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What
do herbs have to do with acupuncture?
Both are part of a
system of ancient medicine referred to as Traditional Chinese Medicine. (TCM).
Acupuncture initially was more accepted in the United States, but in China,
herbs are the mainstay of medical treatment. They are so much a part of the
culture that cooking incorporates some of the ingredients.
Why
should I get herbs from you?
An herbal
prescription is part of the cost of your consultation and our education. Two
years of our four year curriculum are devoted to the study of herbs.
What
forms do herbs come in?
Herbs can be given
as pills, powders, or in a raw herb form. Pills are easy to take, but several
different bottles may be prescribed. Powders are more versatile, as I compound
your prescription from single ingredients. Scoops of powder are mixed with warm
water. The single herbal extracts that are blended together to make your formula
are about five times stronger than dried raw herbs. Min Tong, the company I
order from, uses HPLC quality testing, and is GMP certified.(GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice).
What
if I already take lots of herbs and supplements?
The herbs, along
with the acupuncture points, are designed to support a specific set of
formulated principles. Therefore, although the supplements you take may be
helpful, I ask that you give our herbs a chance to support the acupuncture.
Will
the herbs interfere with my medication?
The herbs work by
influencing systems as a whole, not by targeting an organ through a specific
mechanism of action, the way pharmaceutical do. Additionally, most herb
prescriptions consist of four to twelve herbs, making it unlikely that any one
herb has the potential to interfere with medication. However, please do not
adjust your medication without checking with your physician, even if you feel
the herbs help.
Did
the herbs cause that?
There are many
factors that can cause the appearance of a symptom. A one-time dose of herbs is
unlikely to be the cause. However, herbs may upset the digestive system and
cause loose stools so it is advisable to cut down on alcohol and fatty foods. If
you continue to have digestive problems, your herbs can easily be
modified.
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Where Do
the Herbs Come From?
Chinese Herbal Therapy uses substances from plants, and in some
cases, animals or minerals. Although each substance has a unique combination of
attributes, substances are also classified into larger groups based on their
mode of action. The mode of action refers to their intended effect on a specific
part of the body. Herbs can have a building or dispersing effect, or a
combination of the two.
When you visit my pharmacy, you will see about 200 bottles neatly
lined up in alphabetical order, by Chinese name. Because I use powdered
extracts, the components of your formula may seem mysterious. However, many of
the most commonly used substances are plants you might be familiar with. One
plant that seems to find its way into many formulas is the root of white peony,
a lovely garden flower of cooler climates. Culinary herbs like mint, ginger,
turmeric, and cardamom are also used. Various parts of the mulberry tree, such
as leaves and twigs, have different functions, even though they are from the
same plant.
What is the process?
In Western Herbal Tradition two or three herbs might be used
together to address a problem. Because the Chinese Materia Medica is much larger
and more comprehensive than herbs used in Western Herbalism, the selection is a
process that takes much study. I begin my prescription with a base formula.
Although thousands of formulas are recorded in Traditional Chinese Medicine,
many of them contain certain key combinations of ingredients that are associated
with particular physical manifestations in the patient.
Once I've selected the base, I may eliminate one herb, or change the
commonly employed dosage, based on what I've observed in the patient. Then I add
other herbs, usually until I have a combination between 9 and 12. All that
remains is for you, the patient, to mix your formula with warm water and take it
consistently. The herbs are mild tasting, compared to raw herbal teas, and
convenient to take. If your status changes, be sure to let me know, so I can
advise you on whether to keep on with your formula. |
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