In China, almost all the elderly people use herbal plasters, especially people with lower back pain. Nowadays, herbal plaster has become a basic medication for many families. So, why is plaster so popular in China?
Herbal plaster originated in China a long time ago and is one of five types of traditional Chinese medicine. People at first applied the oil of animals such as goats or pigs, to their skin in order to prevent frostbite, cracked skin, or to treat ulcers of the skin. During the Tang and Song Dynasty, traditional Chinese medicine developed greatly. The types of plaster increased and the therapeutic range expanded, including not only treatment of skin diseases, but also traumatic injuries etc. During the Qing Dynasty, herbal plasters became popular medicine for external use.
Herbal plasters are composed of many different traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients which in combinationrelease the full potency of their medicinal properties. Its production cost is low and the sale price is not high. Plasters are for external use. By pasting on the plaster to the affected region, the medicine takes effect by penetrating the skin and reaching to the source of the symptoms, thus relieving the suffering of the patient. This type of medicine has very little side-effect and is safe to apply. In addition, it is easy to use and does not require any special techniques. Therefore it is readily accepted by common people and has been passed down for many generations.
In China, besides the drugstores located in hospitals (especially hospitals of traditional Chinese medicine), large and small drugstores, clinics and even stalls sell plasters. Generally speaking, the quality of the so called "plasters handed down from ancestors" sold by stalls cannot be guaranteed, moreover, with their frequent mobility people can easily be tricked. Therefore, it is better for patients to buy plasters in regular hospitals or drugstores and apply them correctly according to the doctor's recommendations.