Chinese herbal medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is the largest organized herbal system in the world. Chinese herbal formulas, some in use for more than 2,200 years, are composed of 10 to 15 ingredients chosen to function in combination with each other. Mastery of Chinese herbal medicine is incredibly intricate. It involves the knowledge of hundreds of herbs and formulae. One of the advantages of putting together a prescription of individual dry herbs is that the prescription can be created specifically for each patient and adjusted on a regular basis in relation to improvement or change in the patient’s condition. In China, herbal medicine is considered to be a very powerful form of therapy that is used to treat most conditions. Due to its long history, the workings of the classical herbal formulas are extremely well understood.
At our practice, we prescribe Chinese herbs both as a complement to acupuncture treatments and as a primary form of therapy. Chinese herbs can help change unhealthful balances and patterns, resulting in decreased allergy symptoms, increased energy, improved digestion, improved sleep, regulated menstrual cycle, and improved fertility. The herbs are particularly effective with chronic problems as well as the more acute versions of the common cold, flu, and allergy, which do not respond as readily to Western medicines.
The first appointment for Chinese herbal medicine lasts 1 hour, and follow-up appointments last 1/2 hour. During the appointment, you will be asked many detailed questions about your symptoms and lifestyle
patterns. Inspection of the tongue and palpation of the pulses at the wrist will also be included in the diagnostic workup.
