces and was reportedly worth over US $100,000!
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