Information about Chinese herbology has remained intact and consistently utilized for over 3,000 years. They invented the printing press in the 400's & have been researching and cataloging herbal information since then. The herbalists were elite scholars. They could read and write. Much of the information about European traditional remedies were only known by uneducated midwives who passed knowledge down verbally, only to be killed en mass by the church. That was beneficial. NOT! So, besides thousands of years of well documented, printed clinical history, what's the big difference between herbs and western drugs? First of all, Chinese herbs are not molecularly changed or adulterated for patent or profit purposes. Because they remain in their natural molecular state, your body can easily recognized and utilize their healing properties without side effect. These herbs are from nature's intelligence. In Chinese medicine, we believe nature is smarter than man. What nature makes for us is better than what we can make for ourselves. The rebalancing, healing, restoring function inherent in nature is also inherent within us. We have yet to truly understand the long term effects of what molecular modification to our elements and to our environment is doing. But, we've endorsed it for ease and greed. BPA in plastics having an estrogen effect on us and other wildlife is a recent example. Fish genes in your strawberries. Oh, Boy! Next, Chinese Medicine has a very sophisticated method of diagnosis. You are visiting me here today because you have a problem. Your doctor has probably named your symptom for you. But, has your doctor told you WHY you have this problem? Do you know what is causing your issue? It is extremely easy to get your doctor to say "I don't know." Just ask him or her why you have a problem. It's almost funny - give it a try. Conversely, good luck trying to get an "I don't know" from your acupuncturist. "I don't know" really isn't an option. Every disease has a cause. We'll be happy to tell you how you got your problem. We'll also be happy to tell you how to get rid of your problem and improve your health and well being. Because of this ability, there is no guess work in Chinese medicine. Chinese herbs are NOT given for symptoms. Chinese herbs are prescribed to heal the underlying problem causing the unwanted symptoms of illness - unlike medications and western herbs which are only given to relieve or arbitrarily stop symptoms. This difference accounts for the amazing success, effectiveness and lack of side effects when taking Chinese herbs correctly under the supervision of licensed acupuncture physicians. For example, if you have the symptom of anxiety, most likely you and everyone else with the same symptom of anxiety will be prescribed the same drug to stop your body from producing anxiety like symptoms. You will be diagnosed with "anxiety" although you will not know why you have it, nor will your doctor be able to tell you why you have it. If you stop taking the drug, the symptom of anxiety returns. Since the drug for anxiety, just like the drug for pain relief, or the anti-inflammatory, or the anti-hypertensive only works to stop the symptom, doing nothing to cure the underlying problem that was causing the symptom, you must take the drug forever or just suffer. They gotcha! On the other hand, if you go to a Chinese herbalist for help with your symptom of anxiety, before you can be prescribed anything, the physician must first determine WHAT is CAUSING your symptom of anxiety. In Chinese medicine, you can feel anxiety for a variety of reasons.
The herbs you would take for anxiety would be different depending on which of those factors are causing it. So, no two anxiety patients would receive the same prescription herb. We are all individuals; unique and different in our own special ways. For this reason, Chinese herbs are only supposed to be available by prescription from a licensed acupuncturist or Chinese herbalist. However, many diet and vitamin companies take advantage of lax regulation of herbs and have made them available without prescription. It is very unwise to take Chinese herbs without knowing your CHINESE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS first. If taking the wrong thing, which can easily happen if you are taking herbs based on a symptom, you can make yourself sicker. I've seen many cases where people have messed themselves up with herbs they got online or at health food stores and not even known that it was the herbs that harmed them. They can be dangerous when mixed with prescription drugs and should be taken with caution and respect. Herbs are not always appropriate. Sometimes, it's just best to change your diet or only do acupuncture. Chinese diagnosis speaks in terms of functioning of the internal organs and whether there is deficiency or stagnation. (For example: Liver Qi Stagnation or Kidney Yin Deficiency.) You must know which internal organ is causing your problems and how - before you take Chinese herbs. It is best to consult a qualified practitioner. Most importantly, because the Chinese herbs are working to change the way your body functions - you only take herbs for short periods of time, until your functions improve. Then you STOP taking the herbs, because you are better. (getting better- another novel Chinese medicine concept!!) I offer several different forms of herbs depending on what best suits your lifestyle and health goals. We have a full line of herbal teapills and capsules, the easiest way to take Chinese herbs. Additionally, for our OB/GYN patients, we offer raw herbs that are boiled into a tea for drinking and extract formulas which are put in to hot water and taken like a tea. This method allows for individual customization and rapid delivery which is necessary in pregnancy and/or some fertility treatment protocols. Most of the bottled herbal formulas I prescribe are American manufactured for your peace of mind. The raw herbs are non-sulfured, organic and 1st grade where available. Please Note: Patients of JCRM, FIRM and Dr. Brown areNOT given herbal therapy while undergoing IVF cycles out ofrespect for their doctor's wishes. |
 |
|||||||
 
CategoriesAcupuncture InfoBloglets Personal Notes Qigong Class Notes Questions from the Clinic |
|
 |
|||||
    |
|||||||
