Herbal Medicine
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In China, herbal medicine is considered the main modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and acupuncture is more of an adjunct therapy. In the United States, we have been quicker to embrace acupuncture than the herbs, but herbs can be a very effective modality for improving your health.
If indicated, I can prescribe you an Chinese herbal formula made individually for you. This formula will match your Chinese diagnosis, your constitution (the particular ways your body tends to go off-balance according to Chinese medicine), and is modified for your particular symptoms. |
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I am one of a very few acupuncturists in the Pioneer Valley who has a bulk herbal pharmacy. There are three choices of how you ingest your herbal formula. Raw/Bulk: You will be given a bag filled with up to 14 different herbs—a combination of leaves, roots, seeds, and/or barks of medicinal plants. I will give you instructions for boiling the herbs into a tea at home. The tea-brewing process takes about an hour and 30 minutes. You will end up with a jar of tea that you will divide into does and take twice a day. Each batch of herbs lasts for one week. |
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Powdered Extract: Easier and less time-consuming than boiling raw herbs. You will dissolve the powder into hot water, and drink as a tea twice a day. Pills & Tinctures: Although I can’t individualize these formulas, I can often find a good match for you. |
Safety of Chinese Herbs
I buy my herbs from reputable manufacturers and distributors who have rigorous testing standards for pesticides, chemicals, and heavy metals. My raw herbs come from Spring Wind, and the powdered extracts come from KPC Herbs. I use pills and tinctures that are manufactured by US companies.
Interactions with Western Medicines
Many people have concerns about interactions between Western medications and Chinese herbs. Although these are rare, it is important to take the possibility seriously. The amount of research and reference materials about interactions are growing daily. I have studied herb/drug interactions, and
I consult with databases such as the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and experts such as Dr. Greg Sperber, author of Integrative Pharmacology.
The majority of Chinese herbs are non-toxic, and thanks to the centuries-old formulas, there is a large body of knowledge about which herbs work together, and which combinations are contraindicated. In China, herbal remedies have commonly been used in tandem with Western medications for decades, with very few incidences of safety issues. Several articles on herb safety and drug interactions are available at www.itmonline.org.
I buy my herbs from reputable manufacturers and distributors who have rigorous testing standards for pesticides, chemicals, and heavy metals. My raw herbs come from Spring Wind, and the powdered extracts come from KPC Herbs. I use pills and tinctures that are manufactured by US companies.
Interactions with Western Medicines
Many people have concerns about interactions between Western medications and Chinese herbs. Although these are rare, it is important to take the possibility seriously. The amount of research and reference materials about interactions are growing daily. I have studied herb/drug interactions, and
I consult with databases such as the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, and experts such as Dr. Greg Sperber, author of Integrative Pharmacology.
The majority of Chinese herbs are non-toxic, and thanks to the centuries-old formulas, there is a large body of knowledge about which herbs work together, and which combinations are contraindicated. In China, herbal remedies have commonly been used in tandem with Western medications for decades, with very few incidences of safety issues. Several articles on herb safety and drug interactions are available at www.itmonline.org.
