Medicinal Herbs
One of the first ancient Chinese herbal medicine books goes back all the way to the III century BC and ever since the knowledge these herbs has been continually developed due to the changing nature of clinical conditions. It is still used in China as a major healthcare system, alongside the modern western medicine.
The basic principle of herbal medicine is the use of plants or their extracts to treat all kinds of diseases and promote restoration mechanism of the body to naturally heal and protect. The Chinese herbal medicine shares the same fundamental theory principles as the acupuncture, thus they are frequently combined to achieve greater effects.
The Chinese herbal medicine is commonly used to treat following illnesses:
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Skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea,
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Gastro-intestinal disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis,
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Gynaecological conditions, such as pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility, pre- and post-natal support,
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Tiredness and chronic fatigue syndrome,
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Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitits, chronic coughs, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis,
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Rheumatological conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis,
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Urinary conditions,
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Psychological illnesses, like depression, anxiety.
Many of the above mentioned conditions, especially in the chronic form, pose a great deal of challenge to the conventional medicine, whereas it presents with the alternative solution in form of Chinese herbal medicine that can provide a solution to those concerns.
More detailed information will be provided during the initial consultation where uniquely tailored treatment plan and herbal formula will be developed and collected at later time. Afterwards, during the follow up sessions, the herbal prescription will be adjusted to better balance the ingredients, which enables to further enhance the effects of herbs towards each individual's presentation of an illness.
The frequency on follow ups will be more in the beginning and longer breaks at later stages, which is all dependent on the severity of condition. Chinese herbs are considered to be very safe if it is prescribed correctly by a properly trained practitioner, however since those herbs are of medical degree quality and they have strong action on the body, it is of great importance that your herbalist monitors your progress when taking herbs to ensure the formula gives the most optimal effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who medicinal herbs are for?
These herbs are suitable to all people of any age and constitution. During the consultation, the full history of current and previous illnesses and medications will be taken into considerations before making prescription with appropriate modifications for dosage. Thus, children, elderly and pregnant women can be treated by herbs.
What are herbs like?
There are many variations available, but two most common are in a form of dried herbs and granulated powder. The first one requires a cooking process in a form of decoction, whereas the latter one is made by mixing with hot water only. The herbs will be quite unusual to palate and often they might come across as bitter, but majority of people quickly get used to its taste.
Are Chinese herbs safe?
Similarly to most medicine, it is considered to be safe if it is prescribed by a properly trained practitioner. Adverse reactions can occur with any form of medicine if it is prescribed incorrectly, which emphasises the importance of discussing your medical history thoroughly. However those cases are quite rare and even if it occurs, in most cases it disappears immediately after changing dosage or pausing the herb intake.
How much do herbs cost?
There is generally a fixed price per week for both:
Dry herbs - 30£
Granulated powder - 25£
These are herbs of medical degree that regularly go though strict tests and quality controls to ensure both safety and potency of the herbs.
Are there any endangered species in formula?
It is of paramount concern to me and my governing body that we not threat and harm wild animals and plants, due to growth of demand for Chinese medicine. In my practice, I primarily focus on the use of plant based medicinal ingredients that are naturally cultivated and not endangered.