Chinese herbal therapy is one of the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine studies. Chinese herbal supplements can either complement acupuncture or work as a stand-alone therapy. Chinese traditional herbal medicine is a system of medicine perfected over two thousand years as the best way to treat certain conditions and illnesses. Modern Chinese medicine regularly uses about 700 herbs out of the 11,000 herbs in the traditional pharmacopeia. These 700 herbs used in modern Chinese herbal medicine tend to be those considered the safest, most effective, and most ethical.

While acupuncture helps to address functional issues within the body and the relationships between these various elements and substances, Chinese herbal therapy has the ability to actually replenish the substances if they have been damaged or diminished. Often, a combination of both acupuncture and Chinese herbal supplements will prove to be the most effective combination for long-term improvements in health and wellness.

What types of health issues can be improved with Chinese herbal therapy?

Chinese herbal medicine effectively treats acute and chronic symptoms. The goal is to treat the underlying condition to alter the disease process, not just manage symptoms.

Distinguishing between the “root” (the constitutional aspect) and the “branch” (the manifestation or symptom) allows treatment to be tailored to the individual, not the disease. This results in more effective treatment with minimal or no side effects.

Some of the applications for Chinese herbal therapy include:

  • Acute or chronic pain (including neck, head, back, shoulder and knee pain)
  • Allergies and sinus issues
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Fatigue and chronic fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Respiratory diseases (including COPD, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath)
  • Dermatological issues (including rashes, psoriasis, eczema, acne, and herpes)
  • Digestive issues (including nausea, acid reflux, gastritis, constipation and IBS, GI issues with diarrhea and pain, inflammatory bowel disorders)
  • Colds, flus, viruses, and bacterial conditions
  • Stress
  • Anxiety and depression

This is far from a comprehensive list. Chinese traditional herbs have been used to improve many different ailments.