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San Diego Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is one of the main treatment methods within traditional Chinese medicine. Its written history stretches back more than 2,500 years and its practice is far older than that. Although Acupuncture was the first Chinese modality to gain wide acceptance in the West, Chinese herbal medicine is quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies in the West.
How are Chinese herbs prescribed?
Taking a Chinese herbal prescription isn't being given a certain herb to treat a certain symptom, like a headache. Chinese herbal medicine, when properly practiced, takes into account the whole patient, looking not just at their symptoms and disease, but at their individual constitution, emotional temperment, and dietary habits. A properly crafted regiment of herbs is therefore unique to each patient and targted to treat them specificially. A formula consists of as few as 2 herbs up to 18 or more, each picked to address the main symptoms as well as their base pattern. If the individual's pattern or manifestation of disease is not taken into account when prescribing herbs, the disease process will either not improve or it may get worse. The effects of herbs are extremely powerful and should not be underestimated. These are safe and side effect free substances, when used and prescribed appropriately.
Are all the "herbs" vegetable in origin?
While the majority of the herbs used in the Chinese herbal medicineare the leaves, stems, flowers, roots, bark, and rhizomes of plants, the materia medica uses ingredients from all three kingdoms: vegetable, animal, and mineral.
How are the herbs taken?
The traditional way was to brew a decoction by boiling raw herbs for 30 to an hour, strained, and drunk 2-3 times a day. At NCIAC, we mainly use highly concentrated powdered extracts of herbs, manufactured under strict GMP standards. With these extracts, we can fully customise a patients formula to deliver a concentrated, precise, easily digestible dose of herbal medicine. Just mix the prescribed dose of powder into warm water, mix, and drink. We also use combinations of "patent" medicines, herbal pills and tinctures of concentrated medicine. Raw herbs are also used in the form of external linaments to treat dermatological, orthopedic and neuromuscular disease, such as bruising, varicose veins, broken bones, and eczema, 
What can Chinese Herbal Medicine treat?
Chinese herbal medicine treats the full range of human disease. It treats acute diseases such as intestinal flu and common cold, as well as chronic diseases, such as allergies, gynecological disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic viral diseases, chronic pain, and degenerative diseases due to aging. In particular, Chinese herbal edicine is especially good for promoting the body's own ability to heal and recuperate.
Can children take Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Yes, pediatric medicine is a speciality within Chinese medicine, with smaller doses of herbs in more easily administered forms, such as powder, pill, or liquid. Chinese herbal medicine can treat colic, fussiness from teething, earache, diarrhea, cough, fever, and insomnia in babies and children.
Can pregnant women take Chinese herbs?
Yes. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for over 2,500 years to treat disease and symptoms during pregnancy. If prescribed by a professionally trained, licensed practitioner, herbs can be taken with no harm to the fetus. Likewise, lactating mothers can also safely take Chinese herbal medicine if prescribed by a trained practitioner.
How long does it take to see results?
In acute conditions, results can be expected in a matter of minutes.  In chronic conditions, some results should be seen within two weeks. Although chronic conditions may require taking Chinese herbal medicine for along time, some signs of improvement should be apparent to the patient and practitioner as the regiment continues.
Who is qualified to prescribe Chinese herbal medicine?
In California, all acupuncturists must pass a licensing test that includes Chinese herbal medicine. Schooling for that licensing test is an intensive 4 years of study. In addition, the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has created a certification process for Chinese herbal medicine. Although Chinese herbs are safe when professionally prescribed by a trained, knowledgable practitioner, they are strong medicine nevertheless. Therefore, it is important that a practitioner be adequately schooled and experienced in their use. Our acupuncturists at NCIAC are professionally licensed by the California Acupuncture Board and NCCAOM. |
