Pets and TCM

Pets play an important role in TCM, where they are often used as therapy animals. In traditional TCM, there are four main categories of therapy animals: domestic animals, wild animals, insects, and reptiles. Each category has different therapeutic effects and is used for different purposes. Pets can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, and chronic pain. They can also be used to improve circulation, boost the immune system, and promote healing. There are a variety of ways to use pets in Chinese medicine. Common methods include acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and massage. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. It is used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including pain, anxiety, nausea, and migraines. Moxibustion is a form of Chinese medicine that involves burning dried mugwort (Artemisia argyi) on or near the skin. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including pain, inflammation, and menstrual cramps. Cupping is a form of Chinese medicine that involves placing glass cups on the skin and creating a vacuum. This vacuum pulls the skin and muscles upwards, which is said to improve circulation and relieve pain. Massage is a form of Chinese medicine that involves rubbing, kneading, or stroking the skin with the hands. It is used to treat a variety.

Domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, are the most commonly used therapy animals in China. They are often used in hospitals and nursing homes to help patients recover from illness and injury. Dogs are especially popular, as they are believed to have a special ability to sense and respond to human emotions. Therapy animals can provide companionship, emotional support, and physical contact to people who are lonely, sick, or injured. They can also help people to coping with anxiety, stress, and depression. Therapy animals can be used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, prisons, and shelters. There is no formal training or certification required for therapy animals in China. However, animals must be healthy and have a good temperament in order to be considered for therapy work.

Wild animals, such as tigers and bears, are also used in Chinese medicine, but they are less common than domestic animals. Wild animals are thought to have more powerful therapeutic effects than domestic animals, and they are often used to treat more serious conditions. There are a number of different ways that wild animals can be used in traditional Chinese medicine. They can be used whole, or in parts, and can be consumed orally, applied topically, or injected. One of the most common ways that wild animals are used in traditional Chinese medicine is through the consumption of their body parts. This can be done by eating the meat, organs, or other tissues of the animal, or by drinking its blood. Wild animals are also sometimes used in traditional Chinese medicine through the application of their body parts to the skin. This can be done by rubbing the body part on the skin, or by applying it as a poultice. In some cases, wild animals are used in traditional Chinese medicine through injections. This is usually done with the help of acupuncture needles, which are inserted into specific points on the body. There are a number of different benefits that are associated with the use of wild animals in traditional Chinese medicine. For example, it is believed that they can help to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. Wild animals are also thought to be able to improve the function of the immune system, and to help to fight off infections.

Insects, such as bees and silkworms, are also used in Chinese medicine. Insects are believed to have a range of therapeutic effects, including the ability to reduce inflammation and pain. Reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, are also used in Chinese medicine. Reptiles are thought to have powerful therapeutic effects, and they are often used to treat serious conditions. In addition to animals, Chinese medicine also uses a variety of plant-based substances. Herbs are the most commonly used plant-based substances in Chinese medicine. Chinese herbs are often used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including pain, inflammation, and digestion problems. A wide variety of plant-based substances are used in Chinese medicine, including roots, leaves, flowers, and bark.Many intractable diseases can be treated with a combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

About the author: Dr. Faith Whitehead; is a licensed veterinarian and researcher.