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Results from Chinese Herbal Medicine
Does Chinese Herbal Medicine Get Results?
There would not be 1800 years of recorded Chinese Herbal Medicine practice from the world’s oldest continual civilization if they weren't doing people any good!
Herbalists Usually Recommend Either Pills or Teas
Chinese Herbal Medicine has many different modes of application: Powders, pills, salves, tinctures, tonic wines, decoctions, teas, food recipes, and more are part of its traditional clinical repertoire. In general, however, when treating internal medical conditions (meaning, not injuries, burns, or other external conditions) we herbalists recommend either pills or decoctions (the technical name for a tea that is boiled over a period of time with the herbs.)
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Both Chronic or Acute Conditions
Usually patients are required to take the medicine two or three times per day for around a week or more. Acute conditions, such as a common cold, may take only one or two days to resolve, while more acute conditions, such as insomnia, may take several months. Decoctions are prepared with the actual raw herb (the roots, berries, leaves, stems, and bat claws – just kidding! – themselves). These take preparation on the part of the patient, and can be cooked one week at a time and stored in the refrigerator. Pills are supplied as is and are obviously easier. The main clinical difference is that decoctions are almost always much stronger and can make changes in the patient more quickly, while pills are good for longer term conditions that respond well to gradual influence.
Herbs are Cheap
As far as cost, one week of herbs may run anywhere between $5 and $25. For longer term situations, we usually are looking at $10 per week or so, or $40 per month.
Chinese Herbs Can Taste Bad, Good, or Bland
Oh, and the taste thing… Chinese herbs are famous (or notorious, if you must) for their bad flavor. This is not the case with pills, which are usually coated, of course, but the tea can taste rather strong. Sometimes, however, you are a lucky patient and get a sweet formula. But remember: according to Chinese medical theory, the effect of the herbal medicine is in the flavor. Bitter for draining heat, sweet for nourishing the digestion, sour for influencing the liver, salty for stimulating the kidneys, and pungent for opening the lungs. So take your medicine with a smile; it was designed specifically for you!
Learn More
To learn a little more about Chinese Herbal Medicine, see: Treatment with Chinese Herbal Medicine.html, and Why Chinese Herbal Medicine?, or come visit me at my clinic.
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Results you can expect from Chinese Herbal Medicine
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