FAQ of Chinese Herbs

Q: What's the difference between Western herbalist and Chinese herbal medicine? *

Q: Are there any other differences? *

Q: Are all herbs vegetable in origin? *

Q: Where do the herbs come from? *

Q: Does Chinese herbal medicine have side effects? *

Q: How are Chinese herbs taken? *

Q: What's the advantage of drinking Chinese herbs in decoction? *

Q: Why do decoctions taste so bad? *

Q: When are pills and powders used? *

Q: What can I expect in a diagnostic session? *

Q: What about follow-up? *

Q: What about the costs of herbal therapy? *

Q: What if I am taking prescription drugs? *

Q: What about Chinese herbs and pregnancy? *

Q: How long does it take to see results with Chinese herbal medicine? *

Q: Should I get acupuncture along with Chinese herbs? *

Q: Why is professional training in Chinese herbal medicine important? *
 

Chinese herbal medicine is especially good for promoting the body's ability to heal and return to a state of balance. It treats acute disease, like flu and cold, as well as chronic diseases such as allergies, hormonal disorders, emotional imbalances, auto-immune and degenerative diseases. Chinese herbal medicine is increasingly being used to mitigate the effects of chemo- and radiation therapy in cancer treatments.

Q: What's the difference between Western herbalist and Chinese herbal medicine?
 

A: Western herbalist primarily treats diseases or symptoms, such as headaches, runny nose, constipation, PMS, etc. Chinese herbal medicine is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis. Your customized herbal prescription is designed to treat your symptom or disease as well as your individual pattern. The pattern is made up of your signs, symptoms, emotional temperament, and bodily constitution.

Q: Are there any other differences?
 

A: Single herbs or groups of herbs, such as you'll find in Western herbalist, are less powerful than taking a carefully designed Chinese herbal formula including from 6-18 herbs working synergistically to address your main symptoms as well as your constitution.

Q: Are all herbs vegetable in origin?
 

A: Most Chinese herbs are from vegetable sources: leaves, flowers, seeds, twigs, stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes, and barks. Chinese herbal practitioners, however, use ingredients from vegetable, animal, and mineral kingdoms.

Q: Where do the herbs come from?
 

A: Herbs from all over the world appear in the Chinese materia medica. What makes these herbs Chinese is that they are prescribed according to Chinese medical theory.

Q: Does Chinese herbal medicine have side effects?
 

A: The body more readily recognizes herbs as food, and therefore assimilates their healing substances smoothly. If you experience any discomfort while taking Chinese herbs, call your practitioner who will then modify your formula accordingly. Most of the medicinal in the Chinese materia medica have very low toxicity compared to most common, over-the-counter Western drugs. When prescribed according to a correct pattern diagnosis, there should be no side effects, only beneficial healing results. The incidences of allergic reactions to Chinese herbal formulas are very rare, even among the most sensitive.

Q: How are Chinese herbs taken?
 

A: Often the most effective way of taking Chinese herbal medicine is a decoction (soup or tea). The herbs are simmered for an hour or so and then strained and drunk 2-3 times a day. However, there are herbal pills, capsules, tinctures, and powdered or granulated extracts for those who cannot manage the decoctions.

Q: What's the advantage of drinking Chinese herbs in decoction?
 

A: This method allows maximum flexibility. A practitioner can put in the required herbs in the appropriate amounts and change it, if necessary. Also, decoctions tend to be more potent and directly assimilated than other means of administration.

Q: Why do decoctions taste so bad?
 

A: Chinese herbal teas are mainly composed of roots and barks where the strongest medicines are found. However, one usually becomes accustomed to the taste in 1-2 days. Your practitioner can offer suggestions to help with administration.

Q: When are pills and powders used?
 

A: Pills and powders are good for long-term use, as in the case of chronic disease where formulas do not need to be as potent or adjusted on a frequent basis. Pills and powders are also useful to consolidate the therapeutic results after a successful course of therapy with decoctions. Although convenience is often a determining factor, the efficaciousness of the treatment should be the foremost concern.

Q: What can I expect in a diagnostic session?
 

A: Your practitioner will read your pulses, look at your tongue, and ask you questions in order to understand and diagnose. Then she will devise a strategy and an appropriate herbal formula for you to begin your treatment.

Q: What about follow-up?
 

A: Your practitioner wants to know how the herbal medicine is affecting you. Physical or emotional changes can occur as soon as 3-5 days after beginning therapy. Whether desired results or not, these changes help your practitioner to know how to adjust the formula or what to do next. Please give periodic reports about what you notice. It may help for you to keep a log. As your condition begins to stabilize, a monthly report will be adequate.

Q: What about the costs of herbal therapy?
 

A: Over-all, herbal therapy costs a fraction of conventional drug therapy. Initially, you will pay the diagnostic office visit fee plus, if a customized herbal formula will be ordered, a deposit toward the cost of this order. At some stages of treatment, many communications can be handled by phone or mail, thus reducing office visit fees.

Q: What if I am taking prescription drugs?
 

A: Please tell your practitioner which drugs you are taking, since this may be a consideration in the design of your herbal formula. It is important that you continue taking any drugs that your physician has prescribed.

Q: What about Chinese herbs and pregnancy?
 

A: The trained herbal practitioner knows which herbs and herbal combinations are contraindicated during pregnancy. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for over 2,000 years to treat nearly any symptom occurring during pregnancy without harm to the fetus or the mother. Chinese herbal regimens are also safe and effective for resolving many types of infertility and hormonal imbalance. Lactating mothers can take Chinese herbal formulas safely when prescribed by a trained herbalist.

Q: How long does it take to see results with Chinese herbal medicine?
 

A: In chronic conditions, results may often be seen within two weeks. Long-term, chronic conditions may require a longer time; nonetheless signs that the medicine is working should be evident within a few days. Acute conditions may be expected to improve more quickly.

Q: Should I get acupuncture along with Chinese herbs?
 

A: In some cases, the combination of both will expedite healing. There are many possible combinations and approaches. You can decide in consultation with your practitioner.

Q: Why is professional training in Chinese herbal medicine important?
 

A: Chinese herbs are strong medicine, thus it is necessary that you look to a professionally trained, knowledgeable practitioner. It is potentially risky if not a waste of your money and time, to experiment with Chinese herbal formulas off-the-shelf or on the recommendation of a person who is untrained or inexperienced in the intricate craft of Chinese herbal medicine. You will save time, money, and ultimately receive greater benefit by consulting a practitioner with the appropriate training.
 

Disclaimer:

As with all physical exercises, caution must be taken before the exercise is started. You should consult your physician before starting any exercise program, including Tai Chi, Qigong. Persons with conditions such as heart disease, respiratory conditions, asthma, and other dangerous conditions should exercise extreme caution and consult with their physician before starting any exercise, including Tai Chi and Qigong Any information given on this site "www.erols.com/dantao/index.html" and all internal and related mirror links: www.usqigong.com, www.qigongtherapy.com, www.dantao.com, should be read and followed at the reader/viewer's own risk. Sat Hon and all other persons associated with the creation and maintenance of this website "www.erols.com/dantao/" and other related links by Sat Hon shall not be held liable for any damage including physical or mental damage caused by the viewing/reading of this website. All material contained within this website should be taken with extreme caution at the reader/viewer's own risk.