Chinese herbal medicine is safe and can be taken with your current medications.  The acupuncturist will review your current medications to avoid potential drug/herb interactions. It is also recommended to take herbal medicine and pharmaceuticals at least an hour apart to ensure safety.

Like acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine has few side effects.  Herbal medicine is a complete and comprehensive medicine that has naturally improved health for thousands of years.  Patients with underlying digestive weakness may experience low appetite, nausea, fatigue, loose stool, or abdominal pain which can often be relieved by taking the herbs with food.

Traditionally, herbal medicine was prescribed in a loose herb formula where patients would have to boil the herbs and make a tea.  Not only does the herb tea taste unpleasant, but the brewing process can be very time consuming.  Currently, herbal medicine is administered in capsule or powdered form.  This approach saves the patient time and it tastes much better.

Just like with acupuncture, the treatment length for herbal medicine is dependent on the condition being treated.  Acute conditions may require as little as 7-10 days.  Chronic or complicated health conditions can take up to 6 months of treatment.  Common herbal formulas may also be stored in a home herbal pharmacy and used as needed.  For example, herbal formulas that relieve common cold & flu symptoms, headaches, sleeping aids, digestive support, or stress management kits can be easily stored for up to a year.

Chinese medicine is very affordable.  The price of herbs may vary depending on the individual costs of the herbs used. Typically, formula prices range from 2-3 dollars per day.