Herbal Medicine

   Herbs…..
• Promote the body's own healing ability
• Address the root cause of illness
• Enhance immune function and promote well-being
• Replenish depleted reserves
• Rejuvenate and provide nourishment at deep levels

Herbal medicine is both a science and an art. It can be practiced as folk medicine by combining flowers and herbs for health-imparting teas. As practitioners of Chinese Medicine, we are trained in a wide application of herbs, from simple teas to medicinal decoctions.

To withstand the stresses of life, the best medicine we can provide ourselves with is a good foundation of health to keep our immune system functioning at peak levels. Feeling our best allows us to offer our creative expression and to enjoy our daily lives.

When we do become ill, herbs help to restore the strength and vitality of the body. Herbs work at a deep level, providing raw materials, nutrients, chemical messages, and energetics to induce healing from the cellular level up.

What is unique about Chinese herbal medicine?
Traditional Chinese medicine offers an advanced system of time-tested herbal medicine with thousands of years of clinical experience and unsurpassed success. Most often, herbs that nourish and strengthen the body are combined with herbs to address the specific disharmony. This is based on ancient wisdom, that a strong, healthy body is resilient; able to resist most disease or pathogens. Thus, it is said that Chinese herbal medicine treats both the Root (Ben) of the disease as well as its manifestations (Branch or Biao) This is imperative for effective, lasting results.

How are the herbs used and in what form?
Herbs are used both as foods and as medicines. Traditionally, herbs were cooked into concentrated teas, known as decoctions. They were also made into powders and rolled with honey to make herbal pills. Liquid herbal extracts, or tinctures are useful as well. Today, there is a wide variety of herbal tablets, capsules, powders and other Chinese herbal preparations made here in America.
Herbal powders or tablets are most commonly used, depending on the person’s needs and preferences.

How are herbs chosen?
Herbs are chosen based on a person's constitutinal type and their present needs. Formulas are changed over time to assist the healing process. In Chinese medicine, herbs are also classified energetically. Their effects have been studied over thousands of years. Certain herbs are hot, cold, warm or cooling. Their effect is determined as drying, moistening, astringing or calming to name a few. The herbs are also classified into major groups of activity, such as “Clear Heat”, “Nourish Qi”, "Harmonize", “Calm Shen” or “Invigorate Blood”.

The herbalist matches herbs with the individual, blending herbs to make formulations, which will change over time according to the individual’s progress.