About Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is part of an integrated primary health care system, known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has an uninterrupted history of development, dating back thousands of years in China, where herbs are considered fundamental therapy for many acute and chronic conditions.

What Conditions are Best Treated with Chinese Herbal Therapy?

In addition to providing effective treatment for a wide range of health disorders, Chinese herbal medicine may also be used to assist with general health maintenance and disease prevention. Like acupuncture, Chinese herbs can address unhealthy body patterns that manifest in various symptoms and complaints. Chinese herbal therapy aims to help you regain homeostasis, or balance, in your body and strengthen your body’s resistance to disease. 

Chinese herbs can be used for:

• sleep-related issues and fatigue
• loss of appetite and common digestive disorders
• constipation and diarrhea
• irritable bowel syndrome
• common cold and influenza
• chronic headaches
• skin disorders
• fluid retention
• depression and stress
• allergies
• premenstrual syndrome and painful menstruation
• excessive menstruation
• infertility
• impotence and prostate disorders
• disorders associated with menopause

Treatment Plan

Chinese herbal medicines are prescribed either singly or made into formulae. It takes into account each therapeutic herb action and the effects when combined. A well-constructed formula maximizes the effectiveness of treating a particular condition. No two treatment plans are alike, and each patient should expect a program tailored to his/her specific symptoms.

What Substances Used in Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Today Chinese Herbal Medicine contains more than 450 substances - most are of plant origin though some animal and mineral substances may also be present. You may find some in your kitchen, such as ginger, garlic, and cinnamon, while others such as chrysanthemum and peony flowers are more likely to be found in your garden! Most of our treatment methods utilize synergistic healing, where a combination of spices or herbs is used to treat some conditions.

Chinese herbal medicine takes a holistic approach to understand the normal function and disease processes and focuses on preventing illness.

Most diseases or illnesses present with a core set of recognizable signs and symptoms, but the actual presentation of a particular disease or illness will vary from person to person. For this reason, people with similar health conditions may be treated with quite different Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions.

A qualified practitioner can prescribe a Chinese herbal formula that precisely matches and treats your health problem. As your condition changes and improves with treatment, Chinese herbal medicine is also adjusted and modified until the desired health outcome is achieved.