What is Chinese Herbology?

Chinese herbal medicine uses plants (such as peony, rhubarb, licorice), minerals (such as talc), or animals (such as deer and pig). Chinese medicine teaches that each herb has its own nature (hot, warm, cool, cold, neutral) and flavor (pungent, sweet, bitter, sour, salty). It is this nature and flavor that imparts the herb with its healing ability (interior-warming, qi-regulating, heat-clearing, etc.).

Ingredients are combined into custom formulas, which are tailored to each patient's individual needs based on there constitution and imbalances. In order to safely and effectively administer herbal substances, it is important that we first take a complete history and form an understanding of the condition based on the theories of Chinese medicine. Herbals can also be used to enhance the effect of acupuncture treatment, as both forms of therapy work to regulate the body.

Traditionally, formulas are often taken as a decoction, which is a type of herbal soup which is cooked over a period of a few hours. This method of administration is time consuming and difficult for many patients. Therefore, we provide the custom herbal formulas as granules, which can quickly and easily be dissolved in warm water. We also offer some of the more common herbal formulas in pill form, which many people find to be even more convenient. One drawback of the pills, however, is that we can not customize the formulas for each patient's unique condition and needs.

Custom herbal formula for one week is $25. The herbal consultation is an extra $20. The herbal consultation fee is waived for acupuncture patients.