Traditional Herbal therapies has been championed by China and other Eastern countries for centuries. As Western medicine looks for more natural solutions with fewer side effects, herbal solutions is gaining a foothold in the treatment of several common health needs. I invite you to read on for advice from the Cleveland Clinic and learn what recent research has to say about herbalism.
Galina Roofener, the Lac of the Cleveland Clinic, said that you should consider Chinese herbal medicine like medicines on prescription leaflet; therefore it is necessary to consult a qualified practitioner before taking any medicine.
Professional acupuncturists will make a complete health analysis of you prior to any examination to get an insight about your health concerns, suitable herbs, and best traditional acupuncture treatments for you.
According to Roofener, another distinguishing aspect between modern medicine and TCM is that Chinese herbalists work not only to address symptoms but also treat whole body, including the root of cause of symptoms. Acupuncturists are firm believer of “Qi” flow of energy within the body. When something unusual happens which the normal flow of energy, they work to target the root cause of disease to restore body functions.
Roofener further explained that they use conventional herbal formulas which comprise of important herbs that are meant to address specific health conditions. Some of these herbs are key ingredient included to address primary health concerns. Others may address secondary complaints or symptoms. That is the reason why we offer individualized treatment plan for every and out there.
From capsule to granules to teas and powders, Chinese herbal medicine comes in different forms.
What the Research Says
There are some exciting recent research studies about herbal medicine, but one of the most promising investigated the use of Chinese herbs and acupuncture to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease. According to a research conducted in 2021, it was stated that these two treatments-beings the perfect complement of one another- can help to improve symptoms of patients with AD disease.
According to its abstract, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease having many causes. TCM theory incorporates two main treatment approaches, namely, acupuncture and herbal treatment, for treating human body which is a self-controlled system of network. Principles of TCM uses “Qi” the five elements, and the theory of visra as the basis for classification. Human diseases are the result of imbalance in forces of “Yang Qi” and “Yin Qi” that result in the non-homeostasis of organs.
Acupuncture is conducted on 12 main meridians and 365 acupuncture pressure points indicating the flow of “blood and Qi”. Using needles on different points that are linked to a specific disease help to enhance Qi flow.
Support with Chinese herbal medicines is based on syndrome differentiation characterized as “Zheng” which differs from the cause orientation approach of Western medicine.” This goes back to the theory proposed by Reopener that herbalist not only work to improve symptoms but heal the entire body.
What Can Herbs Support?
Chinese herbal medicine, combined with acupuncture, can address a variety of health golas including seasonal allergies, the side effects of cancer treatments, autoimmune disorders, digestive issues, infertility, menopause, and sleep disorders.
As far as the safety of herbal medicine is concerned, Roofener has conducted in-depth ressearch about safety of consuming herbs, and concludes that “According to our 7 years of research, we did not find any lab result show kidney or liver problems. And out of 333 patients, we had just five very mild cases of itching or shortness of breath due to allergic reactions.”
What to Expect
On your first visit, your acupuncturists will take notes about your health history including past and present health concerns. They might talk about your current medications because some of these herbs and supplements might contradict with other drugs. Your whole healthcare team including doctors and acupuncturists will keep a close eye on your health progress to ensure that everything goes accordingly.
If your are anxious to know whether herbal therapy may work for you, visit your acupuncturists today and see what they have to say about you. It might be just a simple remedy you have been seeking for.
Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider. This information is not intended to treat, mitigate or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us on hello@mydaolabs.com.
Dr Carrie Graves is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and owner of The Wellness Tree Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine Clinic in Dunedin Florida A graduate of both I ouisiana State University where she focussed on Kinesiology, followed by her Masters of Oriental Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese lierbology at the AON1A Graduate School of Integrative Medicine Dr. Graves works with a variety of patients particularly athletes, to achieve their optimal health. More information about Dr. Graves and The Wellness Tree can be found at https://thewellnesstree.org.
