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Frequently Asked Questions:
What are herbs?
What can herbs do for me?
Have herbs been processed before use by patients?
Are the concentrated herbs as good as the prescribed raw herbs?
Why are herbs always mixed in formula to use?
Could you offer me some precautions while I take herbs?
How are herbs taken? How can you ensure the quality of the herbs?
What are herbs?
In China, people have been using natural herbs to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions. These herbs are the basis of herbal medicine and are composed of roots, bark, flowers, seeds, fruits, leaves, and branches. It is well known that Traditional Chinese Medicine has a history of more than 3000 years. Herbal medicine along with acupuncture is one of most important parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In China, there are over 3000 different herbs that can be used for medical purposes. However, only about 300 to 500 of these herbs are commonly used. It is important to use herbs grown in their native environment to obtain optimal bioavailability. One must use the right herb from the right source to get the full benefit.
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What can herbs do for me?
Herb medicine has three main functions:
1. Treat the acute diseases and conditions such as killing bacteria or a virus.
2. Heal chronic illness, such as gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory disorders, allergies,
or immune system deficiency, by strengthening the body and helping it to recover.
3. Maintain daily life health by keeping the balance of the human body.
In general, herbs can treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Compared with chemical medicine, herbal medicine is much more gentle and safe because it is made of natural herbs. Most of herbs do not cause side effects. Even though some side effects occur among a few herbs, those side effects can be easily counteracted with other herbs. For these reasons, people turn to herbal therapy for a number of indications. More and more people rely on herbal medicine as an alternative, after chemical medicine has failed.
Chronic illness treatment - As we know, many people with chronic illness may take a number of different conventional drugs on a daily basis. Herbal medicine is a very good alternative for those who are looking for a natural alternative for the conventional western medicine. There are many very efficient herbal patent medicines and prescribed herbal formulas for the medications that are taken for pain syndromes, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, stress related syndromes, respiratory disorders, heart problems, sexual dysfunction, allergies and immune system deficiencies, as well as replacements for antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Side effect reduction - As mentioned earlier, herbs are safer and have fewer side-effects. Actually they can be taken to reduce the side effects of other medication such as antibiotics or chemotherapy. It is well known that antibiotics weaken the immune system. Herbal therapy can strengthen the system. Also, during chemotherapy, the white blood cell count drops, which causes fatigue, lack of energy and appetite. Herbal therapy has proven quite successful in relieving the side effects of chemotherapy.
For prevention - People may take herbal medicine for disease prevention. For instance, for a person suffering from frequent headaches, taking herbs to prevent the headache from ever starting is a much better option than taking a pain reliever after the fact. Among other things, herbs are also used to prevent the flu, menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome.
For health maintenance - Herbal therapy can also be used for general health maintenance. Tonic herbs are used to increase energy and to slow the aging process. They are also used for enhancing sexual energy and for cosmetic purposes. Herbs are also used to treat minor symptoms that are not severe enough for heavy chemical drugs, symptoms that cannot be diagnosed by Western medicine, and symptoms and illness that are not easy to treat, such as mononucleosis and immune system deficiencies.
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Have herbs been processed before they are given to patients?
Yes, herbs have been processed before use. Why? First of all, the processing can reduce any possible side effects by detoxifying the herbs. The second reason for processing herbs is to filter out impurities such as dirt and sand. Another reason for processing is that it can soften the strong taste or smell of herbs. Finally, it is very important to mention that processing herbs can enhance their functions.
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Are the concentrated herbs as good as the prescribed raw herbs?
Yes! The concentrated herbs are made from the raw herbs. First of all, the best herbal sources are selected. Then these raw herbs are purified. After that, they are processed through steaming or cooking and finally they are condensed into fine granular particles. The resulting herbal concentrate is easily dissolved and absorbed.
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Why are herbs always mixed in formula to use?
Herbalists usually do not prescribe a just single herb for their patients. Herbs usually are used in combinations of 8 to 15 herbs. There are three major reasons to support this combination practice. Mutual reinforcement involves combining two or more very similar herbs together to create a stronger effect. Mutual assistance is the way to use one herb to help another work better. Mutual restraint means using one herb to reduce or eliminate side effects of another herb in the combination.
All of these demonstrate that a herbalist should be experienced and knowledgeable about herbs before attempting to combine them. Otherwise, Mutual inhibition occurs when one herb reduces another's effectiveness; incompatibility occurs when the combination of certain herbs produces side effects or becomes poisonous.
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Could you offer me some precautions while I take herbs?
Like anything else you put in your body, you should take a certain amount of caution when you take herbs. For instance, some herbs are too strong for pregnant women and may cause miscarriage. Certain foods can have adverse effects on the herbal therapy. In general speaking, when taking herbs, one should avoid food that is raw (fruit is okay, but vegetables should be cooked), foods that are greasy, strong tasting or smelling, difficult to digest (such as beef), or irritating to the digestive system (like spicy foods). It is always a good idea to get advice from a herbalist before you take herbs.
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How are herbs taken?
Prescribed herbal medicine is traditionally taken in tea form. The human body absorbs tea easily and quickly, so this is the most commonly used method. Sometimes, if the smell or taste of the herbal medicine is unpleasant, a capsule or tablet form of this herbal medicine is recommended. Tea should always be warm, and capsules or tablets should be swallowed with warm water. Generally, it is best to take herbs just before you serve meals. You should consult a herbalist for specific instructions on taking herbs. For example, tonic herbs to promote health are best taken before meals. Purgative herbs to cleanse the system are best taken on an empty stomach. Herbs that either irritate the stomach or are taken to protect the stomach should be taken after eating. Herbs for insomnia and other sleeping disorders should be taken at bedtime.
[top] How can you ensure the quality of the herbs?
It is very important to use herbs that have been manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility, using Good Manufacturing Practises (GMP). This ensures that herbs are free of contaminants and are processed to their maximum benefit and bioavailability. Herbs labeled cGMP (contemporary Good Manufacturing Practise) meet the rules and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Natural Health Products regulations. In our clinic, we only use the highest quality herbs available and you can be assured that they meet or surpass all specified standards. Our herbs are manufactured by experienced companies in the U.S., Canada, Taiwan and Japan. All products are tested for bacteria, pesticides and heavy metal contamination to ensure product safety. Stringent quality control procedures are in place to ensure consistent product quality. If you have questions about herbal medicine, please contact one of our qualified and experienced herbalists. [top]
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