Q : Do Chinese herbs work for Western patients?

A : Yes, empirical evidences have 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, and throughout Asia.

Q : Why do herbal decoctions taste so bad?

A : Chinese herbal teas tend to taste very bitter because they are made mostly from roots and barks where the strongest medicinal ingredients are found. If the formula is correctly written, the bad taste should go away 1-2 days. After that time, the patient may even crave the taste.

Q : What are the benefits of pills and powders?

A : Pills and powders are good for prolonged administration in the case of chronic disease. Pills and powders are also commonly used to consolidate therapeutic results after a successful course of therapy with decoctions.

Q : Does Chinese herbal medicine have side effects?

A : No, not if the formula has been correctly chosen and written. Most of the medicinals in the Chinese materia medica have a very low toxicity compared to common, over-the-counter Western drugs. When they are prescribed according to a correct TCM pattern diagnosis, they should have no side effects, only beneficial healing results. If a patient experiences any discomfort while taking Chinese herbs, they should tell their practitioner, who will then modify their formula until there are no side effects.

Q : What is Chinese herbal medicine good for?

A : Chinese herbal medicine treats the full range of human disease. It treats acute diseases, like intestinal flu and the common cold, as well as chronic diseases, such as allergies, 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.