Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chinese Herbal Therapy?
Developed over 5000 years ago, traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, refers to a number of practices. While Acupuncture is perhaps the most recognized area of TCM, Chinese herbal therapy actually comprises the majority of TCM.
Essentially, traditional Chinese medicine is based on restoring and maintaining balance and harmony, both internally and externally. Chinese herbal therapy administers natural herbal formulas specifically designed to correct imbalanced properties within the body, thereby aiding in the treatment of disease.
Why should I turn to Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Chinese herbal therapy offers an ancient, natural method of addressing modern health problems by taking the whole body into consideration rather than just the symptom.
Does it really work?
Yes. Modern drugs that you may already use are derived from thousands of years old raw herbs from China. Pharmacological testing on hundreds of herbs has demonstrated that most of the herbs have significant physiological activity correlating with the traditional use of the herb.
Clinical studies utilizing single herbs and complex formulas have been conducted in large hospital trials involving hundreds of patients. The results of the studies indicate that stubborn conditions which fail to respond to modern pharmaceutical treatments often respond well to herbal therapies.
For which conditions does TCM work best?
Chinese herbal therapy is often used for treating functional disorders, hormonal imbalances, and “organic problems.” For example, Chinese herbal therapy can be applied to weak digestion, estrogen deficiencies, cysts and tumors. The effects of herbs are usually (but not always) seen after several days of regular use, rather than immediately. But once the effects are achieved they often last for a long period of time. The combination of acupuncture and/or other physical manipulations with Chinese herbs usually provides the most dramatic results.
Can drugs and/or dietary supplements be combined with Chinese herbal therapy?
Chinese herbs may make it possible to take lower dosages of modern medicines, to reduce their side effects, and obtain better, more comprehensive results. While modern medicine offer acute, immediate treatments, Chinese herbal therapy can strengthen long-term benefits naturally. Chinese herbal therapy has been successfully used in conjunction with dietary supplements.
What is the best way to take Chinese herbs?
Traditionally Chinese herbs were taken either in a decoction, or as a course powder made into pills or steeped in boiled water. Today, more scientific methods of preparation are available. The preferred methods are a modification of the traditional decoction method with high-tech equipment, under controlled conditions. The decoction is then dried to form a concentrate refined powder which is then transformed into granules, capsules or tablets. Today’s granules, capsules and tablets offer easy administration and standardized quality as major advantages.
Are there any side effects of taking Chinese herbs?
Chinese herbs are well-known for their lack of side effects when administered by knowledgeable practitioners. Only occasional mild adverse reactions have occurred such as gastro-intestinal disturbance. Very few people have experienced dizziness, rash or nervousness from taking herbs. This usually indicates that the formula is not accurately balanced for their specific needs. In such cases, another formula should be tried or the formulation should be adjusted. In all cases, any reactions to the herbs, will disappear shortly after stopping usage.
With Chinese herbal therapy, the intention is to affect the whole body. An herbal formula is carefully composed and rarely has side effects, because it influences on different parts of the body are balanced by other herbs; thus each part of the body receives a desired type of effect.
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