Herbal Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal therapy have their origin in ancient Taoist philosophy which views a person as an energy system consisting of three layers, namely mind, body, and spirit.
In Chinese culture, this is often referred to as heaven, man, and earth. Unlike conventional medicine which sees a symptom and prescribes a particular drug to relieve that symptom, Chinese herbal medicine seeks to understand how the symptom is merely a reflection of the larger picture. By balancing the entire organism, the root of the dysfunction is tackled and the symptom disappears naturally.
Many people have found Traditional Chinese Medicine and its healing modalities to be excellent tools for maintaining optimum health and preventing illness. It is effective for physical, psychological and emotional problems.
Herbal medicine is most often taken in capsule, topical, or granule form (dissolves in hot water to form an herbal tea)
FAQ’s
How do herbs work?
Each herb has been meticulously studied and recorded for its flavour, therapeutic properties, and dosage requirements. Over the course of thousands of years, these herbs have been combined together by Chinese medical doctors to create formulas in which they treat almost every affliction known to man.
Most often, formulas are ingested and enter the bloodstream via the digestive system. Each formula has a specific action on the body, ranging from nourishing blood and helping hair growth to opening the pathways of elimination. Literally every symptom experienced by the human body has an herb that can treat it! Based on what symptoms the patient is experiencing, a picture is painted of the overall imbalance which can then be rectified with the proper selection of herbs.
Why should I try herbal medicine?
The hallmark of Chinese herbal medicine lies in its ability to truly customize for each individual. Formulas (combinations of single herbs) are chosen specifically to match a patients chief complaints, but because individual herbs can be added or removed, the resulting formulation can also address the intricacies of each patient.
Are there any side effects?
One of the great advantages of Chinese medicine is the absence of serious side effects. On the rare occasion where there may be some mild digestive upset or difficulty with the taste of the herbs, we advise patients to take their herbs after meals or at a reduced dosage. Herbs are available in pill formats for those who have difficulty with the taste. Most conditions do very well with the use of regular herbal prescriptions and taking them regularly is important for a speedier recovery.
What does an herbal consult look like?
A typical herbal consultation will consist of a pulse reading, a tongue examination, and an in-depth discussion with the patient. This will include the specifics of the disease including duration, severity, time of day, what relieves/worsens the symptoms, as well as general information such as the patient’s genetic predispositions. I will then prescribe a formula based on all the above information.
What happens after the consultation?
After the consultation, herbs are prescribed specifically to address not only the present symptoms, but the underlying mechanism of disease. Each patients underlying constitution and hereditary predispositions are also taken into account. The custom herbal formula is then usually sent through the mail. You don’t even need to leave your doorstep!
How long do I take herbs for?
This depends on the nature of the illness. As a general rule, the more acute the symptoms, the faster the healing time. The more chronic an issue, the longer it will take to resolve.
How do I get started?
The first step is to schedule an initial 20 minute consultation. This session is free, no strings attached. During this consultation we will briefly discuss what ails you as well as what I feel is the best course of treatment. The goal of this conversation is to verify that we are a good fit. In the case that we are not, I will do my best to put you in touch with someone I believe can help your situation. Please click below to get started.