To schedule an herbal consultation without acupuncture, call me at 541.680.5660 or schedule online. It's important to meet in person before prescribing herbs. Herbs are usually prescribed within traditional formulas, which are often modified or custom made to account for your constitution and accompanying symptoms, including an analysis of your tongue and pulse.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
A woman weighs and dispenses Chinese herbs at Qin Huai Hospital in Nanjing, China.
Traditional Chinese Medicine boasts the most sophisticated system of herbal medicine in the world, with a long history of scholarly commentary and clinical innovation. The thousands of substances within the Chinese Materia Medica are organized in various categories according to their primary functions. These herbs are the building blocks of a huge number of carefully composed traditional formulas, which can be modified to better fit individual patients and presentations. This attention to synergy and customization are the unique strengths of Chinese herbalism.
Chinese herbs can be taken in various forms. Traditionally, the substances are soaked in water, boiled, simmered, and strained to form a strong tea or light soup. This is called a decoction, which involves cooking the bulk herbs. The herbs can also be pre-cooked and preserved in granulated form. This way the preparation just involves adding hot water. Herbal formulas are also available in pill form, though this limits the practitioners ability to modify and customize the chosen formula.
Competently practiced Chinese herbalism is a safe and effective modality. While herbs are generally less harsh and more "natural" than pharmaceutical drugs, herbs are powerful substances that can have side effects. Patients wanting herbs should also bring an accurate list of current medications.
Holding the Chinese herb Bai Shao Yao, or white peony root, newly harvested outside of Bozhou, China.
Chinese herbs in granule form, constituting powders that can be mixed in hot water and taken as a tea.
Contact
LOCATION
Milwaukie Acupuncture is located in downtown Milwaukie at 2305 SE Washington Street, Suite 110.