ONLINE TELEMEDICINE Herbal Consultation is available, you can pick up your herbal medicine ( contact-free) or I can have them shipped to you: Book Now

About Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine alongside Acupuncture, Chinese Medical massage ( Tui Na), Acupressure and many more varieties of treatment tools and approaches has been used in Asia for many millennia. The documented records show continuous usage of about 2000 years but prior to that the medicine was practiced for much longer. Although Acupuncture has typically been more well known in the west, Chinese Herbal medicine is becoming more popular as well due to a proven track record and high efficacy and safety. Especially in the face of pandemics, and other health crisis, Chinese Medicine approaches are gaining more traction regarding acceptance and usage more widely around the world. In many Asian counties such as Chine, Japan, it is an integrated part of the health system offered in hospital settings and beyond.

What is unique and special about Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine versus other approaches using herbs or supplements?

Often other herbal approaches practiced today such as Western herbal medicine primarily treat disease or symptoms for example, “headaches” or “menstrual pain”. Chinese herbal approach treats symptoms and diseases BUT ALONGSIDE the root cause of illness. Diagnosis is highly individualized and based on each individual’s pattern differentiation. This means that patients receive CUSTOM INDIVIDUALIZED herbal formulas to treat both disease and symptoms. Even mental, emotional and physical health issues are all considered, and addressed in one medicinal prescription.

Do all the herbs come from China? Are they safe to consume?

What makes Chinese Herbs “Chinese” is the paradigm of treating the body using principals of Chinese Medicine. Herbs may come from many places in the world but of course just like other supplements and herbs, most come from Asia. About %20 of herbs come from outside of China. The herbs used are tested heavy metals and pesticides to ensure their purity and safety. If available, organic herbs are used for making our medicinals.

How are the Chinese Medicinal herbs taken?

Traditionally TCM herbal medicinals are taken as decoction ( Tea), variety of pills, powders or Alcohol based tinctures. At our clinic we use mostly tincture form because it is effective and the easy to take in your busy day as they have to be taken daily and 2-3 times a day.
Do your herbal medicines taste bad?

The traditional “tea” decoctions taste fairly earthy and bitter. Most medicinal are roots of plants so naturally you can expect earthy flavour. After 1-2 days the taste should normalize for you, in fact many patients report that they start enjoying their tea after a couple of days. This shows the medicine is correct for you and that it is working!

Are there any side effects to Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Chinese Traditional herbal medicine has served vast populations over thousands of years and is safe and effective IF prescribed by a skilled and licensed Chinese medicine practitioner. Because it is medicine not food, if prescribed incorrectly , there are minimal potential side effects. As compared to prescription drugs overall, herbal medicinals are less toxic than prescription medications if used correctly. If patient is experiencing adverse effects they should contact their practitioner immediately and they will modify and correct their herbal formula.

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine good for, what conditions does it treat ?

Chinese herbal medicine as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine treats many conditions, from physical pain to internal diseases. Some of the conditions are are commonly treated are:

Physical pain and injury, Reproductive conditions such as infertility, Dysmenorrhea, Headaches, Migraines, Digestive conditions such as Colitis, Crohn’s, IBS. Mental health issues including Anxiety, Depression, ADHD.

Can you treat Mental Health disorders?

Yes, Traditional Chinese medicine herbs and Acupuncture can treat Mental Health concerns using TCM approaches of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Moxibustion, Qi Gong & more. Mental disorders are a part of the physical body as well as the mind and both area treated for thousands of years in an integrative manner in TCM.

Can pregnant or breastfeeding women take Chinese herbs?

Absolutely, if prescribed by a licensed practitioner, herbal medicine is safe and effective even in pregnancy or breastfeeding. In fact there are herbal approaches to ensure a safe pregnancy, reducing chances of miscarriage and promoting lactation!

Can I take Chinese Herbal medicine while on pharmaceutical drugs?

Yes! Your licensed practitioner knows how to ensure safety when you take herbal medicines alongside drugs. There are some herbs that interact with drugs and practitioners are trained to be able to prescribe alongside western medicine.

Can Children take Chinese herbs?

Yes!

How long does it take to see results?

It depends on a variety of factors, from days, weeks to months! For Cold, Flu, Viral respiratory diseases like Covid, it is often few days to few weeks. In Chinese Medicine, we do not wait until an acute disease becomes serious to react, we prescribe right away even for mild cold/flu symptoms to ensure best prognosis for any disease. Internal disease or skin diseases often take longer, from a few weeks to 6 months or more. It also depends if you are wiling to modify your lifestyle to be healthier, if lifestyle is can not be changed then it may take longer. That being said, herbal medicines ARE NOT supplements, so you will not b taking them for long term for the most part. Sometimes depending on your condition and health, Chinese herbal medicines are prescribed to you seasonally or periodically for prevention, for example allergy sufferers who have more symptoms in Spring, may take medicinals preventatively each late-winter to prevent Spring time difficulties.

I normally see a Naturopath who also prescribes herbs to me, is it the same?

No, it is completely different approaches. Only TCM practitioners fully trained in TCM can diagnoses and prescribe Chinese Medicinals properly and safely.

What can I expect in my Chinese herbal medicine initial visit?

Prior to your initial consult you will be sent a thorough health history form to fill out. In your initial consultation visit ( often Telehealth, online at our clinic ) your practitioner will asses your current health , asking further detailed questions regarding all bodily functions and your overall health and wellness goals. Then you will be prescribed a custom made herbal medicine formula for you for a period of 10 days to try. After this period you meet for a quick phone consult again and continue wither with same medicinals or very often tweaked and modified.

What are the costs associated with TCM Herbal Medicine treatments?

There are 2 types of costs: Consultation fee, and Herbal Medicine prescription. The consultation fees can be found here: Book Now

Typically an average patient needs 1-3 consult sessions per month. After each session, you will receive a custom made herbal medicine. The cost of herbal medicinals vary but on average it is about $4-$7 per day. You may need a few weeks or a few months of treatment.

Where can I purchase my Herbal Medicine after my visit?

In TCM, we choose unique herbs and dosages completely custom made for you. Our herbal medicinals are not supplements and are not to be found at health food stores or online. Quality and correct choose of herbs can impact the treatment results. Your herbal medicinals are purchased from your practitioner most often for this reason.

How do you choose a practitioner who is professionally trained and is able to practice Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Each province has its own unique regulations. In Ontario, ONLY R.TCMPs ( Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners) can diagnose and prescribe herbal medicine based on Chinese Medicine . R.TCMPs have 3+ years of full time education and many study thousands of hours beyond the formal education as well. The practice of Chinese Medicine is vast and takes more than a lifetime to examine the depths of this medicine. R. TCMPs also have the R.Ac ( Registered Acupuncturist) title so very often Acupuncture may also be a recommended part of the treatment depending on the condition.

To find an R.TCMP you can search here: Licensed Practitioners in Ontario