Needles & Decotion

 

The Power of Needles and Dry Herbs

By JS NAO

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), healing doesn’t always come from pills or machines. Sometimes, it begins with a single needle or a handful of dry herbs.

TCM is one of the world’s oldest alternative healing systems, with a rich history that stretches back over 4,000 years (Kaptchuk, 2000; World Health Organization [WHO], 1999). These ancient tools, guided by deep knowledge and intention, continue to transform lives — even in today’s modern world. 

The Needle – A Thousand Cures in One Touch

Many people fear acupuncture, thinking it will hurt. But acupuncture needles are as fine as a strand of hair — gentle, precise, and surprisingly soothing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we say:

“A single needle holds a thousand cures.”

This means one carefully placed needle can help with pain, digestion, emotional imbalance, sleep issues, circulation, and even intimacy.

What makes acupuncture even more special is its flexibility —

From a 2-year-old child to a 100-year-old elder, acupuncture can support healing at every stage of life (WHO, 1999).

Of course, the method and points are always adapted based on age, constitution, and condition. For children, lighter and fewer techniques are used. For elders, we focus on strengthening Qi, warming the body, and restoring movement or function.

In my personal experience, I’ve seen dramatic changes. One 73-year-old man who had been weak and disconnected for months regained energy — and even intimacy — after only a few sessions of Hedgehog needling and moxibustion. Another patient reported immediate warmth in limbs that were cold for years.

Sometimes, healing doesn’t require many tools — just the right one, in the right hands.

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Dry Herbs – Nature’s Silent Healers

Dry herbs carry more than scent and taste — they carry nature’s wisdom. When boiled, powdered, or used in moxibustion, these herbs release their natural healing properties, often without the side effects of chemical drugs.

One important truth in TCM is this:

One herb is not meant for a single disease — it comes with a package.

That means a single herb can support multiple systems. For example:

• Ginger warms the body, aids digestion, moves circulation, and relieves cold-related pain.

• Mugwort (Ai Ye) clears dampness, calms the womb, strengthens nerves, and eases emotional tension.

• Clove, cardamom, and cinnamon are powerful warming herbs that also support the gut, immune system, and energy.

I often apply belly button salt therapy using ginger slices, herbal salt, and moxibustion. This technique boosts inner warmth and reactivates sluggish organs — especially in those with cold constitutions, digestive issues, or emotional fatigue.

These herbs don’t work by suppressing symptoms.
They nourish the root, restore flow, and bring balance to the whole body (Bensky, Clavey, & Stöger, 2004).

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Together – The Power of Balance

When acupuncture and herbs are used together, their healing power multiplies. The needle moves Qi and opens channels. The herbs nourish blood, support the organs, and anchor the energy.

In my clinical practice, I’ve treated patients with nerve weakness, poor mobility, cold limbs, and chronic fatigue using a combination of:

• Hedgehog acupuncture technique (15-minute needling to key points)

• Salt and ginger belly button moxibustion

• Dry herbs in tea, paste, or compress form

After a few sessions, many report:

• Body warmth returning

• Clearer sleep cycles

• Improved bowel movements

• Better focus and emotional clarity

• Stronger sexual and physical vitality

This is not just treatment — this is the return of life force.

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Back to the Roots

In a fast-paced world full of instant pills, quick fixes, and chemical overload, many have forgotten the gentle strength of traditional methods. But for those who’ve felt a cold hand warm up after one needle… or found emotional calm in a cup of herbal tea… we know:

One needle. A thousand cures.
One herb. A package of healing.

We don’t treat the disease — we support the person.
And that is where real healing begins.

Reference -Data compile by Chat GPT  

Bensky, D., Clavey, S., & Stöger, E. (2004). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica (3rd ed.). Eastland Press.

Cheng, X. (Ed.). (1999). Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion (Rev. ed.). Foreign Languages Press.

Kaptchuk, T. J. (2000). The web that has no weaver: Understanding Chinese medicine. McGraw-Hill.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2022). Acupuncture: In depth. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-in-depth

World Health Organization. (1999). Guidelines on basic training and safety in acupuncture. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/66007