Chinese Medicine

Skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, fungal infections, herpes simplex (e.g. cold sores), herpes zoster (shingles)
Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, cough; allergic rhinitis (Hayfever) perennial rhinitis and sinusitis
Digestive complaints, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease
Gynaecological problems, including pre-menstrual syndrome, painful periods, irregular menstruation, poly-cystic ovaries, menopausal syndromes, endometriosis, infertility
Urinary conditions, including cystitis and prostate problems.
Rheumatological conditions, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
Headaches and migraines
Chronic fatigue syndromes and ME
Anxiety, insomnia, palpitations and depression
Hepatitis and HIV: some promising results have been obtained for Hepatitis C, and supportive treatment may be beneficial for HIV
Metabolic disorders, including diabetes and thyroid conditions, may benefit from supportive treatment

Are Chinese herbs safe?

Serious adverse effects from CHM are very rare, and it has a very good safety record. However, it is essential that you are treated by a practitioner who is trained to a high standard, who complies with UK laws (which have banned the use of certain toxic herbal ingredients), who monitors each case carefully to ensure that the patient has no unusual reactions to treatment, and who uses suppliers with a proven record of reliability.

It is also important that your practitioner takes note of any drug treatment that you may be receiving, in order to ensure that there is no incompatibility between such treatment and particular ingredients in the CHM prescription.

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) demands high standards for admission, imposes stringent rules on its members, and is actively engaged in initiatives to ensure quality control of herbs and herbal products. The public is therefore well-advised to seek help from RCHM members.

What about endangered species?

The RCHM has always condemned the illegal trade in endangered plant and animal species, and its members are subject to strict rules which prohibit the use of any such material.

About the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine

The RCHM was set in 1987 to regulate the practice of Chinese herbal medicine. It now represents over 500 fully qualified practitioners. The majority have graduated from a UK educational institution affiliated to the RCHM. Most are also qualified acupuncturists and members of the British Acupuncture Council. RCHM members are subject to a Code of Practice, a Dispensary Code and a scheme for Continuing Professional Development, and are fully insured.

The RCHM is a present actively engaged in preparations for the statutory self-regulation of herbal medicine in the UK. It is anticipated that this is very important change will be enacted by Parliament in the near future, allowing closer links to be established between the registered CHM community and the NHS.