A.  OM formulas include from 4-18 herbs. They are carefully crafted to include herbs addressing a person's main symptoms as well as their bigger patterns.

Q. Are all the herbs vegetable in origin?  Index

A. Although called Chinese herbal medicine, TCM practitioners use ingredients from all three kingdoms: vegetable, animal, and mineral. However, the majority of these are from vegetable source: leaves, flowers, twigs, stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes, and barks are some of the vegetable parts used.

Q. Do all the herbs come from China?  Index

A.  About 15% of the standard Chinese Repertoire of about 300 ingredients originated outside China. The Chinese have adopted and incorporated into their materia medica, herbs from all over the world. What makes these "Chinese" herbs is that they are prescribed according to Chinese medical theory and OM pattern diagnosis.

Q. Do Chinese herbs work for Western patients?  Index

A.  Yes, empirical evidence has proven that Chinese herbal medicine works for Westerners just as well as for Chinese. Chinese herbal medicine has been used successfully in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and all throughout Asia. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are also used in veterinary medicine with great results.

Q. How are Chinese herbs taken?  Index

A.  Historically, the most common method of taking Chinese herbal medicine has been as a decoction. This means that the dried crude herbs are cooked at a low boil for an hour and then strained and drunk 2-3 times per day. However, there are also herbal pills, tinctures, and powdered extracts for those who do not have the time or taste for drinking traditional decoctions.

The methods of choice at Green Medicine Health are granulated extract powder formulas for the high standards of cleanliness and potency as well as being in an easy to take form.

The granulated extract powder form also eliminates the problems encountered for the storage of the crude herbs, which are not only probably not organic, they are required by the FDA to sit in large warehouses in NY, Chicago, LA or SF where they are liberally sprayed with pesticides before being shipped to the practitioner, who still has to deal with the problems of storage and rodent infestation in this country.

The granulated extract powders are handled in clean, sterile plants in Taiwan, packaged, sealed with numerous layers of packing materials, boxed, and sealed again before being shipped to me at Green Medicine Health for my compounding pharmacy. They are stored in 100 gram size bottles and handled with clean pharmacy techniques.

Q. What are the benefits of drinking Chinese herbs in Granulated extract blended decoction form?  Index

A. This method allows the practitioner maximum flexibility in writing a prescription. We can put in just what is necessary in just the right amounts. The formula can be changed even on a daily basis if necessary and decoctions tend to be more potent than other means of administration.

Q. Why do some herbal decoction blends not taste so great?  Index

A. Chinese herbal teas tend to taste bitter when they are made mostly from roots and barks where some of the strongest medicinal ingredients are found. The bad taste may go away after a few days of use. After that time, the patient may even come to crave the taste.

Q. What are the benefits of pills and granulated extract powders?  Index

A.  Granulated extract powders are good for prolonged administration in the case of chronic disease. Tablets can also be used to consolidate therapeutic results after a successful course of therapy with the extracts.

Q. Does Chinese herbal medicine have side effects?  Index

A. Most of the medicinal herbs in the Chinese materia medica have a very low toxicity compared to even common, over the counter Western drugs. When they are blended according to a OM pattern diagnosis, they should have little if any side effects, and lots of beneficial healing results. Some herbs, when used alone can cause problems; however, when correctly blended into a formula, these side effects are mediated. If a patient experiences any discomfort while taking Chinese herbs, they should tell their practitioner, who will then modify their formula.

Q. What is Chinese herbal medicine good for?  Index

A. Chinese herbal medicine treats the full range of human disease patterns. They also help people overcome acute diseases, like intestinal flu and the common cold, as well as chronic diseases, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, allergies, diabetes, cancer, gynecological disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic viral diseases, and degenerative diseases due to aging. In particular, Chinese herbal medicine is especially good for promoting the body's ability to heal and recuperate. It is always the patterns and constitutions of the patients that are treated in order to strengthen immunity, digestion, and body function.

Q. Can pregnant women take Chinese herbs?  Index

A. Yes, if blended by a professional OM practitioner who has diagnosed the correct pattern or configuration imbalances.  Chinese herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat many symptoms occurring during pregnancy without harm to the baby or the mother. There are some herbs that a pregnant or lactating mother should not take.  Consult with a trained professional.

Q. Can children take Chinese herbal medicine?  Index

A. Yes, again, pediatrics is a specialty within OM and children can be given reduced dosages. There are also special prepared pediatrics medicines in pill and powder form. Chinese herbal medicine can treat colic, the fussiness of teething, earache, diarrhea, cough, and fever in babies and children.

Q. How long does it take to see results with Chinese herbal medicine?  Index

A. In acute conditions, results can be expected in a short time. In chronic conditions, some results should be seen with a couple of weeks of use. Although chronic conditions may require taking Chinese herbal preparations for a long time, signs that the herbs are working should be apparent to patient and practitioner at the early stages of treatment Formulas are adjusted for strength and ratios, based on patient needs and progress. This accommodates a safe and layered approach to healing.

Q. How do I know if a practitioner is professionally trained in Chinese herbal medicine?  Index

A. The National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has created a certification process for Chinese herbal medicine. Practitioners who have passed that examination process are entitled to add the abbreviation: Dipl OM or Dipl. CH after their name.

Although Chinese herbs are safe when professionally prescribed, they are strong medicine. Consideration is important regarding your concurrent use of prescribed medicines from your physicians. Please be certain to communicate what you are taking to all of your health care practitioners.

At Green Medicine Health I have created a compounding pharmacy from the highest quality and most organic granulated extracts. They are the cleanest form available, easy to take, and potent.