Chinese Herbal formulas are developed specifically for each individual, based on detailed information about the condition being treated, your overall health and other symptoms you may be experiencing, and your emotional state, lifestyle and stresses. Each formula is a balanced blend of about 5-15 different herbs, designed to provide quick relief from symptoms and to address the underlying imbalances that may be causing them.

Chinese Herbal medicine can effectively treat a wide variety of conditions, including:

• allergies, asthma, colds and flu;
• digestive difficulties;
• anxiety, depression, and insomnia;
• fatigue, exhaustion, or chronic pain;
• headaches and migraines;
• menstrual disorders, infertility, and menopausal symptoms;
• many other situations (if you don't see your concerns listed here, just ask!)

At your first appointment, your practitioner will spend 30-60 minutes getting to know you and getting a full picture of your health situation. You will be asked lots of questions about your symptoms including:

• When and how did the problem begin?
• What makes it better? What makes it worse?
• Where is the problem located? What does it feel like? Does it come and go or is it constant?
• How does it affect your life activities?

In addition, you will be asked a number of general health questions, including any other major or minor health complaints, and information about your digestion, energy and sleep, menstrual cycle, stress level and general emotional patterns. The practitioner will also check your tongue and pulse. This information will be used to determine the "pattern of disharmony" underlying your symptoms, and to construct an individualized formula that addresses both the symptoms and the root cause of your condition.

Your prescription will be regularly reviewed and updated to respond to changes and improvements in your health. Chinese herbal prescriptions are carefully balanced to avoid any adverse side effects, and can be easily adjusted should any occur. (Side effects of any kind are rare; the most common difficulty is a little bloating or trouble digesting herbs at first.)

Herbs are available in pill, powder, or tea form and usually cost $10-15 per week in addition to consultation. These may be filled in the office or at a local Chinese herbal dispensary. Only top quality herbs that have gone through rigorous testing for safety and purity are used.