Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is
much more extensive than we are used to in the west. It uses more than 500 herbs, minerals,
insects, and animal parts (such as bones, shells, antlers) which are commonly
combined in formulas of 3 to 15 herbs. Seldom is a single herb used alone. In tonic formulas, the combination of herbs
works together to balance and restore specific aspects of the body, such as
nourishing blood, calming the spirit, or boosting qi. In the case of disease, a formula might be chosen
to expel “evils”. Evils in Chinese
Medicine are things such as heat (as in a fever, rash, hemorrhoids, or
infection), cold (as in chills or pain which is worse with cold), and dampness
(including swelling, edema, obesity, and pain with is worse in damp weather). Many useful standard formulas are available,
or I can customize a formula for a particular patient. A complete health and medication history is
required to safely recommend an herbal formula.
Formulas are available as:
·
Pills of standard
formulas - often most convenient to use.
·
Powders or granules
to be mixed with hot water - can be prepared by the clinician to provide
customized formulas.
·
Dried bulk herbs
which would be cooked and decocted into medicinal teas - the most potent form and
are always individually prepared.
Because herbs are more like
foods than they are like drugs, it may seem like a lot of pills or teas are
required to achieve the desired result.
Herbs are a vital part of effective treatment for skin disorders, qi
vacuity (fatigue and lack of energy), and blood vacuity (dry skin, brittle hair
and nails). Herbs are very helpful for
anxiety, insomnia, and dream disturbed sleep.
Quality of Herbs
There has been valid
concern about contamination of heavy metals and pesticides in Chinese herbs in
recent years. The herb suppliers selected
for use at Peacock Acupuncture test their products in US laboratories and
follow GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) to assure the authenticity and purity
of the herbs and herbal products. The following links will take you to the
quality assurance information for our primary herb suppliers.
http://www.kanherb.com/cons_ca_main.asp
http://www.nuherbs.com/quality
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/crudeherbs.htm