Chinese herbal medicine is one of the pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It not only utilizes plant based herbs, but also minerals and animals extracts. Chinese herbs have been used for millenia, with documentation dating as far back as 200 BCE. Its history is rooted in trial and error by individuals trying various herbs and documenting their properties and effects. Over time, through the use of these “human guinea pigs”, their clinical effects and indications were well documented. Today, over 3000 Chinese herbs have been categorized and used for their clinical benefit. While 300 of these herbs are more commonly used.
Chinese herbs are rarely prescribed as an individual herb. Unlike modern medicine, where medication is usually taken as “one drug for one symptom”, Chinese herbs are almost always prescribed as a formula which addresses the underlying condition. Formulae are always custom tailored to the individual and are meant to target the weakened or malfunction system, which is causing the symptoms to present themselves. Formulae usually consist of 4 to 20 different herbs. Typically 1 or 2 of the herbs have the greatest clinical effect, and the other herbs are chosen to assist the main herbs in their function, remedy other issues present in the patient, and help guide the herbs to the necessary location.
Historically, Chinese herbs are prescribed in raw form. The patient is then given instructions on how to decoct the herbs and drink them. However, this process is both time consuming and messy. The herbs prescribed at the clinic are all in granular form, so it is only a simple matter of diluting powdered decoction in warm water to drink. The herbs provided at the clinic are from Evergreen Herbs, which has proven to be one of the safest and most effective herb manufacturers. While the taste is not always pleasant, the effects are time-proven,
