Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbs are frequently used in concert with acupuncture treatments. Alternatively, herbs may be prescribed as the sole method of treatment depending on the patients needs.

These herbs differ from western folk remedies not in the plants used but in the methods in which they are prepared and prescribed. Instead of taking one specific herb for an ailment (i.e. ginkgo to improve memory) patients are written a prescription containing a mixture of several herbs. These herbs are chosen with the patients diagnosis in mind and carefully modified to fit the individual needs of that person. Given each persons unique makeup it is not uncommon for two people with the same ailment to be taking different prescriptions.

Herbs may be administered in a raw form where they are prepared by the patient, a powdered form that can be mixed into warm water, or in a convenient pill form.

When prescribed by a trained herbalist Chinese herbs are a safe and gentle remedy for many ailments with little or no side effects.