Questions Regarding Chinese Herbal Therapy

Q: What’s the difference between Western Herbalists and Chinese Herbal Medicine?

A: Western Herbalists primarily treat disease or symptoms, such as headaches, runny nose, constipation, PMS, etc.  Chinese Herbal Medicine is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis.  Your customized herbal prescription is designed to treat your symptom or disease as well as your individual pattern.  The pattern is made up of your signs, symptoms, emotional temperament and bodily constitution.

Q: Are there any other differences?

A: Single herbs or groups of herbs, such as you will find in Western Herbology are less powerful than taking a carefully designed Chinese herbal formula, including from 6 to 18 herbs working synergistically to address your main symptoms as well as your constitution.

Q: Where do the herbs come from?

A: Herbs from all over the world appear in the Chinese Materia Medica.  What makes these herbs “Chinese” is that they are prescribed according to Chinese medical theory.

Q: Are all herbs vegetable in origin?

A: Most Chinese herbs are from vegetable sources: leaves, flowers, seeds, twigs, stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes and barks.  Chinese herbal practitioners, however, use ingredients from the vegetable, animal and mineral kingdoms.

Q: Does Chinese Herbal Medicine have side effects?

A: The body more readily recognizes herbs as foods, and therefore assimilates their healing substances smoothly.  If you experience any discomfort while taking Chinese herbs, call your practitioner who will then modify your formula accordingly.  Most of the medicinal herbs in the Chinese Meteria Medica have very low toxicity compared to most common over the counter Western drugs. When prescribed according to a correct pattern diagnosis, there should be no side effects, only beneficial healing results. The incidences of allergic reaction to Chinese herbal formulas are very rare, even among the most sensitive.

Q: What about the cost of herbal therapy?

A: Overall, herbal therapy costs a fraction of conventional drug therapy.  Initially, you will pay the diagnostic office visit fee plus, if a customized herbal formula is ordered, a deposit toward the cost of this order.  At some stages of treatment, many communications can be handled by phone or e-mail, reducing office visit fees.

Q: What if I am taking prescription drugs?

A:  Please tell your practitioner which drugs you are taking, since this may be a consideration in the design of your herbal formula.  It is important that you continue to take any drugs that your physician has prescribed.

Q: What about Chinese herbs and pregnancy?

A: The trained herbal practitioner knows which herbs and herbal combinations are contraindicated during pregnancy.  Chinese herbal medicine has been used for over 2000 years to treat nearly any symptom occurring during pregnancy without harm to the fetus or the mother.  Chinese herbal regimens are also safe and effective resolving many types of infertility and hormonal imbalances.  Lactating mothers can take Chinese herbal formulas safely when prescribed by a trained herbalist.

Q: How long does it take to see results with Chinese herbal medicine?

A: In chronic conditions, results may often be seen within two weeks.  Long-term, chronic conditions may require a longer time; nonetheless signs that the medicine is working should be evident within a few days.  Acute conditions may be expected to improve more quickly.

Q: Should I get acupuncture along with Chinese herbs?

A:  In some cases, the combination of both will expedite healing. There are many possible combinations and approaches.  You can decide in consultations with your practitioner.

Q: Why is professional training in Chinese herbal medicine important?

A:  Chinese herbs are strong medicine, thus it is necessary that you  look to a professionally trained, knowledgeable practitioner.  It is potentially risky, if not a waste of your money and time, to experiment with Chinese herbal formulas off the shelf or on the recommendation of a person who is untrained and inexperienced in the intricate craft of Chinese herbal medicine.  You will save time, money and ultimately receive greater benefit by consulting a practitioner with the appropriate training.