Chinese Herbal Medicine

About

In Chinese herbal medicine, there are two main goals: To improve the underlying pattern of imbalance causing the disease, and to relieve any symptoms. Chinese herbal formulas combine usually 8-15 herbs in a way that accomplishes both of these goals. 

When the symptoms are few or minor, there is typically more emphasis on the underlying pattern of imbalance — or the ‘root’ — and any minor symptoms usually resolve as this is treated. When symptoms are severe, the formulas may target them more, while still addressing the root to some degree. Once the symptoms improve sufficiently, the root is addressed in order to prevent symptoms from recurring.  

Since the treatment targets the root of the disease more so than the disease itself, and is further individualized depending on each patient’s constitution, a dozen people all with the same Western diagnosis may all receive very different Chinese herbal formulas. 

Once symptoms have resolved, or before symptoms have begun to manifest, patterns of imbalance can still be recognized through more subtle signs from the body, such as slight differences in temperature, energy, sleep, digestion, emotions, pulse, and tongue.