The Healing Power of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine: An Overview

As alluded to in a previous article, another service that Chill Acupuncture offers is the prescription of herbal medicines. Herbal medicine use dates back more than four millennia in Asia, with a long history of efficacy. Chill Acupuncture’s approach to herbal medicine is based on a Western medicine approach, with extensive history documented in the catalog of herbal medicine, otherwise called the Materia Medica. Some of the herbal medicines I have personally used with success are herbs to assist in back pain relief, and sinus and other upper respiratory conditions. Some of these are capsules, while others are powders to be dissolved into water and consumed over the course of a day.

Herbal medicine itself is the use of plants or plant extracts to treat disease and improve health. It is also known as botanical medicine or phytomedicine. Herbal medicine can include using the seeds, roots, leaves, flowers, berries, or bark of a plant. Herbalists believe that the whole plant, or a combination of plants, works together synergistically to create an effect, rather than just one active ingredient. 

Chinese herbal medicine is part of a larger healing system called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbs are prescribed to restore energy balance to the opposing forces of energy - Yin and Yang - that run through invisible channels in the body, similar to our blood vessels. 

Herbal medicine is used to treat many conditions, such as allergies, asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer, among others.

It is often recommended to use herbal medicines thirty minutes before a meal or one to two hours after the meal. This improves absorption in the body. In the rare event that your stomach is bothered when doing this, you can take the supplements with a small amount of food or even with a cup of almond or coconut milk.

Acute-use herbs can have an effect between one and three days. Tonifying body systems is typically a longer process. Tonic herbs are slower, but deeper acting and their action can be thought of as building long-term, taken anywhere from one to three months or more.

Herbal supplements like devil’s claw, turmeric, and ginger contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate pain. Essential oils, such as lavender or peppermint oil, can be applied topically to the neck to soothe muscles and promote relaxation.

Herbal supplements like devil’s claw, turmeric, and ginger contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate pain. Essential oils, such as lavender or peppermint oil, can be applied topically to the neck to soothe muscles and promote relaxation.

Baihu Guizhi decoction (BHGZD) is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine prescription, and studies have demonstrated its potential in addressing the immune-inflammatory imbalance in active RA progression. 

Gingko Biloba is a commonly used herb. Ginkgo Biloba, also known simply as ginkgo, is an herbal medicine derived from the maidenhair tree. Native to China, ginkgo has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and remains a top-selling herbal supplement today. It contains a variety of potent antioxidants that are thought to provide several benefits. The seeds and leaves are traditionally used to make teas and tinctures, but most modern applications use leaf extract. Some people also enjoy eating the raw fruit and toasted seeds. However, the seeds are mildly toxic and should only be eaten in small quantities, if at all.

Gingko is said to treat a wide range of ailments, including heart disease, dementia, mental difficulties, and sexual dysfunction.

Although it is well tolerated by most people, possible side effects include headache, heart palpitations, digestive issues, skin reactions, and an increased risk of bleeding.

Another very common herbal medicine used in the western world is the elderberry. Elderberry is an ancient herbal medicine typically made from the cooked fruit of the Sambucus nigra plant. It has long been used to relieve headaches, nerve pain, toothaches, colds, viral infections, and constipation. Today, it is primarily marketed as a treatment for symptoms associated with the flu and common cold. Elderberry is available as a syrup or lozenge, although there’s no standard dosage. Some people prefer to make their own syrup or tea by cooking elderberries with other ingredients, such as honey and ginger. Test-tube studies demonstrate that its plant compounds have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties.

St. John’s Wort (SJW) is an herbal medicine derived from the flowering plant Hypericum perforatum. Its small, yellow flowers are commonly used to make teas, capsules, or extracts. Its use can be traced back to ancient Greece, and SJW is still frequently prescribed by medical professionals in parts of Europe. Historically, it was utilized to aid wound healing and alleviate insomnia, depression, and various kidney and lung diseases. Today, it’s largely prescribed to treat mild to moderate depression. Many studies note that short-term use of SJW is as effective as some conventional antidepressants. St. John’s Wort has relatively few side effects but may cause allergic reactions, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth, and increased light sensitivity. SJW does have some negative interactions with medications, so it is important to consult with your acupuncturist to determine if SJW is suitable. 

Here are some herbs that can help you lose weight:

Fenugreek, Cayenne pepper, Ginger, Oregano, Ginseng, Caralluma Fimbriata, Turmeric, Black Pepper, and Huang Qin (Chinese Skullcap). Huang Qin comes from the powerful flowering plant root which works excellently in fighting inflammation. Its dried roots contain Oroxylin A which has antioxidant and antithrombotic effects. Huang Qin's anti-inflammatory role is relevant to immune function in our body. 

If you have any questions about herbal medicine and its applications, just ask your technician as they are trained herbalist in the Chinese tradition . They have a wall of books in the herbal medicine library where they can find the answer to nearly any questions you might have.

TriWest and Blue Cross Blue Shield are currently accepted at Chill Acupuncture. Please be aware that insurance verification generally takes between 1 and 3 business days.

Chill Acupuncture is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 7 PM, with last appointments scheduled at 6 PM.

Chill Acupuncture and Wellness is located at 6502 East Carondelet Drive, Tucson, AZ 85710. They are located in the San Rafael Medical Center due south of the Saint Joseph’s Hospital main building. You can contact Chill Acupuncture by phone at (520) 505-1990, or via email at chilltucson@gmail.com.