Karla Hale - Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Mt Maunganui - Rotorua

Chinese Herbs

Throughout human history, herbal medicine has been served as a primary form of medical care. Chinese herbs are often used in conjunction with acupuncture for added therapeutic effect. While many cultures have herbal medicine traditions, the sophistication of Chinese herbal medicine is unsurpassed. Chinese herbal medicine has a long history reaching back several thousand years, and the resulting system is now used to treat everything from the common cold to certain types of cancer. Herbal Medicine is a highly powerful method to treat specific pathological conditions. Each individual herb has different properties (hot, cold, sweet, bitter, sour etc) and enters info different channels or meridians. A herbal formula is usually comprised of 6-14 herbs which work together. For example a formula for a chronic dry cough will contain herbs which act to stop the cough as well as strengthen and moisten the lungs.

Herbal formulas are prescribed according to the individual Chinese medical diagnosis for each patient. Very often the formula changes over the course of treatment as symptoms and conditions change. The herbs can be used in conjunction with acupuncture treatment or alone. The herbs come in different forms and can be taken as pills, capsules, powders and teas. There are thousands of herbs in the Chinese materia medica, of which about 300 are commonly used. You will generally receive a mixture of several different herbs in a formula that has been tailored to your condition. Chinese herbs are extremely effective and normally have only mild side effects, however it is very important to tell me about all the medications and supplements you are currently taking so that we can avoid any unwanted interactions with your formula.