Herbal medicine has always been a foundation of Chinese medicine and most of the prescribed formulas used today are the same ones developed centuries ago. This tradition certainly speaks to the safety and efficacy of their continued use when prescribed by a licensed herbalist. Today Chinese herbs are being used more and more in U.S. clinics and hospitals. As a result of this expansion there is now a depth of information on these herbs made available to both practitioners and the general public. Numerous articles and research done on many of the herbs in our pharmacopeia outline their uses, side effects, contraindications and their interactions with other herbs and medications. This has increased widespread use of Chinese herbs, however, since they are not under the jurisdiction of the FDA, anyone without a license or education can also get access to them, thus leading to improper dosage or overuse. This resulted in certain herbs (like Ma Huang / Ephedra) being banned in the U.S. even though they are entirely safe and very effective when prescribed by a licensed herbalist. It is up to us as practitioners to stay informed on these latest developments regarding Chinese herbal medicines and their safety in our clinic.

What are we doing to maintain safety and efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine?

1. Since the beginning, we have always and will continue to source our Chinese herbs and formulas from growers and distributors who show due diligence in their production standards. That means that all of our suppliers do third party GC-MS testing on every batch of herbs for metals, pesticides, fillers and other contaminants to ensure the components are pure herbs.
2. Our practitioners are board-certified in Chinese herbal medicine which means we had to pass the NCCAOM board exam after years of rigorous study in both single herbs and their corresponding formulas. In addition, we regularly recertify our status by continuing education courses throughout our professional careers to stay up to date on the latest research, herb/drug interactions, and any changes affecting the dispensing of Chinese herbs.
3. We continue to do research regarding the latest news, what’s available to us, what’s been discontinued, and anything that shows promise for challenging disease states. Keep in mind this information is constantly changing on a daily basis with some unfortunately incorrect information being filtered down as well. While we may not find out everything all at once, we certainly strive to meet the demands in an ever-changing industry.

What can you do to get the full benefit from Chinese herbs?

1. Only take herbs from a licensed herbalist. Not all acupuncturists, chiropractors, nutritionists or doctors are licensed in Chinese herbal medicine. Therefore, they may not know the full scope of this medicine nor are they aware of the various nuances. ASK YOUR PRACTITIONER IF HE/SHE/THEY ARE BOARD-CERTIFIED IN CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE. In contrast, as licensed acupuncturists and herbalists, we would never consider prescribing Western pharmaceuticals to you, we would refer you to a licensed M.D. instead.
2. Please tell your practitioner any and all medications/supplements you take and any changes to this regimen. While there are only a handful of Chinese herbs that require caution with certain medications, it is important for your practitioner to know what you are taking in order to avoid any unwanted side effects.
3. Take them as directed both the dosage and duration. Chinese herbs are careful extractions from roots, sticks, twigs, minerals and other natural or plant-based substances. They are not substrates chemically derived in a pharma lab. This makes them more tolerable with less side effects than many medications. As with all natural remedies, this sometimes means that it takes longer to see the effects of the medicine, especially when working with recalcitrant chronic conditions. Ask questions. That’s what we are here for, we are happy to explain and discuss all protocols at length with you, as well as what all your options are.