Chinese Herbal Medicine

Like acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine is a powerful healing system. But unlike acupuncture, it remains little known in the US. 

This practice uses combinations of herbs, or herbal formulas, to balance the body and bring about greater health and vitality. 

The oldest Chinese text categorizing medicinal substances, the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, was written in the 3rd century CE. And the practice has continued, constantly evolving but with the same theoretical basis, ever since. Hundreds of different substances and thousands of different formulas are commonly used. These can address everything you might bring to your acupuncturist or PCP: skin conditions, headaches, chronic pain, menstrual irregularities, digestive distress, stress and anxiety, colds and flus, and more. 

An important thing to know about Chinese herbal medicine is that it’s not only, or even primarily, symptom-based. We do manage symptoms that impair quality of life. But we also use a holistic understanding of the body to treat the root causes of imbalance. Having headaches? Tight muscles? Trouble sleeping? If those things all arise from the same place—say, chronic stress resulting in Liver qi stagnation—then treating the deep pattern of imbalance will ease all symptoms concurrently. 

Central to this practice is the idea that each person is unique. We don't treat a set of problems, we treat you. That means spending time, listening deeply, and addressing the workings of your mind, body, and spirit in the present moment. 

When meeting with one of our herbalists, you may be prescribed a classic formula. These are the “greatest hits” of Chinese medicine because they’ve been proven effective in treating disorders time and time again. Or your herbalist might prescribe a one-of-a-kind custom formula. It all depends on what you need and what will make you feel healthy as soon as possible. 

In China, herbs (and other things, like diet!) are considered just as important to healthy living as acupuncture. It will be a happy day in the States when more people take advantage of the powerful healing modality that is herbal medicine!