Herbal Medicine

1. What Do Herbs Do?
Chinese herbs are prescribed to normalize imbalances in the body. Treatments are gentle and natural and therefore often require a few days to demonstrate their full effect. Studies have show Chinese herbal medicine to be very successful in treating:

• skin disorders
• gastrointestinal disorders
• gynecological disorders and infertility
• sleep disorders
• menopausal symptoms
• migraines and headaches
• chronic pain
• breathing problems
• emotional disorders
• bladder problems
• circulatory problems and many more.

Chinese herbal remedies are mainly plant based, but some preparations include minerals or animal products. We package them as a powder tea that our patients take during the day or we can put the powder into capsules.

2. Will I get better? Chinese herbal medicine has a long clinical history of treating acute and chronic conditions. It excels in treating conditions that Western medicine has difficulty in treating as well as conditions not addressed by Western medicine. Chinese herbal medicine may be used to treat delicate patients such as infants, elderly patients, and some pregnant women on a regular basis. It is necessary that the patient is compliant and is committed in taking her tea 3 times a day for optimal results.

3. Are Herbs Safe? In the hands of a well-trained herbal practitioner, Chinese herbs are effective and safe. Careful attention to dosage and combination of herbs, as well as, any known drug-herb interactions are covered in the doctor’s Chinese herbal medicine education classes. In addition, the Chinese herbal profession is working with the FDA to ensure the quality and safety of Chinese herbs imported into this country.

Herbs have a natural balancing and regulating effect on the body and are usually more gentle than pharmaceutical drugs. Side effects from herbs are possible, uncommon, and usually minor. The most common problems are gastrointestinal upset, gas, and bloating. These symptoms are usually temporary and disappear in their own. If any problem does occur call the doctor immediately and she will change the formula.

Herb-drug interactions are rare. However, in order to assist the doctor in treating you more effectively let the doctor know of any Western medications that you are taking, and inform your Western physician of the Chinese herbs that you have been prescribed.

Please feel free to call the doctor at any time if you have any questions or would like to come in to have an herbal consult.