Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are complimentary therapeutic modalities. They are often used together to treat a variety of medical conditions.
Over the past 3,000 years, Chinese herbology has evolved into an art form of its own. Ancient herbal information was gathered, compiled, formulated and tested. Effective herbal formulas were then handed down from generation to generation. Today, practitioners of Chinese medicine continue to prescribe these same herbal formulas because they have been proven to be effective continue to work well.
A practitioner who makes use of herbs is familiar with most of the 1,800 herbs in the Chinese pharmacopeia. All of these herbs are classified according to their energetic qualities, functions, and the different organs, meridians, and disharmonies for which they address.
Individual herbs are combined in order to enhance their therapeutic actions and effects upon the body. When herbs are combined, a unique and synergistic formula is created. This formula is frequently greater than the sum of the parts, thus maximizing the benefits of particular herbs, while minimizing any potential side effects.
In order to create the most effective formula the herbs, are used in different quantities and for different purposes. This allows the herbalist to create a formula aimed at addressing individual needs.
The composition of an herbal formulas can be in different forms. Our clinic uses mainly prepared herbs in pill form, due to simplicity, taste, ease of use and patient compliance. Other forms of formulas may include: tinctures, powders, plasters, linaments and raw herbs boiled into a tea.
