An Introduction to Chinese

Herbal Medicine

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine is the oldest, most well-documented, and sophisticated medicine on earth, dating back more than 5000 years. What began as an oral tradition, passed down through the generations, was eventually organized by doctors, scholars, and government officials into reference guides and medical texts.

 

Like in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine focuses on treating the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.  Symptoms often show up in groups or patterns that can seem unrelated, but are actually coming from the same source. Using the pattern of symptoms, combined with diagnostic techniques specific to Chinese Medicine, we are able to discover the root cause: the specific organ system out of balance.  While two people may have the same symptom of "back pain"  the root cause of the pain may be different.  Chinese Herbal Medicine recognizes that we are all complex and unique individuals and should be treated as such.

 

A qualified Chinese Herbalist draws from a range of time-tested herbal formulas that generally contain anywhere from eight to sixteen different herbs. The beauty and sophistication of Chinese Herbal Medicine comes in understanding how the different herbs work together. Just like pharmaceuticals that have interactions, the way you combine specific herbs changes how they act in the body. Some herbs are only digestible when a partner herb is present. Certain herbs can be harmful if combined. Other herbs might act as a guide and direct the effect of the formula to a specific area of the body like the lungs or the lower back. 

   

This really sets Chinese Herbal Medicine apart from Western Herbal Medicine. In Western Herbal Medicine you typically use one herb to treat one symptom. This means that if there are many different symptoms the patient will end up taking many different individual herbs without knowing how they will affect each other. When you take a Chinese Herbal Formula, you know that the herbs in it work together, and will even address multiple symptoms at the same time.

    

 Speaking of interactions it's also important to know that while caution must be used, herbs and pharmaceuticals can actually be used together. In some cases it is even possible to slowly reduce prescription medications once you have been working with an herbal formula for a while. Like every Chinese Herbalist, I have been trained in the use of pharmaceuticals in Western Medicine and how they interact with herbal formulas. If you bring a list of your current medications I will be able to advise you on what is safe to take.

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine can be used to treat conditions such as, allergies, anxiety, arthritis, back pain, joint, bone and muscle pain, depression, diabetes, digestive problems, cold and flu, skin conditions, infertility, high blood pressure, insomnia, menopause symptoms, obesity, PMS, and Parkinson's disease.  In addition, it can be used proactively to strengthen the immune system, improve general health, and increase longevity.

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