CHINESE HERBOLOGIST TRADITIONS (and Aboriginal Medicine men and women of North A

Chapter 97

中藥學 This chapter we will be looking at the history of Herbologists in China, and the advances they have made. Currently, we have around 5 000 years of recorded traditions with which to work and study. The first thing you should note about ancient Herbologist traditions is that they are often incorporated into the religion of the surrounding area. This is because in ancient times, muggles associated magic with mysticism and deities. And, for most Herbologists, this was good for business and often encouraged. At the same time, most efforts by Herbologists were to work in the realms of healing and therapy, likely because that is what people required of them at the time. It has mostly been since the sixteenth century that Herbology was able to expand into far broader outreaches in studies. The link between Herbologists and Muggles through religion eventually came to signify the relationship between the two worlds, as we are all connected by the same earth. Herbologist always sought to be helpful to their communities and made a good name for the Wizarding community. Sometimes I wonder if this relationship had been able to continue, rather than being tarnished and interrupted by various Dark wizards, would the Wizarding world ever had to go into hiding? It is certainly something to think about. In Chinese Herbology, the plant nutrients are often separated from the plant material through boiling processes (making teas quite prominent). This process was commonly used in order to balance out the toxicity level of plants in China. Herbs used within Asian traditions usually have a high toxicity, and it is unclear why Chinese Herbologists favored using such deadly plants. There is a positive result to this, since nowadays we know more about these toxic plants then if they had just been avoided. Herbologists from ancient China were very particular about what their tools for harvesting and preparing plant substances were. Lead, garnet, iron, copper, and coal are five of the more common “substances” out of the thirty three used for various mixes and uses. Now, minerals is in quotations here because not all of the materials are actually minerals; however, in ancient times Herbologists classified all these materials as minerals. These specifications lead many potioneers to explore the results of using different types of knives, spoons, and cauldrons in the making of potions, the effects of which may be seen today in the field of potioneering. Herbologists in China made use of what they considered warm and cool energy. Each plant could be either cold, cool, neutral, warm, or hot. In order to restore balance (also known to the Chinese people by the Yin and Yang theory) to a human experiencing illness, it was determined by a Herbologist whether the illness was of a hot or cold nature, and the ailment would be treated with herbs from the opposite end of the spectrum. (Meat was classified in the same manner). Along the same lines of Yin and Yang with temperatures, is taste, which is to be combined for optimal healing and treatment. These are acrid/pungent, sweet, neutral/bland, bitter, sour, and salty. The Yin and Yang Theory: Every person has Yin and Yang within them, and if everything is normal these are in balance with each other, resulting in peace in mind, body, and soul. If there is either too much or too little of either Yin or Yang, a person is plagued with illness. To cure such, a person needs to make up for what is missing to restore balance. Some people still subscribe to the Yin and Yang Theory today, including Herbologists; however, the theory is mainly dismissed by the educated. There is some validity in that a balanced diet is important, and an unbalanced diet will result in weaknesses and ailments. This does not lend to temperatures of hot and cold herbs, needing to be balanced in healing, being a logical conclusion. This is why it is still a theory. It may not be logical with present knowledge, but it is not illogical in a way that proves it is false. Today, in Herbology, Yin and Yang is about the balance between nature and civilization. It means that if you have a sick patient you send them into the country to see plants and mountains. Modern Chinese Herbologists are concerned about how such highly populated areas not only spread disease quickly but also prevent balance needed in a person’s life. Research is being done there on the effects of stress, over-stimulation, and ultra-urban environments on health. Preliminary results suggest that there is something to the modern theory of Yin and Yang. I will certainly let you all know if we learn anything interesting from this study. I want to be clear though, this modern study is basically unrelated to the traditional Yin and Yang theory and is basically only using the same vocabulary. The only studies that go on about the old theories are done by people who have their own money by which to waste upon their obsessions, pardon my bias. Herbologists in North America, like in Asian countries, were seen as spiritual beings and respected within religious rites. Called medicine men (or medicine women), the Herbologists often kept large packs of dogs outside their houses. This was done to intimidate respect from potential thief’s and customers. When the Statue of Secrecy came into effect, this tradition proved useful as magical protective measures had to be undetectable to muggles. One major part of healing with Aboriginal Herbologists is the medicine wheel. It consists of four colours: white, yellow, red, and black. Each portion of the wheel represents a different part of a person’s health. White represents spiritual health, and is connected mainly with Cedar. Red is the mental portion, with Sweetgrass as its herb. Yellow is the quadrant representing physical health, and its central plant is Tobacco. Finally there is emotional health, placed within the black quadrant and emphasizing Common Sage. These four plants are called the four sacred medicines.