Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Chinese have incorporated herbs from all over the world. 15% to 20% of the 500 ingredients used in Chinese herbology originated from outside China. These herbs are prescribed according to Chinese medical theory and TCM pattern diagnosis.

Common ways of using Chinese herbs are:

1. Herbal Decoction. This is the very traditional method to use Chinese herbs. Decoction is extracted by boiling the herbs for a specific period of time. The decoction is then taken multiple times daily.
2. Herbal Pills or Capsules. This is probably the most convenient way to use herbs. Raw herbs are powderized and then compressed into pills or encapsulated into capsules. It is then taken orally with water.
3. Herbal Granule. This is one of the more contemporary ways of using Chinese herbs. Through extracting processes, herbs are made into dissolvable, concentrated granules. They then can be encapsulated or used in the form of tea by adding water.
4. External Use. Herbs are made into tincture , oils etc specifically for external use. This is an effective approach to treat various skin disorders, muscular-skeletal conditions etc.

Freshly made Chinese herbal tea is no doubt the strongest and the most effective way to use herbs clinically. It works much quicker and efficient. More importantly, t his method allows the practitioner maximum flexibility in writing a prescription. They can put in just what is necessary in just the right amounts. The formula can be changed frequently, if necessary.

Most of the components of Chinese herbal medicine have a very low toxicity compared to even common, over-the-counter Western drugs. When they are prescribed according to a correct TCM pattern diagnosis, they should have few, if any, side effects, only beneficial healing results. From TCM standpoint, an herb is prescribed only when certain clinical symptoms have manifested. Any unnecessary use or abuse of Chinese herbs can lead to significant consequences.

In acute conditions, results may occur in a matter of minutes. In chronic conditions, some results should be seen within two weeks. Although chronic conditions may require taking Chinese herbal medicine for a long time, signs that the medicine is working should be apparent to the patient and practitioner alike almost from the very start. Read about our Traditional Chinese Medicine results.

Western folk herbalism primarily treats diseases or symptoms, such as headaches, runny nose, menstrual pain, etc. Chinese herbal medicine, when practiced as a part of TCM, is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis. Your pattern is made up of your signs and symptoms, your emotional temperament and the overall composition of your body. The TCM patient receives a custom written herbal prescription designed to treat their individual pattern as well as the symptom or disease. The formula is crafted to treat your entire pattern as well as the symptoms or disease that prompted you to seek treatment. TCM formulas may include six to eighteen herbs to treat the symptoms or dis ease as well as your entire pattern

Although Chinese herbal medicines are safe when prescribed by a trained, knowledgeable practitioner, they are strong medicine. Patients should ask about where the practitioner trained, how long the training was, how long he or she has been in practice, and what experience the practitioner has had in treating the patient’s specific ailment.

Yes, Chinese herbal medicine works as well for Westerners as it does for Chinese. Chinese herbal medicine has been used successfully in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and all throughout Asia.