Chinese Herbal Medicine

Why Use Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Effective
Chinese herbal medicine offers safe, effective therapy for a wide variety of ailments. A few examples include pain relief, colds and flu, digestive problems, asthma, migraines, hypertension, fatigue, skin diseases, PMS, anxiety.

Herbal medicine should always be prescribed by a qualified practitioner who can create a formula to meet the needs of the individual patient. The use of over-the-counter formulas is not recommended without consulting a professional.

In Chinese herbal medicine, herbs are combined in synergistic formulas that balance and enhance the healing properties of all of the herbs. The art of combining herbs and creating formulas has been developed over millennia, and requires years of study to master. This complex theoretical system of diagnosis and prescription is what makes Chinese herbal medicine so powerful. It is arguably the most advanced and ancient system of herbalism in the world.

Safe
Chinese herbal formulas are designed on the principles of balancing and harmonizing the properties of the ingredients. As a result, they generally have a very wide therapeutic window of safety, and rarely have negative side effects if properly prescribed. By contrast, Western pharmaceuticals which target a single symptom are very powerful but often have side effects, because they are not designed to take into account the effects on the whole person. For example, herbs with antibiotic and anti-viral effects provide a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals for treating bronchitis, sinus infections, urinary tract infections, etc., and help reduce the unnecessary over-use of antibiotics.

Herbal formulas sometimes work more slowly than a corresponding Western pharmaceutical, but with fewer negative effects in the long run. A good example is herbs that help lower cholesterol. While several months may be needed, good results can be achieved over time.

Natural
The Chinese materia medica includes thousands of products derived from plants, animals and minerals. While some herbs may seem rare and esoteric, like cordyceps or ginseng, others can be found in an ordinary kitchen. Peppermint, ginger, and garlic are good examples of common herbs with important medicinal properties. Foods are also a form of medicine, and Chinese herbology includes a complex system of culinary prescription.

Human beings co-evolved with the plants and animals we eat. Our bodies are designed to thrive on whole foods, not refined chemicals in pills. Herbal formulas are much closer to the whole foods we are meant to digest.

Why use Herbs with Acupuncture?
At Inner Works, I usually prefer to initiate treatment solely with Five Element acupuncture, and introduce herbs later in the treatment plan. Acupuncture unlocks the healing power of the client’s own energy, and sometimes that alone is enough. There are some circumstances, however, when a faster and more effective result can be achieved by introducing herbs right away. For example, treatment of uterine fibroids or cysts usually requires the use of herbs along with acupuncture to achieve the best results.

How Are Herbs Administered?
At Inner Works, most herbal formulas are available in a powdered or granulated form. The powder has been processed but still contains the full spectrum of the crude herbs. The powder can easily be taken by mixing it with water. Some formulas are also available as capsules or tablets, which can be swallowed. Rarely, an herbal formula must be prescribed in its crude form, and the raw, dried herbs are boiled to create a liquid decoction.