For over 5,000 years the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (also shortened in “TCM”) have been used to prevent illness and enliven life; adapting and evolving as new herbs and plants were discovered the core principles remain the same. TCM believes that the human body must remain in equilibrium despite the outside factors that can affect our natural balance. Climate (wind, cold, heat, damp) and emotional state (grief, anger, fear, etc.) all affect our body’s natural alignment; TCM applies herbs, plants, acupuncture, and acupressure to extract to counteract the effects of these influences.
In TCM a key principle governing health and wellbeing is the flow of energy, channeled between organs on specific lines known as ‘meridians’. When this energy flow is blocked or it builds up it leads to illness or imbalances in the body. Therapies such as acupuncture and acupressure look to manipulate this flow of energy to help the body heal itself.
Qi (pronounced chee) is a concept that underpins all of Chinese medicine. It is commonly misunderstood, often translated as simply ‘energy’ but Qi is so much more: In TCM Qi is the universal life force. It is the energy that flows through our bodies, joining our organ networks and connecting all functions of the body to allow them work in perfect harmony. Without a clear flow of this energy to the organs of the body, they will deteriorate and cause illness and imbalance.
At Sen we aim to ensure a smooth circulation and balance of Qi throughout the body and organ networks.
What is the difference between TCM and Western medicine?
They differ at their core principles; where Western medicine looks to treat when an illness arises, traditional Chinese medicine prescribes herbal compounds to maintain the body’s natural energy and prevent illness occurring. The two schools of thought are often complimentary but TCM takes a holistic approach; it views the body as an ecosystem in delicate balance, one that requires constant treatment to maintain its natural equilibrium. A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, like those working at Sen, will treat the person, not just the disease. In short, TCM is based on the idea of prevention over cure.
How did it come to the West?
There is documented interaction between Eastern and Western medicines for many hundreds of years; Dutch doctors produced journals on acupuncture treatment and pulse diagnosis in the 17th Century. Trade relations between Ancient Rome and China have always been were very strong, as the Roman Empire and the Chinese Han dynasty occupied vast areas of Eurasia at the same time. The Roman Empire initially imported vast amounts of cinnamon bark for use in elaborate funeral pyres, but were soon aware of its extensive medicinal purposes.
In the 19th Century, America started exporting its ginseng to China where it was appreciated in TCM for its cooling and calming properties. China is now the world’s largest exporter of American ginseng products.
In the early 20th Century, the exchange of medical philosophies was a one-way street, with Western medicines flooding into China. In the second part of the century however, attention turned to TCM as an alternative or complimentary therapy. Now in China, government funded hospitals teach and offer TCM alongside Western medicine. In the East, the market for TCM is growing, with 65% of Europeans admitting to using an alternative therapy.
How do I know the ingredients are safe?
At Sen, our ingredients are sources from some of the remotest areas in China, they are often very rare and require treatment before use. At Sen we triple check the quality and the safety of our ingredients against a 53-point checklist (Link to checklist, list shown below). All our Body care and Skin care products comply with current European Union regulations. We deliver the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine to the standards of modern Western practice.
53-Point Checklist
Heavy Metal Tests: total 4 (Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium)
Microbiological Tests: total 7 (Staphylococcus aureus, Coliform, E.Coli, Yeast & Mould, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total plate count)
Mycotoxin Tests: total 5 (B1, B2, G1, G2 and total)
Pesticide Tests: total 37 (Alachlor, Aldrin and Dieldrin, Azinphos-methyl, Bromopropylate, Chlordane, Chlorfenvinphos, Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Cypermethrin, DDT, Deltamethrin, Diazinon, Dichlorvos, Dithiocarbamates, Endosulfan, Endrin, Ethion, Fenitrothion, Fenvalerate, Fonofos, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, Lindane, Malathion, Methidathion, Parathion, Parathion-methyl, Permethrin, Phosalone, Piperonyl butoxide, Pirimiphos-methyl, Pyrethrins, Quintozene, Endrin ketone, Endrin aldehyde, Methoxychlor)
Are Sen products suitable for vegetarians?
Animal ingredients are not essential in traditional Chinese medicine, so Sen only uses natural herbal ingredients. We have developed our formulae without using any animal ingredients and will continue to strive for the most effective products whilst remaining completely vegetarian.
